Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations joins Department of Human Resources
The Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations Section (BPROS) of the Department of Executive Services officially joined the Department of Human Resources (DHR) on Jan. 1, 2021, part of Executive Constantine’s efforts to better serve King County employees from one centralized department. This transition brings multiple benefits by centralizing the entire hire-to-retire value stream under one single department, avoiding any confusion that multiple business owners can cause. It will also deliver greater synergies by closely aligning BPROS’ work with DHR’s Employee Health and Well-Being team. “With BPROS joining DHR, we can now offer… Read More
Rethinking New Year’s Resolutions
As we move into 2021, you may find yourself thinking about your New Year’s Resolutions. While health and well-being goals are helpful, some types of goals can leave us feeling guilty or insufficient if we don’t reach or sustain them. Balanced You supports employees’ well-being goals and encourages everyone to approach their 2021 resolutions with kindness and caring toward themselves as we continue to work through the pandemic together. Read this Balanced You blogpost for strategies to use and resources to support you in developing 2021 goals that uplift you physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Call for applicants: Wastewater’s “Operator-in-Training” program offers paid jobs, no experience needed
Crossposted from WTD Clean Water Stories King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) is looking for operators to monitor complex industrial equipment and the flows going through them. Operators check readings and take water samples to make sure things are running smoothly. Good operators are hard to find – and desperately needed. WTD needed a way to bring in talented, new people and help them get certified as quickly as possible, so they started an Operator-in-Training (OIT) program to find and train their own operators. “Part of our program is to show people enough about wastewater for… Read More
New COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program
Dear King County employee, We are excited to announce that, in response to the overwhelming impacts of COVID-19 on working parents, including the closure of many in-person schools and child care providers, labor and management have agreed upon a COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program to help those in the Regular Employees Benefits Plan with child care expenses incurred during the 2020-2021 school year. This groundbreaking agreement, first proposed by a King County Coalition of Unions, will cover approximately 10,400 union and non-represented employees who receive the Regular Employees Benefits Plan through the Joint… Read More
In January, eligible PERS 2 members can switch to PERS 3
Each January, certain members of Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS) Plan 2 have the opportunity to transfer to PERS Plan 3. You are eligible to transfer to Plan 3 if you meet all of the following criteria: You enrolled in PERS Plan 2 before Sept. 1, 2002. You are currently in an eligible position. You will earn service credit in January. Here’s how to switch: Use the resources on the DRS website to help you decide if transferring to Plan 3 is right for you. Complete a DRS Member Transfer Form and return it by email to kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov or by… Read More
Your vision benefits don’t expire at year-end
If you’re panicking because your regular vision provider has been closed or is booked solid during the long COVID-19 pandemic, fear not; your vision benefits, through Vision Service Plan (VSP), make it easy for you to get the eye care you need. And best of all… vision benefits are calculated on a rolling 12-24 month period, as follows, meaning you don’t need to rush out before year-end. *Allowance for Regular and Transit ATU 587 employee benefit group is $200, allowance for all other benefit groups is $130. You may use any eye… Read More
Road to Retirement session offered December 15
Are you planning to retire in the next six months? If so, join your Retirement Team for this informative 90-minute online class on Tuesday, Dec. 15, from 1–2:30 p.m. We’ll discuss procedures and forms, medical coverage options, and pension plans—so you’ll be on a smooth road toward a happy retirement. Please register for Road to Retirement at Eventbrite. Sessions for 2021 are also listed, so chose a class that works best for your schedule. After you register, you will receive an email with a Zoom link for the class you selected. To learn more before the class,… Read More
Have you delayed routine dental care?
If you haven’t had a preventive dental check-up this year because of concerns about the coronavirus or difficulty scheduling an appointment, don’t worry—your dental plan incentive level will not be impacted. Under the Delta Dental plan design, diagnostic and preventive care—such as exams, cleanings, and x-rays—are 100% covered for those in the Regular or Transit ATU 587 employee benefit groups. An incentive program applies to crowns and restorative services, including fillings, endodontics, periodontics, and oral surgery. For those in the Deputy Sheriff employee benefit group, the incentive program also applies to diagnostic… Read More
Training Spotlight for December 10
Winter classes through Seattle College campuses are now available. See the new lineup here at the King County Eventbrite page. Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Update PeopleSoft contact information by January 1 to receive a W-2
It is important for employees to update and review their personal contact information in PeopleSoft by Jan. 1. A W-2 form and other important benefits and payroll information will be sent to the Mailing Address indicated in PeopleSoft. To update PeopleSoft personal information: 1. Sign in to PeopleSoft here, or access it from home at ess.kingcounty.gov. 2. Go to Personal Details 3. Make sure all items under Addresses, Contact Details, and Emergency Contacts are up-to-date. Employees can also choose to complete the Ethnic Groups, Disability, and Military Status fields. 4. Save any changes. By making… Read More
Employee News 