As healthcare costs continue to climb, growing companies are feeling the pressure to balance financial sustainability with meaningful employee support. At the same time, hybrid work models and increasingly diverse workforces are reshaping what employees expect from their benefits. In this environment, wellbeing is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s a key lever for attracting talent, improving retention, and managing long-term healthcare spend.
According to Sequoia’s 2025 Wellbeing Trends report, two themes are dominating the conversation about wellbeing benefits:
- The rising cost and complexity of GLP-1 medications for weight loss and other chronic conditions
- The growing demand for inclusive, family-forward support in a hybrid work environment
Yet many benefit programs still reflect a one-size-fits-all model that leaves critical gaps, especially for caregivers, neurodivergent individuals, and those managing chronic health conditions like obesity. Below, we’ll review why these topics are important for both employees and employers and highlight companies that are helping to address these changes.
The Rising Cost and Complexity of GLP-1 Medications
GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy have become central to weight loss and chronic disease management strategies, but their rising costs are straining employer-sponsored health plans.
According to Sequoia’s report, 26% of employers are covering GLP-1s for weight loss, with 20% of those offering, or planning to offer, a third-party program to manage costs. These drugs can cost between $6,200 and $8,400 annually per employee and are not considered cost-effective at current prices. This financial pressure is prompting benefits leaders to rethink how GLP-1s fit into broader chronic condition strategies, especially given the risk of weight regain after discontinuation.
Related article: How Employers Can Contain GLP-1 Costs in Their Health Plans
The Demand for Inclusive Support for Individuals and Families in a Hybrid World
As employers push for a return to the office, employees, especially working parents, are voicing a need for stronger childcare and caregiving support. According to McKinsey, 45% of mothers with children under five who left the workforce during the pandemic cited lack of childcare as a primary reason, and 24% considered reducing their hours or shifting to part-time roles. Sequoia’s report echoes this shift, with a growing number of employers expanding benefits like childcare, childcare reimbursements, and eldercare to support family needs. For HR leaders, addressing these demands is not just about flexibility, it’s about retaining mid-tenure talent and ensuring workforce resilience in a post-pandemic world.
The return to the office also highlights the needs of neurodiverse employees. It’s estimated that approximately 15-20% of the population is neurodivergent. Employers can create a work environment that allows all individuals to feel comfortable, engaged, and celebrated through educational resources, benefits for neurodivergent employees, and training for managers to support diverse teams.
Closing the Gaps
Found, UrbanSitter, and Joshin — Sequoia’s newest partners — are among the companies supporting these employee needs. Here’s how:
Found
Found is one of the largest telehealth weight care providers in the US, with over one million clinical consults. Its program combines GLP-1 and non-GLP-1 medications with clinical care, nutritional guidance, behavioral support, and lifestyle coaching, helping members achieve sustainable outcomes while delivering measurable ROI for employers.
“Found was built to help employers tackle the complex challenge of weight care in a way that’s clinically effective, financially sustainable, and accessible to all,” said Found Chief Revenue Officer, Rob Watson. “As GLP-1 utilization rises, employers need more than just a prescription, they need a long-term strategy. That’s where we come in.”
UrbanSitter
UrbanSitter helps working parents find trusted childcare. From in-home caregivers to a nationwide network of daycare and preschool centers, they can find the care they need when and where they need it — leading to fewer missed workdays, smoother returns from parental leave, and lower stress all around.
“When employees can’t find trusted care for their loved ones — especially at the last minute —it affects their focus, productivity, and well-being,” said Urban Sitter CEO and Co-founder, Lynn Perkins. “UrbanSitter was built to solve this challenge, giving working families peace of mind and giving employers a proven way to boost morale, reduce absenteeism, and retain top talent.”
Joshin
Joshin is a comprehensive solution for neurodivergence and disability, supporting individuals, caregivers, and managers alike. Through personalized navigation, 1:1 coaching, and community-specific resources, Joshin helps create more inclusive workplaces where all employees can thrive.
“Traditional benefits and workplaces weren’t designed with neurodivergence and disability in mind,” said Joshin Co-founder and COO, Melanie Fountaine.” Joshin addresses this problem through community-driven resources built by those with lived experience.”
Need Help Supporting Your Employees’ Wellbeing?
Sequoia helps employers deliver comprehensive wellbeing support that’s easy to implement, manage, and scale.
With partners like One Medical, Peloton, Headspace, and Carrot also in the mix we help companies meet the physical, emotional, and family needs of their people, without the administrative burden of managing multiple vendors.
Want to learn more about how Sequoia can support your organization? Contact us at wellbeing@sequoia.com to learn more.
