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Pause on visits to Administration Building remains in place
COVID-19 infection rates remain high In our region and we need to be vigilant in our efforts to slow the spread of the virus and make our workplaces safer for employees and the people we serve. Many King County employees remain under the Executive’s mandatory telework order through July 5, 2021, where their work and operations allow for it, and heightened safety measures and protocols have been instituted for those delivering in-person services. The county also continues to restrict employee access to its facilities and has extended the pause on employees accessing… Read More
Are you ready for winter weather?
Snow is expected in our region this week, so now is a great time to ensure you are prepared for an emergency or inclement weather at home or work. Stay informed: Make sure you’re getting the latest King County information at work and at home in the event of inclement weather. Sign up for KCInform, King County’s employee alert and warning system. KCInform is used to reach County employees during an emergency with timely information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk… Read More
Three King County employees receive Patriot Awards
King County was recently awarded the Pro Patria award by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) program. Three King County supervisors were also personally recognized by ESGR for their support of their employees who serve in the National Guard and Reserve. During the special online presentation hosted by the Veteran and Military Affinity Group, Teia Tuifua, a supervisor with the Facilities Management Division of the Department of Executive Services, was presented an ESGR Patriot Award. He was nominated for the award by Ryan Nelson, a… Read More
Fa’amomoi Masaniai to become first court judge of Samoan heritage in Washington state
Originally posted in a District Court News Release of Jan. 27, 2021 After serving as a pro tem judge in numerous municipal courts in King and Pierce counties, Judge Fa’amomoi (“Moi”) Masaniai will join the King County District Court bench in February. The King County Council appointed Judge Masaniai at its January 26, 2021, meeting to fill a judicial vacancy in the court’s Southwest District. Active in the Puget Sound Region’s Pacific Islander Community, Judge Masaniai is believed to be the first judge of Samoan heritage to serve on the bench of… Read More
Unlimited FSA carryovers now allowed
New legislation provides relief to employees who may not have been able to use all of their Flexible Spending Account (FSA) funds during the pandemic. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 COVID-19 relief bill signed into law on Dec. 27, 2020, allows a temporary change to FSAs to help employees avoid losing funds. If you have a Health Care or Dependent Day Care FSA, any unused funds in your FSA account from last year will be rolled over and available for use this year. The rollover of funds from 2020 to 2021 will happen automatically… Read More
King County receives award for supporting Guard and Reserve employees
King County has been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense’s Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Pro Patria Award for the support it provides to its employees serving in the Guard and Reserve. Pro Patria means ‘for one’s country’, and the ESGR Pro Patria Award is presented annually by each ESGR State Committee. This award recognizes the leadership and practices of an organization that have demonstrated the greatest support to Guard and Reserve employees, including adopting personnel policies that make it easier for them to serve. King County Executive Dow… Read More
Free scooter rides offered to essential workers in Seattle
As LINK prepares to expand in the city of Seattle, the company is offering essential workers who qualify a $50 credit for free scooter rides. Workers in the health care, education, public transit, janitorial and food services industries can apply for the one-time credit by submitting proof of employment and attaching a photo of their work badge, identification card or pay stub — with personal information hidden. LINK will approve or reject each person’s request within one week. Sign up here. For information about employee transportation benefits, visit the Employee Transportation Program (ETP)… Read More
Planning for the future of work for employees of King County
King County is building on what it has learned about working remotely and serving customers during a pandemic to reimagine its workspaces, physical and carbon footprint, and service delivery models in a post-pandemic environment. “COVID-19 forced many changes on the way we work but it has also given us the opportunity to rethink the way we work,” Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams said. “We want to take this opportunity to look at how we deliver services, the way we work, and what we can do differently to better serve our region, our… Read More
COVID-19 vaccine update
A message from King County Executive Dow Constantine King County is working hard to rapidly vaccinate the 1.8 million adults who live in our region, starting with those at highest risk, with a goal of reaching 70%, or 1.26 million people, by the end of summer. Under the state guidelines, the following populations are eligible for vaccination: Phase 1a Tier 1: Long-term care facility residents and staff Tier 2: All other workers at risk in health care settings, including home care and home health Phase 1b Tier 1: All people 65 years… Read More
DAJD Managers Give Their Thoughts On Anti-racism Workshops
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021 Managers and supervisors at the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) attended pro-equity workshops in December. Anita Whitfield, King County’s Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, led the virtual sessions. There’s more to come: DAJD is making equity and social justice literacy a core competency for all department leaders. “The goal of the workshop was to begin the conversation and was designed to set the stage for leadership to recognize and interrupt counterproductive behavior while supporting those who are harmed,” according to Angela… Read More
Recording meetings and calls in Teams is available once again!
