Mindfulness Toolkit for stress reduction at work
Mindfulness is a practice that can help reduce burnout, stress and anxiety. Balanced You’s partner, Mindfulness Northwest created a toolkit that offers practical tips to use mindfulness techniques throughout your whole workday. Tips include setting intentions when you start your workday and taking purposeful pauses to minimize multi-tasking. View the Mindfulness Toolkit on the Balanced You blog.
Work to repair lighting in Jefferson Street alley completed
The City of Seattle has completed the temporary repair work to the lighting in the Jefferson Street alley, just south of the King County Courthouse between Third and Fourth Avenues. A permanent repair, which involves running new electrical cable, will follow at a later date. Ensuring the area around the Courthouse is properly illuminated will help provide a safer, more welcoming environment for staff and visitors.
More holiday spirit, less holiday stress with WeightWatchers
Reach your goals—and still enjoy every delicious moment—with a truly livable program from our partner, WeightWatchers. All employees and benefits-covered spouses and domestic partners can join now for as low as $8.48 per month on select plans—that’s 50% off the retail price. Visit WW.com/us/KingCounty to sign up. Join by Dec. 31 and get a free WW Easy Everyday Cooking cookbook with your membership. Learn more at WW.com/us/KingCounty. Then, get your WW cookbook at WW.com/cookbookoffer.
Safety video: Filing an Online Incident Report Form
Our top priority is your safety and security at work, and we are continuing to partner with law enforcement, community, and other governments to ensure a safer, more welcoming environment in and around our facilities. Here’s another tip to help you stay safe: If you have an incident that’s not an emergency or does not require an immediate response, you can use the Online Incident Report Form to submit details to Facilities Management Division Security at KingCounty.gov/IncidentReport. The Online Incident Report form is also included in the Quick Links section at the bottom… Read More
Photo of K9 Deputy wins contest
Cross-posted from King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter In November, the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) held their 2022 Photo Contest. Photos of Sound Transit K9 Deputy Kristi Bridgman won first place in two categories: Athlete and Officer, and Spirit. The awards were presented at the Law Enforcement Torch Run (LETR) International Conference in Austin, TX with almost 1000 participants in attendance. This program supports the Special Olympics. The photo above of K9 Luna and athlete Ariana Graham was taken by Ariana’s mother and won the Athlete and Officer category. A… Read More
Why people over age 50 should get an updated COVID-19 booster before the holidays
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider The cold winter months help COVID-19—along with RSV and flu—to spread more easily. COVID-19 continues to spread and evolve across King County and in the world around us. The chance of having severe disease and needing to visit the hospital is much higher for those over age 50. Read more.
King County celebrates refugee resettlement efforts in the region
Today, King County Deputy Executive April Putney, alongside the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS), the International Rescue Committee (IRC), and the City of Redmond celebrated the short-term refugee resettlement program for individuals and families coming to the region and the nearly 800 new neighbors who benefitted from the program. Read more.
KCIA food drive benefits Georgetown Food Bank
Cross-posted from Plane Talk King County International Airport (KCIA) employees participated in the third annual Fly Washington Passport Food Program this fall, collecting 462 pounds of food, nearly 200 pounds more than last year. KCIA’s food drive benefits the Georgetown Foodbank. Last year, airports in Washington state donated more than 7,500 pounds of food to local area food banks. Each airport collects food donations from October through mid-November. The airport that collects the most gets the trophy for that year. Read more.
Terry White retiring from King County Metro after more than 35 years
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced the retirement of Terry White, King County Metro General Manager, and the nomination of Metro Deputy General Manager Michelle Allison to lead the agency after White’s retirement at the end of the year. “On behalf of the people of King County, I want to thank Terry White for over 35 years of exemplary service, and especially for leading Metro through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic,” said Executive Constantine. White joined Metro in 1987 as a customer service specialist and held 13 positions prior to becoming… Read More
Spend your FSA money
Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? To check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA, go to Navia Benefits and sign in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2022, and submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2023. Please see details below. Health Care FSAs Day Care FSAs If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia at 425-452-3500 or Navia Benefits.
Employee News 