Changes to mask requirements coming March 12
King County’s current mask requirements for Executive branch employees remain in place through March 11, but changes are coming March 12 that employees need to know about.
Through March 11:
- Employees must wear a mask in indoor settings and enclosed spaces that are accessible to the public. This applies to all King County buildings, facilities, and structures that the public can enter, including public lobby and meeting spaces, public indoor recreation spaces, public service counters, and similar spaces open to the public.
- Masks are not required in areas that are not accessible to the public or when working outdoors, because all employees are fully vaccinated or otherwise accommodated as required by county policy.
- Masks remain required on public transportation and in congregate settings and health care facilities, including detention facilities and public health clinics.
Starting March 12:
- Masks will be optional in all settings, including public-facing spaces, except on public transportation and in congregate settings and health care facilities, such as detention facilities and public health clinics, where masks will continue to be required.
This means that, beginning March 12, most King County employees will no longer be required to wear face masks while working indoors, even in public-facing spaces. There are exceptions. Employees who work in these settings are still required to wear face masks due to the nature of their work and to comply with state and federal guidelines:
- Public transportation
- Correctional facilities
- Health care settings
- Long-term care facilities.
Employees still have the option to wear face masks, even when they are not required. King County supports and encourages any employee who chooses to wear a face mask at work if it makes them more comfortable.
Superior Court and District Court will continue requiring masking in court rooms and in areas where work is done with members of the public. In all other areas, masking is encouraged for Superior Court employees but not required. District Court will continue to require that all District Court employees wear masks in all areas while at work.
Please see the Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy for more information.
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Supporting the people affected by the war in Ukraine
Dear fellow King County employee,
We are all shocked and outraged by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine. Each day we’re seeing the devastating impacts of this decision: the senseless loss of life, bombardment of civilians, destruction of communities, families torn apart and forced to flee the violence, and the uprooting of more than a million people from their homes and homeland. We’re also seeing the bravery of the Ukrainian people, standing up to this dictator, fighting for their country, and fighting for the future of democracy in Europe and around the world.
King County is home to a large Ukrainian community, and on behalf of all our employees and residents I want to share our support during this dark time. We will help however we can and stand against authoritarian aggression.
Many King County employees have reached out to ask how we can help. One way is by making donations to organizations that are providing humanitarian aid and support for the people impacted by the invasion.
Yesterday I signed an authorization that will allow King County employees to convert accrued vacation leave and/or earned compensatory time – a minimum of four hours to a maximum of 40 hours – into cash donations to one or all of these organizations:
- Global Impact – Ukraine Response Fund #3500
- Médecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors Without Borders #4172
- Ukrainian Community Center of Washington #9385
In addition to leave and compensatory time, one-time payroll donations, cash donations by e-check or credit card are also accepted. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office employees can donate by one-time payroll donations, e-check or credit card, but may not donate leave or compensatory time.
This special campaign will be open for the next 21 days, through 5 p.m. March 28. Please use this form to contribute and find answers to your questions here.
The images we are witnessing in the media from this attack are heartbreaking and emotionally wrenching. If you would like to speak with someone about how this event makes you feel, you can access two free services that offer professional support and advice: the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier (username King County). Both resources are free and confidential.
Thank you for your generosity in all you do.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine (he/him/his)
King County Executive
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Clean Water Plan building partnerships with community-based organizations
The Clean Water Plan has partnered with eight community-based organizations (CBOs) to understand the needs and interests of historically underrepresented communities in planning for our region’s clean water future.
Why partner with CBOs? King County Wastewater Treatment Division recognizes that community-based organizations are trusted advocates and are experts on the best ways to engage historically underrepresented populations. The Clean Water Plan will guide King County’s investments in our regional wastewater system for the next 40 years, so hearing from diverse communities is important. Click here to read more about this essential program.
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Vets 4 HIRE fellowship program creates savings and opportunities
The Vets 4 HIRE Program provides hiring managers a supplement to their budget by placing a military veteran in a temporary fellowship assignment using funds from the Veterans, Seniors & Human Services Levy.