As King County completes the change from Skype to Teams, we want to remind users of our general County policies for recording meetings and calls. Here are a few things we need everyone to be aware of: First, we’re a two-party consent state. What does that mean? It means the person making a recording must tell others he or she is doing so. Just as in Skype, when you’re on a computer and a meeting or a call is being recorded, a banner will appear across the top of your meeting window. Look for it! If you’re calling into… Read More
Cmdr. Corinna Hyatt retires after 30-plus years at DAJD
Crossposted from Roll Call: the DAJD newsletter January 2021 Corinna Hyatt first set foot inside the King County Correctional Facility as a volunteer. In the late 1980s, her full-time job was at the downtown Seattle YMCA. After a few months helping inmates with physical fitness, a jail supervisor suggested she apply for a corrections job. More than 31 years later, she retired – as leader of DAJD’s COVID-19 Incident Command and the recently departed MRJC facility Commander. At a low-key going-away ceremony in December, Director John Diaz called her “one of the… Read More
Executive Constantine outlines top priorities for 2021
King County Executive Dow Constantine has shared the top priorities he is focused on in 2021 and beyond. “While 2021 has begun with new challenges, it is crucial that we continue to push ahead with our priorities and solutions with a sense of renewed urgency and action,” Executive Constantine said. “I am proud of everything we have accomplished together, and I am excited about what’s possible and what’s needed on our path ahead.” Executive Constantine listed his top priorities as: Health through Housing COVID-19 Response & Vaccination COVID-19 Recovery Anti-racism and pro-equity… Read More
Update your life insurance beneficiaries
Life and disability insurance are important to those who depend on you for financial security. Survivor benefits provide financial assistance in your absence. It’s important to review and keep your beneficiaries up to date for the life and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage you have through King County. By designating a beneficiary, you ensure the person of your choice receives the proceeds. If you have not designated beneficiaries, you will be receiving two emails and a home mailer from the life and AD&D insurance plan manager, Securian Financial, the parent company… Read More
A roadmap for Clean Water Healthy Habitat
A major milestone is in the books for Clean Water Healthy Habitat, King County Executive Dow Constantine’s environmental initiative launched in September 2019 to better align the outstanding work we do throughout King County government to achieve better results faster for all living things in King County. Executive Constantine last month announced completion of the Clean Water Healthy Habitat Strategic Plan (SharePoint link), saying it was shaped by expert employee advice that strengthened the strategic plan and turned an aspirational concept into a roadmap with clear direction and measurable goals. “I am… Read More
COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program now available
A new temporary program will provide $500 to $5,000 tax-free to those in the Regular Employee Benefits Group to reimburse them for child care provided during the 2020/2021 school year. The COVID-19 Child Care Reimbursement Program was created by King County management and unions in the Joint Labor Management Insurance Committee (JLMIC) in response to the overwhelming impacts of COVID-19 on working parents. It is funded with $9M from the Protected Fund Reserve of the JLMIC. Who can participate? If you are enrolled in the Regular Employee Benefits Plan, you can be… Read More
Panel discussion on understanding ableism, Jan. 21
The King County Disability Consortium is hosting an online community discussion on ableism, the intersection of racism and disability, and where there is still work to do. Understanding Ableism: Nothing About Us, Without Us is an informative panel discussion on how people with disabilities/disabled people define ableism and how it shows up in their own lives. The panel will also discuss the intersection of disability and other marginalized identities, especially race, other people’s role in combating ableism, how disability justice meshes with other civil rights issues and ways we can all support… Read More
Please join me today, Jan. 14, for MLK Day Celebration
Dear fellow King County employee, I am writing to invite you to the 2021 King County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration today, Thursday, Jan. 14, from noon to 1 p.m. While public health guidance won’t allow us to gather in person this year, I, along with the MLK Celebration Planning Committee, the Black/African Affinity Group, the Native American Leadership Council, and Council Chair Claudia Balducci, are hoping that you will join us to honor the life and legacy of our County’s namesake, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This year’s event comes… Read More
Teleworking employees impacted by power outages
Dear employee, Power outages are affecting some employees’ ability to effectively work remotely today. If you are unable to telework effectively today, please contact your supervisor to discuss other options for completing work tasks today. These may include taking leave or working from your regular King County worksite for today only. If you are currently teleworking and have an operational need to work at your regular King County worksite today, please obtain supervisor approval. If you do have to go into an office area, please ensure you wear a mask over your… Read More
Update on rollout of COVID-19 vaccines
Dear fellow King County employee, Last week I announced $7 million to create high-volume community vaccination sites and mobile teams so that as many people as possible in our community can receive COVID-19 vaccinations as quickly as possible. My strategy is closely aligned with Washington State Department of Health (DOH) guidance for vaccine allocation, prioritization, and distribution. DOH has released a priority plan for vaccinating people in the next tiers, starting with Tier B1 potentially later this month. It has also released a chart showing estimated timelines for vaccine distribution, which contains… Read More
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