A long-running case in North Rhine-Westphalia has drawn attention across Germany: a 62-year-old teacher who has been on full sick pay since 2009 is now fighting a government order to retire. The teacher, who last taught at a vocational college in Wesel, argues that forced retirement would cut her income to a pension level. She has filed a lawsuit with the Düsseldorf Administrative Court to block the move.
According to reports from WDR and Der Spiegel, the teacher submitted medical certificates over many years citing a psychological condition. Despite the extended absence, an official medical assessment was not ordered until this year. In 2024, a public health officer concluded that a return to teaching within six months was unlikely. The Düsseldorf district government then ordered her retirement at the end of May.
The teacher’s legal challenge means she will continue receiving payments equivalent to her pension until a court ruling. The district government has stated that any amount above her pension entitlement is being withheld; if she wins, those sums would be paid retroactively.
Parallel fraud investigation
The case has also caught the attention of law enforcement. The Duisburg public prosecutor’s office is investigating the teacher on suspicion of commercial fraud. Authorities suspect that she may have falsely claimed to be unfit for duty while working as an alternative health practitioner during her sick leave.
In March, investigators searched her home and seized documents and digital storage devices. Der Spiegel reported that potentially relevant evidence was found and is being analysed. The investigation covers a four-year period, as older alleged offences may now be time-barred.
Disciplinary proceedings have also been opened against the teacher and an employee of the Düsseldorf district government. The employee is accused of failing for years to initiate a proper review of the teacher’s alleged permanent incapacity for service.
The case raises broader questions about the oversight of long-term sick leave for civil servants in Germany. While the teacher’s situation is extreme, it highlights gaps in the system that allow extended absences without independent verification. The outcome of the lawsuit and the fraud investigation could have implications for how similar cases are handled in the future.
For now, the teacher remains in legal limbo, awaiting a court decision that will determine her financial future. The case continues to generate public debate about fairness, accountability, and the use of taxpayer funds.
