Recognizing Domestic Violence Awareness Month
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about domestic violence, signs of abuse, and how we can stop it.
Domestic violence can take many forms, including physical, emotional, psychological, and financial abuse. It does not discriminate by age, gender, background, or profession. It can impact our coworkers, our neighbors, and our loved ones.
The statistics remind us why awareness matters:
- Nearly 3 in 10 women and 1 in 10 men have experienced domestic violence and reported it.
- On average, 24 people per minute in the United States are physically abused by an intimate partner – more than 12 million people each year.
- Almost 15% of women and 4% of men in the US have been injured as a result of intimate partner violence.
- Most cases go unreported, due to fear, shame, or lack of support.
These are not just numbers—they represent our neighbors, friends, coworkers, and community members. Some may even be among us. No one should ever feel alone.
As an organization, we are committed to fostering a workplace where every person feels safe, respected, and supported. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, confidential help is available. Read more.
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Happy Election season!
Ballots were mailed last week. If you haven’t received yours, give King County Elections a call at 206-296-VOTE.
Not sure if you’re registered? Visit VoteWA.gov to register or update your registration information online by Oct. 27. After the 27th, you can register to vote in person until 8 p.m. on Election Day is Nov. 4.
Local elections like this one are your chance to make sure your voice is heard in your community. King County Elections is projecting just 45% turnout this election so your vote will make a big impact.
For more information visit kingcounty.gov/elections.
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Protect yourself, your family, and your co-workers: Get flu and COVID-19 shots
King County wants employees to be healthy so you can feel good, get the most out of life, and do your best work for the community we serve.
This year, the Washington Department of Health (DOH) recommends that everyone six months and older get a flu vaccine and the updated 2025-2026 COVID-19 vaccine. To ensure access to these vaccines, DOH has also issued a standing order authorizing all qualified healthcare providers to vaccinate individuals six months and older, including pregnant people. If you’ve recently had COVID-19, you may want to delay getting a COVID-19 vaccine for up to three months. Learn more on how to get your vaccine in the community here.
Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF of vaccine resources to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.
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Recognizing International Day of Climate Action: Uplift climate justice through the Annual Giving Drive!
When it comes to climate change, the best time to act was at least decades ago but the next best time is now. The first International Day of Climate Action was held on Oct. 24, 2009, by 350.org — named after the 350 parts per million (ppm) upper limit of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere deemed safe by scientists. As of June 2025, the CO2 in Earth’s atmosphere was 430 ppm. Environmentally focused organizations tackle our climate crisis year-round by facilitating education, access to resources, and advocacy and community organizing. Your gift through the Annual Giving Drive can pave the way towards improving conditions for our communities and restoring the wellbeing of our planet.
Here are a few EGP nonprofits that work in these areas. Read more.
To see the full list and discover more search online or review the 2025 Giving Guide of nonprofits by service category.
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Out of the courtroom: Judges and lawyers take civics to the people
A new program aims to cut through myths and misunderstandings about the justice system and spark conversations about justice, government, and our shared civic responsibilities.
Judges and lawyers across King County are fanning out to community groups, schools, and clubs to deliver presentations that cut through myths and misunderstandings about the justice system and its role in the three branches of government. Sponsored by the King County Bar Association (KCBA), the effort is called the Civics Stewardship Program.
“This program is about meeting people where they are, outside the courtroom, in the spaces where they live, work, and gather,” said Kathleen Jensen, KCBA’s Executive Director. “We want to make these foundational ideas accessible and relevant.” Read more.
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Stay home when you’re sick during cold and flu season
Fall is the season of pumpkins, Halloween, vibrant foliage, and… illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). Fortunately, we have vaccines for all three of those major illnesses. We also have the tried-and-true precautions that still help you stay healthy.
Five ways to avoid getting sick and spreading illness during cold and flu season:
- Get vaccinated. Stay up to date with flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccinations.
