Guidance on Governor’s Order and essential services
On Monday, March 23, Governor Inslee announced a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, and included a lengthy list of essential services and workforce that can and should continue operating.
Governor Inslee’s order listed a number of workers who his office deemed to be essential. The Governor’s list also included “Critical government workers, including the Governor’s Office, as defined by the employer and consistent with Continuity of Operations Plans and Continuity of Government plans.”
Last fall, all King County departments updated their Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP) and designated employees as First Responders, Mission-Critical, and Non-Mission Critical in an Emergency. First Responders and Mission-Critical Employees are classified as “critical government workers” for the purposes of the Governor’s Order, and accordingly are expected to continue to report to work in person or telework per existing arrangements. Departments can change employee designations as needed, and must inform employees accordingly.
Under King County’s Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy, First Responders “have the highest duty to report to work as directed in emergency conditions,” and Mission-Critical Employees “must be available to perform their duties as determined by their agency management.” This is as important as ever during our COVID-19 response.
The health and safety of our employees and community remains our top priority and, as always, please follow state and local guidance to stay healthy and stop the spread of COVID-19. As a reminder, many people experience mild symptoms, but those at high risk can potentially experience severe illness. Those who are considered high risk include:
- People 60 and older
- People with underlying health conditions, including heart disease, lung disease, or diabetes
- People who have weakened immune systems
- People who are pregnant
For employees who are not First Responders or Mission-Critical, King County is now mandating telecommuting for those employees whose work allows for it, with supervisor approval, through Friday, April 24.
If an employee needs to take leave, options include:
- Accrued, federal (starts April 1), and donated leave
- Leave Without Pay
- If employees do not have accrued leave to cover their absence, they may request COVID-19 leave from their supervisor.
Thank you for everything that you are doing to help our community as we battle this virus.
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Suspension of many face-to-face customer services to continue through at least April 30
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, King County will extend the suspension of many face-to-face customer service operations through at least April 30. This move is being made in accordance with Governor Jay Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order issued on March 23.
Employees are expected to work in line their current, approved arrangements. 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. Please visit kingcounty.gov/ServiceChanges for a list of face-to-face service suspensions. This list is subject to change.
As a reminder, for all non-First Responder and non-Mission-Critical employees, King County is mandating telecommuting for those employees whose work allows for it, with supervisor approval, through at least Friday, April 24. Managers and supervisors must work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible and be creative to maximize 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). Please note that this guidance does not apply to employees designated as first responders and mission-critical employees.
This is a rapidly evolving event. Thank you for everything you are doing to adapt and respond to COVID-19 and helping to serve the people of King County.
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Update your emergency contact information in PeopleSoft
It’s important to review and update your personal contact information in PeopleSoft in case we need to urgently reach you or your emergency contact. By making sure your information is current:
- Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work.
- Someone at King County can reach you with information about building closures, safety directives, and other time-sensitive issues.
- You can receive information at the email address and phone number you prefer.
Here’s how:
- Sign in to PeopleSoft. You can also access PeopleSoft from home: ess.kingcounty.gov.
- Go to Personal Details
- Make sure all items under Addresses, Contact Details, and Emergency Contacts are are up-to-date. You can also choose to complete the Ethnic Groups, Disability, and Military Status fields.
- Save any changes.
Watch this video on Updating Personal Details in PeopleSoft.
If you need a new password, go to Forgot My Password. If you have any other login issues, contact the KCIT helpdesk at helpdesk.kingcounty.gov to live chat with an agent or submit a ticket, or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
KCInform: Make sure you can be reached in a major emergency through KCInform, our employee alert and notification system. If you haven’t yet registered your personal contact or work cell information in KCInform, please contact kcinform@kingcounty.gov anytime or 206-296-3830 between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday to request your unique registration link. Watch this short video to learn more or visit our website.
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Public Health – Seattle & King County launches new data dashboard and social campaign, and other COVID-19 updates for March 25, 2020
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
A new public campaign launched, called “Stand Together, Stay Apart.” Public Health—Seattle & King County launched a new data dashboard to update daily case counts and deaths. Public Health announced 82 new cases of COVID-19 today, bringing the official case count in King County to 1359. In addition, six new deaths are reported, bringing the total of deaths in King County to 100.
Story: Stand Together, Stay Apart
Public Health—Seattle & King County has launched a new public information campaign called, Stand Together, Stay Apart in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The campaign urges people to stay home, limit their contact with others, and take the necessary precautions when making essential trips outside the home.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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Working together to protect older adults in our communities
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
The risk for COVID-19 rises with age. Adults age 60 years and over are at highest risk for severe illness with COVID-19 illness, and the older you are, the more you are at risk. While much attention has focused on those living in nursing homes, many older adults live independently and face challenges of their own. Older adults often live alone and may need help with basic needs in order to stay home as much as possible and avoid close contacts at gatherings, stores and other public places.
