The Harris Texas Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure to Promote Free Speech on Matter of Public Concern is a set of legal guidelines used in the state of Texas when a public employee alleges their First Amendment rights were violated resulting in discharge due to the failure to promote free speech on matters of public concern. This specific jury instruction is aimed at cases involving public employees and their rights to engage in speech that relates to public issues. This instruction is commonly used in cases where public employees believe they have been wrongfully terminated or not promoted due to their exercise of free speech on matters that are of interest or importance to the public. Such matters can include government corruption, public policies, or other topics that affect the community at large. The Harris Texas Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 outlines the necessary elements that the employee needs to prove in order to establish a successful claim. Some key elements include: 1. Protected Speech: The employee must demonstrate that their speech is protected by the First Amendment as it pertains to matters of public concern. This typically involves showing that the speech addresses issues with a wider impact beyond the individual and is related to the employee's job duties or field of expertise. 2. Balance of Interests: The instruction requires the employee to prove that the interests of the public employee, as a citizen, in commenting on matters of public concern outweigh any disruption or interference caused by the speech within the workplace or the functioning of the government organization. 3. Causal Connection: The employee has to establish a causal connection between their protected speech and the adverse employment action, such as discharge or failure to be promoted. This connection must demonstrate that the employer's decision was primarily motivated by the employee's speech rather than other legitimate factors. It is important to note that variations or different types of the Harris Texas Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 may exist depending on specific circumstances or case law. For example, there might be additional elements or factors to consider in situations where the employee's speech involves matters related to their official job responsibilities or if the speech negatively impacts the effectiveness or operation of the public workplace. Overall, the Harris Texas Jury Instruction — 1.1.1 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure to Promote Free Speech on Matter of Public Concern is a crucial guide used by judges and jurors to evaluate claims of First Amendment violations in the context of public employment. It ensures a fair and balanced approach to resolving disputes related to free speech rights while considering the particularities of public employee positions.