What we heard from employees
Dear King County employee, Over the past few months, I’ve been thinking a lot about one of our King County values—We respect all people. At King County, we show respect by actively seeking to learn and understand all perspectives and engaging people in decisions that affect them. As we seek to stabilize during the pandemic and adapt to change, we surveyed more than 1,000 Executive Branch employees to better understand their current challenges, fears, and hopes for the future. We also held listening sessions with frontline employees and King County affinity groups… Read More
Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery
Dear employee: These unprecedented times have challenged us in ways we never imagined. Throughout, you have demonstrated unfailing commitment to our community and personal and professional resilience in the face of massive change. You have proven time and again your expertise and dedication to public service, inspiring the country to follow your lead and inspiring me daily with your efforts. We have a True North guiding vision to make King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Our value of Racial Justice is foundational and will guide us in all… Read More
Celebrating Pride and the fight for equality
Dear fellow King County employee, Each June, we celebrate Pride and the fight for equality and equal rights for LGBTQ+ people, their accomplishments, and many contributions to our communities here in King County and around the world. While COVID-19 precautions prevent us from celebrating together in person, the fight for equality remains critical. This year’s Pride celebrations come at a time when millions of people are standing up to ongoing racism, violence, and killings of black people and other people of color, and the systemic racism that continues to impact the life… Read More
King County enters Phase 2 of Safe Start recovery plan
King County’s application to enter Phase 2 of Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start recovery plan was approved by the state Department of Health last Friday, allowing many businesses following the state guidelines to operate at double the capacity of the modified Phase 1. Following approval by state Secretary of Health John Wiesman, King County has officially entered Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start recovery plan to allow limited business re-opening. Phase 2 allows for twice the capacity in retail, restaurants, and other businesses Read more in the official press release.
Juneteenth: Commemorating the end of slavery in the United States
Dear fellow King County employee, Tomorrow, June 19, we celebrate Juneteenth, marking the day in 1865 that Union soldiers landed in Galveston, Texas, with word that the Civil War had ended and that enslaved Africans were now free. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, and is an opportunity to reflect on and learn about our nation’s history, Black history, our shared history. It is a time to celebrate the vital contributions that Black and African Americans have made – and continue to make… Read More
King County distributing 25 million face coverings to residents, workers and businesses
With King County preparing for a transition to Phase 2 of the Governor’s Safe Start Plan, and county and state directives about face coverings in effect, the county is distributing 5 million cloth face coverings and 20 million disposable face coverings to residents, workers and businesses. “We made good progress at flattening the curve, and saved thousands of lives, but with increasing activity comes the need for ever-increasing vigilance to protect each other from COVID-19,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “The county is providing these face coverings at no cost so… Read More
Black Lives Matter. What’s next?
A personal, reflective piece by Dr. Gloria Ngezaho, Workforce Equity Manager, Department of Human Resources It was just a couple of weeks ago that I, alongside the world, witnessed the murder of George Floyd at the hands, or should I say knees, of a White police officer. I sat in silence, along with my family, angry and not knowing what to do. It wasn’t too long after that I decided to share my thoughts with my network. This was a space I needed in that moment, because my entire family was hurting,… Read More
Anita Whitfield named Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer
Dear fellow King County employee, I have named Anita Whitfield to serve as the County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer in my office and as part of my Senior Leadership Team as we continue our work to embed our “We are racially just” value across all of our operations. In this new role, Anita will lead our Equity and Social Justice strategy and oversee the Office of Equity and Social Justice (OESJ). She will work across all of our functions to ensure that we are doing everything we can to push our… Read More
King County submits plan to re-open limited business activity in COVID-19 recovery
King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci, and King County Board of Health Chair Joe McDermott today submitted a plan to the state Department of Health that would allow limited and modified openings for a wide range of businesses and personal activities. The county’s application includes recommendations from King County local health officer Dr. Jeff Duchin that would: allow all outdoor recreation permitted in Phase 2 in Gov. Inslee’s Safe Start plan expand opening indoor fitness studios for one-on-one activities allow restaurants to begin opening indoor seating at 25% of normal capacity allow hair… Read More
Working together to repair our region
On Sunday, King County Executive Dow Constantine joined King County employees and volunteers to clean up and repair damage done to County buildings and resources. Executive Constantine shared his experience on Twitter, and through this accompanying message. “I was in downtown Seattle this morning to personally thank King County employees and volunteers who are repairing our facilities that were damaged by violent opportunists who hijacked last night’s peaceful protest against racial injustice. Some of our facilities – a childcare center, a homeless shelter, a homeless day center, bus stops – had broken windows or were… Read More
Employee News 