Opinion ID: 1179762
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Pickering Balancing Test

Text: Even if the public employee's speech involves a matter of public concern and, therefore, passes the threshold public concern test introduced in Connick and, accordingly, the First Amendment is implicated, a retaliatory discharge nevertheless may not offend the First Amendment. As previously stated, the determination of whether a public employer has properly discharged an employee for engaging in speech of public concern requires an application of the Pickering balancing test, i.e., a balance between the interests of the employee as a citizen, in commenting on matters of public concern, and the interest of the governmental body as an employer, in providing public services efficiently. Connick v. Myers, supra, 461 U.S. at 146, 103 S.Ct. at 1689; Pickering v. Board of Education, supra, 391 U.S. at 568, 88 S.Ct. at 1734. Relevant to the balancing analysis is the manner, time, and place in which the expression is made. Connick v. Myers, supra, 461 U.S. at 152, 103 S.Ct. at 1692. Impairment of work-place discipline and creation of disharmony with coworkers are factors to be weighed in the balance. Rankin v. McPherson, supra, 483 U.S. at 388, 107 S.Ct. at 2899; Connick v. Myers, supra, 461 U.S. at 152-53, 103 S.Ct. at 1692-93; Pickering v. Board of Education, supra, 391 U.S. at 570-73, 88 S.Ct. at 1735-37. In applying the Pickering balancing test, a wide degree of deference will be given to the employer's assessment of such disruption, at least in situations where close working relationships are essential to fulfilling public responsibilities. [8] Connick v. Myers, supra, 461 U.S. at 151-52, 103 S.Ct. at 1692-93. If the public employer's interest in efficiency outweighs the employee's right to freedom of expression, the employee's expression is not protected by the First Amendment. [9] If the employer's interest in efficiency does not outweigh the employee's right to freedom of expression, the expression is protected. Rankin v. McPherson, supra, 483 U.S. at 392, 107 S.Ct. at 2901. Whether the employee's speech enjoys the protected status is a question of law for the court. Connick v. Myers, supra, 461 U.S. at 148 n. 7, 103 S.Ct. at 1690 n. 7.