German teacher on 16-year sick leave challenges medical exam requirement, loses court appeal

A German teacher who has been on continuous sick leave for 16 years while receiving full salary has lost a legal challenge against her employer's requirement for medical verification of her condition.

The educator, whose identity remains protected under German privacy laws, initially took leave in 2009 for undisclosed mental health issues and repeatedly extended her absence from the North Rhine-Westphalia education authority.

State authorities recently questioned the prolonged absence and requested a medical examination, prompting the teacher to file a lawsuit arguing the demand was unreasonable.

The Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia dismissed her appeal, ordering her to undergo medical assessment to continue sick leave benefits and pay €2,500 in court fees.

The case has drawn sharp criticism from the local teachers' union, with president Andreas Bartsch calling the situation "a slap in the face to colleagues" and noting that other teachers had to absorb the absent teacher's workload due to legal restrictions on hiring replacements.

German civil servant regulations allow teachers indefinite full salary during sick leave, with estimates suggesting the teacher received approximately €1 million over the 16-year period.