KCIT fixing IT system Saturday, June 13
On Saturday, June 13, from midnight until 4 a.m., KCIT will be fixing a part of the IT system. This repair will fix a bug that has caused widespread outages over the last few weeks.
Many IT systems will be down for about four hours. Some programs will stay online during the repair, while others will not. Unfortunately, it is not possible to predict which stay on and which will not.
The good news is many everyday tools will not be affected. This includes Office 365 applications (e.g., SharePoint, Teams, Planner) and Oracle EBS.
Employees experiencing issues after this time, should contact the KCIT Helpdesk or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
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Building Gender Inclusive Spaces online workshops, June 22 or June 26
As part of King County’s continuing efforts to lead with racial justice and in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride Month, the Department of Human Resource’s Learning and Development team will be hosting two online workshops titled Building Gender Inclusive Spaces: Exploring the Intersection of Race and LGBTQ+ Identities.
In this two-hour workshop, participants will learn foundational knowledge of gender and sexuality and best practices to support a gender diverse workforce, with a focus on the intersection of race and LGBTQ+ identities. Participants will have the opportunity to move through real-life scenarios, apply their understanding of pronoun use, and develop strategies to advance gender equity at King County.
There are two opportunities to join this workshop:
- Monday, June 22 from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
- Friday, June 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. Register here.
The workshop will be recorded and available to employees after these sessions. Cost is free, but space is limited. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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Bloodworks NW now offering Pop-Up Donor Center June 15 through July 29
The essential measures Bloodworks NW has taken for social distancing has taken away the usual setting for mobile blood drives that account for 60% of collections. With hospitals preparing to re-start surgeries, organ transplants and cancer treatments that were suspended in March, donors are needed now, and in the coming months. To help keep the blood supply stable during this unprecedented time, Bloodworks NW has partnered with the iconic STG Paramount Theatre to host a Pop-Up Donor Center, beginning June 15 through July 29.
With King County on-site blood donations temporarily on hold, this is a great opportunity to give blood. All donations at this Pop-Up Donor Center and other Donor Centers are by appointment only to provide the safest donation environment and adhere to all social distancing guidelines. Additionally, no walk-ins, guests, or people under age 16 are permitted onsite. The one-hour donation appointment is a safe and essential action to support local hospitals.
Make an appointment at the Pop Up Donor Center at The Paramount Theatre by clicking here. The Theatre is located at 911 Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98101. Parking for donors is available on Ninth Avenue between Pine Street and Pike Street. For other donation opportunities visit BloodworksNW.org or call 800-398-7888.
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Emotional well-being resources for Black communities
Over the past two weeks, we have witnessed continued harm to Black bodies and minds, harm that has been perpetuated for generations via institutions, policies, and laws in every community throughout the United States. The combined impact of police violence, a pandemic disproportionately affecting People of Color, and centuries of systemic racism places undue stress on Black communities.
This stress continues to impact each individual Black person’s emotional well-being uniquely, based on their identity, support systems, and other contexts. Balanced You stands with Black Lives Matter and recognizes the resiliency and strength that lies within the Black community. Balanced You also recognizes that, because you and your community are sacred, caring for your well-being is an act of resistance.
In the event that you are seeking additional support, Balanced You has partnered with the King County Black/African Affinity Group and equity partners from across the County to develop the list of emotional well-being resources below, including local spaces for community, connection, and healing; self-care and collective-care tips and resources; and traditional mental health resources. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.
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PeopleSoft HCM outage this weekend, June 12-14
To allow for KCIT infrastructure maintenance, the PeopleSoft system will not be available this weekend, June 12 through June 14.
During this planned outage, KCIT will upgrade infrastructure including server maintenance that impacts the PeopleSoft system. As a precautionary measure, the PeopleSoft system will be taken offline and not available during this time.
This work will begin on Friday, June 12 at 6 p.m. and is scheduled to be completed by 6:30 a.m. on Monday, June 15.
The system will not be available for access by any County staff during this outage window. There will be a communication sent out to all County staff when the system becomes available.
We realize that this outage impacts all PeopleSoft users and we appreciate your understanding and support.
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Black Lives Matter silent march and general strike Friday, June 12
Dear employee,
Black Lives Matter Seattle-King County (BLMSKC) has called for a statewide silent march and general strike across Washington on Friday, June 12.
King County remains steadfast in our fight against racism, hatred, and violence, and in our commitment to our “We are racially just” value. We respect, value, and support people peacefully expressing their views and exercising their First Amendment rights.
Employees who are scheduled to work and wish to attend any of the strike events on June 12 must follow their department’s appropriate leave policies. For more information on your department’s leave policies, please refer to your Human Resources Manager.
Employees should check with their supervisor for specific information or instructions for their work unit, or requests for alternative work arrangements. Any alternative work arrangements must be approved by an employee’s supervisor. Supervisors are encouraged to exercise flexibility and creativity wherever possible.
All Executive Branch employees who are currently telecommuting should continue to do so, except where there is an operational need to physically be in the workplace. Employees designated as first responders and mission-critical employees should continue to report to work per current operations, unless advised otherwise by their supervisor.
You can find more details about Friday’s strike and events here.
Public Health officials advise that attending a large gathering such as a protest carries a risk of a person acquiring COVID-19 and bringing it back to their home, workplace and community.
Larger outdoor gatherings represent larger risk, especially if distancing is not possible. Steps to prevent potential exposure include:
- Stay home if you have symptoms
- Stay 6 feet or more away from others
- Wear a cloth mask or face covering. This helps protects those around you, and others wear face coverings to help protect you.
