Do you take Humira? Important medication coverage update
If you or a family member take the medication Humira (adalimumab) and you’re on a Regence BlueShield medical plan, please note the following coverage change. Starting April 1, 2024, Humira will no longer be covered for those on the Regence KingCare PPO and KingCare Select medical plans. CVS Caremark®, the pharmacy benefits manager for Regence BlueShield, recently mailed letters to inform impacted members that the biologic drug, Humira, will be removed from the list of covered medications and replaced with biosimilar drugs. A list of covered alternate medications specific to the member’s… Read More
New Public Records Act exemption available to protect employee safety
King County employees can now apply for an exemption from disclosures under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. Public employees can seek an exemption from having certain records such as their birthdate, job title, workplace address, work email address, work phone number, and bargaining unit disclosed under the Public Records Act if they or their dependents are survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, sexual abuse, stalking, or harassment. The exemption from public disclosure does not apply to… Read More
Executive Constantine thanks Department of Community and Human Services Director Leo Flor for his leadership on transformative investments for the people of King County as he accepts a role outside government
King County Executive Dow Constantine today announced that Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) director Leo Flor will be departing King County service this month for a role outside of government. Kelly Rider, currently serving as the department’s chief of staff, will become interim director following Flor’s departure on Feb. 27. Flor joined King County in 2017 to lead the renewal and expansion of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL). In 2018, Executive Constantine appointed Flor to serve as DCHS Director. DCHS is a 580-person department that invests in services for older adults, behavioral health treatment,… Read More
IT Helpdesk “walk-up window” now available at King Street Center
Updated Feb. 8, 2024 For assistance with minor tech issues, Executive Branch employees may visit the new IT Helpdesk Walk-Up Window at King Street Center. Unlike other Helpdesk locations, you can visit the IT Window without an appointment every Mon. – Thur. from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. (except for holidays). KCIT’s expert staff can help with quick fixes such as password resets, audio issues, or battery problems. You can also replace basic equipment like a faulty headset, charging cable, keyboard, or mouse by simply exchanging it at the IT Window. King Street… Read More
MultiCare may be out-of-network starting March 1, 2024
If you are a member of the Regence KingCare PPO medical plan, and you see medical providers who are part of the MultiCare network, please note the following information about their contract with Regence BlueShield. Leaders from Regence BlueShield and MultiCare Health Systems are currently in contract negotiations. Both organizations are working to reach an agreement before their current contract ends March 1, 2024. Here is what you need to know: Regence recently sent a required notice regarding this potential network disruption to their members who have seen a MultiCare provider in… Read More
Black History Month 2024 Proclamation
Black History Month, established in 1926, is celebrated every February in recognition of achievements by Black Americans and all people of African descent in the United States. The 2024 Black History Month theme is “African Americans and the Arts” and King County Executive Dow Constantine’s proclamation calls on all residents to actively engage in events, discussions, and reflections that honor the immense contributions of African Americans to our community and our nation. Read the full proclamation below.
Learning & Development: 2023 accomplishments and what’s new for 2024
This past year the Learning & Development (L&D) team in the Department of Human Resources worked hard to continue building out the portfolio of educational opportunities to serve the different needs, interests, and goals of the King County workforce. Over the course of 2023 the L&D team hosted 53 workshops with a total of 1,864 attendees. In addition to spending a large portion of the year facilitating workshops, two new workshops were launched (Leading for Well-being, Building High Trust Cultures), as well as a beta of the new Leader Learning Labs, and… Read More
Shared learning towards a racially just King County
In 2023, more than 70% of King County employees took the We Are Racially Just training, a wonderful achievement for a course that was only launched in August. At King County, we aim to reach our True North – to create a welcoming community where every person can thrive. To achieve this, we must be racially just and actively work toward dismantling racist systems, practices, and approaches. The training is one of the ways King County has worked toward this goal. We are racially just is a core value of King County… Read More
Make your nominations for Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards
The nomination period for the Executive’s Best-Run Government Awards is now open through Feb. 16. The annual awards, formerly known as the Performance Excellence Awards, honor Executive Branch employees and teams for their exceptional contributions in leadership, innovation, and Lean maturity. There are three award categories: Any King County employee can nominate a team or individual for an Innovation or Leadership Excellence Award. You may review the nomination criteria here. We look forward to seeing your nominations and celebrating the many great achievements from 2023.
Stay informed in inclement weather
Getting timely, accurate information in an emergency or inclement weather event is critical. Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information on how you are affected, at work and at home: Power outages: If you are teleworking and experience a power outage that affects your ability to effectively work remotely, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite. HR Policies: When an agency remains open, but conditions prevent you from reporting to work or from… Read More
Employee News 