Seattle Symphony Holiday discounts for December 2022
It’s time to experience the Joy, Cheer and Magic of the Holiday Season. Gather your friends and family and join us at Benaroya Hall for beautiful holiday music and great entertainment.
Seasonal events for December include Holiday Pops, Handel’s Messiah, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9.
Use promo code HOLIDAY23 for 20% off tickets and no handling fees. View upcoming performances and purchase tickets at www.seattlesymphony.org/concerttickets.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
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How to help prevent illness and protect those who are most vulnerable
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
Public Health has reported four deaths from complications of the flu in King County, two children and two adults. This is shaping up to be a bad flu season; the positivity rate for flu tests is much higher at this early point in the flu season than we’ve seen in many years, and the volume of cases is increasing rapidly. Everyone six-months-old and older should get a flu shot every year. Find a flu shot clinic near you.
- Get your flu shot and updated COVID-19 booster now. There’s no vaccination against Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection (RSV). However, getting vaccinated for other respiratory viruses – COVID-19 and the flu — will help keep you safer and help protect our fragile healthcare system. It is safe to get both flu and COVID vaccines at the same time if the individual is due for them.
- Wash hands regularly.
- Wear a high-quality, well-fitting mask when in indoor public spaces.
- If you feel sick – even if you test negative for COVID-19 – stay home. This is particularly important if you’re going to be around young children, older adults, pregnant people, or people who have underlying medical conditions.
Read more on Public Health Insider.
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Safety video: Consider your route
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities.
Here’s another tip to help you stay safe. Consider your route when going from A to B and use common sense. Avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages, alleyways, and shortcuts. Stick to well-lit areas. Be alert when walking between buildings and stay aware of your surroundings.
Check out the video and watch for additional videos with safety tips this year.
For more information on employee safety programs and resources, check out the Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Homepage (employee access only).
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World Aids Day
Every year, on Dec. 1, the world commemorates World AIDS Day. People around the world unite to show support for people living with and affected by HIV and to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS. Four decades into the HIV response, inequalities still persist for the most basic services like testing, treatment, and even more so for new technologies.
King County is committed to radically reducing new HIV infections through diagnosing, treating, preventing, and responding quickly to HIV outbreaks. Learn more about Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative through Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Individuals can do their part by staying up to date on their preventive HIV screenings through their Primary Care Provider. As a King County employee, preventive screenings are 100% covered by your health plan.
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Holiday resources for employee financial well being
As we enter the holiday season, many employees will travel, cook, spend time with family, or all of the above. Given the stress the holidays can have on relationships and finances, My Secure Advantage (MSA) has provided financial well being resources to help you keep the holiday spirit joyful and festive.
Read Relationships & Money: Common Problems & Solutions and Building a Holiday Budget on the MSA blog.
Learn more about the MSA financial wellness benefit you get as a King County employee.
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Annual Cybersecurity Training required for all King County employees
Cybersecurity Training is an important safeguard that protects King County systems, and the number of employees who complete training each year impacts our insurance rates.
When your training is assigned, you will receive an email from kc-knowbe4@kingcounty.gov with a direct link to your required training modules. If you can’t find the email, check your Junk folder or login with your work email here.
All employees must complete annual Cybersecurity Training by Dec. 31, 2022 unless your agency has specified a different deadline. Thank you for doing your part to protect King County. Read more.
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Giving Tuesday: Make a difference today and all year long
As our Annual Giving Drive winds down, you can still make a difference through the Employee Giving Program. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving powered by social media and collaboration. For just one day, we have reopened the online pledging system for payroll donations only. To join the movement, give now.
More than 500 past contributors have yet to renew payroll for 2023. Renewal is easy — but not automatic. Renew now.
You can confirm your pledge for 2023 by clicking the Employee Giving tile in PeopleSoft and it will be listed at the top of the Pledge Summary page.
If you’ve already pledged – thank you!
On Giving Tuesday and all year, we work with hundreds of nonprofits to make our community and world healthier, stronger and more vibrant.
Thank you for all you do, and for helping us successfully raise more than $2 million for organizations to make a substantial difference in our community! We look forward to continuing this impact through Giving Tuesday.
Learn more at www.kingcounty.gov/giving. For questions or more information, contact EmployeeGiving@kingcounty.gov.
Supervisors: please print and post for employees who do not have access to email.
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Be prepared for cold temperatures, snow, and ice
Extremely cold temperatures and icy road conditions are forecast for our region this week, so please be prepared for possible commute delays and impacts to business operations.
If you work on site, please be prepared for cold weather. Have a plan for your commute, dress warmly, and let safety be your guide when making commute decisions. If you drive, have an emergency kit in your vehicle, including extra clothing, food, water, and a flashlight.
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).
Alternative work arrangements: If you are impacted by the weather and adjusting work schedules, working at an alternative location, or taking vacation are options for your job, please discuss these beforehand with your supervisor.
Stay informed: Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information at work and at home in the event of inclement weather.
- 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.
Resources for travelers
- Metro: Visit MetroWinter.com and Eye on Your Metro Commute, and sign up for Metro Transit Alerts (text, email, tweets via @kcmetrobus, 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).
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King County Security Tips – Keep Devices and Software Up to Date
From KCIT Cyber Security Awareness Training Program
You know that little pop-up prompting you to restart your computer for a software update? The one that only seems to come up when you’re in the middle of something important? As annoying as it may seem, this notification is actually a valuable asset to your cybersecurity. So, before you click the “Later” option, let’s take a closer look!
What is a software update?
A software update is a new and improved version of a program, application, or operating system that you are already using. The update may include new features, bug fixes, or important security patches.
Why are updates important for cybersecurity?
Do you ever wonder how secure the programs installed on your device are? Cybercriminals do. They look for cracks in the security of programs and use these vulnerabilities to gain access to your device. With this access, they could enable a keylogger to track what you type, steal confidential information, or even install ransomware to lock you out of your files and demand payment for access. Developers help prevent this by fixing vulnerabilities as soon as possible. These fixes are included in software updates. Meaning, the longer you wait to install the update, the longer your system is at risk.
How do I check for software updates?
Any device that runs software, be it a computer, tablet, or even a smart tv, can release updates. Most software will prompt you when an update is available, but it’s good practice to check periodically. Here is a general guide to checking for updates on common platforms:
Mac System Updates (for macOS Catalina)
- Open the Apple menu and select About this Mac.
- Click Software Updates….
- If any are available, you will have the option to install it.
Windows System Updates (for Windows 10)
- Open the start menu and select Settings.
- Select Update & Security Settings then select Windows Update.
- Click Check for Updates. If any are available, you will have the option to install it.
iOS Updates
- Open the Settings app and tap General.
- Tap Software Update.
- If any are available, you will have the option to install it.
Android Updates (for most devices running Android 10 or higher)
- Open the Settings app and go to the System section.
- Tap About Phone. (If this is not an option, skip to step 3.)
- Tap System Updates.
- Tap Check for Update. If any are available, you will have the option to install it.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Please consult the user manual or online support for your specific device. If you have additional questions, please reach out to kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.
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Executive Constantine proclaims November as Native American Heritage Month
In recognition of the fact that we live and flourish on the lands and waterways of the Coast Salish peoples of Puget Sound, and that the impacts of systemic racism and colonization on Native Americans have created great harm, and to honor the many contributions that Native Americans have made in all aspects of our lives, King County Executive Dow Constantine proclaims November 2022 as Native American Heritage Month.
Read the full proclamation below.
Employee News 