TELEWORKING: IMPACTS OF LABOR REFORM AND LAW 14,442/2022

Abstract

Telework, more clearly established by the Labor Reform (Law No. 13,467/2017) and later adjusted by Law No. 14,442/2022, represents a significant transformation in labor relations in Brazil. This modality, which allows work activities to be carried out outside the physical premises of the company, has brought advantages for both employees and employers, such as reduced operational costs, increased productivity, and improved quality of life for workers. It has also led to social benefits, including the inclusion of people with disabilities in the labor market and a reduction in urban pollution. However, telework also presents important challenges, such as difficulties in monitoring working hours, the risk of emotional overload, the loss of social interaction, and the blurring of boundaries between personal and professional spaces. Recent legislation has sought to mitigate these issues by establishing, for example, the right to disconnect. Nevertheless, inequalities in access to this work modality persist, as not all professions are compatible with this regime. Therefore, telework is emerging as an irreversible trend in the post-pandemic context, requiring appropriate regulation and a balance between flexibility and the protection of fundamental workers’ rights.