German teacher on sick leave for 16 years to face medical examination

A teacher from western Germany who has been on sick leave for over 16 years must be examined by a medical officer following a court decision.

The Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia said on Thursday that the woman's employer - the state government - was right to order the examination in April 2025 to check whether the civil servant was fit to return to work.

The woman argued that it was incomprehensible that she should be examined after such a long period of incapacity for work due to illness. In addition, she claimed that a psychological examination constituted an interference with her personal rights.

However, in a ruling made on August 12 but which was only made public on Thursday, the judges did not agree with any of her arguments.

Although the years of inaction in the case were indeed incomprehensible, the investigation was justified because the examination served to clarify the state of her health, the court said.

In the interests of the general public, examinations ensure that civil servants who are fit for duty work and are not paid indefinitely without providing any services in return, the court added.

The woman has not worked since 2009. According to her initial sick notes, she was suffering from mental health issues.