New support and resources to help employees during COVID-19 

King County has announced some new financial resources, tools, and policy decisions to help employees manage during this pandemic and make our work sites safer for everyone. 

The new resources include support setting up remote workspaces, more options for flexible work schedules, support resources and leave options for parents with school-aged children at home, and updated guidance on wearing face masks at work. The Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery has also been updated and divided into two separate guides with specific information for employees in one guide, and managers and supervisors in the other. 

“Many King County employees are teleworking through Jan. 8, 2021, as we try to limit the transmission of the novel coronavirus and slow the spread of COVID-19,” Chief People Officer Whitney Abrams said. “Many employees are also showing up every day, onsite, while navigating the personal impacts of this pandemic. The announcement that most schools will start remotely in fall of 2020 creates additional challenges for working parents, as does caring for elderly or sick family members. This stuff is not easy, and it takes a toll!” Read more. 

Updated mask guidance for employees 

King County has released updates to its Guidance for Workforce, Operations, and Customer Service Recovery and Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy, and has provided new guidance on face masks. 

Under the updated policy, “individuals should use county provided masks or substantially similar masks in the workplace. Bandanas, gaiters, buffs, vented masks and face shields are not permitted substitutes for masks” (Temporary COVID-19 Personnel Policy, page 9). 

Face masks must be worn properly in order to avoid contaminating the hands or face of the user. The County has cloth masks available for all employees to use in the workplace. Employees’ supervisors will tell them if a specific type of mask is required for their job. Read more.  

Options for flexible work schedules during COVID-19 

King County now offers employees the option to flex their work hours where business needs allow for it. 

Where permitted, an employee may adjust the time period in which they complete each day’s required work hours to help them better manage the competing demands on their time. For example, instead of a standard 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule, an employee may be permitted to adjust their schedule to 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. five days a week. Employees may also be permitted to adjust their schedule to work a different number of hours on each day of the week as long as they complete their regular 35- or 40- hour work week. Read more.  

Guide for parents with children at home due to COVID-19  

The announcement that most schools will start remotely in fall of 2020 creates additional challenges for working parents, as does caring for elderly or sick family members.  

King County has put together a new guide for parents with children at home whose school or childcare has closed because of COVID-19 to help them better understand their options for adjusting schedules and taking leave to care for family members. 

The Guidance for parents with children at home sets out several options for working parents, such as adjusted work schedules, the various leaves available, and accessing accrued time off. 

Please work with your supervisor and seek approval when pursuing any of the options in the guide, and consult your Human Resources Manager (SharePoint: employee access only) for more information. 

Executive branch EEO/AA Committee recruiting new committee members 

The Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Committee is recruiting new committee members for the 2021– 2023 term. The committee is employee-based and serves in an advisory capacity to the County Executive; developing and reviewing strategies, systems, policies and guidelines to implement and enhance executive branch EEO/AA plans. 

Free webinar for employees: Student Loan Repayment Strategies, Sept. 24 

For many employees in the first half of their careers, student loans represent a significant component of expenses. During this free webinar offered by My Secure Advantage, attendees will learn how to pay off their loans more quickly, or lower monthly payments to fit better within their budget. The webinar discusses repayment options for both federal and private loans by walking through a variety of real-life examples.   

• Thursday, Sept. 24 from 9 – 10 a.m. or noon to 1 p.m. Register here. 

Employees who register and cannot attend, will receive a recording of the webinar, along with a copy of the session presentation and handouts, within 24 hours. 

For questions or more information, contact Balanced You at 206-263-9626 or email BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov.