Politics · Brazil · 1 day ago
Brazilian court upholds dismissal of worker who preached during medical leave
A labor court in São Paulo upheld the just-cause dismissal of a factory production operator who also worked as a pastor.
His employer said he submitted 88 medical certificates in 2025, recommending rest and limits on physical effort.
The company showed images of him speaking at church events on days when he was on leave.
In one instance, he appeared standing and preaching while his certificate cited neck pain.
The worker argued that the dismissal violated his religious freedom and protections under a collective agreement.
The judge found that his conduct was serious and damaged the trust between him and the company.
The court rejected his requests to return to work and receive pay for the period in question.
A Brazilian labor court upheld the dismissal for cause of a factory production operator who preached as a pastor while on medical leave.
The worker submitted 88 medical certificates to his employer in 2025, according to both reports.
The company presented church social media images showing him at religious events on days covered by his medical leave.
The worker argued that the dismissal violated his religious freedom and protections under a collective agreement.
The court rejected his requests for reinstatement and payments for the period of leave.
- Who
- A production operator at a General Motors factory who also worked as a pastor.
- What
- A court upheld his dismissal for cause after he preached during periods of medical leave.
- When
- The certificates were submitted in 2025; the ruling was reported on October 10, 2026.
- Where
- São Caetano do Sul, in Greater São Paulo, Brazil.
- Why
- The judge considered his conduct serious misconduct and a breach of trust.
The worker
The company
Dismissal
The worker
He argued that the dismissal violated his religious freedom and protections under a collective agreement.
The company
The company presented social media images showing him at church events on days when he was on medical leave.
Medical leave
The worker
He said his leave related to functional limitations that the company had disregarded after his return from social security leave.
The company
The company said he had submitted 88 medical certificates in 2025 recommending rest and limits on physical effort.
No direct quotes in the coverage so far.
The worker submitted 88 medical certificates to the company, according to the reports.
The company presented church social media images showing the worker at religious events on days covered by his leave.
UOL reported that the 13th panel of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region upheld the dismissal the previous day.
- Medical certificates
- 88 submitted in 2025
- Job
- Production operator at a General Motors factory
- Court
- 13th panel of the Regional Labor Court of the 2nd Region, according to UOL
- Location
- São Caetano do Sul, Greater São Paulo
- Judge
- Isabela Parelli Haddad Flaitt, according to CNN Brasil
Sources
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