A New Resource for Employees Who Work Remotely

Working remotely has become a permanent part of the way the County does business, and there’s a new resource to help employees.

It’s the GWOW webpage. GWOW stands for “Government without Walls.” Many of you may not be in the office every day, but it’s still important to stay connected to the team, initiatives and resources available to all County employees. Head over to the GWOW hub to find collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams, online and mobile resources including a link to Kronos, helpful HR info, training opportunities, forms, policies and even health and wellness opportunities to help with work-life balance.

GWOW helps the County efficiently provide services to the public while also reducing the carbon footprint of our operations. Be sure to browse through the GWOW page for useful resources and check back often for updates.

Are you Ready for Your Next Interview?

The County of San Diego Filipino-American Employees’ Association will be hosting an Interview (virtual) Workshop on Tuesday, Aug. 31, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.

Register to attend at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/csdfea-interview-workshop-tickets-167519993811. Online details will be sent out to registrants before the event date.

Please note that limited registration is available and that there is a $5 fee for non-members.

See the flyer below.

Rethinking Thinking

Every day we meet people and process our interactions—making inferences and developing beliefs about the world around us. Watch this short Ted-Ed Talk video where business professor Trevor Maber introduces the idea of “ladder of inference” and a process for rethinking the way we interact.

Curious to know more? Watch now.

Celebrate National Nonprofit Day with CECO

Pledge to celebrate National Nonprofit Day on Aug. 17. Donate to San Diego County Employees Charitable Organization (CECO), the County’s very own nonprofit that supports other nonprofits and is 100% operated by fellow employees who volunteer their time to the organization's mission.

Since forming in 1956, CECO has given nearly $7 million back to San Diego County. Contributions from employees and retirees to CECO are awarded to local charitable organizations each year and employees in crisis. Earlier this year, CECO distributed $138,520 in grants to 86 local nonprofit programs and assistance. Charitable organizations receiving grants included Alzheimer's San Diego, Coastal Roots Farm, License to Freedom, MANA de San Diego, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet and the Urban Corps of San Diego County.

Pledge to celebrate National Nonprofit Day all year! Sign up to make bi-weekly payroll contributions of $2 or more.

Other ways to support CECO are to make a one-time contribution through PayPal or contact CECO directly; and by shopping AmazonSmile where a portion of your purchase will be donated to CECO. (AmazonSmile functions the same as Amazon, but the online retailer donates 0.5 percent of the product price of eligible purchases to a charity of your choice.)

For more about CECO, please visit sdceco.org.

Get Curious About the Work of OEC

Office of Ethics and Compliance staff in February 2020

Each day we find ourselves eager to connect and learn more about one another, what drives us and how the work we do may influence one another. Our curiosity may lead to benefits like opportunities for reflection, discovery and learning through shared experiences.

In an interview with the Office of Ethics and Compliance (OEC), Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Division Human Resources Services Manager Taryell Simmons sat down with the department staff to give us a peek into how this group uses their expertise and unique perspective to balance policy, law and human belief around the topics of privacy, ethics, compliance and diversity.

Get curious about the work of OEC that is vital to upholding equity throughout the County and serves as a neutral space for us all. Read more in this Q&A article in the D&I Digest.

Don’t Miss Social Security, Medicare Lunch and Learns

Save the dates! The Department of Human Resources is hosting two virtual presentations to help you plan for retirement. Experts from Social Security and Medicare will discuss eligibility, enrollment and benefits.

Medicare Session

Wednesday, Aug. 25

Noon – 1 p.m.

Event Link

Social Security Session

Wednesday, Aug. 18

Noon – 1 p.m.

Event Link

For more information, contact the Department of Human Resources Employee Benefits Division at 888-550-2203 or DHRBenefits.FGG@sdcounty.ca.gov.

Ride Transit for Free in September with PRONTO

Gas prices are going up. But you can ride transit for free in September – and beyond!

San Diego’s Metropolitan Transportation System (MTS) is letting everyone ride their trolleys and buses for free — for the entire month of September — by getting their new PRONTO card.

MTS is replacing its old Compass payment system with the new PRONTO payment system, which offers easier ways to pay and greater accessibility. MTS will no longer accept Compass fare products as of Oct. 1. Prices to ride transit will remain the same.

To ride for free in September, riders must get the PRONTO card, preferably before Sept. 1, or download the app. People are expected to be able to start downloading the PRONTO app in mid-to-late August at Apple’s App Store or at the Google Play Store.

Try it out and consider making transit a part of your life if you haven’t already! The County supports transit and reducing carbon emissions by reimbursing employees for all or part of their transit costs, from daily fares to monthly passes.

People can arrange to get a PRONTO card by visiting the MTS Transit Store from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by picking one up at one of numerous PRONTO events MTS is holding this month at its centers (see the events list here).

People can also request a PRONTO card be mailed to them by:

·       Calling the PRONTO Support Center at 619-595-5636

·       Completing the online application form (this option is only available for adult PRONTO cards).

To learn all about the PRONTO system, what it does and how it works, visit MTS’ PRONTO card webpage.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

What are Miranda rights and why do I care? The San Diego Public Defender Community Outreach Team will present “Know Your Rights” on Aug. 20. The event hosted by the African American Association of County Employees (AAACE) and the Emerging Workforce Association (EWA) employee resource groups will be held virtually.  

The team will cover basic rights such as the right to remain silent, the right from unreasonable search and seizure, and the right to advocate for change. They will also discuss police encounters and the rights of those with a criminal history.  

The virtual presentation aims to help educate our friends, family and community about their rights and how to stand their ground in a safe environment for all. 

Please join this free educational webinar: 

• Date: Friday, Aug. 20 

• Time: noon - 1 p.m. 

• Meeting Link: On Teams 

So, What’s Your Story?

Even the best storytellers find tales of transition challenging. As storytellers we often relay just the facts. We present ourselves as safe, dull and unremarkable. Learn how to successful tell your story in this Harvard Business Review article.

Employees to Receive Hazard, Telework Payment

The COVID-19 pandemic presented the County and our workforce with unprecedented new challenges, and you not only rose to them but exceeded expectations, whether you were on the front lines of the response or working from home to support vital services for the public. You kept the County going while often taking on new roles, learning new ways to work remotely and facing the disruptions of daily life brought on by the pandemic.

In recognition of these efforts and your dedication during the pandemic, the Board of Supervisors approved a one-time payment for hazard pay or teleworking that will be paid on August 20. There are three designated categories:

• Category A ($2,500): Employees working directly with COVID-19 positive individuals or persons under investigation.

• Category B ($1,500): Employees engaged with the public, clients, or coworkers while reporting to work.

• Category C ($750): Employees who teleworked.

Eligibility requirements to receive the payment are:

• Must have worked a minimum of 1,040 hours (part-time 520 hours) between March 2020 and May 2021.

• Must have been employed as a regular County employee on October 19, 2020, or earlier.

• Must be a regular County employee with paid time on July 30, 2021, to receive the payment on August 20.

• Must have worked at least 50% of paid work hours under the conditions described in a category.

• Temporary employees are not eligible.

If you have questions, please contact your Departmental Human Resources Officer or your employee representative association or union.

The collective efforts of every employee helped the County support the public and provide critical information and services throughout the pandemic. Our organization is stronger and more resilient as we turn toward the work ahead of us.