New York Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern In New York, public employees are granted certain First Amendment rights, including the freedom of speech. However, there are specific rules and considerations when it comes to a public employee's claim of discharge based on the failure to promote free speech on a matter of public concern. When an employee asserts a First Amendment claim of discharge, they must establish three essential elements to succeed in their case. First, the employee needs to prove that their speech is protected by the First Amendment because it addresses a matter of public concern. To determine if the speech constitutes a matter of public concern, the court will examine the content, form, and context of the employee's statements. If the speech primarily concerns personal grievances or deals with private matters irrelevant to public discussion, it may not be considered a matter of public concern. Second, the employee must demonstrate that the speech was a substantial or motivating factor for the employer's decision to take adverse employment action, such as demoting or terminating them. It means that the employee's protected speech played a significant role in the employer's decision-making process. Lastly, the employee should establish that their interest in speaking out on matters of public concern outweighs the employer's interest in maintaining efficiency, discipline, and harmony in the workplace. The court will evaluate whether the employee's speech disrupts the workplace environment or has a negative impact on the public perception of the employer's services. It is crucial to note that there are different types of public employee first amendment claims related to discharge and failure to promote free speech on matters of public concern in New York. These include: 1. Discharge due to public employee's speech on a matter of public concern: This type of claim arises when a public employee is terminated explicitly because of their protected speech on a matter of public concern. 2. Failure to promote due to public employee's speech on a matter of public concern: In this scenario, the public employee claims that they were not promoted based on their protected speech that addressed a matter of public concern. They argue that their speech was a substantial factor in the employer's decision not to promote them. 3. Retaliation for exercising First Amendment rights: This claim occurs when a public employee faces adverse employment actions, such as demotion or termination, as retaliation for exercising their First Amendment rights. The employee needs to prove that their protected speech was a substantial or motivating factor for the retaliation. In conclusion, New York Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Free Speech On Matter Of Public Concern encompasses various scenarios where public employees allege their discharge or failure to be promoted due to the suppression of their freedom of speech on matters of public concern. These claims require employees to establish the protected nature of their speech, its influence on adverse employment actions, and the balance between their interest in speaking out and the employer's interest in maintaining a functional work environment.