The First Amendment protects government employees from termination because of their speech on matters of public concern. Connick v. Myers, 461 U.S. 138, 103 S.Ct. 1684, 75 L.Ed.2d 708 (1983). To prevail, the employee must prove (1) that the conduct at issue was constitutionally protected and (2) that it was a substantial or motivating factor in the termination. If the employee meets that burden, the government entity can escape liability by showing it would have taken the same action even in the absence of the protected conduct. Board of County Comm'rs v. Umbehr, —U.S.— 116 S.Ct. 2342, 135 L.Ed.2d 843 (1996); see also Botchie v. O'Dowd, 318 S.C. 130, 456 S.E.2d 403 (1995).