New statewide COVID-19 exposure notification tool
The State of Washington has launched a new app that alerts residents if they have potentially been exposed to COVID-19. WA Notify is a simple, anonymous exposure notification tool to help stop the spread of COVID-19. By adding WA Notify to their smartphones, Washington residents will be alerted if they spent time near another WA Notify user who later tests positive for COVID-19. WA Notify uses privacy-preserving technology jointly developed by Google and Apple and works without collecting or revealing any location or personal data. WA Notify is free and can be enabled in… Read More
King County Information Technology Director Tanya Hannah recognized by national CIO agency
Seattle CIO, part of a national leadership network that recognizes chief information officers (CIO), recognized Tanya Hannah, King County CIO, with its 2020 Public Sector ORBIE Award. This award recognizes CIOs who have shown excellence in technology leadership, and honors Tanya for her work in government and with education organizations. The CIO of the Year ORBIE Awards is the premier technology executive recognition program in the United States. Since inception in 1998, over 1,200 CIOs have been honored as finalists and over 300 CIO of the Year winners have received the prestigious… Read More
Giving Tuesday: Make a difference today and all year long
As our Annual Giving Drive winds down, you can still make a difference through the Employee Giving Program. Giving Tuesday is a global day of giving powered by social media and collaboration. For just one day, we have reopened the online pledging system for payroll donations. To join the movement, give now. More than 500 past contributors have yet to renew payroll for 2020. Renewal is easy — but not automatic. Renew now. If you’ve already pledged — thank you for your generosity! On Giving Tuesday and all year, we work with… Read More
Training Spotlight for December 1
Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience – Online – This 2-session workshop introduces techniques specifically designed to enhance participants’ ability to be aware of and respond to difficult emotional situations with both mindfulness and compassion, a combination which cultivates emotional resilience. This training takes place on Dec. 10 and 17, from 9:00am to 11:00am each day. The training is free and space is limited. Register here. Communication and Problem Solving Skills – Online – Join instructor Lenny Borer for this two-day training. He will address communication and problem-solving skills with the public and with co-workers. This two-day class covers skills for effective listening, speaking, dealing with conflicts,… Read More
PeopleSoft Access Restored
Access to the PeopleSoft system is now restored for all users. Thank you for your patience.
Abiding by our COVID-19 workplace safety measures
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in King County and Washington state, we are in a more dangerous time now than we were last spring. We have reached a new peak in case counts – the positivity rate is too high, and hospitalizations are up. The Governor has issued new restrictions to help bring the numbers down. The actions we take now as individuals and families will make the difference. We can all play our part in slowing the spread of the virus by following King County’s COVID-19 workplace safety measures: Do not report… Read More
Donated emergency leave helps hundreds of employees affected by COVID-19
Employees across King County responded to the call to support one another during the COVID-19 pandemic by donating leave. As of November 13, nearly 285 King County employees donated sick and vacation leave valued at $774,687. Their generous donations have benefited more than 300 employees in need who’ve been granted 23,162 hours of emergency leave so far this year. Some employees have been impacted by COVID-19 more than others and exhausted their paid leave. Access to donated leave has helped them focus on recovering their health or caring for loved ones. “COVID-19… Read More
Some employees unable to access PeopleSoft
Some employees are experiencing difficulties accessing the PeopleSoft system. We are working with our support partners to restore service and will send an update when the system is available again for all users. Thank you for your patience.
Old-school drop boxes make a comeback in COVID-19 era
Drop boxes are a low-tech solution that fell out of favor in the internet age. But the Facilities Management Division (FMD) resurrected these relics from the past to serve customers safely while King County buildings remain closed due to COVID-19. In spring 2020, FMD installed nine new drop boxes in collaboration with Treasury, Records and Licensing, Assessments, and Metro. The boxes typically average 100-150 parcels per week, and that number skyrockets up to 350 parcels a week during tax season. “Yes, people still conduct transactions via the internet; however, there were… Read More
Pet of the Week: Maxwell
Hi! My name is Maxwell and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by my previous owner on March 3, 2020 because they were moving. I lived in a home with another other cat. My previous owner described me as shy, but loving. I was nominated as the Pet of the Week on 10/19/2020. This means that my adoption fee has been waived. However, please note that a pet license is a requirement and therefore a fee may be applied. This helps my safe return home should I become lost,… Read More
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