Wellness programs sound great on paper. But in practice? They’re often underused and underwhelming. Despite $8 billion being spent annually on workplace wellness in the U.S. alone (RAND Corporation), research shows little impact on long-term health outcomes or healthcare costs.

Employees might sign up. They might track a few steps or attend a seminar. But real change? It’s rare. Participation drops. Engagement fades. ROI disappears. HR is left wondering if any of it mattered.

Here’s why — and what to do instead.

4 common reasons employee wellness programs fail

1) Low participation and engagement

Most programs aren’t designed around what employees truly need. One-size-fits-all platforms and generic incentives don’t cut it. According to a Harvard Business Review report, only 24% of employees actually participate in offered wellness initiatives.

2) No personalization

Employees are individuals — with different needs, habits, and motivators. A mindfulness app might help one person but do nothing for someone facing stress-eating or chronic weight struggles. Programs that don’t flex for these differences fail to resonate.

3) Lack of structure and accountability

Education is not enough. Lasting change requires ongoing support and real follow-through. Many programs stop at awareness and leave employees to figure out the rest. Without coaching or check-ins, most efforts fizzle out.

4) No data, no ROI

If you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it. Many wellness vendors provide participation metrics at best — but lack transparency around outcomes, cost savings, or sustained behavior change.

How weight loss coaching transforms employee wellness programs

Personalized support

Great coaching is collaborative. Coaches meet employees where they are — whether they’re trying to lose 10 or 100 pounds, break old habits, or simply feel better day to day. Plans are tailored, flexible, and grounded in evidence-based techniques like ACT (Acceptance & Commitment Therapy).

Built-in accountability

Weekly 1:1 sessions give employees someone tracking their progress, helping them troubleshoot setbacks, and cheering on small wins. This ongoing support drives consistency and higher engagement — two key predictors of successful weight loss.

Whole-person care

Coaching isn’t just about the scale. It touches everything: sleep hygiene, emotional triggers, stress management, movement, and nutrition. This holistic lens not only improves physical health but also boosts mental resilience and workplace productivity.

Less medication, better outcomes

When coaching is combined with GLP-1 medications (like Wegovy, Zepbound, or Ozempic), it enhances adherence and reduces reliance on high doses. At Embla, we’ve found:

• 16.7% average weight loss at 12 months
• 66% lower GLP-1 usage per member
• 8 in 10 members taper off medication without regaining weight

What this looks like in the real world

At Embla, we’ve helped thousands of members lose weight, regain energy, and transition off GLP-1s — all while helping employers avoid runaway pharmacy costs.

Our coaching-first approach includes:

• Clinical intake with GLP-1s prescribed only when medically necessary
• 1:1 video coaching grounded in ACT, with the same coach throughout
• Structured medication tapering with provider oversight
• Transparent dashboards showing engagement, medication use, and outcomes

How to build a smarter corporate wellness strategy

If you want your program to actually drive results — not just participation — here’s what to do:

✅ Start with employee input — survey your team’s needs, preferences, and pain points
✅ Invest in trained coaches — licensed professionals who specialize in behavior change, not just motivation
✅ Layer in clinical protocols — especially for high-impact areas like obesity and medication use
✅ Track what matters — weight outcomes, GLP-1 usage, retention, satisfaction, and ROI
✅ Create a culture of accountability — support consistency, reward progress, and normalize struggle

The bottom line

Corporate wellness doesn’t have to be a buzzword. Done right, it’s a cost-effective strategy to improve employee health, reduce GLP-1 dependence, and support sustainable behavior change.

At Embla, we help employers offer structured, measurable weight loss solutions built around coaching — not just prescriptions.