Read more from Public Health Insider
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COVID-19 Staffing Updates – March 25, 2020
Dear employee, as you know we are working in a rapidly evolving situation responding to COVID-19. On Monday evening, Gov. Inslee announced a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order. We will provide additional guidance soon on what this means for our employees, and will continue to provide regular updates.
To ensure we can continue to serve our customers and slow the spread of COVID-19, the following guidance applies to Executive Branch employees until further notice (Employees in other branches of County government will receive guidance from their leaders [definition below]).
First responders: Employees designated as first responders have the highest duty to report to work as directed in emergency conditions. Given the unique situation of the COVID-19 emergency, employees designated as first responders may be different than those who are designated as first responders in our traditional natural disaster emergencies. First responders who have been exposed to COVID-19, but do not have symptoms, are expected to report for work rather than stay home because of their essential function. First responders who do not have symptoms, but are at high risk for severe illness are strongly encouraged to stay home. Every department needs to determine which employees should be designated as a first responder. These designations may change through the course of the COVID-19 emergency. Supervisors need to inform those employees who are designated as a first responder. There may be circumstances where the particular exposure or household risk factors affect whether a first responder can or should report to work if exposed. If a supervisor has questions about whether a first responder should report to work, they should contact the department Human Resources Manager.
Mission-critical employees: Mission-critical employees must be available to perform their duties as determined by their agency management. During the COVID-19 emergency, many mission-critical employees will be able to perform their duties while telecommuting. Mission-critical employees who have been exposed, but do not have symptoms should discuss with their supervisor and Human Resources Manager whether or not the employee should stay home. Mission critical employees who do not have symptoms, but are at high risk for severe illness, are strongly encouraged to stay home. If the work must be performed in a workplace with other employees, supervisors should make a decision about whether or not an exposed mission-critical employee who does not have symptoms can effectively stay home.
For all other employees, King County is now mandating telecommuting for those employees whose work allows for it, with supervisor approval, through Friday, April 24. Managers and supervisors must work with their employees to permit telecommuting wherever possible and be creative to maximize 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). Please note that this guidance does not apply to employees designated as first responders and mission-critical employees.
Temporary reassignment: Employees who would not normally be able to telecommute but are provided a temporary reassignment or work arrangement and decline, must first use their leave accruals and then will be placed in leave without pay.
Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy: Please see our Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy to help answer your questions, talk to your manager or supervisor, or consult your department’s Human Resources Manager.
King County is working to model the way for other employers, and we expect all Executive Branch employees, supervisors, and managers to follow this guidance.
Executive Branch departments: Department of Assessments, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention, Department of Executive Services, Department of Community and Human Services, Department of Human Resources, Department of Judicial Administration, Department of Local Services, Department of Metro Transit, Department of Natural Resources and Park, Department of Public Defense, Department of Public Health, Executive Department, King County Elections, King County Information Technology (KCIT), King County Sheriff’s Office (The King County Sheriff’s Office is administered by the King County Sheriff).
Other branches of County government: District Court, King County Council, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, Superior Court.
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How to get care from your home during COVID-19
To lessen the risk of exposure to COVID-19 and to help health care providers prioritize care for those who need it most, use your phone, smartphone, or computer to access health care whenever possible. Most King County employee medical plans have free options for telehealth or virtual visits. If you need to go in-person, call your doctor first. If it’s an emergency, call 911.
Check the information below to learn how to access care through your health plan.
SmartCare (Kaiser Permanente)
Customer Service: 888-901-4636
- Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., 7 days per week
Ways to access care and advice:
- Telehealth visits: Kaiser offers care and advice without an in-person visit—including phone, email, and video. To access these telehealth options, call the advice number on your Kaiser membership card or go to Get Care and select “24/7 advice.”
- Care Chat: Members can instant message with a Kaiser Permanente care provider 24/7.
- Online visit: For common medical issues that don’t need a physical exam, such as a sore throat or allergies, you can go online and get a diagnosis and treatment plan, usually within two hours.
- Consulting Nurse: Members can call a nurse for care guidance and advice 24/7 at 800-297-6877.
- All Kaiser remote health options are available for no extra cost to members.
Prescriptions
- Kaiser is waiving early prescription medication refill limits, so members with less than a 30-day supply on hand can obtain up to a 90-day supply (except controlled substances) at a Kaiser pharmacy. Learn more about getting extra medication to have on hand.
