São Paulo labor courts uphold dismissals for cause

Labor courts in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, have upheld two separate dismissals for cause involving employees who violated workplace conduct and medical leave protocols.

In São Caetano do Sul, the 2nd Labor Court maintained the dismissal of an automotive company production operator. The employee had submitted 88 medical certificates throughout 2025, many recommending rest and physical restrictions. However, the company provided social media photographs showing the individual performing religious duties as a pastor during these periods of medical leave. The worker argued that the dismissal constituted religious persecution.

In Osasco, the 5th Labor Court confirmed the dismissal of a worker for the continuous use of Microsoft Teams for personal and sexual communications with a colleague. The judge noted that the messages were sent during working hours and included arrangements for private encounters on company premises. The employee admitted to the intimate relationship and the authenticity of the corporate communication screenshots used as evidence.