A saleswoman in Camaçari, Brazil, had her termination for just cause upheld by the Regional Labor Court after she was found working at a tanning clinic while on medical leave during the Carnival.
A saleswoman from an optics store in Camaçari, located in the metropolitan region of Salvador, faced termination for just cause after being spotted working at another establishment while on medical leave during the Carnival of 2025. The termination was upheld by the Regional Labor Court of Bahia (TRT-BA), which ruled that her actions violated the trust necessary for the employer-employee relationship. This decision, announced on Tuesday (10), emphasizes the seriousness of failing to comply with medical leave regulations.
The case arose when the employee submitted a medical certificate for two days of leave but was later filmed attending to clients at her own tanning salon during the same period. This blatant contradiction raised concerns about her integrity and commitment to her job at the optics store. The TRT-BA determined that the employee's actions not only breached her employer's trust but also undermined the legitimacy of medical leave, prompting the court to maintain the just cause termination.
The employee has since filed a lawsuit in the Labor Court seeking to reverse the decision. In her defense, she argued that she had indeed submitted a genuine medical leave certificate. However, the evidence against her, including the footage from her tanning salon, presents a significant challenge for her case. This incident highlights the legal and ethical implications for employees and employers regarding adherence to medical leave policies and trust in the workplace.
