Recognizing Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Earlier this month, Executive Dow Constantine proclaimed Sept. 15 – Oct. 15 as Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month. We would like to take a moment to recognize this annual observance, which celebrates the cultural, educational, economic and political contributions of the Latinx/Hispanic communities across our region and country.
National Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month was enacted into law on Aug. 17, 1988, by President Ronald Reagan and is observed annually from Sept. 15 – Oct. 15, coinciding with the national independence celebrations of several countries. The Latinx/Hispanic community is the second-largest ethnic group in the U.S., representing a diverse range of identities and heritages rooted in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Read more.
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2024 Annual Giving Drive is here!
A message from Councilmember Jorge Barón and John Taylor, Director, Dept. of Natural Resources and Parks, 2024 Annual Giving Drive Honorary Co-Chairs.
Dear fellow King County employee,
As we enter the season of giving, we are excited to announce the start of our Annual Giving Drive, running from October 7 to November 22, 2024. This year’s theme, “Small Acts, Big Impacts,” perfectly captures the essence of how each of us can contribute to making our local, and global, community a place where everyone can thrive.
By participating in the Annual Giving Drive, we can collectively support causes and nonprofits that are close to our hearts, creating a ripple effect of positive change.
Here are some major ways you can take action:
- Donate: Sign up or renew online or by paper form. Even a small amount can make a significant difference.
- Payroll Donation: Choose one time, once per month, or twice per month.
- Time Donation: Eligible vacation or comp time. See your department’s lead ambassador for details.
- Credit Card: Support your favorite special events.
- Volunteer: Year-round eligible employees may use up to three instances of sick leave each year for volunteer service at an EGP nonprofit or a local school.
- Be an Ambassador: Share your story and encourage others to join the drive. Your voice can amplify the impact of our collective efforts.
Remember, every small act of kindness adds up to a big impact. Whether it’s a donation, volunteering your time, or simply spreading the word, your involvement makes a difference. Together we can show the true power of collective caring and giving.
Thank you for your generosity and commitment to our community. Let’s make this year’s Annual Giving Drive the most impactful one yet!
Warm regards,
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Outside Employment and Volunteer Activities policy
Dear employee,
King County released the Outside Employment and Volunteer Activities policy for employees in executive branch departments, offices, divisions, and agencies, including the Assessor’s Office and King County Elections.
We are a large, diverse organization with employees who generously support their communities and organizations through volunteerism. We also recognize that there are employees who have outside employment. We acknowledge that employees and the County can benefit from employee involvement with outside organizations.
The Outside Employment and Volunteer Activities policy reminds King County employees that they are responsible for meeting the job expectations and work requirements of their King County positions.
Key elements of the policy include:
- An employee may engage in outside employment, or volunteer activities, provided that they are not detrimental to the employee’s job performance or in conflict with the employee’s official duties.
- If the outside employment or volunteer activities create an actual or an appearance of a conflict of interest, or will occur during an employee’s regular work schedule, the employee must obtain prior written approval from their supervisor. Supervisors will receive support and guidance from HR Managers when considering requests.
- Employees will use the Request Form for Approval of Outside Employment and Volunteer Activities.
- The policy provides clarity on the employee approval process, and employee responsibilities when engaged in outside employment or volunteer activities – with or without formal approval.
Employees are prohibited from outside employment or volunteer activities that:
- Prevent them from completing the responsibilities of their county positions;
- Create a conflict of interest;
- Violate the King County Code of Ethics;
- Violate local, state, and/or federal laws or rules.
Also, the Telecommuting Agreement has been updated to reference and acknowledge the Outside Employment and Volunteer Activities policy. New King County employees and employees updating their Telecommuting Agreement will use the new template immediately. In the coming months, 2025 guidelines will be shared that outline requirements and timelines for currently telecommuting employees to update their Telecommuting Agreement.
I encourage you to review the policy. Your department HR Managers will also be able to answer questions.
Sincerely,
Whitney Abrams (she, her, hers)
Chief People Officer
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Supported Employment Program celebrates Disability Employment Awareness Month
By Lauren Orichio, Supported Employment Program Manager
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is Access to Good Jobs for All. One way King County creates quality employment opportunities for our community members with disabilities is through the Supported Employment Program, which helps departments to create new positions that meet workgroup needs and are tailored to people with developmental disabilities. The program is on track to meet all of its strategic plan goals, and it will take all of us coming together at King County to continue to build an inclusive workforce by creating roles which allow members of our community to exercise their potential.
Pictured: This graph shows how many Supported Employees are currently employed by various King County departments.
