In July, the unemployment rate dropped to 10.2%, with 1.8 million jobs added, while the number of workers filing for unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level since March. However, nearly a third of workers who were called back to work have been laid off again, according to a Cornell University survey.

Recruiters who have survived past recessions have tips for those who may be facing their first economic upheaval -- keep building those networks and keep an eye out for top talent. Consider short-term and gig workers for company projects, and work on your own skill set to make yourself indispensable.

Open enrollment will be more challenging this year as the pandemic continues, writes Kim Buckey, DirectPath's vice president of client services. Buckey offers three ways HR professionals can successfully navigate the hurdles, including starting early and crafting messages targeted to purpose and audience.

People who are highly connected at work -- those who send numerous emails and participate in several meetings -- tend to enjoy their work more and collaborate well with their colleagues, write Ethan Burris, Dawn Klinghoffer, Elizabeth McCune and Tannaz Sattari Tabrizi. The downside, though, is that these individuals struggle to keep a healthy work-life balance and are less likely to engage in action that might compromise their work relationships.

We Are Social and Barilla spotted a marketing opportunity via a viral video that attracted millions of views during the pandemic, which showed two Italian girls playing tennis across rooftops. The girls are big Roger Federer fans, so the brand surprised them with a visit from the tennis star, who replicated the viral rooftop game with them and chatted with them over a bowl of pasta, with their encounter attracting more than 3 million YouTube views.