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DANCING

‘Enviable dancer’ on sick leave caught out by Spanish court

A Spanish waitress suing her boss for sacking her while on leave with a back injury has been left red in the face after an incriminating video of her dancing emerged.

'Enviable dancer' on sick leave caught out by Spanish court
The woman decided to sue her boss for damages. Photo: Deposit Photos

In the latest case to prove how careful employees should be with preying eyes and social media, a woman in the southern region of Murcia has lost her plea to get her job back.

The waitress was on sick leave for allegedly suffering muscle spasms in her back as well as pelvic inflammation.

But while she was temporarily relieved of her duties, she was seen strutting her stuff with ease at a local nightclub in the town of Torre Pacheco, where the waitress was a regular, Spanish news agency EFE reported.

A witness who was a friend of the woman’s boss alerted him to her apparently miraculous physical recovery, which led to her sacking.

Not content with the news, the former waitress decided to present a claim at Murcia’s High Court asking for damages for what she claimed was wrongful dismissal.

What she hadn’t expected was that on one of the several occasions where the off-duty waitress had hit the dance floor, the witness pulled out his mobile phone and filmed her.

This evidence was presented to the judges who said it was clear that the woman “was dancing with enviable agility”, with fast hip movements similar to those performed by Colombia pop star Shakira, that suggested she had recovered or never had any injuries at all.

The man who filmed her was a witness in the court, telling judges that on earlier occasion he had seen her perform even more difficult hip movements.

“She’s broken the essential rules of her contract by not acting in good faith and mutual confidence with her employer,” the court heard.

“The plaintiff is seen moving in the video with complete normality, proving that she had recovered from her ailments.”

BAN

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban

It is one of Germany's more surprising laws that has led to protests throughout the years.

Frankfurt party organizers face hefty fine for flouting Easter dancing ban
There are restrictions on dancing in Germany during Easter. Photo: Depositphotos/pitangacherry

With restrictions varying across the country's 16 states, the dancing ban, or 'Tanzverbot', effectively bars public dancing on the Christian holiday. In some states, including Hesse, the ban lasts for more than one day.

Now authorities in Frankfurt, the biggest city in Hesse, have vowed to crack down on anyone who ignores the ban that’s in place from Thursday to Saturday, reported regional newspaper the Frankfurter Rundschau (FR).

According to the law in Hesse, a fine of up to €1000 can be handed out to anyone who puts on a public dance event, the spokesman for the Ordnungsamt, Ralph Rohr, told the FR.

One of the city’s mayors, Uwe Becker, of the centre-right Christian Democrats (CDU), has called for residents to show respect for those who observe the religious Easter holiday, and not take part in any dancing.

“Even those who do not belong to a religion themselves should show respect for the feelings of others,” said the CDU politician who is head of the church department in Frankfurt.

The law in Hesse states that dancing in public is forbidden from 4am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday, as well as on Sundays and public holidays from 4am until 12 noon.

According to Rohr, city police will conduct their usual checks during this time.

“If complaints are received, police will investigate them,” said the Ordnungsamt spokesman.

In response to the FR's question as to whether dancing would be stopped, Rohr said: “We will end what is not allowed.” Clubs will be contacted by authorities and warned in advance.

SEE ALSO: 10 ways to celebrate Easter in Germany like a local

Ban is contentious

As well as dancing, other activities are banned at Easter time, such as sporting events and gambling. The ban on dancing has led to protests across Germany throughout the years.

Centre-left Social Democrats politician Kevin Kühnert recently said the ban should be abolished. He said people should be able to decide for themselves whether they want to celebrate or not.  He told the Redaktionsnetzwerk that “anyone who wants to go to a disco that day should be able to do so.”

A protester at a demo in Stuttgart in 2015 holds placards that read: 'We dance when we want!' and 'Release the dance!' Photo: DPA

Not surprisingly, club capital Berlin is the most liberal state when it comes to upholding the silent public holiday, with the 'Tanzverbot' only in place from 4am to 9pm on Good Friday.

In the southern state of Bavaria, which is largely Catholic, the ban runs for 70 hours: from 2 am on Maundy Thursday until midnight on Holy Saturday. Penalties vary, but people who flout the law, which tends to be event organizers or club owners, risk fines of up to €1,500.

'Important gesture'

Meanwhile, in Frankfurt, Becker urged all citizens to comply with the legal regulation on Good Friday.

For many Christians it is deemed inappropriate to dance or celebrate during Holy Week – the seven days leading up to Easter Sunday. Good Friday, when Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, is of particular importance. For Catholics, the day is traditionally meant for fasting and abstinence.

Becker said that not taking part in “loud and exuberant celebrations” is “an important gesture” that shows respect to “fellow human beings”.

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