Employee News - January 29, 2020

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

King County Employee News

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Highlights

Walking the streets for Count Us In 2020 

King County Executive Dow Constantine joined hundreds of volunteers, including many King County employees, for the annual Point in Time Count.

“Many of us know how seeing homelessness makes us feel—but it's vital that we also see the first-hand experience of homelessness and what our unsheltered neighbors are up against every day,” Executive Constantine said. "Joined by hundreds of volunteers, service providers, and lawmakers, we walked the streets early on the morning of January 24 to collect data about the needs of our unsheltered population.” 

countusin2020

boeing

777X first flight lands at King County International Airport 

In a long-anticipated trip delayed two days by windy weather, Boeing’s new 777X took its first flight on Saturday, Jan. 25 from Paine Field in Everett. It landed about four hours later at King County International Airport (KCIA), after flight testing over Eastern Washington and a flight-to-flight photo session over Mount Rainier. The jet roared down the runway, leaving a trail of spray from the rain as it ended its journey. 

At least 40 media representatives – videographers, photographers and reporters – stood in a roped-off area near the control tower to record the end of the historic flight. Read more. 


Employee Spotlights

jaren and paul

Creating efficiencies through Supported Employment 

King County’s Supported Employment Program matches job seekers with developmental disabilities to available jobs by identifying efficiencies and unmet needs throughout King County departments. The program allows each department to review its standard work practices utilizing Lean principles. A job coach is also available to help supported employees thrive in the workplace.  

Christina Davidson, Supported Employment Program Manager shares how meaningful this can be in several ways. 

“When creating opportunities to be more inclusive with our hiring we are also creating efficiencies and cost savings in departments,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to get to hire more inclusively and have it also help your bottom line.” Read more. 


Announcements

w23

View your W-2 form online 

Your 2019 W-2 form is now available in PeopleSoft to view and print. A paper copy of your W-2 form was mailed last week by ADP to the address you have listed in PeopleSoft. 

To view or print your W-2, log in to PeopleSoft from work, choose the Payroll tile, then go to “View W-2/W-2c Forms.” You can also access W-2 forms by registering at the ADP website. If you need help with PeopleSoft, call the KCIT Service Center at 206-263-4357. 

Your Form 1095-C—Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage—will also be sent to your home address by ADP. This form is informational only—it shows whether you were offered health insurance by King County last year. 

For questions about the information on your W-2, please see W-2 Form Guide or contact your payroll representative. If you have questions about Form 1095-C, please see About Form 1095-C or contact Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or KC.Benefits. 


sick

Corona virus update

You have probably seen the news coverage of a new (novel) coronavirus outbreak that was recognized in Wuhan, China, and which is spreading to other locations in China and to more than a dozen countries around the world.

As of Tuesday, Jan. 28, there are five cases in the United States, including one in Snohomish County.  All of these cases have been isolated from the public and their close contacts are being monitored by public health authorities to prevent any spread to others. Read more.


beheard

Employee Survey coming soon   

The King County Employee Engagement Survey kicks off March 9 and is a great opportunity to hear from you about what is going well and where we need to improve.  

Employees who participated in previous surveys have helped us make King County a better place to work, and a more effective service provider for our residents. This year we’re making some enhancements to make the survey work better for everyone:   

  • Everyone will take the survey electronically 
  • Data will be available four weeks sooner 
  • There will be more time for action planning 
  • Demographic questions will be more specific 

For questions or more information contact KCEmployeeSurvey@kingcounty.gov. 


New additions to the January – March 2020 mindfulness calendar  

Balanced You’s Jan. to March 2020 Mindfulness Calendar is now open for registration. Classes are filling quickly and new classes have just been added. On Feb. 13, “Meeting Mindfulness,” a six-hour workshop that teaches the origins of mindfulness and allows participants to practice the skill, will be held. On Feb18, “Mindful Eating,” a four-hour class that helps participants become wiser and more joyful in their approach to eating, will be offered to employees.  

Classes are free for King County employees. Visit the Balanced You blog for more information.  


seesay

Personal safety trainings coming Feb. 10 

Do you find yourself out and about, walking between King County buildings, or to and from bus or light rail stops? Have you wondered what you can to do keep yourself safe?  King County is partnering with the Seattle Police Department and the Seattle Metropolitan Improvement District to present lunch-and-learn sessions on Personal Safety & Public Safety Resources. Register early as these sessions tend to fill up quickly. 

Choose from two sessions on Feb. 10 at the King County Administration Building, Room 560: 


Employees who open a new My Secure Advantage account will be entered to win $100 gift card 

My Secure Advantage (MSA) offers free money coaching and education, including tax advice, to King County employees. Employees who open a new MSA account and take the financial wellness survey before Feb. 14, will be entered by MSA into a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card.  

To hear more on how to save on taxes, join MSA’s webinar “Making Tax Returns Less Taxing” on Feb. 11 at 9 a.m. and noon. You can register for the webinar by opening an MSA account.   

Visit the Balanced You blog for more information. 


wpzoo

Woodland Park Zoo discounts available 

King County employees can now purchase discount zoo tickets online and avoid the ticket line at Woodland Park Zoo. 

Visit www.zoo.org, click the blue “Tickets” button on the top of the page, select “Buy” in the General Admission box, and enter Promo Code kc18 when prompted to receive a 20% discount. Purchased tickets can be printed at home or shown on a mobile device. 

See all available employee discounts at www.kingcounty.gov/employeediscounts. 


oreo

Pet of the Week: Oreo 

Hi! My name is Oreo and I am available for adoption. I was brought in by my previous owner on April 26, 2019 because there was too much activity in the home. 

I am a very sweet and affectionate boy and I just love hanging out with my favorite people! I particularly enjoy getting head scratches and playing with wand toys. After having some litter box issues in my previous home, I was diagnosed with a urinary tract disease. This is being managed through a prescription diet and reducing stress in the household, and my foster mom reports that I am doing fantastic and I haven't had any accidents. 

Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. 


Featured Job: Social Services Specialist - Certified Peer Support Specialist (Peer Bridger) 

Salary: $25.01 - $31.70 Hourly 

Location: WA 98188, WA 

Job Type: Career Service, Full Time, 40 hrs/week 

Department: DCHS - Community & Human Services 

Job Number: 2020AC11246 

Division: Behavioral Health and Recovery 

Closing: 2/9/2020 11:59 PM Pacific 

Learn more about this position or view all available positions. 


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