- Wear a mask in crowded spaces. Put on a mask when you’re elbow-to-elbow with others.
- Wash your hands often. Use hand sanitizer if you can’t wash.
- Keep good air flow indoors. Open windows and use fans when a number of people are in a room.
- Stay home when you’re sick. Please follow your agency’s sick leave request and approval protocols and stay home. We value your work here, but it won’t help anyone if you spread your illness to your co-workers.
Stay home if you’re sick. Test if you can.
- Anyone who has symptoms of the flu or COVID-19 should avoid contact with others and, if you can, test for COVID-19 immediately. At-home flu tests and combo tests (COVID/flu) are also available. If you have COVID-19, treatment may be available from healthcare providers, but you need to start taking the medications right away.
- If you have the flu, it’s important to stay home until at least 24 hours after your fever is gone.
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Get ready for Open Enrollment
Open Enrollment is just around the corner—Nov. 1–15. Many employees will have some significant benefit changes for next year. Look for information mailed recently to your home address and use the following resources to learn about the changes and all of your benefit choices for 2026.
- Go to the Open Enrollment web page. Find everything you need in one place, including links to resources and detailed information about the changes for next year.
- Look for the Open Enrollment mailer sent to your home address or download a copy: Regular Employee Mailer, Transit ATU 587 Employee Mailer, Deputy Sheriff Employee Mailer.
- Sign up for an Open Enrollment Education Session hosted by your King County Benefits Team.
- Plan to stop by one of the Benefit Fairs held in multiple locations in November.
- Watch the Open Enrollment Overview
If you have questions, contact or stop by the Benefits office. Language assistance and disability support services are available.
- Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations
- Chinook Building, 2nd Floor
- 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
- 206-684-1556 or kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov
- Closed on Veterans Day: Nov. 11
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Tina Shields recognized for 40 years of service
Crossposted from the DES Express
On Oct. 28, Tina Shields, P-Card Program Manager in Accounts Payable for the Finance and Business and Operations Division, will reach a rare milestone: serving King County for 40 years. The King County Council recognized Shields at their meeting on Sept. 16.
“I came from a very poor background,” Shields said. “I’m one of those people that’s not going to give up even if the odds are against me.”
After working at an insurance company for five years, Shields started her career at King County as an intermediate clerk at Metro’s South Base in 1985. Even though jobs at Boeing paid more money, she preferred a county position for the better benefits. Read more.
Pictured: Left to right, Tina Shields, her brother Bruce Shields, and King County Executive Shannon Braddock.
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Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, July – August 2025
Crossposted from Metro Matters
They enjoy watching the Seattle Sounders and Manchester United. One is a “Proud Country Girl” who enjoys being outdoors. They fish, hunt and travel and play softball and volleyball. Those who ride with them say one went the extra mile to return a lost phone: “I can’t tell you how happy I am to have it back, knowing it was safely with him the entire time.” Another rider talked about their ability to help a distraught passenger: “I was so impressed with her ability, in the midst of snow and ice and a schedule that was being delayed by a distraught person, to remain calm, and be very kind to someone in obvious distress.”
These operators—with over 150 years of transit driving experience—are as unique as you. They also enjoy meeting with their riders and giving back to their communities. Read more.
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King County Metro ridership growth second highest among nation’s largest transit agencies
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Marking ongoing positive ridership growth, King County Metro posted a silver medal win among the 10 largest transit agencies nationwide.
Metro had an estimated 63 million boardings this year through Aug. 31, which is increase and 4.5 million higher than the same time last year. Comparing Aug. 2024 and 2025, we’re seeing about 5,000 more morning boardings, 6,600 more midday boardings and 9,500 more afternoon boardings on an average weekday.
A regional rising star is the RapidRide G Line. Although the new line only just celebrated its one-year anniversary, the G Line is already Metro’s 11th most frequently ridden route. Average weekday G Line boardings rose 86%, climbing from 3,600 in Sept. 2024 to 6,700 in Sept. 2025. Read more.
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