A violência psicológica sofrida por trabalhadores de limpeza de uma empresa terceirizada em universidade pública

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the phenomenon of outsourcing has structurally altered Brazil's productive base, defining new forms of contracting and inter-company relationships while significantly increasing the precariousness of working conditions in the country. This study aimed to identify and characterize the psychological violence experienced by outsourced cleaning staff at a public university, as well as to analyze the physical and psychological consequences of this phenomenon and the various parties involved—the outsourcing company, the university, and the institution's users. Seven outsourced cleaning workers, all over the age of 18 and employed at the public university for more than three months, participated in the research. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. The accounts revealed instances of psychological violence perpetrated by various actors, alongside several factors impacting the workers' physical and psychological health, such as the precarious nature of outsourced work, interactions with the university community, and a lack of support from official protection networks. Future studies should focus on developing intervention strategies for this population and raising awareness about this phenomenon within the university environment.