Celebrating Thanksgiving during the COVID-19 pandemic
Thanksgiving gatherings traditionally center around time spent breaking bread with loved ones. This year, in light of the ongoing pandemic, the steep rise in confirmed COVID-19 cases, and the recent Governor orders to limit social gatherings and non-essential activities, Thanksgiving celebrations are likely to look different for many people.
Fortunately, there are still safe, fun, and meaningful ways to celebrate the holiday together. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for tips and resources for navigating 2020’s Thanksgiving.
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Learn about Medicare options, December 15
Are you reaching Medicare age? Do you want to learn more about Medicare and your options as a King County employee? SIgn up for Medicare 101, an upcoming seminar featuring guest speaker Jean Cormier, who will discuss Medicare basics. In addition, Jenny Stark from Regence BlueShield and Hannah Bachelder from Kaiser Permanente will discuss their Medicare Advantage plan options.
This seminar takes place Tuesday, Dec. 15 from 2:30–3:30 p.m. Register here.
Please note, attendance is strictly voluntary, on your own time, and non-work related. For more information, contact Carmen Johnson.
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Tech Tip: Remember: A good way to help identify potential phishing
Phishing attacks continue to hit employees at King County, just like other local jurisdictions. Because of this, KCIT wants to remind employees about the banner which identifies emails sent from outside of the county. The banner is used because a common phishing tactic employed by the bad guys is sending emails in which the display name in the “From” field looks like it’s been sent by someone within King County, but that email address is fake and actually from someone making a phishing attempt.
Unfortunately, users do not always notice when such an email is a phishing attempt. This makes employees vulnerable to viruses and other problems.
When any email is delivered from an outside email address, the following is added. This warning message appears in the body of the email message.
Remember, this warning message will let employees know the email came from outside the County and has the potential to be a phishing scam.
For questions or concerns, visit the KCIT Helpdesk.
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Reminder: Employees needed for Balanced You Well-being Advisory Committees
Do you have ideas on how King County can better support the well-being of you and your colleagues? In response to employee surveys and listening sessions, Balanced You, is developing two new well-being advisory committees: one for telecommuters and one for essential employees working onsite. Anyone interested is invited to apply. Visit this Balanced You blogpost for more information.
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Executive Constantine on the adoption of $12.4 billion biennial King County budget: Putting our money where our values are
“I thank the King County Council for their careful deliberations since I transmitted my proposed two-year budget in September. I also want to recognize the many community members who participated in hearings and other venues to get their voices heard.
“This budget puts our money where our values are. It will provide a safe, dignified place to live to thousands of chronically homeless people. It re-orients our criminal legal system and makes a significant down payment in our ongoing efforts to shift resources to upstream programs aligned with racial and social justice.
“This budget also enhances Metro service where needs are greatest, and continues King County down the path of a carbon-free transit system.
Read more in the official press release
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Join the virtual blood drive for King County employees, November 23–December 7
Bloodworks Northwest is hosting a virtual blood drive for all King County employees. Employees are encouraged to the give the special code KING when registering in person the day of their appointment to help keep track of all King County employees who are participating to help save a life. Make an appointment at a donor center, or pop up donor center at the link below for anytime between Nov. 23 and Dec. 7.
All donations are by appointment only to provide the safest possible donation environment. Additionally, no walk-ins, guests or people under age 16 are permitted onsite, and masks (or an appropriate face covering) are required.
Make an appointment online here at a donor center or pop-up donor center location, and select an available time period listed. For questions about eligibility or for more information about blood donation visit www.BloodworksNW.org or call 800-398-7888. Please note, this drive does not replace the King Street Center (KSC) virtual drive planned Dec. 21–Jan.4. KSC employees should feel free to donate at either blood drive, and of course all employees can donate whenever fits their schedule best.
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King County Council approves Metro’s Access Paratransit Advisory Committee (APAC)
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro is pleased to announce the 11 members of its newest advisory group, the Access Paratransit Advisory Committee (APAC). The Access Paratransit Advisory Committee will advise Metro, the King County Executive, and the King County Council on transit and policy issues related to equitable public transportation for people with disabilities.
The work of this new committee will enhance the Access paratransit program by providing guidance to Metro on what to prioritize and on developing a vision for ongoing improvements. The committee was appointed by the King County Executive and was approved by the King County Council for two-year appointments on November 16, 2020.
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Elections Building selected for Round 1 of PSE Community Solar Program
Puget Sound Energy has selected King County’s Elections Building in Renton to be one of the sites for Round 1 of its Community Solar Program, currently under development.
“This is a really great opportunity to shine a light on renewable energy in general and Elections specifically,” said Sarah Calvillo Hoffman, Energy Manager for Facilities Management Division in Executive Services. “Elections is really interested in doing more sustainable things in general. There are lots of people who go to that building, and there will be signage about the project.”
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Featured Job: Education Specialist – Downtown Needle Exchange
Salary: $56,673.97 – $71,837.79 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020DB12401
Division: Prevention
Closing: 11/23/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Tech Tip: Skype Business to Teams migration chatting and instant messaging
For the next year, as employees move to Microsoft Teams for County communications, many people will continue on Skype until they move. Did you know you can send Instant Messages between Skype and Teams?
Below are instructions to send Instant Message between Skype and Teams.
Once employees move to Teams, send a message, called Chats in Teams, to coworkers using Skype by simply looking them up and sending a message. They will receive the message in Skype. When they reply, it will show up in Teams for the original sender using Teams.
Pro tips about chatting/instant messaging between Skype and Teams:
- Chats are limited to two people. That means group chats are not possible.
- Screen sharing is not possible between the platforms.
- To screenshare or have a group chat, schedule a meeting or use Meet Now, and invite your other party. Meet Now can be started from either Skype or Teams.
For questions or concerns, visit the KCIT Helpdesk.
Employee News 