Harassment, discrimination and privacy at work in Brazil: guide

Workers are entitled to dignity, privacy and equal treatment at work. Workplace bullying, sexual harassment, intimate searches and discriminatory dismissal are prohibited and can lead to compensation for moral damages, reinstatement and even indirect termination (Federal Constitution, art. 5; CLT, art. 483; Law 9,029/1995). This topic brings together Human Case's guides on how to recognize, prove and report these situations.

Quick summary

• Evidence: keep messages, e-mails, witness names and dated records.
• Reporting: the company's internal channel, the Ministry of Labor, the Labor Prosecution Office (MPT) and, for crimes, the police.
• Discriminatory dismissal: gives the right to reinstatement or double compensation (Law 9,029/1995, art. 4).
• 7 guides in this topic, all free and with official sources.

Harassment

• Workplace bullying: what it is, examples and how to prove it — What counts as workplace bullying (assédio moral), common examples, how to gather evidence, where to report it and what rights the worker has, including compensation and constructive dismissal.
• Sexual harassment at work: what it is, examples, how to prove it and where to report it — Sexual harassment at work is a crime and serious misconduct.

Discrimination and inclusion

• Discriminatory dismissal: when firing is illegal and what the worker can claim — Dismissal because of pregnancy, age, illness, race, sexual orientation or for having sued the employer is discriminatory.
• People with disabilities at work: quota, rights, accommodation and dismissal rules — Employers with 100 or more employees must reserve 2% to 5% of jobs for people with disabilities.

Privacy and the employer's limits

• Strip and bag searches at work: what is prohibited and when it leads to compensation — Strip searches are prohibited by law.
• Workplace monitoring: can the employer read your email and WhatsApp or use cameras? LGPD and limits — An employer may monitor corporate tools, but not the employee's private life.

Compensation

• Moral damages in Brazilian labor cases: when compensation applies, amounts and what the STF decided about the CLT table — Humiliation, harassment, accidents and discrimination can lead to compensation for moral damages.

Other topics

• Pay and benefits
• Working hours
• Health, safety and leave at work
• Types of employment contract
• Dismissal and termination
• Labor Courts, complaints and free legal help
• Full index of guides

Frequently asked questions

How can I prove workplace bullying?

With messages, e-mails, recordings of conversations you took part in, witnesses and medical records. Note the dates and details of each episode.

Where can I report harassment at work?

To the company's internal channel, the CIPA, the Ministry of Labor, the Labor Prosecution Office (MPT) and, for sexual harassment, also the police (Criminal Code, art. 216-A).

Can the employer dismiss me because I am ill?

Dismissal of someone with a serious illness that carries stigma or prejudice is presumed discriminatory (TST Precedent 443) and can be annulled.