King County and other counties in western Washington are currently experiencing an uptick in measles cases. The good news is that most people are fully immunized and are protected. Now is a good time to determine your immunization status. If you’re not immune or if you can’t confirm whether you’ve been fully immunized, get the vaccine. King County Health Plans fully cover the MMR vaccine for children. The adult vaccine is fully covered by the Kaiser’s SmartCare plan and within network for KingCare Regence plans. 

Measles is very contagious so if you are not immunized, you could be at risk if you were in the same place and around the same time as a person with measles. Public Health investigates all cases of measles and publishes the public locations where people with measles visited. Review the list of exposure locations. Finally, be aware of symptoms and call your health care provider right away if they appear.  

Learn more at Public Health’s measles website or on the Public Health Insider. 

Pictured: The activity center at the King Street building.

Employees interested in working out have the option to get their morning started, or break up their day, by accessing one of 21 (soon to be 23) available activity centers at King County worksites. Each activity center offers similar exercise equipment, such as treadmills, dumbbells, and other items, but can also be equipped with items more specific to employee needs based on their work environment.

Each center can vary in size, but the goal of the activity centers remains the same: To give employees the convenience of being able to work out at work.

“The activity centers gives employees an opportunity to get a workout in and relieve stress,” said Balanced You Health Educator Karla Clark. “The convenience of being able to go on your lunchbreak, before or after work, is in line with our theme of balance.”

“Being able to balance your workday and your physical activity,” she adds.

Created as part of the previous health benefits program, Balanced You has worked to expand the activity centers. Several more locations are planned, with the collaboration of an external vendor who assesses the space and offers recommendations. When approved, each activity center is then overseen by a King County employee volunteer activity coordinator (AC), who works with Karla, and checks the sites periodically to ensure they are kept clean and equipment is working properly. The AC reports issues and helps provide appropriate signage and information to employees. Additionally, all sites offer stretching areas, and are regularly maintained for safety and cleanliness.

The activity centers also serve as a way for employees to support each other. Certain locations have developed walking groups, or hold group exercise classes like yoga and Zumba. The activity center is one more option for employees to get exercise during their workday.

Pictured: The stretching area in the Chinook Building activity center.

“It’s one building over from my office, allowing me – 45 minutes to an hour a couple of times per week – to step away from work stress and reset my energy to a high point,” said Travis McKinnon, a Senior Human Resources Analyst for District Court. “Especially, when afternoon crashes set in on my energy levels, or if I fail to go to my regular gym.”

The activity centers are provided free of charge to all employees, and are not attached to a benefits plan. Employees are free to come and go, using the equipment to support their own exercise plan. This allows each person the opportunity to get exercise in their workday that is fulfilling to them.

”I love having an activity center that is freely accessible to increase strength, reduce stress, and boost morale,” said Matt Green, a Transit Purchasing Specialist with Metro Transit. “It is one of the many benefits of working for King County, and it is important for me to work in an environment that actively supports better health and well-being for its employees.”

To learn more about the activity centers, their locations, equipment, and amenities, visit the Balanced You website. For questions about exercise options at your workplace contact BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.

Crossposted from Balanced You 

Spring has sprung! Get ready to stock up on delicious eats, try new recipes and connect with colleagues, all while supporting local farmers. 

What? Through the CSA@Work program (Community Supported Agriculture), employees are able to buy local seasonal food (a “share”) from a farmer and receive deliveries right at or near work. Typically, the share consists of a weekly box of vegetables – additional items such as eggs, flowers and fruits are also available. 

When? Beginning in late June, CSA@Work will deliver weekly boxes of freshly harvested produce to 10 King County worksites. Each week, you’ll receive recipes, storage tips, and easy preparation ideas to make the most of your box. Deliveries wrap up in late October. 

Read more from Balanced You

With thousands of courses, videos, and books, there’s bound to be something to spark your learning. Build your knowledge and increase your skills with free 24/7 access to KC eLearning. Employees with @kingcounty.gov email address can login with their email/network credentials, and employees who do not have an email address can log into their accounts using their PeopleSoft ID number. For more information about signing in, accessing KC eLearning via the mobile app, popular trainings and other eLearning opportunities, visit the KC eLearning webpage.

View more training and development opportunities at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.