Agreement between King County and unions over employee vaccine mandate

King County and the Coalition of Unions, Technical Employees Association, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 77 the King County Corrections Guild, and the King County Juvenile Detention Guild, reached an agreement over the COVID-19 vaccine mandate that affects all King County employees in the Executive Branch.

Read more about the agreement here. 

Don't forget to get vaccine verification by Oct. 18

The Oct. 18 deadline for getting your vaccination status verified is approaching fast, so make sure you’ve submitted your proof of vaccination before the deadline.

There are a couple of ways to provide proof of vaccination:

• Initiating the COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration process through your NEOGOV Dashboard (click on Dashboard > Forms > COVID-19 Vaccination Declaration) and attaching a copy of an official document (see list below), OR
• Showing one of the following to an HR professional or other designated department representative:
  • your actual vaccination card, or a photo or a copy of it,
  • a copy of your state vaccine record, or
  • a verified medical record.

Click here for more information. 

Innovation Award for Sustainability

Part of the Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards, the Innovation Award for Sustainability goes to the Biogas Optimization Team at the South Wastewater Treatment Plant. The team strategically allocated limited resources to increase the life and capacity of a system that produces biogas.

Biogas is a waste byproduct of wastewater treatment, and the South Plant has been converting biogas to renewable natural gas and injecting it into the local natural gas pipeline for more than 30 years. Renewable natural gas is less-expensive and less-polluting than fossil-fuel natural gas.

Click here to see the award presentation and learn how the South Plant and associated staff found cost-effective ways to repair an aging scrubbing system.

Recognizing King County CFJC food service employees

In celebration of National Food Service Employee Day on Sept. 25, the Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC) would like to recognize the food services team.

The team provides CFJC youth all their nutritional needs and operate under the National School Lunch Program guidelines. They are being recognized for all their outstanding efforts during COVID-19, the winter snow in March, and for working diligently with minimal staffing levels, particularly throughout this year.

Every challenge has been met with professionalism and pride, a desire for continuous improvement, and a passion to build on already excellent food services.  For the first time, the CFJC would like to recognize the food service team for the value they bring to the youth served every day. 

Currently, the CFJC food service team includes four staff: Luc Ta, Diosdado Dato, Joe Gorham, and Guru Sigdel.

Read the full story here.

Let’s Talk COVID-19: A Conversation on Trauma, Stigma, Grief and Growth

Rescheduled to Oct. 1

Due to technical issues last week, Balanced You has rescheduled the event Let’s Talk COVID-19: A Conversation on Trauma, Stigma, Grief and Growth. King County employees are invited to join community facilitators to hold space for our feelings and experiences related to COVID-19 and vaccination. This confidential event will:

• Make time for conversation about COVID-19 impacted trauma, stigma, grief & growth, including space to discuss feelings surrounding the vaccine
• Provide a safe space centered around BIPOC and those most impacted by COVID-19
• Share resources and build community through shared experiences

Panelists include: Teri Rogers Kemp (she/her), Black Community Advocate; Amabel Narvaez (they/them), Life Coach and Mental Health Consultant; Silver Lee (they/them), Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Consultant.

• Friday, Oct. 1 from 12:30 to 2 p.m. For Zoom link and facilitator bios click here.

KCLx 2021 art contest celebrates Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month

The King County Latinx Affinity Group (KCLx) is excited to kick off a variety of events and discussions that celebrate the colorful and eclectic heritage of Latinx identity. KCLx is curious to ask the Latinx community, “What does this identity mean to you?”

To answer this question, KCLx is launching the “What does LATINX mean to you?” Art Contest. This contest is an opportunity for participants to showcase their unique interpretation of Latinx/o, Chicanx/o, and Hispanic identity. KCLx wants participants to answer the question “We all share common stories, such as culture, heritage, traditions, etc., but how is your story read?”

Art contest submissions will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 8. Voting will be conducted by the KCLx Leadership Committee from Oct. 11-15. Winners will be announced Oct. 15.

View the art contest guidelines and learn more here.

Is your information correct in PeopleSoft?

It’s important to review and update your personal information in PeopleSoft to ensure:

• You receive important Open Enrollment and other benefits information mailed to the address you provide.
• Your emergency contact can be notified if something happens to you at work.
• You can be notified of building closures, safety directives, etc.
• You receive information at your preferred email address.

