This Veterans Day, America will pause to honor those who have served in the military. Most Americans hold those who have served in high regard, yet sometimes are unsure how to properly thank a veteran without unintentionally saying the wrong thing, appearing intrusive, or somehow offending them.

While it is customary to offer a “thank you for your service” to veterans, if you’re looking for an alternative, you could instead say:

• “Thank you for putting your life on hold to serve our country.” 
• “Thank you for the sacrifices you made being away from your family.”
• “Thank you for stepping up and choosing to serve when many others didn’t.”

But don’t stop there. Follow up by asking them if they have an interesting military story they might like to share. In fact, most veterans would be happy to share their military stories about coming of age, lifelong friends they’ve made, humorous situations, locations they’ve traveled to, cultures they’ve explored, and more. Here are examples of questions you could ask to begin the conversation:

• What inspired you to join the military, and how did you choose your branch of service?
• What was your job and what was the most rewarding part of doing it?
• What was your training like?
• What is the funniest thing that ever happened to you in the military?
• Was the food as bad as we hear?
• What are some of the things you remember about military life that you enjoyed?
• If you saw multiple deployments, how did they differ from each other? What did you enjoy about them?
• Did you go overseas? If so, what surprised you the most about serving abroad?

It is also important to know the types of questions you really DON’T want to ask. These questions include: Did you ever kill anyone? Did you see dead bodies? What was the worst thing you ever saw or that happened to you? Do you have PTSD? Did you see any action? How could you leave your family for so long? These sorts of questions often times make those who served feel uncomfortable and can be deemed as disrespectful.

So, on this Veterans Day and every day, the biggest sign of respect you can show to a veteran is to get to know them. Asking them about their military service and showing interest is the best way to express your gratitude for the many sacrifices they have made. For more information about those who choose to serve, please see this article on 15 Things Veterans Would Like You to Know.

People join the National Guard and Reserves for a variety of reasons. Participating in the Guard and Reserve enables them to continue with their civilian jobs while still serving our country and being part of something greater than themselves. Their success and ability to focus on their varied missions depend on the support they receive not just from their families but also from their employer, direct supervisor, and fellow co-workers.

King County is truly proud to have about 100 employees who choose to serve in the National Guard and Reserves. In fact, King County was bestowed the “Above and Beyond Award” in 2018 by the U.S. Department of Defense, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, for the generous benefits we offer those who serve. However, benefits are just one piece; the support each of us chooses to provide to our fellow co-workers who serve can be very impactful and meaningful.

Below are some ways in which we can show our support to those who serve:

• Plan and prepare: The supervisor and coworkers can work with the service member to prepare for both planned and unplanned emergency (e.g. natural disaster) mobilizations and deployments, and create a plan of action in advance to make sure staff are trained and know how to step in to handle the work.
• Meet with service member: The supervisor, HR and co-workers are encouraged to meet with the Reserve or National Guard employee and ask, “How can I support you?” and if you are comfortable, ask, “Is there some way in which I can support your family?” Unplanned deployments and mobilizations can be hard on the employee’s family. Offering to check in with the family or offer help in some other way can go a long way in alleviating some of the service member’s stress.
• Stay in touch: Keep your service member “in the loop” with what is going on at work. Information to share might include positive changes in the workplace (e.g., new projects or hires) and social information (e.g., a coworker had a baby, a new walking group started). You can do this with monthly letters and occasional e-mails. Staying in touch helps enhance the service member’s morale and feel remembered, especially if they are away during holidays. You might even consider sending a “care package” when they are deployed.
• Develop a reintegration plan: When it is time for the employee to return, the supervisor can discuss with the service member:
  • What the employee can expect (e.g., what tasks have been delegated to others, if they will be working in the same or a different role, if and how procedures have changed).
  • What the employee would like or find helpful in returning to work (e.g., written instructions for new procedures, additional meetings with management to get caught up on what they have missed, flexible work schedule).
  • How the employee would like to be treated regarding their deployment (e.g., would they prefer not to discuss it, would they like to share what they did while they were away).
  • What training, re-training, or accommodations need to be put into place.

Given this list, let us each now consider ways in which we can recognize and support our co-workers who choose to serve.

Election Day is coming up fast on Tuesday, Nov. 8. If you have not voted yet, be sure to fill out, sign, and return your ballot as soon as possible.

Ballots need to be in a drop box by 8 p.m. sharp on Election Day, Nov. 8, or have a postmark on or before Election Day. Vote Centers open this Saturday, Nov. 5 for those who need in-person assistance.

Please remember that employees may not send their ballot to Elections via interoffice mail. They must use a regular mailbox or drop box – no stamp needed.

Call King County Elections with any questions at 206-296-VOTE (8683), and for more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/elections.

Our first 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. Walkpooling is a buddy-up initiative that helps employees travel safely by walking to and from work with a buddy. Walkpools are an option if you walk long distances, walk early in the morning or late in the evening, or have to navigate transit stations.

Walkpools give you safety in numbers, a boost in your daily step count, and can lead to new and stronger friendships with your walkpool buddies. Check out our video, or visit the Employee Transportation Program website for more information. Watch for additional videos with safety tips this year.

For more information on employee safety programs and resources, check out the Future of Work Personal Safety at Work intranet page (employees only) and  www.kingcounty.gov/employeesafety.

For the last week of National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group wants to celebrate artist Alok Vaid-Menon. Vaid-Menon is an internationally renowned gender-nonconforming writer and performance artist that uses their platform to advance LGBTQ+ advocacy and understanding. Learn more about Vaid-Menon and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History.

If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov.

Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.

Cross-posted from King County Local Services

King County Roads Maintenance Section is known for some heavy lifting. Last month they added thousands of pounds of donated food to the list of hefty things they haul in unincorporated King County.

This heartfelt act of teamwork and compassion benefits local nonprofit Food Lifeline whose mission is to end hunger in Western Washington. Read more.

Data is a powerful tool that can improve government services and grow equity in our communities. But how we collect and use data is vital to safeguarding people’s privacy.

In their bi-annual meeting on Oct. 14, the King County Strategic Advisory Council (SAC) voted to endorse the countywide strategy to build up data governance policies and prioritize data investments.

Watch this video message from King County leadership discussing why data is important, and what we’re doing to protect it.