Brazil: New Regulations and Compliance on Workplace Mental Health
Authors: Gabriela Lima and Mariana Fiorotto
The new Ordinance 1.419/24, published in August 2024 by the Ministry of Labour, introduced significant changes to Regulatory Standard No. 1 (NR-1) that mandates companies establish an Occupational Risk Management Program (PGR). The new rules, effective 26 May 2025, require companies to include information about work-related psychosocial risks in their PGR. These changes reflect the government’s concern over the rising incidence of mental health issues among employees.
Companies will now need to identify, evaluate, and include guidelines in their PGR on how to manage psychosocial risks. Although the new NR-1 text provides some general guidelines, there is no standard procedure for all companies to follow. Each company should tailor its approach based on its specific conditions.
To begin assessing psychosocial risks in the workplace, companies can use information from their HR departments, ethical hotlines, and recent labour claims. Relevant topics include harassment, work-life imbalance, poor organisational culture, burnout, bullying, exposure to traumatic events, monotony, and boredom, among others. Companies can also consider their history of medical leave due to psychosocial conditions.
It is advisable for companies to involve occupational physicians, occupational safety technicians, and other professionals competent in preparing the PGR to ensure compliance with the rules.
The Ministry of Labour has recently announced that it is preparing a manual with guidelines on how to address psychosocial risks in the PGR. This publication is expected to be available before 26 May 2025.
Key Action Points for Human Resources and In-House Counsel
- Review and update the company’s Risk Management Program (PGR) to include psychosocial risks.
- Conduct regular assessments to identify and classify occupational risks as well as to implement preventive measures.
- Stay informed about the upcoming manual from the Ministry of Labour for additional guidelines and insights.
