Drew Thompson, finalist for the Clean Tech Alliance Energy Leadership JEDI Award
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories
Drew Thompson, Resource Recovery Project Manager for King County Wastewater Treatment Division, was recently a finalist for the 2022 Energy Leadership JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) Award.
The award, given by the Clean Tech Alliance, recognizes those who perform outstanding work to make the energy sector more equitable, support climate justice and diversity in the sector, and foster an inclusive ecosystem. Read more.
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Christine Oh named new Director of Risk Management
Christine Oh has been selected as the new director of the Office of Risk Management Services (ORMS) in the Department of Executive Services (DES). She begins her new position on Dec. 24.
“Christine has the experience, professionalism and management skills to lead the Office of Risk Management Services into the future,” said Caroline Whalen, Director of DES. “She brings both continuity and a new perspective to the county’s nationally recognized program.”
Christine has been serving as Interim Director for ORMS since Jennifer Hills took a new position as Deputy Chief Operating Officer in September.
“I am looking forward on working with departments in the county on risk assessment, maximizing opportunities while implementing the risk appetite statement,” said Christine.
Christine joined King County in 2003 as a Senior Tort Investigator. In 2008 she became the Deputy Risk Manager, primarily overseeing the claims section and then also the financial section of the office.
She has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Pittsburg State University. In her spare time she cheers on the Seahawks, loves to travel, and spend time with family.
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Coast Salish Ways: Cultural practices woven across generations
Fellow King County colleagues Annie Kirk and Bryon Davis show us the importance of place and connection to culture, land and water as being essential to how they move through this world.
A practice not done simply for one’s own, or families benefit but also an honoring, reclaiming, and living of cultural practices on behalf of future generations and the continuation of life in balance. With this video we can see the importance of storytelling, language learning, practicing traditional arts and crafts, and canoe journey serving as a bridge for the spirit to connect with both ancestors and community while preserving birthright inheritances for future generations.
This is part of a video series by the Native American Leadership Council. Watch the previous video, “Indigenizing leadership, advocacy, and education.”
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King County and Chief Seattle Club announce first residents moving into new Health Through Housing building in Pioneer Square
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the latest opening for Health Through Housing: Salmonberry Lofts, a newly constructed building providing 76 units of permanent supportive housing in Pioneer Square.
The building will welcome the first residents later this month and is being operated by Chief Seattle Club, an organization with a local footprint in the Pioneer Square neighborhood. Read more.
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Leave donation programs updated for 2023
Beginning Jan. 1, 2023, King County’s donated leave programs are being replaced by two similar programs that better comply with IRS tax requirements. This includes the employee-to-employee donation program and the Emergency Leave Donation Fund started during COVID-19 pandemic.
Donating leave
Employee-to-Employee Medical Donated Leave Program: You can donate leave to another employee as follows: Any amount of your accrued vacation time and up to 25 hours of your sick leave per year, as long as you have 100 hours or more of sick leave remaining.
Emergency Medical Leave Fund: You can donate up to 80 hours of accrued vacation and 25 hours of accrued sick leave each calendar year. Donations go to a leave bank and will be distributed to recipients with a qualifying reason.
Receiving leave
- Donated leave must be used for a qualifying FMLA/KCFML reason, such as a serious health condition for yourself or an eligible family member, or to bond with a new child. These family and medical reasons are specified under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and the King County Family and Medical Leave (KCFML) benefit.
- Request for hours from the Emergency Medical Leave Fund go through the Department of Human Resources and are capped at 80 hours annually (prorated to reflect the employee’s normal work week) and are distributed on a first come, first served basis.
- You can only use donated leave after you have exhausted all of your own accrued leaves.
- Donated time must first be used for a prolonged absence (three or more consecutive days) and then can be used intermittently.
- Donations from the Emergency Medical Leave Fund must be used within 60 calendar days or the donated hours will be returned to the fund.
If you have donated leave balances
- If you have remaining donated leave hours from the current employee-to-employee program, the balance will be moved to your new Employee-to-Employee Medical Donated Leave Program bank on Jan. 7, 2023.
More information
- More details can be found in the FAQ.
- New program forms and procedures will be posted on the Taking leave webpage by Jan. 1.
- If you have questions, contact the Benefits Team 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits
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Compassion fatigue and burnout: What they are and how to recover
The ongoing pandemic and seasonal illnesses, stressful end-of-year work assignments, additional holiday activities – these and other factors can lead to compassion fatigue and burnout.
Understanding the cause of compassion fatigue and burnout is essential in protecting yourself from these common conditions. There are numerous techniques and tips for how to prevent this from happening to you. Read more.
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Sheriff’s Office HR Heroes
Cross-posted from Sheriff’s Office Weekly Newsletter
General Counsel Erin Overbey and Chief Jeff Flohr, Technical Services Division, recently presented the King County Sheriff’s Office Human Resources team with a Meritorious Service award for their service and dedication the past few years.
This group navigated ever-changing protocols and worked on expediting the background process to improve hiring practices, all while never compromising the standards and core values of the Sheriff’s Office.
According to Chief Flohr, this team is always quick to respond to requests, research problems that arise, and smooth out problems. And they do it all with positivity and customer service in mind.
Pictured: Left to right, Julie Kyle, Janet Parks, Christy Hammond, Jessica Klein, Nae Saechao, Nicole Hall, and Jessica Lussier
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Executive Constantine proclaims ‘Terry White Day’ for retiring Metro General Manager
In celebration of the retirement of King County Metro General Manager Terry White, King County Executive Dow Constantine declared Dec. 12, 2022, as “Terry White Day” in King County.
White was recognized by the County Executive for understanding the power of transit to “help build healthy communities, a thriving economy and a sustainable environment.” Read more.
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Local health care leaders recommend wearing masks indoors
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
Communities across Washington and around the U.S. are experiencing an unprecedented surge in viral respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and COVID-19.
Health officers and health care leaders working to improve the health of Washington residents recommend that everyone wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when around others in indoor spaces to protect against both acquiring and spreading these infections to others. Read more.
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Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave rates to increase Jan. 1
Premium rates for Washington’s Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program will increase on Jan. 1, 2023, as follows:
- The total premium rate for the Washington PFML program will increase to 0.8% (from 0.6% in 2022) of each employee’s gross wages up to the 2023 Social Security cap of $160,200 (was $147,000 in 2022).
- In 2023, employers will pay 27.24% of the premium and employees will pay 72.76%. In 2022, employers paid 26.78% of the premium and employees paid 73.22%.
The PFML program is funded by premiums collected from employees and employers in Washington state. By law, the Employment Security Department recalculates the premium rate annually in October based on program usage and premiums collected the previous year. More than 154,000 individuals claimed benefits in 2022, paying more than $1 billion in benefits to Washington workers.
To learn more about PFML rates, go to the Premiums Calculator on the Washington PFML website. For complete information about PFML and to apply, go to Paid Family and Medical Leave or contact them by email paidleave@esd.wa.gov or by phone at 833-717-2273.
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