STF Minister André Mendonça suspends NR-1 mental health fines

Supreme Federal Court (STF) Minister André Mendonça has extended the suspension of fines and administrative penalties related to mental health regulations in the workplace for an additional 90 days. The decision concerns Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1), which requires companies to identify and manage psychosocial risks, such as work overload and harassment.

The suspension follows legal challenges from the National Confederation of Educational Establishments (Confenen), which argues that the current wording of NR-1 contains “open and subjective concepts” that create legal uncertainty for employers. Mendonça noted that a lack of clarity regarding these standards could potentially violate constitutional principles.

The extension aims to provide a window for conciliation between the federal government and the productive sector. While the penalties are suspended, the NR-1 regulation itself remains in effect, meaning companies are still obligated to implement preventive measures and manage psychosocial risks in the work environment.