Social workers in the Canary Islands will receive compensation for the risk of being attacked at work

A court in the Canary Islands has sided with a social worker from the town of Arona: she is entitled to a risk allowance. The judges decided that her job is "more than" sufficient grounds for such an allowance.

According to the Efe news agency, the woman is to be paid €2,000 for the period from February 2021 to August 2022. The court initially awarded €4,000, but a higher court reduced the amount.

The judges explained that the employee really deserves the allowance, as she risks becoming a victim of verbal or even physical attacks. This can happen both in the office and during visits to people.

The court's decision states that the woman works in a community center where social services occupy the first floor. The windows face the street, and she receives visitors both by appointment and without one.

The employee complained that the center has no security, police, or even a panic button. There is only a security guard at the entrance, but he does not control who enters.

She also said that some visitors behave aggressively, so the police have to be called. Sometimes police officers accompany her to dangerous places, such as abandoned buildings where she works.

The woman conducts a census of the homeless, people with mental disorders, and alcohol and drug addicts. The police wait outside, and she has to go inside alone.

However, the court noted that police officers cannot enter private homes without legal grounds.

Another social worker, who works in similar conditions and also wants to receive a risk allowance, testified in court. Previously, such an allowance had already been granted to another employee with the same duties.

This decision could set a precedent for other similar cases. However, the court will always consider each situation separately, taking into account all the details. Therefore, the consequences of this decision apply only to the specific case of the employee from El Fraile.