Inclement weather? Save the DES Employee Hotline to your phone contacts
Whenever inclement weather hits in the greater Olympia area, employees should call the DES Employee Hotline at 1-800-418-5174 for updates on buildings and operations. The hotline is updated no later than 6 a.m. as needed. Read more about the agency’s inclement weather policies on Inside DES.
Did you know? The state offers leave in case your child’s school is closed but your agency is not
Employees who are unable to report to work due to unscheduled school closures are allowed paid leave or leave without pay in accordance with child care emergencies language in the applicable DES leave policy or your collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Employees are normally limited to three days per calendar year but additional leave may be granted by their supervisor.
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2020 Legislative Session begins—parking and travel reminders
Like peanut butter goes with jelly, Session brings with it heavy impacts to parking and travel on Capitol Campus. And it’s especially true during these first weeks, as many permitted rallies come to the steps of the Legislative Building and other areas, sometimes bringing hundreds more people to our already bustling campus.
Do what you can to plan ahead and arrive earlier than usual. The Plaza Garage serves as overflow parking for employees registered to park on the Capitol Campus. If you have a sticker from another campus garage or lot, you will not be cited for parking in the Plaza Garage. More information:
Refer all legislative contacts to Government Relations
As a general rule, DES staff should refer all legislative contacts to Ann Larson, director of Government Relations, 360-407-8275 (office) or 360-485-7145 (mobile). Decisions regarding legislative activity often require input from the DES director, Corporate Council, assistant directors and other members of the Leadership Team. It is critical for the Government Relations program to know all the information that is being requested from and provided to legislators and legislative staff.
Read 2020 DES Legislative Protocols (PDF) for more information about this important procedure—including handling requests from legislators and their staff, requests for meetings or testimony, and how you can engage in the legislative process as a DES employee and a concerned citizen.
 New year, new DES employees—welcome!
Left to right: Johnny Kan (BRD), Natalie Veenhouwer (CSVS), James Home (B&G), Chris Walton (B&G), Shana Barehand (C&P), Ashly McBunch (C&P), Lori Holcombe (FIN), Chad Bedlington (FPS) and Ron Kessler (CSVS).
Hold the floor button longer in 1500 Jefferson elevators
Why is this elevator not working?! With the new one swipe/one floor security measure added to the elevators at 1500 Jefferson, multiple floors can no longer be selected with one badge use. You’ll also need to press and hold your floor selection button a few seconds longer than you’re used to (hint: hold it until the same button lights up on the other side of the elevator). The system is validating your badge—that’s why it’s taking a bit longer before approving your floor choice. Questions? Contact the Property Management Office, 360-359-4790.
DES moves toward green, away from plastics and other chemicals
You'll see some new purchasing habits in the agency over the coming year. In 2020, DES will work to:
- Break up with plastics! Reducing the amount of single-use plastics the agency purchases
- Partner with Ecology to look at and possibly find alternatives for the products DES uses that are identified in the most common toxic chemicals in the workplace.
Why? In January 2018, Governor Jay Inslee kicked off this effort by signing Executive Order (EO) 18-01 State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP). The order focuses on reducing the use of dangerous toxics in the products state agencies purchase to create a direct, positive effect on human health. Look for a new version of the EO to be launched in early 2020.
What you can do. You can help DES by avoiding single-use plastics whenever possible:
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- Instead of plastic straws and stir sticks, try wooden stir sticks or silicon reusable straws.
- Instead of single-use plastic bottles for meetings and events, try filtered water from refrigerators or a local water service, and using reusable bottles, cups or water pitchers.
- Instead of single-use plastic cutlery, try compostable, wood or metal cutlery.
- Instead of polystyrene commonly used in food packaging and Styrofoam, try waxed or cardboard containers.
- Instead of single-use plates and utensils at potlucks, try bringing your own reusable plates and utensils.
Learn more by checking out these informative videos: Understanding Plastics (1:00) and Opening Our Eyes (2:22).
Thank you. DES leadership appreciates your efforts to help our agency to reduce single-use plastics. We challenge everyone in DES to try alternative approaches, and we look forward to a successful effort, not only for each of us, but also for the next generations of Washingtonians.
DES and the Department of Ecology are leading the SEEP Toxics Reduction Workgroup to help implement the executive order. As such, you will see DES continuously collaborating to take action over the weeks and months to come. Thank you in advance for your help in making these important improvements.
Send feedback & ideas. We would also like to hear your thoughts, questions and any other ideas that will help us meet the order’s intent. Send feedback to the SEEP Toxics Workgroup Lead, Cheral Manke, DES Contracts and Procurement, 360-407-9402.
Mobile mammogram clinic at DES on Jan. 16
The mobile mammogram event runs from 8 a.m. to Noon in the drop-off area in front of 1500 Jefferson. Employees from all DES worksites are eligible to attend, and the procedure typically takes no more than 10 minutes. All major insurances are accepted, with no referral necessary for annual screening. Pre-register or call 888-233-6121 if you're unable to register online. Walk-ups are welcome, but pre-registration is preferred. If you have general event questions not related to specifics of testing, contact Robyn Herring, DES Safety/Risk manager, 360-902-3569.
Plaza Garage Elevator Tower 2 closed for repairs
Elevator Tower 2 in the Plaza Garage on the East Capitol Campus is closed until further notice for repairing water leaks caused by recent heavy rains into the elevator shaft. Elevator Tower 1 is open for use.
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