There is no other subject being talked about than the first debate of the presidential candidates in the 2022 electoral race. The topic is on people's lips and, of course, in virtual chat groups.

In our last article, we addressed the precautions employees and employers should take when using work tools and private social networks to exchange messages, and the consequences they may face when transmitting fake news. It was not for nothing: shortly after publication, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) opened an investigation against members of a virtual chat group precisely because of the content shared.

Fearing something already discussed in the 2018 election - the possibility of businessmen influencing their employees to vote for one candidate or another - the Labor Prosecutor's Office (MPT) this year issued Recommendation 01/2022 to curb certain corporate practices.

According to the agency, companies must refrain from granting (or promising to grant) any benefit in exchange for voting, as well as threatening, embarrassing, or directing people to vote for candidates in the upcoming elections.

The message is clear and ends with a warning: failure to comply with the recommendation will lead the Labor Prosecutor's Office to apply administrative and judicial measures to guarantee individual liberties and the democratic order.

It is important to say that this embarrassment does not have to take place within the gates of the company, nor does it have to be materialized solely by the acts of its officers or CEO. It can happen in the virtual field - in message groups or in posts on social networks - and can be committed by any representative of the company who has a management position, such as managers and coordinators, among other employees who can influence the decision of their subordinates.

Once again, awareness is the appropriate instrument to prevent the conduct. Companies should not ignore the political moment that Brazil is going through and simply close their eyes to the possibility that certain anti-democratic practices may occur among their employees, even if they are disguised as jokes or “pranks".

Information, lectures, and courses can be given to employees so that they avoid unnecessary exposure of the employer and practices considered abusive by the prosecutorial bodies. The companies must also be prepared to deal with any non-compliance of their conduct by employees who do not follow the Labor Prosecutor’s guidelines. To do this, they need to draw up a contingency plan.

The authorities are watching the companies' movements closely. It is therefore essential to guide and monitor employees so that they do not end up engaging in anti-democratic practices during the presidential elections.