Goodbye Skype - get ready for Teams
King County is currently in the midst of an exciting move from Skype to Microsoft Teams for all communications needs, including calls, meetings, and chats/instant messages. Some employees have already made the switch to Teams, and the remainder will move by the end of the year.
“Microsoft is ending Skype, and Teams is a great replacement tool,” Scott Helke, KCIT training program manager said. “In addition, critical federal CARES Act funding was available if we moved to Teams in 2020; hence our quick turnaround.”
Microsoft Teams helps employees working remotely and increases workplace efficiency by combining several features into one tool. Users can attend meetings, call, chat and share documents, plus connect to other Microsoft tools like Outlook and SharePoint. Read more.
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Video: Dr. Jeff Duchin on COVID-19 trends in King County and vaccine planning
With COVID-19 continuing to spread rapidly in King County, Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin shared the latest data and took questions from reporters during a media briefing on Friday, December 4, 2020. Dr. Duchin also offered advice on flattening the curve going into the December holidays, and discussed what we know about vaccine planning.
Reminder: Spend your FSA money before it’s gone
Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2020. And you have until March 31, 2021, to submit claims to be reimbursed. Read more.
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Update PeopleSoft contact information by January 1 to receive a W-2
It is important for employees to update and review their personal contact information in PeopleSoft by Jan. 1. A W-2 form and other important benefits and payroll information will be sent to the Mailing Address indicated in PeopleSoft. To update PeopleSoft personal information:
1. Sign in to PeopleSoft here, or access it from home at ess.kingcounty.gov.
2. Go to Personal Details
3. Make sure all items under Addresses, Contact Details, and Emergency Contacts are up-to-date. Employees can also choose to complete the Ethnic Groups, Disability, and Military Status fields.
FMD puts the finishing touches on touchless restroom project
Facilities Management Division (FMD) is in the final phase of installing touchless restroom fixtures throughout King County facilities to create a more hygienic environment for employees and customers, in keeping with COVID-19 best practices.
FMD’s goal is to provide minimal restroom contact for people using facilities in public-facing buildings and mitigate potential restroom touchpoint contamination during the current pandemic, while saving energy and water.
FMD will replace nearly 1,000 wet fixtures in public-facing restrooms by the end of 2020 to take advantage of federal CARES Act funding, which must be used this year. Read more.
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Mask usage up to 88%; Dispensers added to 200 more buses
Thank you for wearing a mask! Mask usage among bus and shuttle passengers increased to 88% during the week of Nov. 23. Our mask counters observed the following usage among bus and shuttle passengers in recent weeks:
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88% – Week of Nov. 23., 2020
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85% – Week of Nov. 16, 2020
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83% – Week of Nov. 9, 2020
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84% – Week of Nov. 2, 2020
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Testing and traveling during the holiday season
The holiday season has arrived as COVID-19 continues to spread throughout our communities. Two major ways to help protect our communities is by limiting our travel and testing for the coronavirus.
We’re sharing some of the questions we’ve been fielding about testing and traveling to help with your decisions to have a safer holiday season. Read more.
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Reminder: Balanced You Hope and Joy Campaign Coffee Connection: Pet Meet and Greet, December 10
As part of the Hope and Joy Campaign, the Balanced You team is hosting a series of informal, virtual zoom sessions, called “Coffee Connections”, to provide spaces for employees to connect over fun topics and events. The first Coffee Connection’s theme is “Pet Meet and Greet.” It will be held on December 10, from 10-10:30 a.m. Join us then to introduce your pet to other employees and meet their furry friends.
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Disability Employment Etiquette, December 11
The Council of State Governments (CSG) and the State Exchange on Employment and Disability will present a webinar on "Disability Employment Etiquette" as part of CSG's 2020 National Conference. The webinar will focus on interacting with people with disabilities and creating inclusive workplaces.
Additionally, the Partnership on Employment and Accessible Technology has released "Making Documents Accessible," a resource to ensure documents are designed so people with and without disabilities can easily access and edit them. View “Making Documents Accessible" here.
Creating Effective Application Materials online workshop, December 14 and January 13
This one-hour virtual workshop will provide you tips and strategies on how to make your application materials stand out. Learning objectives include:
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Understanding the purpose of the job application, resume, cover letter and supplemental questions and how to make each of them more effective
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Deciding what to include in your resume and the best format to showcase your qualifications
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How to write a cover letter tailored to the specific position
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Identifying and showcasing your accomplishments
This workshop will take place Monday, Dec. 14 and Jan. 13 from 1-3 p.m. Register here.
STAR-LA Interview Practice and Feedback, December 15 and January 12
This workshop will take place Thursday Dec. 15 from noon to 1 p.m., and Jan. 12 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register here.
COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities webinar series, December 16, January and February 2021
The Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation presents the COVID-19 Accessible Materials for People with Disabilities webinar series. The following dates and topics are available for employees to register for:
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Wednesday, Dec. 16, from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here for "A Closer Look: Mental Health and Resilience within the Disability Community During COVID-19” - explore the mental health and resilience of people with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic and ways service providers can access relevant resources
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Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here for "Making Social Media Accessible for People with Disabilities"
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Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021 from 11 a.m. to noon. Register here for "A Closer Look: Guidance for Business and Employers Considering the Needs of People with Disabilities during COVID-19"
For more information, visit the Georgia Tech Center for Inclusive Design COVID-19 Accessible Resources website.
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Training Spotlight for December 8:
Mindfulness and Emotional Resilience – Online – This 2-session workshop introduces techniques specifically designed to enhance participants’ ability to be aware of and respond to difficult emotional situations with both mindfulness and compassion, a combination which cultivates emotional resilience. This training takes place on Dec. 10 and 17, from 9-11 a.m. each day. The training is free and space is limited. Register here.
Mentorship Lunch and Learn – Online – Would you like to have a mentor, someone who can help you grow professionally? Do you want to strengthen your coaching skills? As a Mentee, you will have a trusted advisor who can help you navigate complex situations, and as a Mentor, you can uncover new or forgotten skills and build influence. This Lunch and Learn is free and the next session is on Dec. 17, from noon to 1 p.m. Register here.
Pet of the Week: Grace
I was nominated as the Pet of the Week on December 3, 2020. This means that my adoption fee has been waived. I am a sweet, elegant lady who is looking for a quiet home where I can be given space to do my own thing, and solicit attention on my terms--I am very affectionate once I warm up to new humans, and my purr is loud and true! I also make excellent biscuits, and I have the prettiest eyes in all of the cattery. My personality color is RED. I am a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality! I may be sensitive to handling, so I would do best in a home with a cat savvy family who knows when to give me some space.
Read more and view all available pets at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Have you or someone you know adopted a pet from RASKC? Let us know. We’d love to tell your story.
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Featured Job: King County Flood Control District Chief Engineer
Salary: $112,856.00 - $151,779.00 Annually
Department: KCC - King County Council
KC Headlines
King County Parks Plog: King County Parks in 2020: It’s been... a year.
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