Here’s how:

1. Sign in to PeopleSoft from any device at kingcounty.gov.
2. Go to Personal Details.
3. Make sure all items are up-to-date.
4. Save any changes

If you need a new password, go to Forgot My Password. If you have any other login issues, call the IT Service Center at 206-263-4357.

Three paydays in September

Almost all King County employees get paid on a biweekly basis, every-other-Thursday, resulting in 26 pay periods per year. You usually receive two paychecks per month, but Sept. 30 will be your third payday of the month.

The net dollar amount of these “third” paychecks may be larger because not all deductions are taken out. For example, Deferred Compensation, supplemental insurance premiums, Benefit Access Fees, and Employee Giving donations are not deducted from these checks.

For more information about your paycheck, go to Payroll or speak with your department Payroll representative or timekeeper.

Learn about the WA Cares Fund long-term care program

Beginning next year, a mandatory payroll deduction will be imposed on all Washington employee wages to fund a statewide long-term care insurance benefit called the WA Cares Fund.

The state is offering live webinar sessions to help you learn more about the WA Cares Fund and get your questions answered. Registration is not required. For details about the webinar and Frequently Asked Questions, go to Learn More.

For a program summary of the WA Cares Fund, click here.

COVID-19 and Kids: Recorded webinar

King County Balanced You recently hosted a webinar with members of the Public Health – Seattle & King County COVID-19 Schools and Child Care Task Force.

Watch the recorded webinar on the Balanced You blog to learn about the mitigation strategies that help reduce the risk of COVID-19 to young children.

For financial and support resources, read through Resources for Parents and Caregivers during COVID-19. 

For an in-depth overview of COVID-19 vaccines, watch a recorded webinar with Dr. Michele Andrasik, Senior Staff Scientist at Fred Hutchinson.

Support and processing drop-in groups for BIPOC employees

Balanced You and the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) have extended the recurring drop-in sessions for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) employees on the front line. BIPOC employees who are front-line and/or involved in the COVID-19 response are invited to join voluntary hour-long group drop-in sessions to process stress, connect with others, and share coping strategies.

• Wednesdays, Sept. 22 through Nov. 24 from noon to 1 p.m. See the Balanced You blog for Zoom log-in details.

Balanced You and EAP also offer team-based drop-in groups for employees who are involved in the COVID-19 response and/or are serving as front-line employees during COVID-19. If you and your colleagues are interested in a team-based group for processing and sharing coping skills, email BalancedYou@kingcounty.gov for next steps.

Driving institutional change: Scanning, scheming and stepping through

Interested in reducing racism through institutional change? White-identifying employees are invited to the upcoming Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG) meeting. This event focuses on collaborating to reduce racism in systems and structures, following the lead of colleagues who are Black, Indigenous and People of Color. Join us!

• Tuesday, Sept. 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting here.

For questions, email arwag@kingcounty.gov.

Bloodworks NW fall blood drive

Employees can make an appointment to donate blood with Bloodworks NW at several donor centers and pop-up blood drives throughout the next few months. Blood donation remains a safe and essential action with Bloodworks operating under strict COVID-19 cleaning and safety protocols such as masks and appointments to meet community needs and keep everyone safe.

Appointments can be made at www.BloodworksNW.org or by calling 800-398-7888. Masks and appointments are required. Same day appointments are available. View the list of Donor Centers and Pop-up Blood Donor Centers. When you donate, please remember to eat a good meal, drink plenty of water, and bring a photo I.D.

For more information visit www.BloodworksNW.org. Follow Bloodworks Northwest on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Pet of the Week: Maya

Hi, my name is Maya and I'm a seven year-old female Mastiff/Dogue de Bordeaux mix tipping the scales at a little over 100 pounds. I am currently the shelter's longest dog resident. I am super friendly, sweet, very strong and active! I'm also very smart I know how to "sit," "stay," "come," "down," and "shake." I am an affectionate lovebug who would be thrilled to cuddle up with you at home!

You can find out more about me and my other friends on our website at www.kingcounty.gov/adoptapet. Note that RASKC has moved to adoptions by appointment only. If you have more questions, you can contact RASKC via phone at 206-296-7387 (PETS) or email pets@kingcounty.gov.

Featured Job: Senior Systems Engineer