Onsite employee flu clinics now closed
Balanced You thanks King County employees for a successful 2020 flu clinic season. Together, we were able to distribute 1,200 flu shots to onsite employees across King County this year. Onsite flu clinics have now ended. If you or your family members have not received your flu shots, please visit this blogpost for information on how to do so.
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Announcing the 2020 Online Nonprofit Expo Series
Crossposted from KC Employee Giving
The 2020 Nonprofit Expo Series will kick off on Thursday, Oct. 22. Join the Employee Giving Program via Zoom from 11 a.m. to noon every Thursday through Nov. 20 to learn about nonprofits engaged in the work you care about. Each week will feature organizations working in the following key service areas:
- Oct. 22, from 11 a.m. to noon: Social and Economic Justice
- Oct. 29, from 11 a.m. to noon: Animals
- Nov. 5, from 11 a.m. to noon: Frontline COVID-19 Assistance
- Nov. 12, from 11 a.m. to noon: Serving Children during the COVI-19 pandemic
- Nov. 19, from 11 a.m. to noon: Housing and Employment
Each Expo will feature four nonprofits, giving you the opportunity to learn about the abundance of amazing services provided in our community. Presentations will be followed by a brief opportunity for Q&A. Follow this Zoom link to join the meeting. And don’t forget to make your pledge through PeopleSoft by Nov. 20.
For more information visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving.
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Join us: The Annual Giving Drive is happening now
Dear friends,
Earlier this month, we kicked off our Employee Giving Program Annual Giving Drive — the most fun time of the year!
Now through Nov. 20, we can make a difference by supporting the causes that are most important to us.
This is year is different. While we may be physically apart, we are still together through this important work.
As you know, we are in a critical moment – locally and globally. Across our region, nonprofits are simultaneously facing a drop in funding while working on the front lines responding to the global pandemic, racism as a public health crisis, and climate change.
On a personal note, we recognize that life right now feels overwhelming. We are all doing the best we can with what we have, and the Employee Giving Program can be a simple way to take action. Every small act adds up in our collective impact as a community.
I invite you to watch a short video with a hopeful message for this year’s Annual Giving Drive:
During the Annual Giving Drive, employees may:
- Market and communicate about specific causes and participating Employee Giving Program nonprofits.
- Sign-up online in PeopleSoft Employee Self-Service for payroll donations for the coming year.
- Give using Time Donation.
- Invite nonprofit speakers.
- Hold fundraisers and put on special events.
- And more!
How can you participate?
You can help in many ways:
Join us this year to turn up the good!
Care. Connect. Act.
Gratefully,
Junelle Kroontje
Employee Giving Program Manager
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Recognizing 2020 Disability Awareness Month
Click to view the full proclamation.
This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed into law in 1990 by former U.S. President George H. W. Bush. Every October we celebrate the many contributions that people with disabilities make to our community and workforce here at King County.
To honor these contributions, on Oct. 13, 2020, the King County Council officially proclaimed October 2020 as Disability Awareness Month.
In a meeting held virtually to allow for safety and social distancing measures, the King County Council welcomed King County councilmembers and members of the public to join in the official proclamation of Disability Awareness Month. This recognizes the continued efforts to break down barriers so that people of all abilities can share their unique abilities, perspectives and talents. The meeting and proclamation can be viewed here on Facebook.
“Disability Awareness Month is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities, recognize the many barriers that still exist, and recommit ourselves to breaking down those barriers to make our community more inclusive. All of us have varying degrees of ability, and these can change dramatically throughout our lives. We all benefit when we include and learn from people of every level and kind of ability,” said King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci.
“I’m proud of the way our King County Disability Services and Supported Employment programs help King County employees with disabilities contribute to the success of our government and thus help us all to thrive. Everyone deserves to be able to contribute their unique abilities and talents and the opportunity to fully participate in the life of King County.”
Pictured: 2020 marks the 30th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
King County celebrates these efforts and continues working to provide everyone equal access to employment, transportation, housing, education, health care, recreation, and community life. This proclamation recognizes the hard work by activists with disabilities and their advocates to break down barriers so that people of all abilities can share their unique abilities, perspectives and talents.
View the official proclamation here, and in the image above.
To get involved in recognizing and celebrating Disability Awareness Month next year, please contact Christina Davidson at Christina.davidson@kingcounty.gov.
