New Gender Identity in the Workplace policy

This week, as we celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, we are launching a new King County policy: Gender Identity in the Workplace: Policies for Supporting Transgender, Non-Binary and Gender Diverse Employees.

This policy sets out guidelines to address the workplace needs of transgender, non-binary, and gender diverse employees and helps us create a safe, inclusive, and productive workplace that is free of harassment and discrimination in accordance with the county’s Non-Discrimination, Anti-Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct Policy.

Learn more about the new policy.

Annual Giving Drive ends Friday

This Friday, Nov. 19, is the last day of the 2021 Annual Giving Drive. With more than 1,200 nonprofit organizations in the program and five ways to give, it’s fast and easy to support the causes you care about through payroll and time donations, volunteering and financial contributions.

Don’t forget to renew your payroll pledge. While renewing is easy, it is not automatic. Pledges reset to zero every year.

Click here to ensure your pledge gets submitted in time or find more information about the program.

Taking action on September pulse survey responses

The most recent employee engagement pulse survey found that Engagement, Well-being, and Belonging indices are all trending up since the previous survey, and that a sense of belonging among teams can help reduce stress and increase well-being.

The pulse survey, conducted in September 2021, took a deeper dive into belonging to better understand how our public service work benefits when employees have a strong sense of belonging and well-being.

Click here to read the key findings. 

Wastewater education team wins award for inclusive youth employment

King County Wastewater Treatment Division (WTD) was recently presented the Youth Employer of the Year Award from the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment (GCDE). This award recognizes employers who make efforts toward inclusion of people with disabilities in employment.

In a virtual celebration, WTD staff members Kristin Covey and Siena Ezekiel, and Becca Kedenburg from Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, received the award for their work leading the Clean Water Ambassador teen intern program.

Read the full story about the award here. 

Welcoming National Hockey League to King County International Airport

Cross-posted from Plane Talk

Welcoming flights of all kinds – from small private planes to Boeing jet deliveries – is part of business as usual at King County International Airport (KCIA). But this season, there are some new customers: the Kraken and other hockey teams flying in and out of Seattle.

“We’re happy to welcome the Kraken and other NHL teams for the inaugural Kraken season,” said Matt Sykora, Properties and Business Development Administrator for KCIA.   

“This month is the pinnacle of sports charters,” he added. 

"A majority of the sports charters flying in and out of Seattle already use KCIA, including all Major League Baseball and Major League Soccer teams," Sykora said. A handful of National Football League teams and several college teams fly in and out as well. 

New login and security requirements for PeopleSoft begin Nov. 22

Starting Monday, Nov. 22, you will be prompted to log in to PeopleSoft using your King County network username and password.

This streamlined login experience gives you one less password to manage and protects your PeopleSoft account from cyber attacks using Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security, also called “two-step verification.” PeopleSoft will be unavailable November 21-22 while the system is upgraded.

For employees currently enrolled in MFA, no additional action is necessary. If you are not enrolled in MFA, you should do so immediately to maintain access to PeopleSoft. For assistance, Executive branch employees should contact the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees not in the Executive branch can contact their department IT support. Read more here.

Connecting to VPN? Effective Dec. 1, you’ll need to verify your identity

In the ongoing battle against cyber attacks, King County is upgrading AnyConnect VPN with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) security, also called “two-step verification.”

Beginning Wednesday, Dec. 1, each time you connect to the VPN, you will be asked to verify your identity using a separate device such as a cell phone or digital fob. Your information is safer because thieves would need to steal both your password and your phone/fob, making it harder for bad guys to log in as if they were you.

For employees currently enrolled in MFA, no additional action is necessary. If you are not enrolled in MFA, you should do so immediately to maintain access to VPN. For assistance, Executive branch employees should contact the KCIT Helpdesk. Employees not in the Executive branch can contact their department IT support.

November is National Diabetes Awareness Month

One-third of American adults have prediabetes and 90% of them don’t know they have it. King County offers Omada for Prevention, a personalized program that surrounds you with the tools and support you need to reach your health goals, whether that’s losing weight or improving your overall health — all at no cost to you. Learn more here.

Omada for Prevention includes:

• A plan built around you
• Dedicated health coach
• Wireless smart scale

You’ll receive the program at no additional cost if you or your eligible covered family members are enrolled in a King County medical plan, are at risk for type 2 diabetes, are age 18 or older, and are accepted into the program.

Booster shots available for all three COVID-19 vaccines

Booster shots have been approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for all three primary vaccines in use in the U.S., and several groups of employees should consider getting a booster shot.

Although not currently required, booster shots are recommended and encouraged for specific populations, including people who work in occupational or institutional settings that put them at high risk for COVID-19. 

Click here for more information. 

Get ready for winter! Metro has tools for cold, wet, and windy weather 

Cross-posted from Metro Matters

There’s lots to love about winter, like cocoa or snuggling up to watch movies. Less fun is weather so severe streets and bridges close, ferries can’t run, and the power goes out.  

In short, it's good to be prepared and, when it comes to taking transit in challenging weather, Metro has tools to help. Click here to read more about how to prepare for winter weather. 

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.