The Visible Costs of Invisible Labor

This session explores "invisible work," a major challenge in women's lives and careers. Invisible work is the unpaid labor performed by women at home and in the workplace and is primarily a consequence of gender or societal norms designating certain tasks as "women's work." It includes things like laundry, coordinating carpools, planning office events, managing internship programs, implementing DEI programs, helping with homework, mediating interoffice conflict, and more. While many aspects of women's lives and careers have improved with evolving norms and expectations, the invisible work burden is growing, considerably exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the usual burden of paid and unpaid labor, women were also expected to be teachers and multigenerational care providers while working from home. We are only now beginning to understand the full mental, physical, professional and emotional impacts of the last three years on women in planning. This session explores the realities and impacts of invisible work through two-way discussions with panelists representing diverse career stages, personal situations, and professional planning roles. It also creates space for collaborative problem solving, helping women avoid burn out, ensure fair compensation, and care for their minds and bodies.

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