It also gives veterans an opportunity to provide their skills and unique experience while filling a need within King County. As this video illustrates, it often leads to a full-time hire of a well-qualified individual who knows the meaning of duty and commitment.
For more information, managers can reach out to their human resources representative or contact Vets 4 HIRE Program Manager Susan Navetski.
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Dr. Ben Danielson answers parents’ questions about vaccines for kids
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Are you still hesitant to get the COVID-19 vaccine for your child? Maybe you have some questions or concerns that still haven’t been answered.
Beloved local pediatrician Dr. Ben Danielson is here to help! In these videos, he answers some common questions from parents about the vaccines for kids, including: Read more.
Is the vaccine safe for kids? Are there long-term effects?
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Data dashboard shows how vaccinated and boosted people have weathered the omicron surge
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
King County residents who have gotten a booster dose of the COVID-19 vaccines are far less likely to get seriously ill than people who aren’t fully vaccinated, according to a newly updated data tool from Public Health – Seattle & King County.
Public Health has been tracking how well the vaccines are protecting King County residents against the worst outcomes of COVID-19 – hospitalizations and deaths. The data reported on the Outcomes by Vaccination Status dashboard has shown consistently that the vaccines are working.
Now, the dashboard has incorporated booster doses, and the benefits are even clearer: An additional dose gives you a huge boost in protection. Read more.
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King County marks two years of COVID outbreak, looks ahead to next phase of pandemic response
March 1 marked the two-year anniversary of King County Executive Dow Constantine’s emergency declaration in response to the COVID outbreak in King County, the first community in the nation to face an outbreak of the novel coronavirus, shortly after the nation’s first case was discovered in Snohomish County. Relying on trusted health leaders to chart the course forward and keep the community safe, King County has gone from the epicenter of the outbreak, to now one of the nation’s highest vaccinated communities with the some of the lowest cases and death rates two years later. Read more.
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Employee Appreciation Day is March 4
King County values the many contributions of each and every single one of our employees. Thank you for your hard work providing services for King County residents, and your dedication during these challenging times. We appreciate your efforts to continue growing, building, and leading the way in making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.
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2022 Engagement Survey starts March 7, and email to participate
Between Monday, March 7, and Tuesday, March 9, most employees will receive an email in their King County inbox from KC Employee Survey (kcemployeesurvey@us.confirmit.com) with the subject line “Welcome to the King County 2022 Employee Survey” inviting them to have their say in this year’s Employee Engagement Survey.
Here is what the email will look like:
The 2022 Employee Engagement Survey will take place from March 7-25, and it is a great opportunity to let County leaders what is going well and where we need to improve. Remember that changes happen from your suggestions.
The survey — which can be taken on your work computer or a mobile device — will take no more than 15 minutes and can be done during work time. Your responses are 100% anonymous and cannot be traced back to you.
Here’s what you can expect in 2022:
- All employees will take the survey electronically, saving 80 reams of paper – or roughly five trees each year.
- The survey will be available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, Amharic and Somali.
- The most important elements of the survey will not change: the confidentiality and anonymity of participants, and our commitment to act on what employees tell us.
- You can take the survey on work time.
- When you speak up, you’ll be heard, and it will make a difference.
All employees are eligible for the employee survey, except the following:
- Employees in Superior Court, District Court, and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office
- Employees who are interns or short term temporary (STT)
- Employees who have not worked at the county for at least 3 months prior to the survey period (for 2022, employees must have started before December 7, 2021 to be eligible).
For FAQs and more information about the survey visit www.kingcounty.gov/employeesurvey.
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Celebrating 2022 Women’s History Month
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed the month of March Women’s History Month in King County, and encouraged all residents to participate in events to commemorate and honor women and their contributions to our community and nation.
“The 2022 Women’s History Month theme is ‘Providing Healing, Promoting Hope” – a tribute both to the work of women as caregivers and frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to the role that women have played in providing healing and hope throughout history,” Executive Constantine said in the Proclamation. “Despite the innumerable contributions women have made and continue to make, too little is taught or even known about the enormous impact women have on our collective national history.”
“Women are making history every day and will continue to do so in ways that will change our County and our country for the better.”
Employee News 