Brazil Expands Labor Rules to Include Psychosocial Risks at Work

Brazil's updated Norma Regulamentadora NR‑1, which came into force on 26 May 2026, formally adds psychosocial risks—such as stress, burnout and harassment—to the occupational risk management framework. The Ministry of Labor and Employment issued a manual to guide companies in implementing a prevention‑focused management system, emphasizing a stronger safety culture.

Employers of all sizes must now identify, monitor and mitigate factors that can cause mental‑health deterioration, integrating these concerns into the Program for Occupational Risk Management (PGR). Failure to comply can lead to inspections, fines and legal challenges; the Confederation of Educational Establishments has already filed an ADPF before the Supreme Court questioning the rule’s subjectivity and potential liability for businesses, especially SMEs. The regulation aims to reduce the 546,000 work‑related mental‑health leaves recorded in 2025 and aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals on health and decent work.