Brazil has already recorded 463 complaints ofElectoral harassment in the workplaceThis year, according to MPT (Ministry of Labor Public Prosecution), São Paulo (59), Rio de Janeiro (50), and Minas Gerais (47) are the states with the most cases in this election year.
Electoral harassment at work is any practice related to the electoral process thatAttempts to influence or coerce political orientation.It refers to electoral manipulation or the voting behavior of workers. It can involve threats, promises of benefits, discrimination, or pressure to support a particular candidate, including in virtual work environments such as email and intranet.
"The workplace is not a space for the practice of electoral propaganda," says Prosecutor Igor Souza Gonçalves, a prosecutor with the Ministry Public of Labor. He is the national coordinator for the Promotion of Equal Opportunities and the Elimination of Discrimination in the Workplace at MPT.
One of the cases took place in Brasília, where vigilantes and employees of the 5 Estrelas Sistemas de Segurança company were allegedly called to attend events outside their regular working hours, where candidates solicited votes. Following a complaint from the MPT, the Labor Court prohibited the company from engaging in electoral harassment.
By the decision, the company cannot call for or promote events used for political-party manifestations.Nor can it distribute election propaganda material or adopt practices aimed at influencing, directing, inducing, or interfering with the political orientation or votes of employees and workers.Sought for comment, 5 Stars stated that "its actions are guided by strict compliance with legislation and respect for the freedom of choice and expression of its collaborators" and that the company does not adopt as an institutional practice "any form of political-electoral guidance for its employees, nor does it authorize the use of its structures and activities for such purposes." It also said it is available to the competent authorities.
Jump in complaints in September
Increase in complaints in September
MPT's expectation is that the number of complaints will increase between the first and second rounds, as this was the period with the most cases recorded in 2022, according to Gonçalves.
The increase in complaints near the election can be explained by a greater awareness among the population and companies about what is political harassment, says the prosecutor.
The rise in complaints close to the election can be attributed to a higher level of awareness among the population and companies about what constitutes political harassment, states the prosecutor.
"Some practices that we now call electoral harassment were already known to the entire Brazilian society before this phenomenon. But it was in 2022 that we began to build this concept, starting from a flood of complaints reaching the Labor Ministry," he explains.
"It is important to highlight the significant participation of unions, the signing of TACs [Conduct Adjustment Terms] and MPT recommendations, as well as brochures that were widely reproduced in that context," continues Gonçalves. The total number of complaints in 2022 reached 3,500.
Know how to identify and report
Electoral harassment can occur when benefits or advantages are promised to workers related to the choice of the vote or political position.
It can also happen in situations involving threats of job loss or working conditions associated with the vote or political position, as well as embarrassment and humiliation.
Among the situations investigated for electoral harassment are:
- Demanding the use of a uniform, t-shirt, hat, or other symbols associated with a candidacy;
- Holding meetings at work to present candidates or provide political guidance;
- The mobilization of workers for election campaigns, postings, or petition drives;
- The definition of the scale and work site on election day that favors voting only from workers who declare their support for a specific candidate;
- Conducting surveys or polls on voting intent in the workplace.
Anyone can submitComplaints to MPTThe agency receives complaints through its website, phone, email, or in person at its units. Evidence to support a complaint can include messages, emails, social media posts, documents, images, audio recordings, videos, internal channel records, and witness information.
"Beyond just taking a screenshot, it's important that the worker also attempts to record the screen [from a cell phone or computer], if they are able to do so, because this aids in the preservation of that digital evidence," advises Gonçalves of the MPT.
According to the prosecutor, simply taking a screenshot has a higher chance of being challenged in court. "[Recording] has a greater chance that that evidence can be used without the discussion of choosing what is being posted and, in some way, trying to manipulate that image."