A new survey shows that the number of American workers today who feel safe in disclosing to colleagues the state of their physical or mental well-being is up considerably compared to levels a year ago.

That number, which translates to 78%, is nearly double the 40% rate logged in October 2020, according to the survey commissioned by digital CX provider Telus International and conducted by mobile monetization platform Pollfish. The survey also notes that employees consider work-life flexibility an important factor impacting mental health.

With the COVID-19 pandemic giving rise to significant stressors and exerting an emotional toll on people, disruption has entered into daily routines, including those affecting workplaces, noted Marilyn Tyfting, chief corporate officer of Telus International. “The result has been a much-needed shift in the past year from a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell,’ attitude to a ‘do ask, do tell, and let’s talk’ mindset that has transformed the way society perceives and discusses mental health, both more generally and in the context of the workplace.”

Because of these new dynamics, employees are increasingly asking for resources to help them cope with mental health challenges. For their part, companies are responding by enhancing the breadth and scope of programs and services they provide, as well as making them more accessible, Tyfting added.

The pandemic has also altered the way employees approach the work-life-balance equation. Nearly 90% of the respondents in the survey believe it is important for a company to prioritize the mental health of its employees, and 86% said that flexibility in work hours contributes to more robust mental health.

More workers are also feeling supported by their employers, the survey noted. Nearly 70% said their employers allowed greater flexibility in employee working hours to maintain physical and mental health, and that employers have also provided more mental health days and extra paid time off to combat burnout while working from home.

The idea of returning to the office for work is a new stressor, but employers can help relieve stress and ease a return to the office by doing three things: offer flexible work schedules, provide enhanced office cleaning and implement physical distancing protocols, and issue a vaccine or testing mandate. “Employers need to understand that their employees today are not the same people who left their offices in March 2020, and that now is not the time to pump the brakes on mental health initiatives,” Tyfting said. “Prioritizing employee health, safety, and well-being will continue to be of paramount importance not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because it leads to improved company performance.”