Just over two weeks left in Annual Giving Drive
The 2020 Annual Giving Drive is about to enter its last two weeks, and you can help us reach this year’s goal of raising $2 million by making a pledge.
There are hundreds of nonprofits participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive, and many ways that you can take action to support participating nonprofits who are doing great work in our community and around the world. Make a donation, make a difference, and help make a long-lasting change.
If you haven’t yet decided where you’d like your charitable dollars to go, here is a sampling of participating nonprofits to give you some ideas:
- Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) (9794) For over 100 years, our community has trusted MOHAI to collect and share our community’s diverse stories of strength, innovation, and resilience.
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2712) Our pioneering cancer research has dramatically increased survival rates, saving hundreds of thousands of lives. Help us find the next big breakthrough – be a lifesaver.
- King County Library System Foundation (9160) Promotes literacy, learning and libraries by providing support beyond public funding enabling KCLS to provide equal access to ideas and information to all members of the community.
- Emergency Feeding Program Seattle King Co. (9625) Provide nutritionally balanced emergency food packs to King County residents struggling with hunger. Accommodate special dietary needs.
You can go online or use a paper form by Friday, Nov. 20, to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits by:
- Payroll donation: One-time, once–per-month, or twice-per-month.
- Time donation: Eligible vacation or comp time. See your department Lead Ambassador for details in your office.
- Check or credit card: Made out directly to the nonprofit.
- Volunteering: Up to three sick days per calendar year at a nonprofit in the EGP (for non-represented and employees whose union has approved this benefit, including those covered by the Master Labor Agreement).
For more information, contact your Employee Giving Program Ambassador, visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov, call 206-263-9405, or attend an online Nonprofit Expo.
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Featured Job: Customer Information and Assistance Lead
Salary: $28.57 – $36.22 Hourly
Location: Kent, WA
Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week
Department: DJA – Judicial Administration
Job Number: 2020JF12373
Division: Judicial Admin
Closing: 11/11/2020 4:30 PM Pacific
Learn more about this position or view all available positions.
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Safety in the workplace – tailgating
This is a reminder a reminder to be vigilant in the workplace regarding your surroundings and people in the vicinity of your workplace. Recently, there have been increased incidents of ‘tailgating’ in county buildings.
What is tailgating? Tailgating is one of the most common security breaches. It starts out innocently, an employee opening a door and holding it open for others, visitors without badges, or the passive acceptance of a worker.
The problem with these situations is that they open your building to unauthorized entry by individuals who could intend to harm building occupants or steal items from the workplace including your personal items.
- Tailgating management depends on employee awareness and security awareness.
- Employees who become aware of visitors on their floors, in lobby spaces, etc., should ask if they have been helped yet, if they need directions or help finding someone.
- These simple measures help to foster a safe, open, inviting environment, by letting people know that you are aware that they are in the building. This shows good customer service as well as creates a safety culture.
If you notice anything concerning or see a person that should not be in your work space, contact FMD Security at 206-296-5000 immediately. In an emergency or you feel as if you are in imminent danger, call 911.
For any questions or concerns, please contact FMD Customer Care Services Team at CustomerCareServices.FMD@kingcounty.gov or 206–477–9400.
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Training Spotlight for November 5
- Mindful Eating – Online – In this 2-session workshop, we’ll explore mindfulness and how its application to eating helps us become wiser and more joyful in our approach to eating. This training is free and takes place on Tuesday Nov. 10 and Nov. 17, both days from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
- Mindful Morning for King County Employees – Online – A silent morning of continuous practice. During this half-day retreat, we will be guided in a sequence of meditation and mindfulness practices including: sitting meditation, the body scan, walking meditation, gentle mindful movement, and contemplative practices like the loving-kindness meditation. Restful and restorative. Treat yourself! Join us on Saturday, Nov. 14, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Register here.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite page website for more opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
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PeopleSoft Access Restored
Access to the PeopleSoft system is now restored for all users.
Thank you for your patience.
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Pet of the Week: Bronco
Hi! My name is Bronco and I am available for adoption. I have a whopping 100lbs of love to give! I am a very smart dog! At the shelter I am practicing how to sit! I am an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home! My caregivers have observed that I do not get along with other dogs. I will need to be in a home with no other animals! I would love to be a couch potato with you! I love head pats and big fluffy blankets! My personality color is BLUE. I am a gentle and loving dog who likes to take things slow. I may get nervous in new situations, so I am looking for a family who understands that I might take some time to warm up. Once I get to know you, I will be a very devoted friend!
