New Public Records Act exemption available to protect employee safety
King County employees can now apply for an exemption from disclosures under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment.
Public employees can seek an exemption from having certain records such as their birthdate, job title, workplace address, work email address, work phone number, and bargaining unit disclosed under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. The exemption from public disclosure does not apply to public records requests from the news media as defined in RCW 5.68.010: Protection from compelled disclosure—Exceptions.
Employees may be eligible for this exemption if they:
- Provide the county with proof of participation in the Washington Secretary of State Address Confidentiality Program;
- Provide a sworn statement attesting that they or their dependents are a survivor of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment, and
- Provide the reasons why they have a reasonable basis to believe that the risk of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment continues to exist.
Employees should talk with their HR Manager if they are interested in receiving more information about the process to seek this exemption.
Additional resources and information
King County offers employees two programs if they are experiencing life events that may be affecting their work or personal life: the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Making Life Easier (MLE):
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): The EAP is a service available to all employees. Assessments, brief counseling, and referrals for personal concerns such as family issues, relationship problems, alcohol and drug problems, emotional problems affecting work life, and a wide variety of other challenges are all part of the services.
- HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov
- www.kingcounty.gov/EAP
- 206-263-8733.
Making Life Easier (MLE): Provides counseling, credit and legal consultations, mortgage, and childcare resources, and more to employees and dependents at no cost to the employee.
- www.KCMakingLifeEasier.com
- Username: King County 1-888-874-7290, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
EAP/MLE Resources: King County EAP/MLE Domestic Violence Resource Flyer.
Domestic Violence in the Workplace policy: Offers support to employees who have experienced domestic violence or are at risk of experiencing domestic violence. It reiterates that King County will not tolerate acts of domestic violence in the workplace and encourages employees to seek help from a supervisor, manager, human resources professional, or the EAP to support the employee and help them get the assistance they need.
Additional resources
Address Confidentiality Program: Address Confidentiality Program (ACP) | WA Secretary of State
Domestic Violence Resources (King County employees): Available resources – King County, Washington
Domestic Violence Resources (general public): Domestic violence services – King County, Washington.
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Executive Constantine thanks Department of Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor for his leadership on transformative investments for the people of King County as he accepts a role outside government
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) director Leo Flor will be departing King County service this month for a role outside of government. Kelly Rider, currently serving as the department’s chief of staff, will become interim director following Flor’s departure on Feb. 27.
Flor joined King County in 2017 to lead the renewal and expansion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). In 2018, Executive Constantine appointed Flor to serve as DCHS Director. DCHS is a 580-person department that invests in services for older adults, behavioral health treatment, education and employment opportunities for youth, services for people with developmental disabilities, and affordable housing and community development.
During his tenure, Flor oversaw critical components of King County’s COVID-19 response, including the lifesaving isolation and quarantine operations, the move from congregate shelters to hotel-based emergency housing, and the nearly $400 million rent assistance program that helped more than 39,000 households remain housed. Under Flor’s leadership, DCHS developed successful proposals for the Crisis Care Centers Levy (2023) and the Health Through Housing initiative (2020), secured the public trust in renewing Best Starts for Kids (2021) and VSHSL (2023) levies, and supported the creation of the King County Integrated Care Network.
“Leo’s tenure at DCHS included some of the most transformational investments made for the people of King County,” said Executive Constantine. “Without Leo’s determination and leadership, we wouldn’t have acquired more than 1,000 housing units for the chronically homeless, distributed hundreds of millions of dollars in rental assistance, or been able to invest in the future of our youngest residents, or ensured that we served the most vulnerable members of our community. We’ll miss him at King County and wish him all the best as he departs for his new role outside of government.”
Executive Constantine also announced Kelly Rider will serve as interim director of DCHS beginning Feb. 27. Rider previously served as chief of staff at DCHS, where she oversaw legislative efforts, policy development, critical partnerships, and investments in our region. Over the past two decades, Rider has led strategic initiatives across all levels of government in Washington state. Since joining DCHS in 2017, Rider has built long-lasting partnerships with cities and providers across King County to expand the regional impact of human services initiatives. Rider’s experience will allow for continued focus on the region’s most pressing issues, and leadership on key initiatives, including Best Starts for Kids, Crisis Care Centers, VSHSL, and MIDD Behavioral Health Sales Tax Fund.
“The next chapter of DCHS includes implementing some of our boldest investments to date, everything from Crisis Care Centers, furthering Best Starts for Kids, and our recently renewed Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services levy, and Kelly will ensure that all of these mission critical initiatives will continue as Interim Director for the department,” said Executive Constantine. “Her leadership inside DCHS and externally amongst our community partners give her the background and experience necessary to further our goals of making this a community where every person has the opportunity to thrive.”
DCHS manages a range of programs and services to help King County residents and strengthen communities. The department is made up of five divisions: Adult Services, Behavioral Health and Recovery, Children, Youth, and Young Adults, Developmental Disabilities and Early Childhood Supports, and Housing, Homelessness and Community Development. Five taxpayer funded initiatives are driven by DCHS, including Best Starts for Kids, the Crisis Care Centers initiative, Health Through Housing, the MIDD, and the VSHSL.
