French Hospital Modifies Suspension of Nurse Over surgical Cap Dispute
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A Paris hospital has revised the disciplinary action against a nurse initially dismissed for refusing to remove her surgical cap, following a court ruling that deemed the original punishment “disproportionate.” The case highlights ongoing tensions surrounding workplace regulations and individual expression within the French healthcare system.
The Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP) confirmed on Saturday that the sanction against the nurse, identified only as Madjouline B., has been altered. A spokesperson for the AP-HP told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that the initial dismissal has been changed to an eight-month suspension, a decision revealed initially by Mediapart.
Court Challenges Initial Dismissal
The legal battle began after Madjouline B., a nurse at Pitié-Salpétrière hospital in Paris since 2018, was dismissed on November 10, 2025. Hospital management cited her consistent wearing of a surgical cap – protective equipment typically reserved for operating rooms and intensive care units – as the reason for her termination.
However, the Paris administrative court intervened in early january, suspending the dismissal and ordering her reinstatement within one month, pending a full examination of the case. The judge acknowledged that Madjouline B. had “committed a fault” warranting disciplinary action, but crucially determined that the severity of the dismissal lacked proportionality to the infraction.
Nurse’s Defense and Hospital Response
According to her lawyer, Me Lionel Crusoé, madjouline B. did not assert any religious motivation for wearing the cap, stating it was a matter of “her private life.” Crusoé expressed frustration that the AP-HP did not reinstate his client after the initial court order, instead opting for a new exclusion. “The summary judge had ordered the reinstatement of my client, the AP-HP never did so and pronounced a new exclusion,” he lamented to AFP.
Following the court’s decision, the AP-HP stated it would “take note” and adjust its disciplinary measures to ensure proportionality. The hospital has now acted on that commitment with the revised eight-month suspension.
Broader Implications for Healthcare Workers
The case has drawn attention from labor representatives. blandine Chauvel, a staff representative for Sud santé, confirmed that Madjouline B. received notification of the modified sanction “at the beginning of the week.”
This incident raises questions about the balance between hospital hygiene protocols and the personal choices of healthcare workers. While hospitals maintain strict standards for infection control, the ruling suggests a need for more nuanced consideration of individual circumstances and a more proportionate response to minor infractions. The AP-HP’s decision to modify the sanction reflects a recognition of this need, and sets a precedent for future cases involving similar disputes.
Here’s a breakdown answering the “Why, Who, What, and How” questions:
* Who: Madjouline B., a nurse at Pitié-Salpétrière hospital in Paris, and the Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP).
* What: Madjouline B. was initially dismissed for consistently wearing a surgical cap outside of operating rooms. The AP-HP revised this dismissal to an eight-month suspension after a court deemed the original punishment disproportionate.
* Why: The nurse wore the cap as a matter of “her private life,” not for religious reasons. The court found the dismissal too severe for the infraction.
* How did it end?: The AP-HP,following the court’s ruling,modified the dismissal to an eight-month suspension,acknowledging the need for proportionality in disciplinary measures. The case has sparked debate about balancing hospital protocols with individual worker choices.
