A teacher in North Rhine-Westphalia has been on full-pay sick leave since 2009. Now, aged 62, she faces mandatory retirement but is contesting it in court amid ongoing fraud investigations.

The case of a North Rhine-Westphalia teacher has attracted nationwide attention in Germany for several years. Since 2009, the 62-year-old has been on prolonged sick leave yet has continued to receive her full salary as a civil servant teacher throughout this time. She is currently disputing the forced retirement decision in court, as it would reduce her income to pension payments only.

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Most recently, she was employed at a vocational college in Wesel. Reports from WDR and Spiegel indicate that she submitted medical certificates for years indicating a psychological disorder. Initially, an official medical examination was not requested. Only this year did a public health official determine that a return to teaching duties within six months was improbable.

Following this, the Düsseldorf district government mandated her retirement at the end of May. The teacher subsequently filed a legal challenge against this order at the Düsseldorf Administrative Court, which has confirmed the lawsuit.

Until the court reaches a verdict, she will receive payments equivalent to her pension benefits. According to the district government, any sum exceeding her pension entitlement is currently withheld. Should her case succeed, these withheld amounts will be paid retroactively.

Allegations of fraud and disciplinary actions

Simultaneously, law enforcement agencies are investigating the matter. The public prosecutor’s office in Duisburg suspects commercial fraud. It is alleged that the teacher falsely claimed incapacity to work for at least some period and practiced as an alternative health practitioner during her sick leave.

In March, authorities conducted a search of her home, confiscating documents and digital devices. Spiegel reports that potentially significant evidence was discovered and is under review. The probe covers a four-year span, as older accusations may now be barred due to statute of limitations.

Disciplinary proceedings are also ongoing against the teacher and an employee of the Düsseldorf district government. The employee faces accusations of neglecting to conduct a thorough assessment of the alleged permanent unfitness for service over several years.

The incident has ignited a nationwide discussion about monitoring civil servants on extended sick leave. North Rhine-Westphalia’s Education Minister Dorothee Feller (CDU) described the situation last year as «unforgivable» and «incomprehensible in its magnitude.»