New Via service for Renton Highlands and more
Increased mobility options arrive in Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond with expanded Via to Transit. King County Metro has expanded their Via to Transit pilot to provide better connections to frequent transit service and improved mobility for people who live, work, and go to school in the Renton Highlands, Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond. Via to Transit is public transportation that comes to you. Book rides straight from your phone, get picked up steps from your front door, and travel to or from the following places without needing a car: Rainier Beach… Read More
Take care working outdoors during hot weather
(Updated August 12, 2021) Hot weather has arrived with temperatures into the high 90s now upon us. It’s important to take steps to stay cool while continuing to follow mask requirements and public health guidance. Some of our work needs to be performed outdoors. Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to a later time when temperatures moderate, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt schedules wherever possible so work can be performed in the morning. This week’s forecast calls for:… Read More
How to get your vaccination status verified
King County will require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct. 18, 2021, and you have a couple of options for providing proof of vaccination for verification. To have your vaccination status verified, you can: Initiate the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration process through your NEOGOV Dashboard (click on Dashboard > Forms > COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration) and attaching a copy of an official document (see list below), OR Show one of the following to an HR professional or other designated department representative: your actual vaccination card, or a photo or a copy of it, a copy of… Read More
Tips to stay cool
Originally posted in the Department of Executive Services Express With temperatures already forecast to be above normal this week, keep these tips in mind to stay cool: Keep window blinds or curtains closed when outdoor temperatures skyrocket. This reduces indoor temps and reduces the strain on the HVAC equipment. Keep windows and doors closed in locations with HVAC. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! The county recommends against using indoor fans, as they can create “hot zones” in other places in the building and can create a fire hazard. Please don’t block or manipulate air… Read More
Actions we’re taking for safer workplaces
King County is working to enhance safety for employees and has launched several new and expanded initiatives to make workplaces, building, and structures safer. These include: Enhanced security presence: We’re increasing security presence in the King County courthouse and other county buildings. Additional officers will be patrolling inside and outside the Courthouse and providing an enhanced security presence within entire the downtown campus. Employee-only restrooms: Some restrooms are being designated for employee use only and will only be accessible with a keycard or code. Work began this week on a two-phase effort… Read More
Judge Judith Ramseyer receives Innovating Justice Award
Originally posted by Washington Courts The Washington State Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) recently presented the Innovating Justice Awards to King County Superior Court Judge Judith Ramseyer for leadership in shepherding new programs that work on access and equity problems in the courts such as those involving eviction cases, court filings by prisoners, examining racial justice issues, and more. The Innovating Justice Awards were established in late 2020 by the BJA to recognize leadership during the COVID crisis that promotes judicial branch innovation as well as responsiveness to racial equity and access… Read More
Future of Work: Workstations, IT, and Office Use
A newly created intranet site, The Future of Work, is King County’s employee resource website for all information and tools to help employees return to work. The section, Workstations, IT, and Office Use, provides employees who are working on-site with guidance on hybrid working models, shared work spaces, office necessities, and file management. King County departments with employees on-site and working remotely can continue to use Teams to connect and collaborate from wherever they’re working. IT solutions are available to ensure all employees are successful in this new hybrid work environment and… Read More
Assisting people living in City Hall Park move to safer shelter options
King County employees may see activity in and around City Hall Park this week as a County and City-funded contractor called the JustCARE program will be in the park assisting people living there to move voluntarily to safer and more sustainable shelter options. This follows several weeks of successful individualized outreach with the persons living in the park and a partnership with the City of Seattle in identifying safer shelter options. Background King County Executive Constantine proposed and the County Council enacted a “COVID-7” supplemental budget in May that included funds for… Read More
King County to require all employees to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021
by Dow Constantine, King County Executive I know we are all eager for this pandemic to be over so we can get back to the things we love doing without restrictions or anxiety. However, COVID-19 is a novel foe, and it continues to adapt, evolve, and thwart our efforts to return to engaging with others safely. As such, we need to adapt and evolve if we are to defeat it. Following the actions of many other public and private employers, King County will now require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct…. Read More
Creating safer workplaces for employees
King County is committed to continuously improving safety at workplaces, in downtown Seattle, and throughout our county for all employees, residents, and businesses, and on Metro vehicles. We’re also engaging with employees for their perspectives and recommendations for how to improve safety at work. The County is taking immediate action on some of these suggestions to make workplaces safer, including: Increased security: Boosting security in the courthouse and other King County buildings Employee-only restrooms: Some restrooms are being designated for employees only and can only be accessed with a keycard or code… Read More
Employee News 