CWIB 2026 Conference
Mental Load at Work:
Care-work, Well-Being, and Career Trajectories
Rutgers Center for Women in Business (CWIB)
Friday, November 20, 2026
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Rutgers Business School
100 Rockafeller Rd, Piscataway, NJ 08854
(Live streaming will be available)
OVERVIEW
As work continues to be shaped by uncertainty and change, the cognitive, relational, and emotional labor that sustains teams, organizations, and communities has never been more critical, or more overlooked. This is the mental load: the work of anticipating, coordinating, relationship-building, and so much more. It is invisible, silently running in the background, and most often done by women.
Through expert sessions and interactive discussions with scholars and business leaders, this conference will examine how the mental load influences well-being, retention, performance, and advancement. We will explore what it would mean for workplaces to finally recognize, redistribute, and reward the cognitive and emotional infrastructure they have long depended on. From defining the problem to examining emerging workplace solutions, we will challenge the cultural narratives and existing norms that determine whose labor is valued, whose time is protected, and whose careers are allowed to grow.
SESSIONS
- Defining the Mental Load: The Visible Impact of Invisible Work
- Caregiving as a Leadership Skill: Why Supporting Caregivers Is a Business Imperative
- Employee Well-Being as a Driver of Business Performance
- Will AI Increase the Mental Load?
ENGAGING SESSIONS AND INTERACTIVE BREAKOUTS
The day will feature engaging sessions and interactive breakouts, providing a unique opportunity to bring together scholars, industry leaders, and innovative thinkers. Attendees will discuss recent findings, current challenges, and opportunities for future collaboration.
- Build upon the session discussions and apply learnings to your workplace.
- Inspire future research streams.
- Explore unique opportunities for collaboration between scholars and executives.
This event will be in-person but available for live stream (viewing only).
*Note: The term “women” includes all who identify as women.
Corporate Sponsor
