Brazil's NR 1 Regulation Targets Psychosocial Risks After ILO Report

A 2026 report from the International Labour Organization links psychosocial risks at work to more than 840,000 deaths worldwide each year. The study was released on World Day for Occupational Safety and Health (April 28) and highlights how excessive pressure, long hours and job insecurity harm both health and the global economy.

In Brazil, the Ministry of Social Security recorded over 546,000 work‑related mental‑health leave cases in 2025, the highest in its history. Effective 26 May 2026, the updated NR 1 occupational‑health regulation makes the systematic management of psychosocial risks mandatory for all companies employing workers under the CLT regime. Employers must diagnose risks, create documented action plans and provide evidence of implementation, regardless of size or work model.

Adriana Paranhos, founder of the corporate‑wellness firm Find Your Flow, explains that compliance can be paired with programs based on mindfulness, emotional regulation and neuroscience to reduce stress, improve focus and sustain performance. She stresses that caring for mental health is not only a legal duty but also a strategic advantage for productivity and employee well‑being.