Sexual harassment: Göttingen professor loses 2,000 euros!

Sexual harassment: Göttingen professor loses 2,000 euros!

Göttingen, Deutschland - A not exactly gratifying judgment for a professor at the University of Göttingen: The Higher Administrative Court (OVG) Lüneburg has decided that he will have less money in the pocket in the future due to serious violation of his civil law obligations. According to [NDR], the court announced on June 30, 2025 that the scientist, who was appointed in 2011, will be downgraded by two grade groups for five years; This brings him a monthly salary loss of around 2,000 euros. Previously, the Göttingen administrative court had already made a corresponding judgment in October 2023.

What exactly had happened? In the eyes of the court, the professor was not exactly exemplary for years: he is said to have sexually harassed several students, doctoral students and employees. A total of 44 individual allegations were made, in nine cases sexual harassment could be detected. The court found that the professor shamelessly took advantage of his position of power to bring female young scientists into an unpleasant Situation.

Way to downgrade

As the history shows, the way to this judgment has been anything but short and uncomplicated. As early as 2012, the initial indications of inappropriate behavior, which led to official discussions. However, these remained without sustainable effect, because the behavior of the professor did not change. In 2017, he was finally banned the service business and a ban was banned. In 2018, the university's disciplinary action followed with the aim of removing it from the civil service relationship.

It is particularly noteworthy that the OVG did not impose the highest punishment despite the serious allegations and the long period of eight years. The court argued that the lack of written warning and the long duration of the procedure played a role. Nevertheless, the decisions made as part of the disciplinary procedure are clear. The court found a clear misconduct that cannot be tolerated.

the legal background and follow

The situation of the professor is not just an isolated case. According to [database.nwb.de], civil servants and employees in the public service can expect significant disciplinary consequences even if they were committed in their free time. This means that a disciplinary measure, as it was hit here for the professor, can have far -reaching consequences for his career. Because as soon as the employer becomes aware of criminal allegations, disciplinary proceedings are often initiated, even before there is a criminal conviction.

In the case of the professor, it is clear: his behavior not only damaged his professional reputation, but could ultimately also cost him his existence as a civil servant. The loss of trustworthiness and reliability in public should not be underestimated here, as well as [defense sexual criminal law] emphasized. This shows how seriously the institutions of the public service react to such incidents in order to maintain the trust of the citizens in their civil servants.