Companies that have never allowed employees to work from home are finding that it is doable, which could change how many employers view flexible work policies. "Most people will see that it is very possible and start to grow accustomed to the benefits of [remote work], including autonomy, no commute, and less distractions than open offices," says Remote Year CEO Greg Caplan.

Keeping visible at work is always important but especially during this unpredictable economy, writes Dawn Graham. To continue to demonstrate your relevance, set up a visibility strategy with target managers and daily accomplishments, collaborate with other departments and recognize others' accomplishments.

The growth in STEM careers will slow over the next decade, although the number of jobs will rise and the shift will continue from physical science to computer science, according to recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The fastest growing STEM careers for the next decade include: applications software developer, information security analyst, statistician, operation research analyst, and computer user support specialist.

Carnegie Mellon University re-marketed a virtual career fair that was planned last week to reflect changes from the coronavirus -- and found an "overwhelming" response from employers. Using the platform Brazen, the career fair resulted in 181 text-based chats with employers.

The current work from home order has added a new layer of struggle to the layoff process as employers now must use virtual platforms to inform employees that they are being cut. A travel company used Zoom to inform workers they were being laid off and the video call quickly turned into a scene of panic, tears and chaos, said one former employee who was on the call.

US unemployment claims were a record 3.28 million for the week ending March 21, the highest since the Labor Department started reporting in 1967. This ends 113 straight months of employment growth with claims increasing in every state.

You've probably seen some stories about distillers and brewers shifting their operations to produce hand sanitizer and other items needed to combat the coronavirus pandemic. This is a behind-the-scenes look at why and how the Dirty Water Distillery in Plymouth, Mass., pulled off the transformation.

SmartBrief has created a twice-weekly publication dedicated to helping organizations navigate the uncertainty created by the coronavirus. If you're looking for solutions-oriented content, please sign up for SmartBrief's Special Report on Coronavirus here.