Remembering the contributions of trailblazing women during Women’s History Month
During this difficult period, let us pause and remember the contributions by intelligent, passionate women toward helping and healing our world. From NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson and world renowned geneticist Barbara McClintock to computer programmer Grace Hopper and marine biologist Idelisa Bonnelly de Calventi, women have been responsible for leaps and bounds in science, math, medicine, the arts, and many other fields.
We take this month to honor their contributions and appreciate the impact women have in our lives. Join us in thanking and showing gratitude to women who have made a difference in your life.
View the official proclamation for Women’s History Month here.
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Navigating difficult times with resilience
As COVID-19 related events unfold, we find ourselves in uncertain terrain as impacts move closer to home. It’s common during these times to experience heightened anxiety or fear. While we cannot control external events, we can establish practices and enlist tools to support our resilience and well-being. Instead of suffering with anxiety, we have the ability to administer care to ourselves, our families, our work colleagues, and our communities. Join in on a free webinar to learn how to navigate these uncertain times with resilience.
- Wednesday, March 18, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
- Wednesday, March 25, 2020 from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
These free webinars, will bring together Wellspring EAP (your King County Making Life Easier provider) and Tiffany Wentz, MA, LMHC. Together they will explore the impact of anxiety and stress on our physical and mental well-being, understand how a climate of uncertainty can heighten our stress responses, discover practices and tools that support your well-being in anxious times, learn useful tips to successfully transition to a remote working environment, and discover how your employee support program can assist with your needs.
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March 18 is Transit Driver Appreciation Day
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Every day, thousands of King County Metro transit, rail, and paratransit operators are responsible for delivering passengers to work, school, and appointments, and back home again. They wake before the sun comes up and work through the night.
During these challenging times, it’s more important than ever that we honor our public servants who are essential to keeping our community moving. On March 18, 2020, we’re again celebrating International Transit Driver Appreciation Day.
Read more from Metro Matters
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Featured Job: Assistant Annexation and Levy Coordinator
Salary: $2,993.87 – $3,794.90 Biweekly
Location: Seattle, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DOA – Assessor’s Office
Job Number: 2020-11414
Division: Accounting Operations
Closing: 3/27/2020 3:00 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Free virtual training for employees: Financial best practices in uncertain times
When markets go on a wild ride, it’s understandable to feel uneasy and maybe even begin to question your investments and savings plans. Ironically though, one certainty is that market uncertainty is a constant. Market downturns happen frequently and are typically followed by recoveries. Presented by My Secure Advantage (MSA), this training session will cover key considerations and best practices in times of heightened volatility, as well as actionable next steps that you can take now and in the longer term.
The training will be held Friday, March 20, 2020 at 9 a.m. and noon. Register here.
My Secure Advantage resources, including this training, are free-of-charge for all employees. If you register and cannot attend, a recording of the webinar, along with a copy of the session presentation and handouts, will automatically be sent within 24 hours.
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Input and approve time remotely in PeopleSoft
Due to the COVID-19 emergency, many King County employees are working remotely. Basic self-service functions in PeopleSoft, such as entering time and manager timesheet approvals, are available outside of the King County firewall and can be done remotely without using the King County VPN. Timesheet entry and manager approval (self-service functions) are available in PeopleSoft using the Login from Home link on the BRC SharePoint intranet site or by typing ess.kingcounty.gov in the address bar of your browser.
Log into PeopleSoft as you normally would; you will have access to only self-service functions. (Timekeeper, Human Resource, and other advanced security functions are only available using the Login from Work link within the King County firewall.)
For those requiring Manager Self Service (MSS) to approve employee time click on the Homepage drop-down along the top bar to select MSS.
Please note, PeopleSoft Self Service is also available on other mobile devices such as smart phones and tablets, however certain pages including the timesheet will not resize for smaller screens. For use on smaller screens, you will need to pinch and zoom to reposition timesheet sections to view and approve time.
Additional educational resources are available on the BRC’s PeopleSoft Knowledge Center (login with your network credentials may be required)
Links to some of the resources available include:
For additional educational support contact BRC Training or for technical issues submit a help ticket at https://helpdesk.kingcounty.gov.
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King County essential services continue to operate with some modifications
King County employees are continuing to deliver essential services, but several buildings will close to public walk-in access until further notice due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Employees who are not telecommuting or on leave via a prior arrangement are expected to report for work as normal. Healthy first responders and medical personnel should continue to report to work. Supervisors, managers, and leaders will provide additional information to their employees as needed.
The affected facilities are:
- King County Administration Building, 500 Fourth Ave., Seattle
- King County Sheriff’s Office registry on second floor will remain open. Access is through doors on the north (James Street) side of the building.
- Chinook Building, 401 Fifth Ave., Seattle
- King Street Center, 201 S. Jackson St., Seattle
- Metro Lost and Found Office and Pass Sales Office will both be closed to in-person customers. Call 206-553-3000 or visit kingcounty.gov/metro for assistance with these two services.
- Elections, 919 SW Grady Way, Renton
If you must enter a King County building, employees will need to use their badges to access these facilities.
We are grateful to the flexibility and creativity of employees in providing alternative methods for continuing to serve the public, including online (listing of online services at kingcounty.gov/services), as well as by phone, email, or regular mail. Secure dropboxes will be available outside select buildings so that residents can deposit documents or payments as needed. These items will be collected and processed by county staff as normal.
