A landmark court decision in Móstoles has once again raised concerns about safety and employee rights in Spanish educational institutions. The case, in which a former official came under pressure after filing a harassment complaint, exemplifies how administrative levers can be used against whistleblowers. For many Spaniards, this case serves as a reminder that even in government institutions, achieving justice often requires legal intervention.
The events unfolded at the IES Gaspar Melchor de Jovellanos institute in Fuenlabrada, where the former official served as deputy head of academic affairs. After she accused one of the teachers of inappropriate behavior, an inspection failed to find evidence supporting her claims. However, the story did not end there: the school principal began to pressure her, demanding that she step down from her position voluntarily.
Pressure and threats
In June 2018, a tense meeting took place in the principal’s office. The former official and her colleague came to discuss the situation with the teacher, but instead of support, they were met with threats. The principal, raising his voice, made it clear that any official complaint would result in disciplinary action against the complainants themselves. Later, in July, the pressure intensified: the woman was directly told she had to resign, supposedly for personal reasons and concern for her children.
Despite facing threats, the former official refused to resign voluntarily and demanded a formal dismissal. In response, the director publicly announced her departure without her consent. The court found that these actions had a serious impact on the woman’s emotional state and became grounds for legal proceedings on the grounds of pressure.
Legal proceedings
The woman took the case to court, accusing the director of unlawfully coercing her into resignation. The court of first instance acknowledged the pressure and ordered the director to pay compensation of 1,050 euros. In 2021, the Audiencia Provincial de Madrid upheld this decision, dismissing the director’s appeal. Thus, the manager’s actions were officially recognized as unlawful.
This case became one of the few instances where the court sided with an employee who faced pressure from management after making a complaint of harassment. The ruling sparked widespread public debate and discussion among professionals.
Context and consequences
The proceedings revealed that pressure on employees who report violations is not uncommon in Spanish educational institutions. Many fear the repercussions and choose to remain silent to avoid losing their jobs or facing harassment from the administration. In this case, the former official not only defended her rights but also secured official recognition of the director’s misconduct.
Reflecting on recent events, it is worth noting that the topic of combating harassment in the educational environment has already been raised in Spain. Following one of the high-profile scandals, the authorities announced the launch of special courses for staff. However, as it turned out, no real evidence of this training was found. Many employees reported that instead of concrete measures, they only saw posters on the walls. You can read more about this in the article at the link.
Similar cases
In recent years, cases of pressure on staff who choose to speak out about violations in educational institutions have been increasingly reported in Spain. In 2024, a similar incident was discussed in Valencia, where a teacher, after filing a complaint against a colleague, faced threats of dismissal and was forced to go to court. In Andalusia in 2025, a court also found the actions of a school administration unlawful when they tried to force an employee to leave after a conflict with management. These stories highlight that the problem remains relevant, and court rulings in such cases have become an important signal for the entire education system.
