Nebraska Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern is an important legal concept that pertains to the rights of public employees regarding their freedom of speech. This instruction addresses situations where a public employee alleges that they were discharged from their job or denied a promotion due to their expression of opinions on matters of public concern. When public employees are discharged or denied promotion based on their speech, specifically on issues that are of public interest, they may have a valid claim under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. This provision ensures that public employees are not penalized or restricted from expressing their opinions on matters that are of importance to the public. The Nebraska Jury Instruction 1.1.1 outlines the requirements for a successful First Amendment claim by a public employee in cases of discharge or failure to promote due to their speech on matters of public concern. It establishes that for such claims to prevail, several conditions must be met: 1. Free Speech: The speech or expression must be of public concern, meaning it relates to matters that are of interest or importance to the public rather than purely personal matters. 2. Employment Action: The public employee must have suffered an adverse action, such as discharge or failure to promote, as a result of their speech. 3. Causal Connection: There must be a causal connection between the public employee's speech and the adverse employment action. This means that the employer's decision was influenced or motivated by the employee's expression of their opinions on matters of public concern. Different types or variants of the Nebraska Jury Instruction 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern may exist based on specific facts or circumstances of individual cases. While the general principles and elements remain the same, the application and interpretation of the instruction may vary depending on the unique details of each claim. It is important for public employees and their attorneys to understand and apply this jury instruction correctly when pursuing a First Amendment claim in Nebraska courts. By properly presenting evidence and establishing the elements described in the instruction, public employees can seek redress for the violation of their constitutional rights and obtain remedies in cases of wrongful discharge or denial of promotion due to the expression of their opinions on matters of public concern.