- Carry hand sanitizer and use it often. Avoid touching objects and surfaces that others have touched.
- Do your best to avoid situations where people are shouting or singing, as these activities can spread more virus into the air. Use noisemakers instead of shouting.
Following an event, be on the lookout for any of the symptoms in the 14 days after attending a large group gathering and seek testing promptly if symptoms develop, even if mild. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches, headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting, and, diarrhea. If you can’t access testing through your healthcare provider, Public Health has a listing of free testing sites at www.kingcounty.gov/covid/testing.
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Use new W-4 to change your tax withholding
Form W-4 is used to let your employer know how much federal income tax to withhold from your pay. The IRS recommends completing a new Form W-4 when your personal or financial situation changes. This year, the IRS redesigned Form W-4 to reduce complexity and improve accuracy. Go to the IRS website for information about Tax Withholding, FAQs on the 2020 Form W-4, and a Tax Withholding Estimator.
If you would like to adjust the amount withheld from your King County paycheck for tax purposes, please use PeopleSoft to update your W-4:
- Sign in to PeopleSoft. Must be logged into VPN to access this PeopleSoft feature.
- Select the Payroll tile
- Select W-4 Tax Information
- Enter your choices and make note of your selections
- Review and Submit
For additional instructions, check out the W-4 Withholding Certificate video or the Updating Your W-4 training document, both available in the PeopleSoft Knowledge Center.
If you prefer to use paper, go to the IRS website and print a 2020 Form W-4. Complete the form and mail to: Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations, Chinook Building, CNK-ES-0230, 401 Fifth Ave., Seattle, WA 98104. Please remember to never use interoffice mail to send items containing a Social Security number.
If you have payroll-related questions, please call Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556, Option 2, or email KC.Benefits@kingcounty.gov.
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PRIDE rides on
Crossposted from Metro Matters
June 28, 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of the first Pride parade. Started in New York City, the event was originally known as Christopher Street Liberation Day. This activist-created march bloomed in reaction to the police raid against LGBTQ patrons of the Stonewall Inn, and the five days of community protests and riots a year earlier. The first Pride parade brought together thousands of participants. Today, millions participate in Pride events around the world.
In 1977, Mayor Charles Royer made the first official declaration of Gay Pride Week in Seattle. That year, the parade started at Occidental Park in Pioneer Square, with more than 2,000 participants marching up First Avenue. As of 2020, organizations like Seattle Pride, the South King County PRIDE Alliance, and the Renton LGBTQIA+ Community plan Pride events throughout our region.
During this intense and somber time – as we endure a pandemic, and mourn and rally in opposition to racism and police brutality against Black people – we also honor and celebrate our LGBTQ+ community. We create space. We recognize the sacrifices made, and the isolation and violence endured. Pride amplifies the voices, visibility, love, and support of LGBTQ+ individuals and their families.
At King County, we strive to be a place where all people have equitable opportunities to thrive. Though in-person Pride events have been canceled or postponed across King County to maintain social distancing, Pride must ride on. We’re celebrating safely with our employees and our community:
- Pride flags were raised at Metro’s King Street Center and 28 Metro work sites, beginning with King Street Center on June 1.
- Starting on June 10, you’re invited to play virtual Pride Bingo – with activity squares like Dance Pride and Throwback Pride-day.
- Our soon-to-be-released Ride with Pride tribute video will feature the voices of Metro riders, community-based organizations, and Metro employees and their family members.
- You’ll also see Metro’s Ride with Pride bus and other colorful, celebratory transit signs rolling around town from June through October.
- Finally, Metro’s own Equal Employment Opportunity / Equity & Inclusion Office will engage staff with thought-provoking materials.
Pictured: Metro’s 2020 Pride bus makes its outdoor debut at Ryerson base. With social distancing, this year’s Pride may look and feel different compared to the past. But as Metro employee Jennifer Mayer recently said, “We’re out, even though we’re staying in!”
Subscribe to our social media channels for the latest ways to show your Pride this month and to stay connected with Metro all year long:
Let’s all “Ride with Pride” in 2020!
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King County submits plan to re-open limited business activity in COVID-19 recovery
King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, and King County Board of Health Chair Joe McDermott today submitted a plan to the state Department of Health that would allow limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses and personal activities.
The county’s application includes recommendations from King County local health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin that would:
- allow all outdoor recreation permitted in Phase 2 in Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan
- expand opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities
- allow restaurants to begin opening indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity
- allow hair stylists and other personal services at 25% capacity
“Our plan to safely reopen our region’s economy is based on the latest data, recommendations by Public Health experts, and insight from communities and businesses,” said Executive Constantine. “We are ready to take the next careful step toward an equitable recovery that benefits everyone who calls King County home.”
Read more in the official press release.
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COVID-19 and unrecognized realities experienced by black people
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Face coverings help protect our community from COVID-19. Unfortunately many members of the Black community are concerned that wearing face coverings may lead to dangerous and harmful encounters with law enforcement or other community members. Racism influences perceptions of face coverings and those wearing or not wearing them.
After rounds of engagement and feedback from community partners, the decision was made to roll out the face covering policy as as a directive, not an order, so as to prevent further policing of black and brown communities or perpetuate further acts of racism.
However, in recent days and weeks, Black men and women wearing or not wearing a face covering have experienced racial profiling, and racist and violent behavior. Wearing a face covering or not wearing one is no justification for attacking or brutalizing people of color in King County.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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