In partnership with the Victorian Office for Women and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), The Behavioural Insights Team (BIT) has undertaken research to fill
this gap.2 We surveyed a representative sample of 1,109 workers from across Victoria who were working remotely between March - September 2020. In the survey we asked about:
● the types of sexism and sexual harassment experienced during remote working;
● the types of sexism and sexual harassment witnessed during remote working;
● whether these behaviours increased or decreased while working remotely;
● whether Victorians felt that they knew how to or were able to respond to these behaviours;
● any barriers to responding; and
● mental wellbeing.

The findings of the survey represent a particular and unprecedented moment in time, when
coronavirus lockdowns were forcing the majority of Victorians who were able to work, to do so from home. Nonetheless, understanding what sexism and sexual harassment looked like
in this context is a critical first step in enabling policy makers and workplaces to effectively develop strategies to tackle these behaviours, and prepare for the increase in flexible work
practices we are likely to see across Victoria in 2021.

It will also assist relevant entities to comply with their obligations under the Victorian Gender Equality Act 2020 which commences in March 2021. (From the document).

Follow the link for related resources, including: Empowering bystanders to act on sexist and sexually harassing
behaviours while working remotely (VicHealth, 2021).
Record #7497