Celebrating Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a day to celebrate the rich heritage, culture, contributions, and resilience of Indigenous people in our region and here at King County. Our region benefits tremendously from the generations of Native American people on whose land we currently live. There are 29 federally recognized tribes in Washington State, and King County is home to a thriving Native American population from Tribal nations across the country. We are on the unceded ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, and Suquamish Tribes, and the Duwamish people. The legacy… Read More
Who should get a COVID-19 vaccine booster?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) now recommends booster doses of Pfizer vaccine for people who have completed two doses of Pfizer at least six months ago and are: 65 years or older Residents in long-term care facilities 50-64 years old who are at high-risk because of underlying medical conditions The following people may also receive a booster shot of Pfizer vaccine at least six months after receiving two doses of Pfizer vaccine based on their individual benefits and risks: 18-49 years old who are at high-risk because of underlying… Read More
Celebrating 2021 National Disability Employment Awareness Month
Every October, King County celebrates the many contributions made by people with disabilities, and how they strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our country. With this in mind, the King County Executive and King County Council jointly honored their contributions by proclaiming October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. In the Oct. 5 virtually held King County Council meeting, Councilmember Dave Upthegrove and Councilmember Claudia Balducci shared reading of the proclamation, with each councilmember adding additional insights. The meeting can be viewed here. “Every person deserves the opportunity to fulfil their potential,… Read More
Matt Canady receives Executive’s People Leader Award
Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The People Leader Award honors a leader below the department or division leadership level who directly manages staff and encourages and empowers their team to push for outcomes that make King County a better place for our employees and the people we serve. The… Read More
Indigenous Peoples’ Day to be an observed holiday beginning in 2022
Starting in 2022, King County government will observe two new paid holidays, Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day, subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing county services. The King County Council passed two Ordinances last year to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as paid holidays for King County employees who are eligible for leave benefits starting in 2022. (These new holiday observances are subject to available funding resources, bargaining, and potential impacts to existing County services.) Based on engagement with Indigenous people who are King County employees and others in… Read More
King County launches desk reservation system, embracing a hybrid Future of Work
In just a few clicks, King County’s new Indoor Viewer desk reservation system lets employees book cubicle space in the Chinook Building or King Street Center. Indoor Viewer launches this week. The software uses cutting-edge indoor mapping technology but is surprisingly easy to use; simply select the date and choose an available desk, then watch the booking magically appear in your Outlook calendar. This major milestone in the county’s Future of Work implementation gives agencies the flexibility to embrace hybrid work schedules and cost-saving space consolidations. Your agency will notify you when… Read More
COVID Leave criteria, forms, and time codes
King County employees who are represented by a union that has signed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or are non-represented can now request up to 80 hours of COVID Leave to use for COVID-19 reasons as listed in the MOA. COVID Leave is a new benefit that applies to all participating unions, as well as non-represented employees with the following exceptions: Puget Sound Police Managers Association (PSPMA) King County Police Officers Guild (KCPOG) District Court Superior Court King County Council Prosecuting Attorney’s Office Eligible employees may use COVID Leave in the following… Read More
Disability Awareness Month 2021 events
King County is celebrating the 31st anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and Disability Awareness Month in October. This year we have some exciting events planned covering a wide range of topics, from accessibility to insights from employees with disabilities: Universal Design for Meetings, Events and Trainings Wednesday, Oct. 6, from noon to 1 p.m. Register here. The term reasonable modification is something we hear frequently when we talk about providing access to people with disabilities during out meetings, trainings and events. What if we flipped that concept on its head? What if, instead of modifying… Read More
Cecelia Hayes recipient of Executive’s Individual Contributor Award
The Leadership Excellence Awards, part of Executive Constantine’s Performance Excellence Awards, honor King County leaders who embody our Executive Branch values and who strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. The Individual Contributor Award honors an employee who does not directly manage staff, but who makes significant and tangible leadership contributions. The 2020 honoree for the Individual Contributor Award is Cecelia Hayes, a Senior Practitioner in Equity, Social Justice and Engagement for the Department of Executive Services. Cecelia is committed to moving King County forward in its… Read More
Four worksite clinics this week for COVID-19 vaccine
All King County Executive branch employees are required to be fully vaccinated under Executive Constantine’s COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement – Executive Order and submit proof of vaccination for verification. King County is hosting four COVID-19 worksite vaccination clinics this week open to all employees and their families. All three vaccines are available by appointment, and walk-ins are welcome: Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021 from 1-4 p.m., Cedar Hills Regional Landfill, 16645 228th Ave SE in Maple Valley. Register here. Thursday, Sept 30, 2021 from 6-9 a.m., Regional Communications and Emergency Coordination Center, 3511 NE 2nd St. in Renton. Register… Read More
Employee News 