New emergency location feature in Microsoft Teams
Starting Sept. 21, the Microsoft Teams desktop app will include a new emergency location field that automatically detects the physical location of employees who are logged on to the King County network onsite at any King County facility. The emergency location field will automatically update when an employee brings their laptop to a different floor, or to a different King County facility. This new feature allows 911 emergency services to locate callers faster and more efficiently.
For employees working offsite or remotely (not in County facilities), the emergency location field will not automatically detect or update your physical location. Instead, employees may choose to manually enter a physical location in the emergency location field; however, any changes must be updated manually.
If you are working offsite or remotely, using the Teams app on your laptop to call 911 is NOT recommended; for your safety, please use a cell phone or landline.
Emergency location information cannot be used to track employees and will not be visible to anyone but 911 responders. Additionally, emergency location information is not discoverable, searchable, or retained for public records disclosure. Microsoft has added this feature to support compliance with the United States FCC requirements for Ray Baum's Act.
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The first application period for the Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship Program is quickly approaching. The first period opens on Jan. 9, 2023, but it is recommended to have information for your application materials prepared well ahead of time.
The completion of an Individual Development Plan is not required to apply for this scholarship, but it is strongly recommended. Read more.
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Sept. 29 is the third payday of the month
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; however, Sept. 29 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.
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Upcoming flu shot clinics
The county makes it free for employees and anyone covered by your benefits to get a flu shot at one of our onsite clinics, or at your doctor’s office or local pharmacy. The Balanced You team is again organizing free onsite flu shot clinics for those workers onsite.
Appointments ahead of time are highly encouraged. Read about free onsite flu shot clinics and schedule your appointment here.
Upcoming flu shot clinics:
- South Transit Base: Friday, Sept. 23 from 6:30 to 10 a.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
- Eastgate Public Health: Monday, Sept. 26 from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
- Bellevue Transit Base: Tuesday, Sept. 27 from 2 to 5 p.m.
Benefits-covered employees who are telecommuting and their insurance-covered family members may find it more convenient to go to their healthcare provider’s office or a local pharmacy for their free flu shot. Learn more about how to get a flu shot through your provider or local pharmacy.
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King County’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan survey
King County is starting a once-a-decade update to its Comprehensive Plan, which guides where people live, work, and play in unincorporated King County. To ensure that King County will be a welcoming community where every person can thrive, the 2024 update will focus on policies related to racial equity, affordable housing, and climate change.
To achieve this goal, King County employees and residents are encouraged to participate in a survey to provide input. Click here to learn more.
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The Anti-Racist White Action Group needs your ideas
Less talk, more action! The Anti-Racist White Action Group (ARWAG) is re-energizing with less focus on personal readiness and more focus on undoing institutional and systemic racism.
Join us for our Fall Racial Justice Idea Drive, where you can provide your ideas for racial justice projects we can undertake and sustain in the coming year. Here’s an opportunity to find like-minded folks to partner on projects advancing racial equity at King County. For example, we are exploring:
- Regular Lunch & Learns that showcase racial equity successes around the county
- A group for human resource professionals exploring how to advance racial equity in hiring and promotion.
ARWAG is one of the county’s Affinity Groups (also called Employee Resource Groups) that addresses racism and other forms of oppression to advance the county’s equity and social justice goals. Please join us for our monthly meeting:
Email arwag@kingcounty.gov to join this group, to get the meeting notices, and for any questions.
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Administrative Professionals Casual Conversations, Sept. 27
In the next Administrative Professionals Casual Conversations, Chantal Mees, Leadership Development Educator in the Department of Human Resources, will answer questions and bring insight to what it means to be a leader – and how to grow foundational skills through leadership trainings at King County.
Administrative Professionals are indispensable, wearing many hats in their unique roles. Be an impactful contributor by leading from wherever you are, now and in the future.
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Balanced You presents: A Conversation on Suicide Prevention Awareness
This event is intended to provide an opportunity for King County employees to normalize the discussion around mental health, learn how to identify early warning signs of suicidal ideation, and learn more about resources available to support the mental health of employees and their loved ones.
The panel will be coordinated by the employee well-being team, Balanced You, and feature a panel of King County mental health experts.
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Juvenile Court hosts Justice in Pink event, Oct. 5
The King County Juvenile Court will host a Breast Cancer Awareness Month event with Cierra Sisters, a survivor and support organization with a mission to break the cycle of fear and increase knowledge concerning breast cancer in the African-American and underserved communities. Co-workers that have succumbed to cancer will be honored.
Other special guests will share information and their experiences with cancer of all types. Employees and guests are welcome to share their stories and pick up materials related to this disease. There will be games and raffles for prizes and refreshments will be served.
- Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the lobby of the Children and Family Justice Center, 1211 E. Alder Street in Seattle
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Training Spotlight:
Facilitating Effective Meetings – Online – A common challenge faced by individuals in business is how to lead and facilitate meetings that are interesting and solicit active engagement. This two-day training covers the skills used to design and run an effective meeting. How to be a better participant is also discussed. Topics include specific facilitation skills, group decision-making skills, and how to deal with disruptive behaviors. This class lightly touches on certain aspects of video calls, but does not cover how use Zoom or other electronic meeting platforms. The fee is $65.
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Wednesday, Sept. 21 and Thursday, Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon both days. Register here.
Please visit our King County Eventbrite website and our Learning and Development website for more learning opportunities. For more information, contact the Learning and Development Team at KCTraining@kingcounty.gov or visit Learning and Development at www.kingcounty.gov/learning.
Featured Job: Maintenance Crew Chief
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King County Headlines
Executive Constantine announces proposed investments to support a robust public safety plan for King County
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