The Kings New York Jury Instruction — 1.1.2 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Political Disloyalty — Key Employee pertains to a specific legal scenario involving a public employee who claims their First Amendment rights were violated by being discharged or not promoted due to political disloyalty. This instruction guides the jury in understanding the key elements of this claim and assists them in reaching a fair verdict. In this type of case, a key employee is involved. A key employee, in the context of this jury instruction, refers to an individual whose position within the public entity is considered vital or crucial to its overall functioning. The role of a key employee is fundamental and carries significant responsibilities. To establish a successful claim, the following elements must be proven: 1. Public Employment: The plaintiff must be a public employee, meaning they are employed by a governmental entity, such as a state, county, municipality, or public school. 2. First Amendment Protection: The plaintiff must demonstrate that their speech or political affiliation falls under the protection of the First Amendment. This typically includes matters of public concern and can involve political beliefs or expression. 3. Adverse Employment Action: The plaintiff needs to provide evidence that they suffered an adverse employment action, such as discharge or failure to promote. The action taken against them must be in response to their speech or political affiliation, showing a direct link between the protected activity and the adverse action. 4. Causation: The plaintiff must establish a causal connection, proving that their discharge or failure to promote occurred due to political disloyalty, and not due to other legitimate reasons unrelated to their First Amendment rights. While this description emphasizes the general aspects of the Kings New York Jury Instruction — 1.1.2 Public Employee First Amendment Claim Discharge — Failure To Promote Political Disloyalty — Key Employee, it's important to consult the specific instruction for a comprehensive understanding of this legal scenario.