Brazil's new NR‑1 rule sparks book launch and highlights burnout surge

A new book titled "Saúde Mental no Trabalho: A NR‑01 que Sustenta uma Equipe Forte" was launched on July 16 in São Paulo. Organized by Soraia Pena and Ivan Sant’Ana Rabelo, the volume examines the updated Norma Regulamentadora 1 (NR‑1) and argues that mental‑health management must shift from a peripheral wellness program to a strategic, legal responsibility for companies.

Research cited by Brazilian media shows an 823% increase in burnout‑related cases between 2021 and 2025, with 1,528 work‑related exhaustion leaves recorded in the first quarter of 2026. The surge is linked to a high staff turnover rate of 56% per year and an estimated economic loss of nearly R$ 400 billion annually. Experts call for continuous monitoring of absenteeism, short‑term medical leaves, turnover by area, and engagement trends to detect early signs of burnout, noting that only 36% of firms hold regular feedback sessions and 12% provide psychological support.

Both the book and the statistics underscore the growing urgency for Brazilian employers to adopt systematic, risk‑based approaches to workplace mental health under the new NR‑1 framework.