Employee News
Telling the stories of King County employees
As part of the 2022 Annual Giving Drive, we are highlighting nonprofits whose work supports people living with disabilities. These and hundreds of nonprofits are participating in this year’s Annual Giving Drive. You can go online or use a paper form by Friday, Nov. 18, to make a pledge to your favorite Employee Giving Program nonprofits by: For more information, contact your Employee Giving Program Ambassador, visit www.kingcounty.gov/giving, email EmployeeGiving@KingCounty.gov, call 206-263-9372, or attend an online Nonprofit Expo.
We’re heading back indoors, children are back in schools, and sure enough, the cold and flu season has arrived. At the same time, COVID-19 remains with us, and as we spend more time indoors, we could expect to see the number of COVID illnesses rise again. Please do what you can to prevent the spread of illness in our workplaces and community. If you get sick, please follow your agency’s sick leave request and approval protocols and stay home. We value your work here, but it won’t help anyone if you spread… Read More
The Annual Giving Drive is underway and King County employees have until Nov. 18 to fundraise for causes they are passionate about. But did you know that you can give back all year? You can use up to three sick days per calendar year to volunteer at a nonprofit in the Employee Giving Program. Besides providing necessary support to an organization, volunteering for a cause you are passionate about can improve your own mental health and help you feel good. Read through the 7 Mental Health Benefits of Volunteering, including stress reduction, confidence building, and preventing… Read More
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express King County placed sixth in the 2022 NAFA Fleet Management Association’s Green Fleet Awards Competition. NAFA is the industry’s largest membership association for those who manage the vehicular fleet and mobility responsibilities for their employers. The Green Fleet Awards recognizes government and commercial fleets in North America that implement innovative programs designed to minimize the negative environmental impacts of their fleet operations. Read more.
Cybersecurity Training is an important safeguard that protects King County systems, and the number of employees who complete training each year impacts our insurance rates. When your training is assigned, you will receive an email from kc-knowbe4@kingcounty.gov with a direct link to your required training modules. If you can’t find the email, check your Junk folder or login with your work email here. All employees must complete annual Cybersecurity Training by Dec. 31, 2022 unless your agency has specified a different deadline. Thank you for doing your part to protect King County. Read more.
King County Executive Dow Constantine’s proposed budget includes actions to decrease countywide greenhouse gas emissions at a faster pace as an analysis of the Puget Sound region shows an urgent need for collective action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. A first-of-its-kind analysis led by King County found that greenhouse gas emissions per person have decreased as the result of more energy efficient vehicles and buildings, but total emissions have increased as the population has grown. Read more.
This week, for National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group celebrates Heather Purser. Purser is a Suquamish activist that successfully advocated for her tribe to legally recognize same-sex marriages in 2011, before they were recognized in Washington. Learn more about Purser and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County Affinity groups at www.kingcounty.gov/AffinityGroups.
During an emergency having timely information on what is happening is critical. King County employees can sign-up for KCInform, the employee alert and warning system, to receive information about infrastructure disruptions, facility impacts, changes in your department’s business operations, and other critical impacts. Your King County desk phone and @kingcounty.gov email are already in the system. It is important to register your County-issued cell phone (if applicable) and personal cell phone and email address to ensure you receive time-sensitive messages. This service is free and your personal contact information is secure and protected. On… Read More
On October 17, the Commute Trip Reduction survey will be distributed to all County worksites with over 100 employees. The Washington State Commute Trip Reduction law requires these surveys of employers every two years. When you complete the confidential survey, you will have a chance to win prizes provided by the King County Employee Transportation Program and Commute Seattle. The survey results assist the state and county to design and implement transportation programs that address the diverse needs of employees, while also working to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and decrease… Read More
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Ben Malmstadt’s devotion to ensuring clean, safe spaces for riders and the communities has earned him top honors as Metro’s Facilities Employee of the Year for 2022. Malmstadt was honored at a ceremony at Metro’s Atlantic base attended by his family and teammates as well as King County Executive Dow Constantine and Metro Deputy General Manager Michelle Allison. Read more.