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
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Creating Effective Application Materials online workshop, November 17 and December 14
This two-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives include:
- Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective
- Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications
- How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position
- Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments
This workshop will take place Tuesday, Nov. 17 from 1-3 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 14 from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
For additional online workshops offered by King County Career Support Services (CSS), visit their Eventbrite page. For more information about CSS visit www.kingcounty.gov/CSS.
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Making Life Easier resources for supporting well-being through the election season
Making Life Easier (MLE) has developed resource guides for supporting well-being during this election season. To access them, login to www.KCMakingLifeEasier.com with username: King County, click on Navigate 2020 from the main menu, and select Election Season.
- Supporting Your Well-Being This Election Season In this guide, you will find common emotions and responses that may be experienced in this season, self-care strategies; tips for coping with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, considerations for communicating with your co-workers, and how your MLE services can support you and your family in these times.
- How Managers & HR Can Support Well-Being This Election Season In this guide, you will find considerations in preparing proactively for the election season, common emotional and behavioral reactions, self-care strategies; tips for coping with stress, anxiety, and uncertainty, considerations for communicating with employees, and how your MLE services can support managers and employees during these times
Additionally, MLE also offers an on-demand webinar focused on well-being and health this election season, titled Managing Uncertainty and Anxiety. To view the webinar, register here. To learn more about this webinar and to access others, visit www.KCMakingLifeEasier.com, login with username: King County, and click on the Current Featured Webinars banner on the home page.
For more information about the Making Life Easier program, visit www.kingcounty.gov/MLE.
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Unexpected PeopleSoft outage today at 9:30 a.m.
Some employees are experiencing difficulties accessing the PeopleSoft system this morning.
In an effort to restore service, PeopleSoft will be down starting at 9:30 a.m. for approximately 1 hour.
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.
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Remaining focused on our priorities and values
King County Executive Dow Constantine
Dear fellow King County employee,
I know that many of us are feeling anxious and uncertain about the future of our nation and our world right now as we wait for a result in yesterday’s presidential election. For many, the prospect of weeks of recounts and legal actions only compounds what has been some of the most stressful times in our nation’s history, and our own lives.
We must remain patient, vigilant, and steadfast.
The record voter turnout in King County showed that, in this corner of the nation, we are united – to restore decency and rationality to our national politics, and to ensure our community is strong and safe. The presidency wasn’t the only decision on the ballot. I want to thank all those who worked on the Harborview bond measure, and to express my gratitude to the voters of King County who chose to invest in this vitally important regional asset.
Whatever the outcome of the election, we will continue to reject policies that divide us. In King County, we will continue to follow facts and science, and eschew the politics of insult and conflict. We will continue to lead with racial justice in all our work. We will continue to be a place that values women, racial minorities and the disabled, immigrants and refugees, and people of every religion, or of no religion.
Throughout the last four years we have been guided by our values and principles in our work. This approach remains unchanged. We will continue to partner with the local community, businesses, and governments at all levels to move our priorities forward. And we will continue to set an example of what a creative, forward-looking government can be and what it can achieve.
We remain focused on the major challenges facing us: taking urgent action to stop the spread of COVID-19 and protect our communities; joining together to end the scourge of racism, hate, and discrimination that has held back people of color for generations; implementing solutions to combat climate change and its impact on our environment; rebuilding our economy so all people have the opportunity to create a solid future for themselves and their families; providing stable housing for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness; ensuring every child gets off to a good start in life.
No matter who is in the White House, we will never stop leading on the issues that matter to us, and America – racial justice, economic opportunity, environmental protection, and the notion that all people should be able to thrive, contribute, and fulfill their potential. We will work with the federal government where we can, and fight it where we must, to protect our values and the rights and dignity of all.
Guided by our True North – Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive – I submitted a two-year, $12.4 billion budget that provides local and regional services to the 2.26 million residents of King County. This measure funds our priorities, including our anti-racism work and transforming the criminal legal system. I look forward to Council passing this budget in the next few weeks.
I know that tensions continue to run high as we sort out this election and move forward. Remember that there are always people you can reach out to for emotional support. If you need to speak with someone, take the time to reach out to family members, friends, or colleagues. Our Employee Resource/Affinity Groups are a safe place you can go to talk to people with shared interests, issues, and backgrounds. King County provides two services to employees that offer professional support and advice: the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier (username: King County). Both resources are free and confidential.
America may be a house divided, but we are a community united. I know that we will get through this by embracing the future with confidence in our convictions and our values. Please stay safe and keep hope alive.
Sincerely,
Dow Constantine
King County Executive
Employee News 