Workplace wellness programs are easy to launch. Building one that employees actually know about, trust and use? That takes a little more work.
That’s what makes Kloeckner Metals’ recent recognition especially meaningful to us at KWI. As a partner in the company’s employee wellness efforts, we’ve had the opportunity to see firsthand the intentionality that has shaped this approach. In 2026, the company was named the #10 Healthiest Employer by the Atlanta Business Chronicle and received the Bronze Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Alliance, two honors recognizing its commitment to building a workplace where employees are supported, engaged and empowered to thrive.
But the awards are only part of the story. The real win is what’s behind them: sustained support that is making a measurable difference for employees.
Making Support Easier to Find and Use
Kloeckner’s wellness journey began several years ago with a simple question: If an employee or family member needed help during a difficult time, would they know where to turn?
That one question sparked a greater focus to remove barriers and make available support easier to understand. What started with mental health soon grew to encompass physical and financial well-being, creating a more well-rounded approach to employee wellness.
“Several years ago, we made a decision to take a more intentional approach to employee well-being because we recognized that a strong team builds a strong business,” said Steve Erdman, Chief Human Resources Officer at Kloeckner Metals Corporation. “These awards affirm that when organizations invest in their people, they create healthier workplaces, stronger cultures and better outcomes for everyone.”
Today, employees have access to expanded mental health resources, zero-dollar mental health copays, enhanced employee assistance services, wellness incentives, a centralized Wellness Hub and employee Wellness Ambassadors who help connect colleagues with available support.
But providing these resources is only part of the equation. To make a measurable impact, employees must know the resources exist and understand how and when to use them. And, particularly when it comes to mental health, they have to feel comfortable taking that step.
That’s where thoughtful communication and engagement can create a meaningful difference.
From Awareness to Action
Working alongside Kloeckner and Acrisure, KWI has helped bring the company’s employee wellness strategy to life by making employee support more visible, accessible and relevant. And the results show employees are responding.
Today, 90% of Kloeckner’s employees are aware of available mental health resources, 26% are using mental health benefits, and three times as many employees are using work/life resources.
There’s also encouraging progress around one of the most difficult barriers to address: mental health stigma. While 74% of employees surveyed say stigma surrounding mental health exists in society, just 20% say they experience that stigma at Kloeckner.
Why does that matter?
Because the goal isn’t simply to offer access to a benefit; it’s to create a culture where people know support is available, trust it’s there for them and feel empowered to use it. Kloeckner’s internal survey data reflects that progress, showing increased awareness and utilization of mental health and work-life resources.
“Over the years, we’ve seen that simply having the resources in place isn’t enough. Employees need to know where to find them, what they’re for and how to use them,” said Leah Gladu, CEO of KWI Communications. “That’s what makes Kloeckner’s approach so strong. They continue to listen, learn and evolve based on feedback from their employees and that commitment is showing up in the results.”
Well-Being Is a Shared Commitment
Kloeckner’s approach demonstrates something we see again and again: lasting employee engagement can’t belong to one team alone. At KWI we’re proud to partner with Kloeckner and Acrisure on a wellness strategy that reflects a shared commitment among employees, leaders, Wellness Ambassadors and partners. The results show that a strong wellness culture is built over time through intentional strategy, accessible resources, consistent communication and a genuine commitment to helping people thrive.