By Dow Constantine, King County Executive Each year, employees in every department and every branch of our government join together in the spirit of giving and community during King County’s Annual Giving Drive. It is a time that demonstrates the power of our collective giving in support of the causes that are important to us. At a time when many communities – here at home and around the world – have been devastated by natural disasters, our support can help them recover, build resilience, and thrive once again. More than 100 people lost… Read More
Whether you’re traveling to your worksite full-time or working a hybrid schedule, King County Metro Vanpool can save you time and money, and improve your commute. Best of all, your Employee Transportation Program (ETP) covers everything – the van, gas, tolls, insurance, emergency ride home and more –so you pay nothing out-of-pocket! Vanpool is a consistent group of people — such as co-workers, neighbors, family or friends — who share a similar commute route and work schedule. It takes just three or more people to start a vanpool, with the members sharing… Read More
When the coronavirus pandemic kicked into full gear, some of the many county services that got shut down were the employee-focused, in-person training and education programs. To prevent the spread of COVID-19, the state of Washington allowed for various certifications to be postponed. Ever since the state removed those restrictions this spring, the team responsible for trainings has been in hyperdrive trying to meet the demand and recertify all employees that need to be. “Safety training is essential to the success of many King County employees,” said Mary Beth Short, Central Employee… Read More
King County Executive Dow Constantine and the Metropolitan King County Council, proclaim October 10, 2022, as Indigenous Peoples Day in King County and encourage all residents to learn about and embrace the historical truths and cultures of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Indigenous Peoples, and to respect their many contributions. Read the full proclamation below.
By the King County Office of Equity and Social Justice King County’s Annual Giving Drive (AGD) is underway through Nov. 18. To celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, consider supporting causes and nonprofits that serve Indigenous people and are Indigenous led. Indigenous organizations know best what they need to prosper and thrive, and have the knowledge, ability, and right to determine the solutions that serve their communities best. Utilize the list below to learn more about Indigenous organizations serving Indigenous youth, education, cultural assets, health, the environment and more, and how these organizations and… Read More
The 2022 Employee Giving Program is underway and the Virtual Nonprofit Expo Series begins on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Join the Employee Giving Program via Teams to learn about nonprofits engaged in the work you care about. Wednesday’s event will cover a variety of animal-related organizations, including the Seattle Aquarium, Pet Partners, Project Canine, and Seattle Area Feline Rescue. These weekly expos will run every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to noon, through Nov.16. Read more.
Oct. 3-7 is National Customer Service Week and an opportunity to recognize the importance of customer service and the employees who provide it. A new training, Customer Service Fundamentals, is now available in NEOGOV for employees who want to develop their customer-service skills. Customer service is fundamental to our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. Residents often turn to King County because they have nowhere else to go. Thanks to our customer-facing employees for helping King County residents access the services they need.
The annual Disability Rights Washington’s Week Without Driving Challenge was recently held across the state, and numerous King County employees, Councilmembers, and residents participated in the event. The challenge encourages those who normally drive to spend a full week using alternative modes of transportation to experience what it’s like for non-drivers to access our community, especially those with disabilities. Read more here and watch the video below.
Employees can now access discounted tickets to Monster Jam at the Tacoma Dome for multiple dates in January. The discount is available for shows Jan. 13-15. Click here for instructions for the discount. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount page.
In honor of October being National LGBTQ+ History Month, the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group plans to celebrate a different individual every week. This week, the group highlights Dede Oetomo, an Indonesian LGBTQ+ rights activist who founded both Lambda Indonesia and Gaya Nusantara, organizations that support LGBTQ+ individuals and their loved ones. Learn more about Oetomo and other LGBTQ+ individuals throughout history by visiting this calendar celebrating LGBTQ+ History. If you are interested in getting connected to the LGBTQ+ community at King County, consider reaching out to the LGBTQ+ Affinity Group at LGBTQ@kingcounty.gov. Learn more about King County… Read More