Tech Tip: Are you unwittingly putting King County at risk of a cybersecurity event?
Do you realize how easily you could compromise King County’s security without meaning to?
As part of National Cybersecurity Awareness month several partners have collaborated to bring you the Workplace Security Risk Calculator. This calculator is an educational quiz which will provide you with a determination of your riskiness.
Play the game by clicking on the link above to find out how some of the things you do every day that could be exposing King County to risk. Discover how behaviors like sharing passwords, or using your computer to check personal emails or download music could make your organization vulnerable to hacking, malware and other attacks.
Just answer 12 questions by clicking the link above to calculate your workplace security risk score. No personal information will be collected.
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Kudos to Mario Bailey! Employee mentioned in local paper for great work coaching high school football and mentoring youth
A social worker in the Department of Community and Human Services, Mario Bailey was recently highlighted in The Seattle Medium, a local news outlet, for his stepping into the head coach position at Franklin High School. His coming forward allowed the students to play football this season, instead of possibly forfeiting after the original head coach had to step down.
He is quoted in the article as saying:
“When you’re a football coach you’re more than a ‘football coach,” says Bailey. “You’re like an uncle, a father, a best friend, a big brother – you’re all of that.”
Kudos to Mario for making a positive impact on youth and giving back to our community!
Read more at The Seattle Medium.
Image courtesy of The Seattle Medium
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School based clinics in King County
Soon more school kids will be able to get medical care without missing school. King County’s Best Starts for Kids initiative will help fund more school-based clinics.
View the video below to learn more about how we are changing the lives of children in King County.
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Oct. 30 is the last day for public feedback on Metro’s late-night bus service plan
Crossposted from Metro Matters
There are only 12 more days for the public to weigh in on Metro’s proposal for expanding and improving late-night bus service in Seattle. The proposal would offer new transit options for those getting to or from jobs, the airport and nightlife between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m.
Metro has about 40 routes with some level of late-night service throughout King County. Of these, 20 provide trips after 2 a.m., including three Night Owl routes that loop through some Seattle neighborhoods only between 2:15 a.m. and 4:30 a.m. The Seattle Department of Transportation funds all service on Night Owl Routes 82, 83 and 84, and partners with Metro to fund additional night owl service on the C and D Lines.
Read more at Metro Matters
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2017 Benefits: Open Enrollment November 1-15
Covering a spouse/partner on your medical plan? Learn about the Benefit Access Fee
If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your King County medical plan, a Benefit Access Fee is automatically applied each year. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm it annually during Open Enrollment—Nov. 1 – 15.
The Benefit Access Fee is a monthly deduction from your paycheck. The amount depends on your benefit group and the medical plan you select. See the Benefit Access Fee flyer for a list of amounts and exemptions.
If you are eligible for an exemption to the Benefit Access Fee but you don’t select it during Open Enrollment, the fee will be automatically deducted from your paycheck each month beginning in January. If you notify us later that you qualify for an exemption, you can discontinue the fee, however, amounts already deducted will not be refunded.
For more information, go to Open Enrollment, call Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556, or email KC Benefits.
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Celebrating engagement efforts with chicken and waffles
Human Resources Division’s Safety & Claims section held itsfirst annual Employee Engagement party on Thursday, Oct. 13, to celebrate the year-long commitment to build engagement in the workplace.
The “Chicken & Waffles” celebration included waffle making, raffle prizes, and team-building exercises using KEVA planks. The party was an opportunity to solicit feedback from each of the staff members on the effectiveness of the Employee Engagement Committee in addressing employee needs and concerns. It was a great way to celebrate, reflect and think ahead on continuing to build engagement in the section.
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The newest Captain in the Water Taxi family!
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog
Pictured: Nick Williams, on the left, receiving Captains epaulets from Deckhand/Relief Captain GW Rogers.
Officer on deck! West Seattle Water Taxi riders already recognize deckhand Nick Williams, and know him for his great sense of humor and unflappable and easygoing attitude.
Get ready to salute, though. Nick recently received his captain’s license from the United States Coast Guard, and last week started driving the West Seattle route as a relief Captain for the King County Water Taxi.
“It was great to have all the support and all the compliments when I started driving. But it also will be great to not get as wet!” Nick said.
Read more at the Captain’s Blog
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Defense team works to clear name of man wrongly accused and imprisoned
Crossposted from For The Defense
Pictured from left: Amy Parker, Bettye Witherspoon, and Molly Gilbert — the team that worked to clear Ezequiel Apolo-Albino’s name
Update: Ezequiel Apolo-Albino was released from immigration detention yesterday, Oct. 5, and his immigration case has been terminated.
Ezequiel Apolo-Albino spent eight years in prison wrongfully accused of a crime that never happened. Thanks to the tenacity and legal acumen of Department of Public Defense attorney Amy Parker and DPD investigators Molly Gilbert and Bettye Witherspoon, a Superior Court judge recently signed an order vacating his conviction on two counts of child molestation.
Read more at For The Defense
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Earthquake drill
On Thursday, October 20, King County will join with employers and other organizations statewide participating in the annual Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill.
At 10:20 a.m., a PA announcement will go out in many County buildings asking employees to practice what they should do in an earthquake:
- DROP to the floor
- Take COVER under a desk, table, or other sturdy furniture
- HOLD ON until the shaking stops (or the earthquake drill ends).
If you or your workgroup are not able to join in the drill on October 20 at 10:20 a.m., pick another time that works for you.
Before you come out from under cover, feel free to take a photo and share it on Twitter or Facebook with the hashtag #DropCoverSelfie! King County Emergency Management also invites you to practice DROP, COVER, and HOLD ON at home with your family in the evening. It’s also a good idea to take a few minutes to locate your home emergency kit and make sure you have everything you, your family, and your pets need.
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We’re listening: 2016 Employee Survey closes Friday, Oct. 21
With less than a week to go in the 2016 King County employee survey, just over half of employees have given their feedback on how we can make King County a better place to work and a more effective provider of services.
Have you had your say?
- What do you think about career advancement opportunities at King County?
- Is your workgroup open to new ideas?
- Do your leaders communicate a clear vision for your department or agency?
Now is your time to have your say – the survey closes end of day this Friday, Oct. 21.Tell us how we can make King County better for you. We’re listening.
Thank you if you have already completed the survey!
To find the email link to your survey, search in your email under “King County 2016 Employee Survey” or contact the survey consultant, ORC International, atsupport@orcinternational.com.
Your responses are completely anonymous to King County and ORC, the consultant, only shares analyzed results, never individual responses.
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