Lawsuit over alcohol addiction claim by ex-Ambev worker dismisses claim in court
June 5, 2025 - Brasília - The Superior Labor Court (TST) bounced back the master brewer's claim for damages against Ambev. The pro alleged excessive alcohol consumption led to alcoholism, a side effect of working for the company for nearly two decades. The worker consumed up to four liters of beer daily during shifts.
The professional had a storied career, initially joining Ambev in 1976 before being let go without cause in 1991. However, dependency only surfaced nine years later. TST dismissed the connection between the job and the subsequent health issue due to the considerable time lapse.
Hit up O TEMPO's WhatsApp channel if you're curious. Ambev contested the claim, claiming the tasting done by master brewers is technical and done in small quantities. The company added it would be impossible to maintain productivity with excessive consumption.
The expert report presented by the worker fumbled in lower courts. The TRT of the 1st Region pointed out that he continued performing the same function in other companies after departing Ambev, weakening the causal connection argument.
In the judgment, Minister Delaíde Miranda Arantes emphasized that it's not TST's role to reassess evidence and facts, eventually leading to the denial of the appeal.
Source: Superior Labor Court
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Brewmaster's Battle Cry
If employer rules regarding alcohol are justifiable and comply with labor law, employees like a master brewer have a tougher road to tread. Brazilian law allows employers to establish and enforce policies restricting alcohol use in the workplace, and any claim by an employee would be based on the legality, necessity, and fair enforcement of those rules.
The Brazilian Labor Code, CLT, demands employers provide a safe, healthy, and substance-free work environment. Employers can create and uphold rules against alcohol and drugs, but these regulations must be reasonable, clear, and non-discriminatory.
Catching a Buzz at Work
Adults are not forbidden by law from consuming alcohol at work, unless it goes against company policy or poses a safety hazard. In general, workers in Brazil must be at least 18 or 16 years of age for most jobs and alcohol-related jobs, respectively.
Employers can discipline employees for violating workplace alcohol policies, including termination, if the rules are lawfully enforced. Disciplinary actions must be supported by evidence and followed by due process to avoid legal challenges.
While specific decisions regarding master brewers or Ambev haven't been detailed, the TST often upholds employer rules on alcohol consumption as long as they are lawful, job-specific, and fairly implemented.
So, it's quite challenging for a brewer (or any employee) to claim a right to drink on the job or challenge discipline for beer consumption at work, given that the employer's policy is legal and properly communicated.
To Sum it Up
Employers can regulate alcohol consumption at work, ensuring workplace safety while adhering to labor law. The TST would evaluate any claim by a master brewer (or other employees) based on the legality, necessity, and fair enforcement of the employer's rules. In the absence of a specific TST decision, the master brewer's claim against Ambev would be analyzed within the framework of Brazilian Labor Law and workplace safety regulations. There is no special exception for brewery employees with regards to drinking on the job.
The TST's decision may imply that employers have the right to enforce alcohol policies in health-and-wellness and mental-health focused workplaces, such as breweries, as long as these rules are aligned with labor law and fair to employees. A brewer's claim for damages against an employer, citing excessive alcohol consumption leading to alcoholism, might be difficult to establish, especially if there is a considerable time lapse between employment and dependency onset.
