King County employees are invited to participate in Identity-Based Affinity Spaces to engage and provide information and ideas on how King County can enhance its workplace culture, increase equity in workforce practices, and ensure inclusion and belonging for all employees.    King County is particularly interested in hearing from on-site, customer-facing, and shift employees. Sign up for an Identity-Based Affinity Space by April 21 using the opt-in form.   The Identity-Based Affinity Spaces are different from the King County Affinity Groups. They have been created specifically for the refresh project and assure employees they… Read More

In recognition of contributions to all aspects of society by Americans of Arab descent and Arab immigrants, including science, business, culture, and social services, King County Executive Dow Constantine has proclaimed April 2023 to be Arab American Heritage Month. “I encourage all residents to honor the contribution of Arab Amercians to our county, state, and nation,” the Executive stated. Read the full prolcamation below.

King County will not conduct an Employee Engagement Survey in 2023. The annual survey usually occurs in March of each year. However, due to staffing challenges the survey will not take place this year. Listening to employees and actively addressing their concerns and desired outcomes is key to building a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive workplace culture, and we will seek other opportunities to engage with employees. The Equity and Social Justice Strategic Plan Refresh project and the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Benefits Review project offers multiple touchpoints for employee perspectives and feedback…. Read More

From DNRP News A productive collaboration between King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) and local staffing organization Weld Works not only resulted in the successful disassembly and recycling of offices and cubes on the sixth floor of King Street Center, it provided jobs and training to a diverse labor pool in need. Weld Works is a non-profit serving the construction, manufacturing, and retail industries with purpose and heart by bringing together companies hiring in construction, clean-up, and general labor with a pool of individuals interested and ready to work… Read More

Balanced You continues to partner with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. Browse through the new spring 2023 mindfulness schedule to see new topics and register for a class. All classes are held live on Zoom. Mindfulness is a practice that can help you quiet your mind, find focus, and reduce some of the stress many of us experience. We have classes available for all employees that will teach techniques such as mindful movement, mindful relationships, and more.

From the Sheriff’s Newsletter On March 15, the King County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue and the Air Support Unit flew a rescue mission to Snow Lake, northwest of the Alpental Ski Area. The reported person in distress was vomiting, dehydrated, could not walk out on their own, and was a member of a 10-person back country ski group. As crewmembers gathered at the hangar in Renton, the necessary snow gear was loaded into the rescue helicopter and the crew briefed on the mission at hand. The rescue crew launched and reached… Read More