Note: This guidance applies to Executive Branch employees. Employees in separately elected agencies will receive guidance from their leaders.
For a list of King County services and events that are impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, visit kingcounty.gov/ServiceChanges. For the most up-to-date information on the outbreak, see kingcounty.gov/COVID.
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COVID-19 staffing updates – March 16, 2020
Approval to take IT peripheral equipment home while telecommuting
With many employees telecommuting at this time in line with the County’s guidance, employees are permitted to take home laptop peripheral equipment, including monitors, to help them continue to be productive during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Employees must receive supervisor approval prior to taking peripheral equipment home, such as a monitor, mouse, or other devices. Supervisors should keep a record of any equipment that is being taken home. Departments are responsible for keeping an inventory of equipment taken home. (Note: this applies to Executive Branch employees. Employees in separately elected agencies should check with their IT staff).
Employees who need assistance in the setup of peripheral equipment should contact the KCIT helpdesk at https://helpdesk.kingcounty.gov/ to live chat with an agent or submit a ticket, or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
Non-essential work-related travel canceled
Non-essential work-related travel for all Executive Branch employees must be canceled and will not be approved between Saturday, March 14, through Friday, April 24, 2020. This includes previously approved travel. Essential Travel is travel required to support critical life, health, and safety functions and cannot be delayed or handle remotely. Exceptions will be rare and must be approved by your department director and the Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams. The situation is evolving and subject to change. (Note: this applies to Executive Branch employees. Employees in separately elected agencies will receive guidance from their leaders).
Changes to face-to-face customer service
King County has closed many face-to-face customer service operations from Monday, March 16, through at least Friday, March 27. Please see the affected services at kingcounty.gov/ServiceChanges.
Employees are expected to report to work as normal unless they have a prior arrangement to telecommute or take leave. Employees will continue to provide services by phone, online, and by email wherever possible. Supervisors, managers, and leaders will provide additional information to their employees as needed.
Telecommuting with children in the home
Employees are permitted to telecommute with children in the home. Per prior guidance, employees who can telecommute are expected to telecommute where their work allows for it. Managers and supervisors should work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible, and be creative in helping to maximize telecommuting. Employees must receive the approval of their supervisors before beginning telecommuting. The expectation of productive work remains. Please find telecommute resources here and submit a signed telecommute agreement to your supervisor. You can also get KCIT guidance here on the necessary technology tools (SharePoint).
Self-care tips for telecommuters during the coronavirus response
As King County responds to the coronavirus (COVID-19), many employees have been asked to telecommute as a form of “social distancing” to reduce the community risk of coronavirus transmission. Furthermore, the CDC has recently issued guidance that everyone minimize time spent in large groups, and that immune-compromised, chronically ill, and older adults stay home as much as possible. While these strategies have many benefits, the sudden switch can throw off your routine.
Balanced You wants to support you in rethinking self-care during this time. Up-to-date information on how to protect yourself from the coronavirus can be found here. Tips on how to keep your mind and body well while you respond to the coronavirus professionally and personally can be found here. Frequently asked questions for employees regarding coronavirus can be found here. Read more.
Stay informed
Please refer to the Public Health’s website at www.kingcounty.gov/covid and the Public Health Insider blog for the latest information, and see our list of answers to common questions for King County employees. You can also sign up for free email alerts from Public Health.
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Livestream of coronavirus press conference at 11 a.m. today, March 16
You can tune in to this livestream at 11 a.m. today where King County Executive Dow Constantine, Governor Jay Inslee, and public health leaders will provide new guidance on efforts to contain novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Watch the livestream here (starts at 11 a.m.). Please refer to the Public Health – Seattle & King County website at www.kingcounty.gov/covid and the Public Health Insider blog for the latest information, and see our list of answers to common questions for King County employees. You can also sign up for free email alerts from Public Health.
When the livestream is over, a recording of the press conference will still be available for viewing here.
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Important news about face-to-face customer service and travel restrictions
To slow the spread of COVID-19, King County will close many face-to-face customer service operations from Monday, March 16, through at least Friday, March 27. Please see the affected services at kingcounty.gov/ServiceChanges.
Employees are expected to report to work as normal unless they have a prior arrangement to telecommute or take leave. Employees will continue to provide services by phone, online, and by email wherever possible. Supervisors, managers, and leaders will provide additional information to their employees as needed.
Telecommuting: Per prior guidance, employees who can telecommute are expected to telecommute where their work allows for it. Managers and supervisors should work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible, and be creative in helping to maximize telecommuting. Employees must receive the approval of their supervisors before beginning telecommuting. Employees are permitted to telecommute with children in the home. The expectation of productive work remains. Please find telecommute resources here and submit a signed telecommute agreement to your supervisor. You can also get KCIT guidance here on the necessary technology tools (SharePoint).
Travel: All non-essential work-related travel for all Executive Branch employees must be canceled and will not be approved between Saturday, March 14, through Friday, April 24, 2020. This includes previously approved travel. Essential Travel is travel required to support critical life, health, and safety functions and cannot be delayed or handle remotely. Exceptions will be rare and must be approved by your department director and the Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams. The situation is evolving and subject to change. (Note: this applies to Executive Branch employees. Employees in separately elected agencies will receive guidance from their leaders).
This is a rapidly evolving event. Thank you for everything you are doing to adapt and respond to COVID-19. We know this has been a difficult time, and we appreciate your support in helping to manage the outbreak while continuing to provide services to the people of King County.
Employee News 