Tech Tip: Operating systems update coming
All county employees using County devices will receive a critical operating system update beginning Oct. 26. This update will result in minor changes to the appearance of your system.
Most of the update will not require any action on the part of users except for a restart of their device. The restart will take a bit longer than typical for updates, from about five to 20 minutes.
Thanks for your cooperation, and please let us know if we can answer any questions about the update. Please contact the Helpdesk if you experience any issues.
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Training Spotlight for October 29
- Team Leadership – Online – Team leaders must account for the special and unique circumstance of working in a team where responsibility, accountability, communication, and leadership are shared. Know the benefits and challenges as well as key sources of motivation of empowered teams. You’ll also learn approaches for managing conflict in teams. This training takes place on Wednesday Nov. 4, from 1-4 p.m. The cost is $89 and space is limited. Register here.
- Brain-based Time Management – Online – What we do and how we do it are driven by how our brains are wired. Neuroscience tells us we have 10 brain skills and each one of us has skills that are strong (and skills that are not strong). In this class, you’ll hear about each of these skills so you can identify where the weak areas are for you and most importantly, learn what you can do about it. This three hour class is $50 and space is limited. The next session will be held on Thursday, Nov. 1, from 1-4 p.m. Register here.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite page website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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COVID-19 frontline charities
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
You asked for it, and we created it. A highly requested list for this years Employee Giving Program was non-profits who are actively serving those affected by COVID-19.
This above link to the comprehensive list is the result of a collaborative, cross-departmental effort to uplift EGP nonprofits that are working with communities who have been particularly impacted by COVID-19/are “on the frontlines.” This workgroup is centered on mutual support of each other as Ambassadors and of the community. The group has taken a broad, inclusive approach to identify the focus areas (still broad in scope): BIPOC, immigrant & refugee, LGBTQ+ communities, and industries/workers who have been impacted. Additionally the group cross-referenced EGP listings with a local, community-generated list of nonprofits engaged in COVID emergency response for inclusion.
Browse the comprehensive list here
We plan to feature organizations weekly that are actively aiding in the COVID-19 pandemic. Below are five organizations that we love!
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King County website and PeopleSoft available for use
KCIT has resolved the issues that were impacting the King County website and the PeopleSoft system, and both of these resources are now available for use.
Thank you for your patience and understanding – we appreciate it.
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Return your ballot early
Don’t race against the clock and wait till 7:59 p.m. on Election Day to get your ballot to your nearest Drop Box. King County Elections is expecting about 500,000 ballots back through drop boxes on Election Day alone. Avoid the traffic and get it done early.
There are three ways to return your ballot:
- Ballot Drop Box: If you don’t send back your ballot in the mail, return your ballot to a nearby Drop Box—no stamp required.
- By mail: We recommend dropping your ballot in the mail by the Friday before Election Day to make sure it gets postmarked in time to be counted. Your ballot must be postmarked by Election Day.
- At a Vote Center: King County Vote Centers are available to voters who need assistance completing their ballot. Trained staff and specialized equipment are available to help voters with disabilities cast a private, independent ballot.
Feel free to encourage your friends and family to do the same and share that you voted early on social media (tag and follow King County Elections @kcelections on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram. Hashtags: #Hit90 #KingCountyVotes #GOTV #VoteWa). You can also access the King County Elections Social Media Toolkit for posts and images you can easily share on your social media.
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Support survivors and speak out against domestic violence
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and an important time to share information and resources to support survivors. Prior to COVID-19, domestic and intimate partner violence were ongoing epidemics impacting people of all races, ages, genders, and orientations, but this health crisis has continued to intensify during times of stay-at-home orders, school and work transition, increased stress, and isolation as a result of the pandemic.
This is a critical time to learn about domestic violence and connect to supportive resources.
- To get help or support someone in need, review the Domestic Violence Resource Flyer to be connected to resources including safe shelter, advocacy, emotional support, and legal assistance.
- Emergency petitions through King County District Court can be now filed for Anti-Harassment or Stalking Orders remotely.
- King County employees dealing with a domestic violence situation and in need of support, can also call the King County Employee Assistance Program (EAP) at 206-263-8733 or email HRDEAP@kingcounty.gov. Additional employee resources through EAP for emergency housing and community safety can be viewed here.
King County provides support and resources for survivors of domestic violence and their families, and has also partnered with nonprofits that provide domestic violence assistance. Employees can participate in the Employee Giving Program by donating to an organization here.
Together, King County and its employees can create safe communities where all people thrive and have access to the resources they need.
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King County website and PeopleSoft experiencing delays
The King County website and the PeopleSoft system are currently experiencing lengthy delays and access issues.
KCIT is working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible.
We appreciate your patience, and will let you know when the website and PeopleSoft are functioning properly again.
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Reasons to enroll in an FSA
Need an easy way to save money? During Open Enrollment—Nov. 1–15—you can enroll in a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). You’ll set aside pretax dollars from your paycheck, then use it to pay for eligible health care or dependent day care expenses. Since you’re not paying federal or FICA taxes on your FSA money, you get a huge tax savings.
Here’s why you should consider enrolling in an FSA during Open Enrollment:
- Save money. FSA contributions are pre-tax, resulting in a significant savings.
- Orthodontia. Contribute up to $2,750 to a Health Care FSA and pay for eligible health expenses, such as orthodontia, eyeglasses, and hearing aids.
- Debit cards. Using the Navia Benefits Card makes paying for health care expenses even easier—often eliminating the hassle of submitting receipts and waiting for reimbursement.
- Carryover. You can carry over up to $500 of unused Health Care FSA funds to the next plan year.
- MyNavia app. Access and manage your FSA accounts using this smartphone app.
- Day care. Put up to $5,000 in a Day Care FSA to pay for child care, adult care, or elder care.
- Arch supports. Your FSA can reimburse over-the-counter items such as bandages, sunscreen, medicines, and arch supports.
You choose how much to put into your FSAs—up to a yearly maximum of $2,750 for health care, and $5,000 for day care for joint tax filers ($2,500 if married and filing separately). You must enroll in your FSAs each year during Open Enrollment.
Go to Navia Benefit Solutions for FSA tools and resources—including a Tax Savings Calculator.
For additional information, go to Flexible Spending Accounts or contact the Benefits Team at KC Benefits or 206-684-1556.
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Training Spotlight for October 27
- Dealing with Difficult People through North Seattle College – Online – Get the tools needed to handle all types of workplace behavior problems. This class is tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 28 from 2-5 p.m. The fee is $89 and space is limited. Register here.
- Race: The Power of an Illusion – Online – This training is provided by an external consultant and will use the three-part video series “Race: The Power of an Illusion” to explore the construct of race, how it has been used to channel benefits to those viewed as white, and why racial inequities persist. This training takes place on Friday, Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $150 and space is limited. Register here.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite page website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Strategic Interviewing Tips and Techniques, October 29 and November 18
This two-hour online workshop will provide you with strategies and tips to help you to do your best during the interview. Learning objectives include:
- How to prepare for a virtual job interview
- The interview structure and types of questions you will be asked
- The STAR-LA method and how to use it to provide organized and complete responses
- General tips and strategies
There are two opportunities to attend this online workshop:
- Thursday, Oct. 29 from 1-3 p.m. and Wednesday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. – Noon. Register here.
For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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