Working from home shouldn’t hurt: Ergonomics when away from the office
It can be challenging to maintain good ergonomic practices when working away from the office. Below are some tips to help employees when setting up a laptop for frequent use. Maintain a neutral neck position by placing the top of the screen at about eye level or slightly lower if using bifocal glasses. Use a laptop stand or place your laptop on a stable support surface, such as monitor risers, reams of paper or books so that the screen height can be adjusted. Attach a regular size, external keyboard and mouse to… Read More
An important message about COVID-19
COVID-19 is spreading in King County. But together, we can slow it down, saving lives. Everyone, young and old, should stay home and avoid all non-essential contact. When you must go out, limit your trips and stay six feet apart from others. Our individual actions affect the health of our entire community. And what we do as a community protects us all. Stay home and slow the spread. View this video featuring Public Health Health Officer, Dr. Jeff Duchin and learn more about what King County is doing in response to the coronavirus at www.kingcounty.gov/coronavirus.
Roads crews continuing their essential work
Our Roads Services maintenance crews are continuing to keep roads and bridges in unincorporated King County safe and usable during COVID-19 and beyond. In his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, Governor Jay Inslee listed road maintenance and construction as essential infrastructure activities. Delaying Roads’ work could cause immediate safety hazards as well as long-term deficiencies in the county’s road and bridge system. Catching up on delayed maintenance work in the future might be difficult or impossible, resulting in degraded road conditions and safety problems. Roads crews are following public health guidance while… Read More
Coverage expanded for COVID-19 medical care
King County employees and their family members enrolled in Kaiser (SmartCare) and Regence (KingCare and KingCare Select) medical plans will not have to pay copays, coinsurance, or deductibles for medical services and medications related to the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. King County is providing this coverage enhancement to remove any financial barriers to accessing care and treatment for COVID-19. This expanded coverage takes effect immediately and applies retroactively to services and medications received beginning March 5, 2020. The 100% coverage applies to COVID-19 testing and treatments at an office visit, emergency room, urgent care,… Read More
Approval process for accessing COVID-19-related paid administrative leave
King County has entered into Memorandums of Agreement (MOA) with many of its unions to provide employees who meet specific eligibility requirements (see below) and workers with non-standard full-time schedules with up to 80 additional hours of paid leave for COVID-19-related illnesses and reasons. This leave is prorated for part-time workers and is not available to interns and short-term temporary employees (STTs). The Office of Labor Relations (OLR) is currently finalizing negotiations with the remaining unions, and the list will be updated as agreements are finalized. This leave is also available to non-represented employees. Please be advised that employees… Read More
New telecommuting resources site
The Department of Human Resources has launched a new site with information and resources for employees who have started telecommuting as a response to the COVID-19 outbreak. The site provides information on tools, health and wellness, and learning employees can do from home. It also has a section for supervisors and managers about managing employees remotely. Employees are encouraged to talk to their supervisor if they would like to engage in lengthy trainings during work time. Supervisors are encouraged to be flexible and allow employees to attend online training if their workload allows. The… Read More
Self-care for Essential Personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic
Essential personnel are employees whose jobs are necessary for King County to continue operating. Many of you – including staff from Metro, DAJD, FMD, the Criminal Defense system, and others – have jobs that cannot be performed at home, and so you continue to report to work each day during this pandemic. King County is grateful for your continued dedication to our community. Balanced You knows this is a difficult and stressful time for you. We are here to support essential personnel in reducing stress and caring for your well-being. Visit the Balanced… Read More
Join us in thanking our community’s essential workers
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Over the past few weeks many people have transitioned to telecommuting to comply with Governor Inslee’s Stay Home order to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Many others, who are essential workers, will continue to report to their jobs to ensure critical public health, safety and infrastructure functions continue to support Washingtonians. They are making sure that there is food, water, electricity, trash and sanitation services, buses & trains running, and health care services and spaces. Being an essential worker during the COVID-19 pandemic means potentially exposing themselves… Read More
Free personalized Money Coaching for King County employees
Crossposted from Balanced You During the uncertain economic times brought on by the coronavirus outbreak, you may find yourself becoming worried about your family’s financial stability. Wouldn’t it be great if you could turn to an impartial expert for advice? With King County’s My Secure Advantage (MSA) program, you can receive personalized advice from a professional Money Coach for free. What is a Money Coach? A Money Coach is a trained professional who works with you one-on-one to assess your current financial situation and help you take concrete steps to improve it. Money Coaches have… Read More
Featured Job: CNA Care Coordinator (Medical Assistant)
Salary: $22.74 – $28.83 Hourly Location: Various Locations throughout King County, WA Job Type: Short Term Temporary, Part Time, Std Wkly Hrs Vary Department: DPH – Public Health Job Number: 2020NH11591 Division: Community Health Services Closing: Continuous Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
Employee News 