{"id":3483,"date":"2022-05-20T15:51:47","date_gmt":"2022-05-20T22:51:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/?p=3483"},"modified":"2023-06-26T13:26:51","modified_gmt":"2023-06-26T20:26:51","slug":"listening","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.piercecountywa.gov\/executive\/2022\/05\/20\/listening\/","title":{"rendered":"Listening"},"content":{"rendered":"

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This past Wednesday, I joined many of you in a virtual employee Town Hall. I especially appreciate those who submitted questions in advance and participated in the lunchtime get together.\u00a0 While I was doing a lot of talking – responding to the questions \u2013 I was also \u201clistening\u201d carefully to 75+ questions, comments and concerns that were raised \u2013 and I read each one.<\/p>\n

We have all been through so much in the last few years.\u00a0 It seems like the only certainty is uncertainty. \u00a0COVID, social unrest, and supply chain driven shortages of 2020 and 2021 have been compounded by inflation and an epidemic of lawlessness in 2022.\u00a0 Everyone is struggling with $5 per gallon gas and some are searching frantically for baby formula \u2013 against a backdrop of the continuing brutal war in Ukraine.\u00a0 It can seem overwhelming.<\/p>\n

As I mentioned in the Town Hall, I am focused on the things I CAN do, not dwelling on those I have no control over.\u00a0 And in our various roles in the County, we CAN and DO positively impact our community every day.<\/p>\n

That is also why I decided to hold the Town Hall this week.\u00a0 In today\u2019s environment, it was important for me to hear your questions and concerns.\u00a0 And hopefully, my responses helped you better understand why we are taking some actions \u2013 even if you might not have agreed with every answer.<\/p>\n

While time would not allow me to read and respond to every question, I tried hard to make sure I addressed the key topics you raised.\u00a0 They included: remote work; relations with our labor partners; our compensation approach; our annual general wage increase (some questions referred to it as a COLA); our job classification and market comparison studies; fiscal planning; workload issues; employee turnover; our new outreach efforts \u2013 both affinity groups and focus group lunches; and even when my term as Executive is up (December of 2024)!<\/p>\n

The hour raced by for me \u2013 and we even went over a few minutes.\u00a0 For those of you who missed it, the full Town Hall is available for viewing\u00a0at this link<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n

However, one question continues to concern me.\u00a0 One anonymous submission expressed that some LGBTQ+ employees and some employees of color might not feel safe. The thought that any of our employees might not feel safe at work hit me hard.\u00a0 So, I need to re-emphasize my response at the Town Hall and to employees reading this blog. \u00a0If you do not feel safe, I implore you to share your concerns with your manager, director, or our Human Resources team.\u00a0 If those aren\u2019t good options for you, I ask you to contact me directly. I will not tolerate behavior that demeans, frightens, or devalues any employee. I realize that not everyone gets along in a workplace, but mutual respect must be maintained, and safety is an absolute.<\/p>\n

Over the last week I attended two incredible recognition events that reminded me about our special community and why we feel called to public service.<\/p>\n

Last Saturday we honored hundreds of people who volunteer their time and talent to County programs. We were able conduct our annual volunteer recognition in a \u201chybrid\u201d fashion \u2013 with honorees both in the room and viewing at home.\u00a0 Council Chair Young and I co-hosted the event and, as always, I came away inspired, proud, and encouraged.\u00a0 Hearing the stories and seeing the faces of those who spent so much of their lives giving to others in our community is awesome.\u00a0 These heroes are leading 4-H clubs, putting on the Pierce County Fair, preparing their communities for emergencies, supporting children in dependency cases and much more.<\/p>\n

You can get a glimpse into the evening in the following video:<\/p>\n