Teletrabalho: controle de jornada e impactos na saúde mental dos trabalhadores

Abstract

Telework has become one of the most significant transformations in contemporary labor relations, driven both by advances in information technologies and by the Covid-19 pandemic. This study analyzes the historical development of this form of work, the gradual regulation of telework within Brazilian labor law, and the challenges arising from its implementation, with emphasis on working time control and the impacts on workers’ mental health. The research examines the legislative changes introduced by Law No. 12.551/2011, the 2017 Labor Reform, and Law No. 14.442/2022, as well as the measures adopted during the state of public calamity. The findings indicate that, although the regulatory framework has advanced, uncertainties remain regarding the possibility and limits of monitoring teleworkers’ working hours. Furthermore, the absence of clear boundaries between work periods and rest time fosters hyperconnection, contributing to stress, exhaustion, and Burnout Syndrome. The study highlights the importance of the right to disconnect and the necessity of public policies and organizational practices aimed at protecting teleworkers’ mental health. It concludes that the effective protection of remote workers depends on the articulation of adequate legislation, monitoring mechanisms compatible with technological reality, and organizational measures that preserve the dignity and well-being of those performing remote work.