UPDATED: Employee News - April 1, 2020

King County Employees sent this bulletin at 04/01/2020 10:08 AM PDT

A service of the King County Department of Human Resources

Providing regular updates for employees

To help support employees during this time and provide regular needed updates, the employee newsletter schedule will change. The newsletter will now be sent twice a week, instead of its regularly scheduled weekly publication.

This temporary change will allow for important COVID-19-related notices and announcements to be sent out at one time, building on the recognition of the employee newsletter while streamlining communications. One-off announcements will be sent when necessary. All announcements will continue to be posted on www.kcemployees.com.

New one-stop employee COVID-19 webpage now available

As we continue our efforts to slow the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in King County, we have put together several resources for King County employees during this outbreak.

Our new one-stop webpage, www.kingcounty.gov/employees-Coronavirus, has health information, telecommuting resources, benefits updates, frequently asked questions, and more. This webpage can help to answer questions for King County employees about their work and home life during the coronavirus outbreak.

Protocols to keep employees safe and informed during COVID-19

King County is working to protect the health and safety of its employees and the general public by following the guidance of Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC), the Washington State Department of Health (DOH), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in response to the COVID-19 virus.

As part of this effort, the County has developed protocols for employees and managers for the following situations:

An employee has been in close contact with someone who was exposed to COVID-19, but neither individual is showing symptoms.

Your King County ID badge is proof of “essential employee”

Effective March 23, Governor Jay Inslee issued a “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” order, which included a list of essential services that can and should continue operating.

At King County, employees who are designated as First Responders and Mission-Critical Employees are classified as “critical government workers” for the purposes of the Governor’s Order, and accordingly are expected to continue to report to work in person or telework per existing arrangements.

Please be advised that your King County identification badge serves as proof that you are an “essential employee.” If you are asked to provide proof of your status while performing your County duties, please present your King County ID badge, unless your department or division has provided you with an additional form of proof.

You can learn more about the Governor’s Order and the designation of King County employees in this previous guidance.

Caring for children during the coronavirus response

Crossposted from Balanced You

The evolving coronavirus outbreak in our community has been difficult for everyone to process. Each of us is experiencing some degree of anxiety or stress in the face of this pandemic. Children process stress differently than adults and are uniquely affected by the way we talk about the virus, images in the media, and changes to their routine following school closures and other ‘social distancing’ measures.

Balanced You is here to support King County employees who are parents and caretakers of children. Below, you will find resources and tips for helping children through this period. Read more.

Tips for K-12 spring break while social distancing

For many students in King County, this time of year heralds spring break, a much-anticipated week away from school. The coronavirus outbreak has caused many families to cancel plans for break, leaving them in search of creative ways to keep their kids entertained while practicing social distancing. Visit the Balanced You blog to learn more about activities you can do as a family, both during and after spring break, that promote well-being while observing guidelines for staying healthy.

How to access care during the COVID-19 outbreak

King County is sending a mailing to all employees’ homes this week that highlights some of the benefits available to employees and families during this COVID-19 outbreak.

Highlighted services include what to do if you are feeling sick, how to access care in-person and remotely, and how to get support and counselling services through the Employee Assistance Program and Making Life Easier.

Please look for the mailer at home this week, and remember you can always get benefits information online at www.kingcounty.gov/benefits, and all COVID-19 employee-related information at www.kingcounty.gov/employees-coronavirus.

Accessing leave, including federal leave, during COVID-19

King County’s Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy, which applies to Executive Branch employees, sets out procedures for leave usage during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Some employees have asked about the recently announced Federal Emergency Paid Sick Leave and expanded FMLA Public Health Emergency Leave. Please see the following guidance provided in the Temporary Leave and Telecommuting Policy for Executive Branch employees (Employees in other branches of County government will receive guidance from their leaders [definition below]). Read more.

Helping people and pets… together

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC

COVID-19 UPDATE: Pet adoptions temporarily suspended

Following Governor Inslee’s Stay Home, Stay Healthy proclamation, all adoptions at our Kent Adoption Center are temporarily suspended. Essential services will continue, as shown below. For more information about the COVID-19 outbreak, visit kingcounty.gov/covid.

Our number one priority at RASKC continues to be focused on delivering our mission of “Helping People and Pets.” We are honored to be of continued service to our communities, both in person when needed as well as online. You can access many of our services from the comfort of home. Read more.