The recent update of Brazilian Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-01), which forms part of the country’s occupational health and safety legal framework, has incorporated mental health and harassment prevention into the Risk Management Program (RMP), making the adoption of preventive measures mandatory for companies. This change reflects the growing concern for workers’ well-being and poses new challenges for companies seeking compliance. Below, we highlight the main impacts of the new standard, the consequences of non-compliance, and best practices to ensure a healthy and legally compliant work environment.
Under Brazilian labor regulations, the new NR-01 includes mental health and harassment prevention in the Risk Management Program, as the recent update to Regulatory Standard No. 01 (NR-01) brought fundamental changes to risk management in companies by including mental health and harassment prevention as mandatory components of the Risk Management Program (RMP). This change reflects the need for organizations to adapt to the current context, in which occupational stress, burnout cases, and reports of moral and sexual harassment are increasingly present in the workplace.
Originally enacted by Ordinance No. 3,214/1978 by the Brazilian Ministry of Labor (MTb), NR-01 is a foundational regulatory standard that outlines the general principles of occupational health and safety in Brazil, serving as the basis for all other national occupational safety regulations. With the new update, companies are required to recognize psychosocial risks and implement effective measures to prevent toxic environments and promote organizational well-being.
Factors such as the increase in burnout and depression cases in the post-pandemic period and the classification of burnout as an occupational disease by the World Health Organization (WHO) have driven this change. Studies indicate that one in three Brazilians suffers from burnout, reinforcing the importance of preventive measures. This condition, together with the increase in reports of moral and sexual harassment, pressured authorities to modernize the legislation, including mental health within the scope of occupational safety.
In addition, the lack of preventive measures can lead to severe consequences for companies. In the Brazilian legal context, the Ministry of Labor and Employment (MTE) has intensified inspections, and non-compliance with the new guidelines may result in:
- Significant fines;
- Suspension or interdiction of activities;
- Execution of Conduct Adjustment Agreements (TAC);
- Civil and criminal liability in serious accidents;
- Rigorous inspections, focusing on psychosocial risks, especially after the planned hiring of 900 new labor inspectors in January 2025.
The psychosocial factors that negatively impact the work environment include:
- Moral and sexual harassment: Psychological violence, humiliation, intimidation, and inappropriate behaviors that can cause serious emotional harm.
- Work overload: Long working hours, unrealistic deadlines, and excessive task accumulation.
- Job insecurity: Instability, lack of perspective, and inadequate working conditions, generating stress and frustration.
If not managed, these factors may result in frequent leaves of absence, reduced productivity, and talent loss, in addition to harming the organizational climate and the company’s image in the market.
How should companies prepare? Key actions include:
- Diagnosis and mapping of psychosocial risks;
- Review of the Risk Management Program (RMP): Include psychosocial risks as part of the prevention strategy. It is important that the RMP is a living document, reviewed periodically to ensure its effectiveness.
- Training and qualification: For the prevention of harassment situations and work overload
- Mental health promotion: Create psychological support programs;
- Harassment and violence prevention: Establish clear codes of conduct and adopt zero-tolerance policies for inappropriate behaviors, in addition to promoting awareness campaigns on the topic.
- Reporting channels: Implement internal and secure channels, ensuring anonymity and protection against retaliation.
- Continuous monitoring: Conduct periodic audits and constantly review the implemented practices, adjusting them as necessary to ensure a safe and healthy environment.
Companies that adopt a preventive and proactive approach not only meet legal requirements but also strengthen their organizational culture, retain talent, and protect their market reputation. Promoting a healthy work environment has a direct impact on productivity, reduces absenteeism, and enhances employee engagement.
Moreover, with inspections expected to intensify in the coming months, compliance with NR-01 should be treated as a strategic priority to avoid financial and legal risks.
The update to NR-01 reflects a broader movement within Brazil to align occupational health and safety standards with international best practices. It represents an opportunity for companies operating in Brazil to reinforce their commitment to mental health, ethics, and employee safety, fostering more humanized and productive workplaces aligned with global standards.