REMOTE WORK AND THE NEED TO DISCONNECT: IMPACTS OF EXCESSIVE WORK HOURS ON WORKERS' MENTAL HEALTH IN THE POST-COVID-19 ERA

Abstract

The advancement of digital technologies and the expansion of remote work, intensified after the COVID-19 pandemic, have significantly transformed labor relations, increasing connectivity between employers and employees. In this context, this study aims to analyze the importance of the right to disconnect as a tool for protecting the mental health and human dignity of workers engaged in remote work. The theoretical framework is based on International Labour Organization (ILO) standards, the 1988 Brazilian Federal Constitution, the Consolidation of Labor Laws (CLT), labor jurisprudence, and international legislation that expressly recognizes the right to disconnect. The methodology consisted of bibliographic and documentary research through the analysis of legislation, legal doctrine, scientific articles, and judicial decisions related to the subject. The results demonstrate that hyperconnectivity and permanent availability imposed by communication technologies contribute to the increase of psychological disorders such as anxiety, burnout syndrome, depression, and the deterioration of social and family relationships. It is concluded that the right to disconnect is an essential mechanism for ensuring a balance between professional and personal life, promoting mental health protection, the effectiveness of fundamental rights, and the preservation of human dignity in the contemporary work environment.