FAQs on vaccine and mask requirements for King County employees

On June 2, King County issued new vaccine and mask requirements for employees. A Frequently Asked Questions document was also created to provide additional information on this guidance.

You can read the FAQs here and review the June 2 announcement here.

This information will be updated periodically as new information and guidance emerges. It applies to all Executive Branch employees. Employees in other branches of County government will receive guidance from their leaders.

The enchanting world of beavers in King County — and how they might benefit a warming planet

Cross-posted from the Seattle Times (Picture by Steve Ringman / Seattle Times)

Salmon was a gateway animal for Jennifer Vanderhoof, senior ecologist with King County. Her work with the Northwest’s most beloved fish introduced her to the world of the industrious beaver, a critter that can alter a landscape like no other animal except for humans.

“It’s kind of a way of life,” she said on a recent spring day while walking along the edge of a pond near Carnation, a blue heron gliding across the still, dark water and past a beaver lodge. “I’m fascinated by them.”

Read the full story here.

Juneteenth employee events

All employees are invited to various Juneteenth events this month celebrating the emancipation of enslaved people in the United States, including:

• Stories from the Road to Freedom - SPARKS! video and conversation series on Friday, June 11 at 3:30 p.m. 
• “A Liberation Celebration with Tales from Our Griots” - conversations with Black Elders employed by King County on Monday, June 14 at 12 p.m.
• A joint Executive and Legislative Branches virtual event with author, activist and entrepreneur, Dr. Marcia Tate Arunga on Thursday, June 17 at 10 a.m.

These presentations will provide insights, education, and personal experiences from a historical and current day perspective. 

Click here for more information about these celebrations.

Connect with other employees through Hope & Joy

One challenge from the past year has been adjusting to less social time. Socializing at work can bring joy and balance to our jobs. So how do we ensure we are getting the social time we need?

Over the summer, Balanced You will be highlighting social activities to help us foster engagement together while working apart. For those that are missing those hallway chats and social conversations at work, we invite you to participate in the summer Hope & Joy campaign!

What is bringing you hope and joy right now? Upload your hope and joy photos or videos to Balanced You’s Microsoft Stream and engage with other King County employees in the comments of the videos.

Balanced You Self-Care Webinar: Dealing with Pandemic Fatigue and Anxiety

Overwhelmed by changing public health guidelines? Exhausted from Zoom meetings but nervous about returning to work? Or maybe you have been at work the entire time and are feeling burned out?

Balanced You presents a webinar on Dealing with Pandemic Fatigue and Anxiety. Hear from experts on how to manage your stress and how to mentally prepare for returning to the office or continuing on the front lines. During this webinar, you will also learn mindfulness techniques you can use for yourself and your loved ones.

• Wednesday, June 16 from 1–2 p.m.
• Register here

Mandatory payroll tax for Washington long-term care program

A new mandatory Washington state wage tax goes into effect in January 2022 to fund a statewide long-term care insurance benefit called the WA Cares Fund. This program is the first of its kind in the United States and beginning January 2025 will cover some of the costs of long-term care services for eligible participants.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2022, all employees will pay $0.58 per $100 of earnings through a payroll deduction. Similar to the Washington Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) program, employers must collect the premiums and remit the money to the Employment Security Department. The only exemption is for employees who can demonstrate they have other long-term care insurance.

Read the full announcement here. 

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