Employee News

Posted on March 2, 2020 by kingcountyemployees

Help stop the spread of novel coronavirus

With the announcement of new cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and the loss of five lives in King County, it is critical that we each do our part to stop the spread of the virus.

Public Health – Seattle & King County has issued the following advice, and will continue to update you as advice changes:

Do not go to the emergency room unless essential.Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Stay home when sick and avoid close contact with others. Please ensure you discuss absences with your supervisors and follow your department’s sick leave policies
Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health’s website (kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com).

You will soon see these “Stop Germs, Stay Healthy!” posters appearing in your facilities to remind you and visitors to practice excellent personal hygiene habits. They are available in English and Spanish.

We will continue to monitor this situation and provide additional updates as new information becomes available.

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Posted on March 2, 2020 by kingcountyemployees

Increased cleaning service in response to COVID-19, March 2

Dear King County colleagues,

Effective immediately, Facilities Management Division (FMD) has implemented additional cleaning protocols in efforts to sanitize highly touched surfaces such as door handles, elevator controls, and conference rooms. These protocols will be utilized on a reoccurring basis as we respond to novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

Thank you for your support of these additional actions. For steps you can take to prevent spread of germs, click here. For facilities questions or concerns, please contact FMD Customer Care Services at 206-477-9400. Customer Care is available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. For afterhours emergencies, please contact the FMD Emergency Dispatch Center at 206-296-5000.

Posted on March 2, 2020 by kingcountyemployees

Minimizing the spread of novel coronavirus

*This post was updated March 2*

It is important that we each do our part to minimize the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

As always, stay home while you are sick and avoid close contact with others, and make use of sick leave. Please ensure you discuss absences with your supervisors and follow your department’s sick leave policies.

Do not go to the emergency room unless essential. Emergency rooms need to be able to serve those with the most critical needs. If you have symptoms like cough, fever, or other respiratory problems, contact your regular doctor first.
Stay home when sick.
Practice excellent personal hygiene habits, including handwashing, coughing into tissue or elbow, avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth.
Stay away from people who are ill, especially if you are 60 and older or have underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease, or a weakened immune system.
Stay informed. Information is changing frequently. Check and subscribe to Public Health’s website (www.kingcounty.gov/COVID) or blog (www.publichealthinsider.com).

Please remember that the vast majority of cases of COVID-19 are believed to be mild.

We will continue to monitor this situation and as new information becomes available, will provide additional updates.

Posted on March 2, 2020 by kingcountyemployees

Watch coronavirus press conference at 11 a.m today, March 2

Dear employee,

You can tune in to this livestream at 11 a.m. today, where state and local officials will provide updates on the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

King County Executive Dow Constantine will announce an Emergency Declaration, and immediate actions to assist in treatment. Speakers include:

Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer, Public Health – Seattle & King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Officials from EvergreenHealth Hospital
Dr. Kathy Lofy, State Health Officer, Washington State Department of Health
Patty Hayes, Director, Public Health- Seattle & King County.

Watch the livestream here (starts at 11 a.m.). For more information, resources, and guidance on COVID-19 in King County please visit: kingcounty.gov/covid.

When the livestream is over, a recording of the press conference will still be available for viewing here.

Posted on February 29, 2020 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Employee discount for Hausera

King County employees will receive a 5% discount on kitchen faucets, bar faucets, and bathroom sink faucets from Hausera. Enter coupon code HAUS2020P at checkout. Not valid on shipping and handling charges. Not valid on prior purchases. Offer may not be combined on any other purchases, offers, discounts, or coupons. Single use only.

See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Join us at the King County School-to-Work Transition Fair 2020

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections

These two great events are coming up soon and we need your help to promote them. Our goal is to reach more parents, students and teachers to join us at the fair. Even if you are not involved in this community per se, check out the fair–it truly is special! The first fair will be held at the Microsoft Commons on Thursday, February 27, and the second at Highline College on Saturday, March 14.

Help us by sharing this blog post
Share our YouTube video–it’s less than a minute long! Watch it below.
Share our cool and colorful social media pictures–we’ve even put together some sample posts to make it easy. Download our social media kit here.

We’re also happy to feature this super write-up on the transition fairs which was originally posted for King County staff to learn more about this great opportunity for families in our county. Enjoy! Read more.

Posted on February 28, 2020 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Census awareness campaign underway

Crossposted from DES Express

Every ten years, the federal government counts every person living in the U.S. through a national census.

The results help determine how funding is distributed for the next decade — for things like our schools, affordable housing, hospitals, and public transportation. The count also determines how many representatives our state will have in Congress, and how district lines are drawn for legislative bodies like the King County Council.

Preparing now to reduce impact of novel coronavirus

Dear employee,

As the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak continues to spread to more countries, the likelihood that eventually there will be more cases in the United States increases. King County is getting prepared now in order to reduce the number of illnesses and negative effects that could occur in our community.

Department leaders are working with the Executive’s Senior Leadership Team and the Office of Emergency Management now on response planning – short term and long term – in line with our Continuity of Operations Plans (COOP).

Every one of us have an important role to play in helping to prevent colds, flu, and other infections from spreading. Good health manners include:

Stay home when you are sick. Staying home when ill prevents the spread of infections to others.
Use good respiratory etiquette and hand hygiene in all community settings, including homes, childcare facilities, schools, workplaces, and other places where people gather. Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue and put the used tissue in a waste basket. If you don’t have a tissue, cough or sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hands.
Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (with at least 60-95% alcohol).
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth: Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose, or mouth.
Practice other good health habits: Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces at home, work, or school, especially when someone is ill. Get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids, and eat nutritious food.

If you or your household members have a chronic condition and regularly take prescription drugs, talk to your health care provider, pharmacist, and insurance provider about keeping an emergency supply of medications at home. If you have young children or other dependents, think about who can care for them if you become ill.

Public Health is working to provide accurate information to the community to keep rumors and misinformation from spreading, and has launched resources to help address possible stigmatization or discrimination based on ethnicity, nationality, or immigration status. You can find the latest information on the Public Health website and Public Health Insider blog, as well as at the CDC and the Washington state Department of Health, and learn more about pandemic preparedness here.

Posted on February 27, 2020 by Lilia Cabello Drain

Pet of the Week: Hemlock

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC

A hale and hearty hello to Hemlock, our Pet of the Week! This handsome boy was brought in by a good Samaritan in mid-December. Hemi, as he’s also known, is the sweetest old man you’ll ever meet. He is a huge cuddle bug who drools when he’s happy. Hemlock purrs almost on contact and will rub his face all over you. At 12 years young, Hemlock still loves to play, especially with teasers and chase toys! He is sweet and gentle, and non-reactive to other cats, but he does get a bit confused when you pick him up though.