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IT Helpdesk “walk-up window” now available at King Street Center
Updated Feb. 8, 2024
For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window at King Street Center. Unlike other Helpdesk locations, you can visit the IT Window without an appointment every Mon. – Thur. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for holidays). KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or battery problems. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty headset, charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window.
King Street Center is easily accessible by many convenient transit routes, or take advantage of free valet parking in the King Street Garage for up to one hour. The IT Window is located on the 2nd floor, across the hall from the public Customer Service area. Swipe your badge to enter the doors marked “Employee Access Only – King County Information Technology.”
Launched in 2023, the IT Window is intended for quick fixes only. For services such as undiagnosed computer issues or laptop exchanges, please submit a Helpdesk Ticket.
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MultiCare may be out-of-network starting March 1, 2024
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the MultiCare network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield.
Leaders from Regence BlueShield and MultiCare Health Systems are currently in contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends March 1, 2024. Here is what you need to know:
- Most provider-health plan contract negotiations are resolved with no service disruptions and no provider network changes.
- No action is needed by you at this time.
- You can receive care from MultiCare through Feb. 29, 2024, and services will be paid at the in-network rate.
- If an agreement between MultiCare and Regence is not reached by March 1, 2024, services received on or after this date by MultiCare providers will be considered out-of-network and will be paid at a lower benefit level. For most out-of-network services, you would pay 40% of the Regence allowed amount after the deductible and copays are met, until you reach the out-of-pocket limit. Out-of-network providers can also bill you amounts that exceed the Regence allowed amount. You will pay less by seeking care from providers who are in-network.
- Emergency care at any hospital emergency room will be paid at the in-network level.
- If you are enrolled in the MultiCare KingCare Select plan, it is unclear at this time if MultiCare will become out-of-network in the KingCare Select plan if Regence and MultiCare do not reach an agreement by March 1. More information will be shared when it is received.
Regence recently sent a required notice regarding this potential network disruption to their members who have seen a MultiCare provider in the past year. Additional information will be shared as it becomes available. You may also check the Regence website for updates on the negotiations.
If you have questions or want help finding a different provider, please call Regence BlueShield at 800-376-7926. You can also contact the King County Benefits team at 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits.
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Black History Month 2024 Proclamation
Black History Month, established in 1926, is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States.
The 2024 Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts” and King County Executive Dow Constantine’s proclamation calls on all residents to actively engage in events, discussions, and reflections that honor the immense contributions of African Americans to our community and our nation.
Read the full proclamation below.
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Learning & Development: 2023 accomplishments and what’s new for 2024
This past year the Learning & Development (L&D) team in the Department of Human Resources worked hard to continue building out the portfolio of educational opportunities to serve the different needs, interests, and goals of the King County workforce. Over the course of 2023 the L&D team hosted 53 workshops with a total of 1,864 attendees.
In addition to spending a large portion of the year facilitating workshops, two new workshops were launched (Leading for Well-being, Building High Trust Cultures), as well as a beta of the new Leader Learning Labs, and a pilot of the first workshop of the new Cultivating Equity series, ERSJ Fundamentals: A Journey Through Socialization (which replaces the former ERSJ Fundamentals course). L&D expresses their thanks to all who helped pilot and beta test the curriculum.
We are Racially Just
Another huge highlight from 2023 was the development and launch of the We Are Racially Just: Our King County Values at Work eLearning course, which made a resounding statement about King County’s collective commitment to fostering a racially just workplace. Each department has taken the call seriously, with the majority achieving over a 90% compliance by the end of 2023. Some departments have far more non-computer users, who have been provided an extended deadline until September 30, 2024, to complete the course. This inclusive approach ensures that every King County employee has the opportunity to engage with the valuable content.
The success of this eLearning course goes beyond mere compliance; it has sparked engaging conversations throughout our organization. The genuine interest and positive feedback from those who have taken this eLearning course underscores the importance of the We are Racially Just value in King County’s True North and Values.
Credits for certifications
For HR professionals, all of the L&D workshops are now eligible for SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) Professional Development Credits (PDC).
If you’re an employee who needs continuing education credits for a certification, please reach out to L&D to see about getting workshops certified for your program.
Executive’s Best-Run Government nominations
You may have noticed how participating in one of our leadership or equity, racial, and social justice trainings has played a role in an individual’s or team’s exceptional contributions to King County in 2023. If so, you can recognize them by submitting a nomination for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award. Click here for more information.
Looking to 2024
The L&D team will be working on launching several new workshops and learning opportunities throughout 2024, including the chance for smaller, more in-depth conversations on leadership and ERSJ topics. Employees are invited to check out the current list of offerings in the Course Catalog through the NEOGOV dashboard and sign up for a workshop.
You can contact the L&D team with questions, feedback, or any suggestions at kctraining@kingcounty.gov.