Individuals in the program are supported by a Job Coach for the duration of their career. This coach is integral to assisting with recruitment, onboarding, training, and ongoing performance monitoring. King County established this program in 1990 to help address the 70% unemployment rate for this population. Employees in the program work for almost every department and office and contribute in ways that meet their unique skillset and fill important duties in a workgroup.
In 2022, a group of county staff from varying departments and roles came together to create a strategic plan spanning 2024-2028, providing direction for the future of the program. Three main goal areas developed by this group of champions were:
- Expansion of the program to every department and office,
- Increased training for supported employees’ workgroups and supervisors,
- Raise awareness of the program through inclusion in the county Equity Race and Social Justice plan
All of these efforts are currently underway. Departments without Supported Employees are engaging in conversations around creating new roles, and just under 200 county staff who supervise or directly work with someone in the program have attended trainings on best practices in Supported Employment. The nature of work has changed for many of us as a result of the pandemic, and 94% of employees in the program are again settled into consistent tasks and bodies of work.
Across all departments and programs, King County provides jobs which enable people to build connections contribute to their communities in a meaningful way. This month, the Department of Human Resources Disability Services group challenges you to think about how we can continue to expand access to good jobs for all. If you are interested in working through the creative and rewarding process of creating a supported employment role in your workgroup, or just want to learn more about the program in general, please reach out to Supported Employment Program Manager Lauren Orichio at LOrichio@kingcounty.gov.
For more information and success stories, visit the program website. Supported employee Ting Chao recently celebrated his 25th anniversary with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD). Read about his experience and anniversary here.
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Balanced You Mindfulness: Fall 2024 schedule
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment—free from distraction or judgment. It’s a proven method to reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being.
Balanced You partners with mindfulness providers CuriosityBased, SolJoy, and Mindfulness Northwest. View the full list of classes and learn more here.
Supervisors: Here is a printer-friendly PDF with the Mindfulness fall 2024 schedule to post at your worksites for employees who do not have access to email.
We look forward to seeing you there! If you have any questions, please contact BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.
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Protect yourself, your family, and co-workers with King County’s onsite flu and COVID-19 shot clinics
Getting your flu and COVID-19 shots are an important part of protecting your health, your family’s health, and your community’s health. Each year, King County’s Balanced You arranges onsite flu and COVID-19 shot clinics for employees who work onsite. Check out the video below to learn more.
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“Fall” in love with $50 dog adoptions in October
The leaves are changing color and the weather is turning cooler, making October a great time to cuddle up with a warm pup from Regional Animal Services of King County!
All this month, you can adopt a dog for just $50, plus a pet license fee where applicable. All pets from RASKC have had an initial veterinary exam, are up to date on their vaccinations, have been spayed or neutered, and are microchipped. Adopters get 30 days of opt-in pet health insurance through Trupanion, among other benefits. Dog adoptions come with a lifetime discount on online training from GoodPup. Read more.
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Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, July-August 2024
Crossposted from Metro Matters
They are chess players, hikers and gardeners. They love to cook, barbeque, read and travel. They shoot hoops, shoot pool and ride motorcycles. For riders, they are “patient and understanding,” carry “a really contagious positive energy,” “very sweet and thoughtful” and make “my day better every time I ride on their route.”
They are operators with a century and a half of driving experience. The operators on your bus are as unique as you, and all of them love driving and giving back to their community.
Meet your Operators of the Month for July and August 2024. Read more.
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Records Management Reminder: Most information that we have access to is considered a “Record”
The definition of a record is “any information – regardless of format – that is created, received, or maintained, and which supports, sustains or provides evidence of King County business.”
Because of this broad definition, most information we have access to can be considered a record that needs to be managed.
This can include, but is not limited to:
- Paper records
- Emails
- Microsoft Office documents (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Information in databases
- Audio and video files
- Photographs
- Social media and website posts
- Text messages
- And many more!
For more information, visit the county’s Records Management Program website or contact them at records.management@kingcounty.gov. The Records Management Program, in the Department of Executive Services, provides guidance, resources, and training to all King County employees to assist them with managing King County’s public records according to state and local legal requirements and best practices.
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Double the excellence: King County Metro celebrates Operators of the Year
Crossposted from Metro Matters
Metro celebrated two “Operators of the Year” today, marking the rare occasion of two drivers being selected for the annual honor.
Emmanuel “Manny” Bautista and Thulin Tolliver were jointly honored as Metro’s 2023 Operators of the Year during a ceremony at the Central/Atlantic Base on Wednesday.
Metro riders and colleagues call them skilled, kind and amazing examples of public servants.
“Every day, their commitment to safety and reliable service stands out,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “Their dedication is a shining example of King County’s public service, always putting our residents first.” Read more.
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