Business Resource Center online resources and New Employee Packet
It can be challenging to begin a new position, as well as welcome a new member to the team. The Business Resource Center (BRC) offers an internal website and other online resources to help employees who are new to King County adjust to a new workplace that exists in a virtual environment. The BRC now hosts a New Employee Packet section on their website to support employees with PeopleSoft functionality and other payroll-associated information. Employees will find links to many great resources, including: Benefits and Retirement website King County policies Technical resources PeopleSoft training materials and… Read More
COVID-19 ridership update: Masks required as region uses transit for essential trips
Crossposted from Metro Matters Ridership on King County Metro continues to remain steady at just over 100,000 daily trips across our reduced service network. We’re in the first week of a new directive to wear masks or face coverings in King County and on public transportation, and by wearing a mask you are helping support and protect drivers and customers who are using Metro to make essential trips. Metro analyzed preliminary extrapolations to create an unofficial estimate of weekly ridership, which remains substantially lower compared to a year ago. Read more from Metro… Read More
Standing together against racism
Dear fellow King County employee, Earlier this week we witnessed the tragic last moments of a man’s life – a black man in Minneapolis, who died with a white police officer’s knee pressed to his neck. This follows the February shooting by three white men of an unarmed black man jogging in Brunswick, Georgia. These killings, and the deaths of countless black and brown Americans in much the same way over the past few years, are stark reminders that racism and hate continue to thrive in our nation – in communities large and… Read More
“Supporting our Kids through the Pandemic with Connection and Collective Care” webinar, June 10
During the recent Balanced You webinar “A Conversation on Self-care and Connection,” we heard from employees that one of your top concerns is how the pandemic is impacting your kids. Because you asked for help supporting your kids through this, we reached out to one of the area’s top parent coaches, Sarina Behar Natkin, to coordinate a webinar and Q&A session for King County employees. The webinar will be held Wednesday, June 10 from 12:30 – 2 p.m. Register here. The session will be recorded and posted for those who cannot attend the live… Read More
Update: Telecommuting with children at home
Crossposted from Balanced You To slow the spread of coronavirus, King County employees who can telecommute have been mandated to telecommute until at least Sept. 7, 2020. Because K-12 schools have closed, King County is temporarily allowing parents and caretakers to telecommute while caring for children at home. Telecommuting with children at home is a new experience for most employees and can present its own unique challenges. As such, Balanced You has put together some advice to help you continue to be productive and keep your family safe. Read more from Balanced You
Results from new model show necessity of robust contact tracing and other measures to prevent resurgence in epidemic
Crossposted from Public Health Insider A comprehensive program of increased testing, isolation of infected people, and contact tracing with quarantine of home and work contacts could prevent growth in the epidemic as King County gradually re-opens, according to a new modeling report by the Institute for Disease Modeling (IDM). The report also found that there was little room to increase public interaction without risk of exceeding the effective reproductive rate of 1.0, a critical threshold for preventing growth in new cases locally. This report finding signals the need for caution in reopening to avoid… Read More
Taking care of mental health during COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider COVID-19 has drastically changed our communities, impacting not only physical and financial health, but emotional and mental as well. As we continue to learn more about COVID-19 and adjust our routines, we may notice changes in how we think, feel and relate with ourselves and each other. Now more than ever, staying up to date, making mental health a priority and connecting to supportive resources is key. Here are a few tips for managing mental health during COVID-19: Stay informed Information about COVID-19 is rapidly evolving week… Read More
Safety and security reminder
With many King County employees still working from home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are fewer “eyes and ears” around to notice when something is out of place in one of our buildings. We’d like to take this opportunity to remind you of a few safety tips. Don’t let anyone “tailgate” you into a county building, and make sure doors shut firmly behind you. Also, don’t prop doors open. Be alert to your surroundings as you walk to and from your car or transit stop, between buildings, or outside on breaks. … Read More
Updated teleworking resources
As many in King County continue to telework, KCIT has updated its guidance and resources to ensure a positive experience for everyone. Learn more by visiting the KCIT King County Telework Resources website (SharePoint). For help with a technical issue or problem, contact the KCIT Helpdesk or call 206-263-4357 (3-HELP).
New data shows broader social, economic, health impacts of efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Nearly everyone in our community has felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. It might be from COVID-19 illness, or from local and state efforts to slow its spread. We all are experiencing social distancing, school closures, business closures, or isolation and quarantine. Public Health – Seattle & King County has created a new set of data tools that show some of the broader impacts in King County – focusing on social, economic, and overall health and well-being. Key topics include unemployment, housing and food needs, internet access,… Read More
Employee News 