King County to require all employees be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18, 2021

King County Executive Dow Constantine recently announced that following the actions of many other public and private employers, King County will now require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct. 18, 2021. 

To meet this requirement, employees must have received their second shot of a Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or first shot of a Johnson & Johnson vaccine, by Oct. 4, 2021, and provide verified proof of vaccination. The directive applies to employees in the Executive branch (employees who report to the Assessor, Elections Director, the Sheriff, and me, the County Executive).

Read the full announcement here. 

Actions we're taking for safer workplaces

King County is working to enhance safety for employees and has launched several new and expanded initiatives to make workplaces, building, and structures safer.

These changes include an enhanced security presence, a security escort program, and more. Click here to read about the steps being taken for your security.

Future of Work: Workstations, IT, and Office Use

A newly created intranet site, The Future of Work, is King County’s employee resource website for all information and tools to help employees return to work.

The section, Workstations, IT, and Office Use, provides employees who are working on-site with guidance on hybrid working models, shared work spaces, office necessities, file management, and more.

Click here to learn more. 

Delta explained: What you should know, and do, about the new variant

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider

The Delta variant is the latest example of how adaptable viruses can be. It’s a faster, more efficient version of the original virus that causes COVID-19. It’s the same virus, only better at infecting people.

Delta is far more contagious than its predecessors. It is spreading twice as quickly as the original strain, and people who are infected with it carry around much more virus in their nose and throat. 

Click here to learn more about what you should know and do about the new variant. 

Judge Judith Ramseyer receives Innovating Justice Award

The Washington State Board for Judicial Administration (BJA) recently presented the Innovating Justice Award to King County Superior Court Judge Judith Ramseyer for leadership in shepherding new programs that work on access and equity problems in the courts such as those involving eviction cases, court filings by prisoners, examining racial justice issues, and more.

The Innovating Justice Awards were established in late 2020 by the BJA to recognize leadership during the COVID crisis that promotes judicial branch innovation as well as responsiveness to racial equity and access to justice issues.

Read the full announcement here. 

Take care working outdoors during hot weather

Hot weather with temperatures into the high 90s is forecast this week and it’s important to take steps to stay cool while continuing to follow mask requirements and public health guidance.

Some of our work needs to be performed outdoors. Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to a later time when temperatures moderate, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt schedules wherever possible so work can be performed in the morning.

Click here for more tips and information. 

How to get your vaccination status verified

King County will require all employees to be fully vaccinated, effective Oct. 18, 2021, and you have a couple of options for providing proof of vaccination for verification.

Click here for your options on how to verify your vaccination status. 

New Via service for Renton Highlands and more

Increased mobility options arrive in Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond with expanded Via to Transit.

King County Metro has expanded their Via to Transit pilot to provide better connections to frequent transit service and improved mobility for people who live, work, and go to school in the Renton Highlands, Rainier Beach, Skyway, and beyond.

Find out more by clicking here. 

Balanced You Coffee Connections: Summer Vacation

Fall is fast approaching and Balanced You wants to know what you did for your summer! Many of us had a few fun getaways this summer and many are scrambling to figure out that last minute vacation spot before the end of summer.

Join us for the next Balanced You Coffee Connections; the theme will be "Your summer vacation/End of summer plans." Bring pictures and fun items you collected while on your recent vacation or share where you are planning to go with colleagues during this 30-minute fun conversation.

• Wednesday, Aug. 18 from 12:30 to 1 p.m. 
• Register here

Transition Debriefing Groups offered to support COVID-19 responders

Many King County employees who are COVID-19 responders have experienced or are currently experiencing transitions out of their response role.

To support King County employees in transition, Balanced You is partnering with the Employee Assistance Program to provide Transition Debriefing Groups for employees who are currently or previously involved in the COVID-19 response.

In these groups, you will connect with others to share experiences, strategies, and resources for moving through response transitions in a way that honors your emotional well-being. 

• Friday, Aug.13 from 12 to 1 p.m.
• View login details here

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