King County Affinity Groups provide an opportunity for connection and impact
In July 2019, King County’s Executive Branch adopted a policy for employees to participate in Employee Resource Groups during their work time. These Employee Resource Groups, also called Affinity Groups, are led by employee volunteers, and are formed around protected categories set by local and federal anti-discrimination law. Some of the categories included are race, gender, and sexual orientation, among others. “The groups promote equity and social justice, foster employee engagement, strengthen workplace effectiveness, improve leadership abilities, and enhance personal and professional growth within King County,” said Janine Anzalota, Equity and Civil Rights… Read More
Apply to the 2020 Balanced You Worksite Fund
How do YOU want to be healthy and well at work? Today, we are excited to announce the launch of the 2020 Balanced You Worksite Fund to help you and your co-workers bring your own creative ideas and solutions to to creating a work-place that feels healthy and supportive . During 2019, the Worksite Fund supported 43 projects designed by and for employees across King County. Projects included a certified therapy dog to help employees reduce stress, self-defense classes to help employees feel safer, physical activity equipment and yoga classes to help… Read More
Reflecting on the history of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. logo
This month during Black History Month, we are reflecting on why King County adopted the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. logo, and what it means to be the only county in the United States named after the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. King County changed its logo in 2007 from a gold crown to an original graphic image of civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. King is an international icon for justice, equality, and peace, and the logo is symbolic of those same… Read More
Celebrating Black History Month in King County
King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed February 2020 to be Black History Month in King County. “Whereas. the scientific, technological, economic, political, and cultural innovations by Black Americans and African Americans have been essential to the progress of our nation and we will continue to honor these accomplishments every month and every day in Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., County, Washington State,” Executive Constantine said in his Proclamation.
Recipients of the 2019-2020 ESJ Opportunity Fund announced
The ESJ Opportunity Fund is a competitive process overseen by the Office of Equity and Social Justice that provides resources to King County employees to develop and implement projects that work to advance equity and social justice and complement the ESJ Strategic Plan. This year, 33 applications were received totaling more than $185,000 in requests, with a 2019-2020 ESJ Opportunity Fund budget of $75,000. This was a highly competitive process that highlights the commitment across the County to equity and social justice work, not only at the department and agency level but also of our… Read More
King County employee Metro commuter van pilot: Four-month update
In October 2019, the Employee Transportation Program (ETP) launched a one-year pilot program offering 100% Metro Vanpool and Vanshare benefits to all King County employees. Since the launch, employees formed eight new vanpools and one vanshare. This pilot is an effort to decrease the drive-alone rate to King County worksites not served well by transit as well as provide all employees with an additional ORCA Passport fare-free mode to get to and from work. If the pilot program’s success continues through September, ETP plans to request that this benefit be a permanent transportation benefit for… Read More
Redmond Youth Court participants practice restorative justice
By Troy Brown, Communication Manager, King County District Court Editor’s note: This article only uses first names to protect the privacy of minors. Each time 16-year-old “Mary” (not her real name) steps behind the wheel, she likely will be a safer driver thanks to lessons she learned at her Redmond Youth Court hearing. Redmond Youth Court is a student-led organization that works with King County District Court to hear real cases of traffic citations issued to 16- and 17-year olds by Redmond Police within the City of Redmond, offering them an alternative to… Read More
Creating efficiencies through Supported Employment
King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace. Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. “When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get… Read More
Leadership Series+ A Training accepting applications, deadlines to apply Jan. 24 and Feb. 12
The Office of Equity and Social Justice in partnership with Our BODHI Project presents the Leadership Series+ A Training on Belonging, Racial Equity, Co-liberation, and Health. This series is for King County employees leading efforts towards greater racial equity and social justice, and is rooted in Our BODHI Project’s Embodying Belonging and Co-liberation Frame. Participants will engage with expanding their racial equity and social justice analysis, deepening their purpose, and centering collective well being. Employees must be able to attend both dates in ONE of the cohorts. Both cohorts also require attendance at… Read More
MLK Jr.: ‘The time is always ripe to do right’
Crossposted from Metro Matters Martin Luther King, Jr. visited Seattle once, from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11, 1961. King was 32 at the time and had yet to deliver his iconic address during the March on Washington or write his powerful Letter from Birmingham Jail. Accounts from his time in King County, King’s “The American Dream” speech at Garfield High School includes lines that he would use two years later in his “I Have a Dream” speech. King also delivered some of his most powerful calls to action to Seattle audiences. The Seattle Times reported… Read More
Employee News 