The Brazilian Labor Court has faced a significant increase in workplace harassment allegations, with over 450,000 cases adjudicated in the last five years.
Between 2020 and 2024, the court received 458,164 new claims for moral damages resulting from harassment, showing a 28% growth from 2023 to 2024 alone (from 91,049 to 116,739 cases), according to data released by the National Justice Council.
This scenario highlights the critical importance of preventive action by companies, not only to avoid labor liabilities but also to protect employees’ mental health and foster a healthy corporate environment. The main complaints reported in these cases relate to excessive pressure, embarrassing comments, aggressive treatment, and punishment threats — practices that compromise individual well-being, productivity, and the overall organizational climate.
Below are five best practices employers can adopt to mitigate these risks:
1. Establish a Positive Organizational Culture: Promote institutional values that encourage mutual respect and collaboration. This culture must be embodied by leadership, serving as a reference for the entire team.
2. Implement Effective Internal Controls: Create clear policies and specific protocols for prevention, identification, and appropriate response to abusive conduct, ensuring prompt and proportional action.
3. Create or Revise the Code of Conduct: The code should reflect the organization’s principles, including coexistence rules and consequences for inappropriate behaviors. It must be easily accessible and widely disseminated.
4. Establish Secure Communication Channels: Provide confidential and accessible reporting mechanisms, ensuring confidentiality, impartial investigation, and protection against retaliation.
5. Offer Regular Training: Equip leaders and teams to identify, prevent, and address workplace harassment situations and other forms of organizational violence.
Adopting these measures not only reduces the company’s legal exposure but also contributes to a more ethical and productive work environment committed to collective well-being. With the implementation of the new Regulatory Standard 01, organizations have a strategic opportunity to review their policies and practices. By proactively adapting to new regulatory requirements and building a corporate culture that values human dignity and prevents harassment, companies can promote healthier, more respectful, and sustainable work environments for the long term.