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Training Spotlight for October 20
- Decision Making through North Seattle College – Online – Expand your decision-making skills by identifying problem-solving styles. Find creative solutions in decision-making and build the ability to search for and find facts that relate to the situation and put them together in ways that work. Learn to tap into the knowledge of others to help expand available options. This workshop will give you better problem-solving steps and tools to make decisions. This class is tomorrow, Oct. 21, from 1-4 p.m. The fee is $89.00 and space is limited. Register here
- Mentorship Lunch and Learn – Online – Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. This Lunch and Learn is free and the next session is on Oct. 22 from noon to 1 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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Look for Open Enrollment information in your mailbox
It’s in the mail
Look for Open Enrollment information
Check your home mailbox for important benefits and Open Enrollment information mailed recently to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. Open Enrollment takes place Nov. 1 – 15 and you can start preparing now.
What’s changing?
- New online enrollment tool: This year, we’ll be using an updated PeopleSoft tool featuring a new look and feel and a mobile-friendly interface—making it easier to complete Open Enrollment using your smart phone or tablet. For details, step-by-step instructions, and screenshots, watch the Completing Open Enrollment with PeopleSoft video and read the Open Enrollment PeopleSoft Guide.
- Benefit changes: Several benefit changes become effective Jan. 1, 2021. See 2021 Key Benefit Changes or watch the Open Enrollment Overview video to see what’s changing for your benefit group.
Learn more at a virtual information session
Get a head start on understanding your 2021 benefit changes, learn more about the updated Open Enrollment tool, and get your questions answered at a live information session hosted by your Benefits Team. This event will be held on a variety of days and times to accommodate your schedule.
Register for an information session
Why participate in Open Enrollment?
- Enroll in a Flexible Spending Account—Health Care and Dependent Day Care FSAs reduce your taxable income—saving you money. You must re-enroll every year during Open Enrollment. The Health Care FSA maximum contribution for 2021 is $2,750.
- Select the appropriate Benefit Access Fee—or exemption. If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your medical plan, a Benefit Access Fee may be automatically applied, depending on your benefit group and the plan you choose. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment. If no action is taken during Open Enrollment and you later determine that you qualified for an exemption, fees already deducted will not be refunded.
- Change medical plans—Use the Plan Comparison Charts and other resources on the Medical plans page to consider whether Kaiser SmartCare or KingCare Select (Regence) makes sense for your family. These plans will likely save you money, with lower deductibles, copays, and Benefit Access Fees. The KingCare (Regence) plan is also still available.
- Give—Contribute to your favorite nonprofit in the Employee Giving Program during the Annual Giving Drive. Pledges must be renewed each year. Your donations to the nonprofits you selected do not automatically roll over.
What if you don’t participate in Open Enrollment?
- You will remain enrolled in your current medical plan.
- The Benefit Access Fee associated with your medical plan and benefit group will be automatically applied if you cover your spouse or domestic partner.
- You will not be enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account.
- Your other benefit choices will remain the same for next year.
More Open Enrollment and benefits information
Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits
9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday (closed Veterans Day, Nov. 11)
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Benefits office is closed for walk-in service.
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Featured Job: End the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Program Manager (Project/Program Manager IV)
Salary: $100,134.11 – $126,926.18 Annually
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DPH – Public Health
Job Number: 2020NH12265
Division: Prevention
Closing: 10/26/2020 11:59 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Training Spotlight for October 15
- Introduction to Mindful Self-Compassion – Online – Mindful Self-Compassion combines the skills of mindfulness and self-compassion, providing a powerful tool for emotional resilience. This class is being offered through Balanced You and is free. To view available opportunities and register, please follow this link. Register here.
More opportunities are available on our King County Eventbrite page. 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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Learn how to boost your retirement savings
You and your spouse or significant other are invited to learn more about saving for retirement with the King County Deferred Compensation Plan.
Several webinars are coming up Oct. 20, and 21, Nov. 2, and Dec. 4, including the following. See details and registration.
- Social Security Simplified
- Retirement Ready
- Savings Strategies
- Creating and Balancing a Budget
- Financial Wellness
- Women and Retirement
If you would like to meet individually with a retirement specialist who can help you review your retirement goals, schedule a virtual check-in.
For more information about Deferred Compensation Plan education, go to the Deferred Compensation web page. If you have any questions, please contact KC Deferred Comp.
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A Conversation on the Impacts of the Pandemic While Living with a Disability, October 29
The Disability Awareness Committee, Balanced You, and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) are hosting a panel featuring employees with disabilities who will share their experiences and stories living through this pandemic. Resources to support employees with disabilities will also be shared during this panel discussion. All King County employees are welcome to join.
- Thursday, Oct. 29, from 10-11:30 a.m. Register here.
If you have questions about this opportunity, please email JaChristensen@kingcounty.gov.
Employee News 