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Shared learning towards a racially just King County
In 2023, more than 70% of King County employees took the We Are Racially Just training, a wonderful achievement for a course that was only launched in August. At King County, we aim to reach our True North – to create a welcoming community where every person can thrive. To achieve this, we must be racially just and actively work toward dismantling racist systems, practices, and approaches. The training is one of the ways King County has worked toward this goal.
We are racially just is a core value of King County where we center anti-racism and pro-equity. This training helps to ensure each of us understands what it means to be racially just and what we can do in our own work to advance racial justice at King County.
“Anti-racism work is ongoing, and ensuring we all have a foundational understanding of what it means to be racially-just is crucial in advancing this work and our culture here at King County.” Whitney Abrams, Chief People Officer said. “The training is an important step in creating a work environment that is welcoming, inclusive, and racially-just where everyone can thrive. I am thankful that so many employees have already taken the training, and more are taking it every day. I am excited to see how we incorporate this training into our everyday work and delivery of service to King County residents.”
The goal is to have all King County employees complete the training. Employees without regular computer access have until September 2024 to complete the training, and new employees must take the training within 90 days of their date of hire.
The training incorporates five racially just behaviors:
Five behaviors:
- We exercise deep listening and empathy when engaging in discussions about racial justice.
- We describe how race, ethnicity, and/or tribal identity connects with other forms of identities.
- We explain how structural racism contributes to where we are now in life based on each of our own racial, ethnic, and/or tribal identities.
- We center Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color’s (BIPOC) experiences and voices in our work in King County.
- We advance racial justice by continually educating ourselves and others on King County’s Pro-Equity and Anti-Racist Actions.
The we are racially just discussion guide is a helpful resource when centering the behaviors.
We look forward to continuing this journey with all of you and have listed additional King County resources below to continue your anti-racism journey.
King County trainings:
- ERSJ Fundamentals
- Building Gender Inclusive Spaces
- Equity and Leadership
- Antiracism: Challenging Inequity
- Building High Trust Cultures
Other King County resources:
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Make your nominations for Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards
The nomination period for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards is now open through Feb. 16.
The annual awards, formerly known as the Performance Excellence Awards, honor Executive Branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity.
There are three award categories:
- Innovation Awards: People, Cost, Service, Equity, Racial & Social Justice, Climate & Environmental Stewardship
- Leadership Excellence Awards: People Leader, Individual Contributor, Fred Jarrett Award
- Road to Excellence Awards: Divisions that achieve Stabilization Level or higher on all categories of the Lean Maturity Model.
Any King County employee can nominate a team or individual for an Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award. You may review the nomination criteria here.
We look forward to seeing your nominations and celebrating the many great achievements from 2023.
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Stay informed in inclement weather
Getting timely, accurate information in an emergency or inclement weather event is critical. Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information on how you are affected, at work and at home:
- Sign up for KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free, and your personal contact information is secure and protected. To sign up, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov anytime or 206-296-3830 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday to request your unique registration link. Visit the KCInform website to learn more or watch our short video.
- Call the Employee Hotline: 206-205-8600 (save it to your phone now!).
- Check your King County email for information on business operations, delays, and closures. Log on at http://outlook.kingcounty.gov. Some agencies may send additional instructions directly to their staff.
- Contact your supervisor for specific instructions.
- Visit the Emergency News page at kcemergency.com for regional impacts.
Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite.
HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from reporting on time, notify your supervisor as soon as possible. You may request leave, subject to approval by your supervisor. If you have no leave accrued, your supervisor may approve leave without pay to cover absences. Sick leave may not be used. Refer to HR Bulletin 2011-0009 County Operations During Emergency Situations and Inclement Weather (Sheriff’s Office employees refer to KCSO Inclement Weather Policy; Superior Court and District Court employees please see check court policies).
Resources for travelers
- Metro: Visit MetroWinter.com and Eye on Your Metro Commute, and sign up for Metro Transit Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kingcountymetro and @kcmetroalerts, see RSS feed via desktop or mobile RSS reader)
- Roads: Visit Roads’ Snow and Ice resources and sign up for King County Road Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kcroads)
- Water Taxi: Sign up for King County Water Taxi Alerts (text, email).
Prepare at home: Taking a few steps now to plan ahead will give you peace of mind and help you make good decisions in an emergency.
- There are many online resources that you can use to make sure you and your family have what you need to Make it Through an emergency – from an extended power outage to a more severe event. Please take personal preparedness seriously.
- If your child is attending school or daycare in-person, learn about their school or daycare policies and procedures for possible early release and facility closures.
- Locate flashlights, radio, and extra batteries should you experience a power outage at home.
- Store non-perishable meals for your family that don’t require a stove-top, microwave, or oven to prepare, and keep plenty of bottled water on hand.
- Make sure pets have appropriate shelter to stay warm and safe.
- Get more tips, utility contacts, and weather preparedness checklists at www.takewinterbystorm.org.
- Always have a plan if you need to commute in inclement weather, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making travel decisions.
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Get to know the Walking Bus program
King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times. In this pilot phase, employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way. The meeting location for both routes is the Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the courthouse. Get more information on routes and departure times. View this video for more details.
Employee News 