- Kaiser’s COVID-19 web page: Access regular updates and guidance.
Mental Health
Kaiser Permanente members can call the KP Mental Health Access Center at 888-287-2680, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Mon. – Fri., to schedule your first appointment.
KingCare or KingCare Select (Regence BlueShield)
Customer Service: 800-376-7926
- Hours: 5 a.m. – 8 p.m., Mon. – Fri., Sat. 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Ways to access care and advice:
- Telehealth visits: Doctor on Demand is waiving the $10 copay through May 31, so video visits are free and available 24/7. Download the Doctor on Demand app at your device’s app store, or visit Doctor on Demand from your computer. Go to Coronavirus: Preparation and Prevention for information and an assessment tool to prepare you in the case of exposure to the virus. Note: Doctor on Demand is available to the Regular and Transit ATU employee benefit groups.
- In addition, coverage has been expanded to cover other providers and services that can be appropriately rendered in a telehealth setting. Many in-network providers now offer telehealth options, including primary care; behavioral health; and physical, occupational, and speech therapists. Check with your provider.
- Regence Advice24: Members can call a nurse for care guidance and advice 24/7 at 800-267-6729.
Prescriptions
- CVS Caremark is waiving early prescription medication refill limits on 30-day prescriptions for maintenance medications (except controlled substances) at any in-network pharmacy. For non-maintenance prescriptions, CVS will approve a one-time emergency refill for a 14-day supply. Learn more about getting extra medication to have on hand.
- Regence’s COVID-19 web page: Access regular updates and guidance.
Mental Health
You can access free mental health visits with a licensed mental health provider through May 31 using Dr. on Demand (see instructions above). As always, you also can access the Regence network of mental health providers through your regular medical plan benefits.
EAP and Making Life Easier is here for you
If you are stressed, need help with childcare or eldercare, or just want to talk to someone, the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier (login: King County) can be helpful. Both resources are free and confidential. Making Life Easier is available to employees’ family members too.
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Managing records while telecommuting
As King County continues to respond to COVID-19, many employees are telecommuting and working from home. With this shift in work style comes different duties and tasks, including the opportunity to manage and clean out records. This can include tasks such as filing records to Content Manager, and cleaning up records in Outlook or on shared drives.
This work is an essential job duty that can easily be done when employees are out of office, and it serves significantly useful purposes in responding to public records requests, reducing financial liability, and helping each employee do their job more efficiently. To get started, consider taking an online training course, beginning with Basic Records Management and Content Manager courses. A guiding list for managing records while teleworking can be viewed here.
“Although records management should be a part of every employee’s daily work, telecommuting offers a great opportunity to manage our records”, said Ryan Wadleigh, Content Manager Business Analyst with the Records Management Program.
For more information and to learn how to get started, visit the Records Management Program website and view the guide for managing records while teleworking. Please find telecommute resources here and submit a signed telecommute agreement to your supervisor if applicable. Employees can also get KCIT guidance here on the necessary technology tools (SharePoint).
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Living our values to stop the spread of stigma
As we work to stop the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus), it’s equally important that we stop the spread of stigma and support each other during this challenging time.
“We are racially just” and “We respect all people” are two of our core values. It’s as important as ever that we stay true to our values and do everything in our power to stand together against discrimination.
Misinformation about COVID-19 can create fear or hostility that hurts people. Please remember that:
- Coronavirus doesn’t recognize race, nationality, or ethnicity
- Wearing a mask may be a cultural practice, and does not mean a person is ill
- You can interrupt stigma. Start by sharing accurate information
- Speak up if you hear, see, or read misinformation or harassment
- Show compassion and support for those most closely impacted.
King County offers resources to the community that show the importance of sharing accurate information and how to work together to decrease stigma.
It’s important to understand workplace rights and responsibilities, how to report discrimination, and additional resources to help keep our employees and communities safe. Some of these resources include King County Office of Civil Rights, Washington State Human Rights Commission, and Washington Paid Sick Leave.
Take advantage of these resources to prevent, interrupt, and respond to stigma. We’re stronger as a community when we work together and stand up against discrimination. To learn more, please make use of these anti-stigma resources. Please share this funding resource for community based organizations to inform policy and develop community response to stigma.
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Use Text for Departures to see Reduced Service starting March 23
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Your bus may be running less often, during fewer hours, and/or be canceled. Text your bus stop ID # to 62550 for to find out when the next bus will arrive.
Visit the Reduced Service webpage. View the update in other languages here.
Employee News 