Impactos da Covid-19 nas relações trabalhistas: uma análise de acordo com as MPS 927 e 936 em uma distribuidora de energia

Abstract

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, many companies went bankrupt, while others had to implement new forms of non-presential work. Seeking to preserve workers’ employment and income, the Brazilian Federal Government published two Provisional Measures which made labor law more flexible regarding alterations in work contracts, in order to benefit both employees and employers. This research aims at understanding how work contracts were affected in an energy distribution company from the state of Paraíba, considering the effects of PMs 927 and 936. The research was conducted with 220 employees of an energy distribution company located in the municipality of João Pessoa - PB. This is a descriptive research, in which the research problem was approached both quantitatively and qualitatively. Data collection happened through the use of a questionnaire, composed of four different sections. The first section brings questions about the subjects’ profiles; the second addresses changes in work contracts and benefits; the third focuses on the workers’ reactions to the change in work regime; finally, the fourth section relates to employees’ acceptance and satisfaction regarding these new forms of work. The data were organized and presented through graphs and tables. The results indicate that, indeed, there happened changes in work contracts, as well as a reduction of income and benefits to a portion of the employees who received wages above the limits of Unemployment Insurance Benefits. Additionally, many subjects reported feeling more productive and developing a closer relationship with the company’s managers; we also identified that some employees would prefer continuing in this new work regime once the pandemic is over.