Brazilian labor reform and implications for nursing work: a case study

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the Brazilian labor reform repercussions and its implications for nursing work. Method: this is an exploratory-descriptive case study. Data were collected on the website of four Regional Labor Courts (in Brazil), taking into account the cases judged in first and second instance, involving nurses and aspects of labor rights that were linked to labor reform. Results: two cases were captured that dealt with: 1) lack of prior inspection for unhealthy work; 2) expansion of nurses’ working hours without overtime pay. These two situations were based on the labor reform, which confirms the process of loss of rights for nurses. Conclusion: implementing the new labor rules brought harm and had negative repercussions for nursing work, as it resulted in professionals’ loss of rights. In this treadmill, it is believed that the dissatisfaction of these workers will increase and may result in professional evasion.