King County to observe Veterans Day holiday Nov. 11
Most King County offices will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on Monday, Nov. 11.
Due to the nature of our work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. On Nov. 11, Metro Transit buses will operate on weekday schedules. If you have any questions about your schedule for Nov. 11, please talk to your supervisor.
Veterans Day is our opportunity to thank our veterans for their service to our nation, and the contributions that they continue to bring to our communities.
Services will return to normal on Tuesday, Nov. 12.
Share this:
Tech Tip: Practice good IT “hygiene” – restart your computer regularly
Did you know your computer’s operating system is updated several times a year? This update happens behind the scenes, but requires you to restart your computer. This restart can take several minutes. Your computer may offer to reschedule this required restart until later, but will only allow you to postpone once or twice – you can’t delay the update forever! Most updates include important features such as new virus protections that are critical for the safety of King County’s systems.
Please practice good IT “hygiene” and restart your computer regularly! Be sure your computer is connected to the internet at home or at the office, and is plugged into a power source. To avoid impacts to your daily work, KCIT recommends restarting your computer on a regular basis at a time that’s not impactful to your work (such as when you’re ready to log off for the day).
Share this:
King County Metro Community Liaisons connect to all our riders
Metro is proud to introduce our new Community Liaison pilot program. The program features the voices and perspectives of staff who work to strengthen our relationships with our varied communities through their unique voices and perspectives. Spanish speaking riders? We’ve got you. Swahili? Yes indeed—there’s a liaison for you!
The team helps ensure that the people most in need of transit can weigh in our plans, policies and decisions. That’s important, because ensuring Metro’s services are welcoming and accessible to all is how we succeed. Read more.
Share this:
Wastewater Treatment: Employee perspectives
Acknowledging employees who tirelessly work in the field is crucial to the success of King County. Within Wastewater Treatment, the contributions of our employees are the backbone of our division, and the stories, insights, and perspectives they share create a sense of pride across our organization. This video, Voices from the Field, highlights operators and other employees working at our facilities, celebrating the dedication and expertise of these unsung heroes. The employees share how their job is exciting and the value of their connection to environmental stewardship.
View the video below, and learn more about King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division here on the King County website.
Share this:
Add pronouns and preferred first name/nickname to PeopleSoft and Microsoft Teams
Employees can now add pronouns and preferred first name/nickname in PeopleSoft and Microsoft Teams, making them visible to other King County employees, but the option for adding to Microsoft Outlook is currently unavailable.
Here’s how to make changes:
Pronouns
- In PeopleSoft Self-Service, go to Personal Details and select Gender Identity from the menu. You will see your Federal Reporting Sex listed here. Select the arrow to the right, select the magnifying glass in the Pronoun field, and select one of the options. Check the I agree to self identify box and hit save. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions.
- In Microsoft Teams, select your profile picture in the upper right corner, then select your name/email address. On the profile card, you can select + Pronouns or the pronouns listed below your name. Pronouns will be displayed alongside your name. See detailed instructions here or watch this video. The option to add pronouns to Outlook is currently unavailable.
Preferred first names or nicknames
- For existing employees: You can add a preferred first name or nickname in PeopleSoft Self-Service under the Name menu option. In the box select the arrow and find the Preferred First Name Add an effective date and select save. Watch this video for step-by-step instructions. Once this has been added, please submit a KCIT Helpdesk Ticket for the change to be made in Microsoft applications.
- For new employees: HR or administrative staff will ask new hires if they have a preferred first name or nickname that they would want to use in King County applications. These will be added to PeopleSoft and Microsoft applications.
Sharing this information with other King County employees is a personal choice and completely optional. Once entered, this information may be subject to public disclosure requests. For assistance with either of these processes, please submit a KCIT Helpdesk Ticket.
Share this:
Attend a Benefit Fair and complete Open Enrollment by Nov. 15
There’s just one week left to complete Open Enrollment. Don’t miss your opportunity to become familiar with your benefit choices and learn about the changes for next year.
Attend one of the last Benefit Fairs to get your questions answered, pick up givaways, and get help with your Open Enrollment. All employees are welcome to stop by any of the Benefit Fairs from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
If you are unable to attend a Benefit Fair, take advantage of the following resources:
- Go to the Open Enrollment website and see the 2025 Key Benefit Changes.
- Register for an Open Enrollment information session.
- Watch the Open Enrollment Overview
All set?
When you’re ready, use your work computer or personal device to Log in to PeopleSoft Nov. 1 – 15 and select the Open Enrollment tile. Make your changes, review your Preview Statement, then use the Submit Enrollment button. For help with PeopleSoft, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357.
If you don’t participate in Open Enrollment…
- A Spouse Benefit Access Fee will automatically apply if you cover your spouse or state-registered domestic partner on your medical plan. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm this each year during Open Enrollment.
- You will not be enrolled in a Flexible Spending Account. To participate in a Health Care or Dependent Day Care FSA, you must re-enroll each year during Open Enrollment.
- Your current benefit plan elections will remain the same for next year.
Need assistance?
If you have questions or need language assistance or disability support services, contact the Benefits team:
- Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations
- Chinook Building, 2nd Floor
- 401 Fifth Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104
- 206-684-1556 or KC Benefits
- 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday – Friday
- Closed on Veterans Day: Nov. 11
Share this:
Donate blood at Eastgate Public Health Center, Nov. 27
Giving blood is a simple way to express gratitude for your own good health and know you’re taking action to help a local patient facing a serious medical condition. Schedule an appointment to give blood at Eastgate Public Health Center on Nov. 27 to help make sure we all have a healthy year together. Make it a celebration – of hope, community, and the power we all have to save a life.
- Wednesday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Eastgate Public Health Center, 14350 SE Eastgate Way, Community Room, Bellevue, WA 98007. To book your one hour appointment visit bloodworksNW.org/giveblood.
Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same-day appointments available at most locations. Photo ID required. For safety, we kindly request no visitors under 16 at our donation sites. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of fluids prior to donation.
Share this:
Help celebrate furbabies with the Annual Giving Drive
Every October, we get to enjoy one of the best months of the year—Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and World Animal Day. This makes it the purr-fect time to celebrate and support the organizations that rescue all the adorable furbabies. World Animal Day, celebrated on October 4, is an International Day of Action for animal rights and welfare, and Adopt a Shelter Dog Month shines a spotlight on the importance of adopting rescue dogs from shelters and giving them a second chance at life.
This a great time of year to consider bringing home a new furry family member from a local shelter. We also couldn’t resist sharing pictures of pets from our EGP Ambassadors, many of them are rescues of their own. Read more. Pledge or renew here by Nov. 22.
Share this:
Records Management Reminder: What are retention schedules?
A retention schedule is the name of a legal document that provides important information about county records. King County retention schedules are all based on, and compliant with, Washington State Local Government Records Retention Schedules. However, county employees should only use county retention schedules to determine what to do with their records. All King County retention schedules are available on the Records Management website, which is automatically updated every day.
Retention schedules include important information including:
- Cutoff date: When a type of record becomes inactive;
- Retention period: How long a record must be retained after the cutoff date;
- Archival designation: Determines whether a record can be destroyed at the end of its retention period, or whether it has the potential long-term historical value;
- And 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.
Share this:
Proposed budget focuses on cleanliness, equity, reliability, safety, and sustainability
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Executive Dow Constantine’s 2025 budget proposal includes transit investments that will expand access to opportunity across our region.
The Executive transmitted his proposed budget to the King County Council on Sept. 23. The council is currently considering and modifying the budget. Adoption of the budget is expected by the end of November. Read more.
Employee News 