Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility
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The County Administration Center was lit in light blue, light pink and white on Wednesday for International Transgender Day of Visibility.
Video: Can You Try Too Hard to Be Fair?
/Have you ever been scared about looking biased when interacting with others? Watch this 5 minute video to learn about intergroup anxiety, the ambiguous feelings of discomfort or anxiety when interacting with members of other groups.
New Supplemental Paid Sick Leave Provisions for COVID-19
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A new state bill now provides you with an additional form of sick leave if you are unable to work because of a qualifying reason related to COVID-19.
Employees can take 80 hours of Supplemental Paid Sick Leave (SPSL), retroactively to Jan. 1, 2021 through Sept. 30, 2021. It applies to in-person work or telework.
The new SPSL provisions provide expanded benefits for covered employees over the Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and FML-Public Health Emergency Leave (PHE) established by the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA).
The new SPSL is paid at the employee’s regular rate of pay, not to exceed the $511 per day/$5,110 total. It can also be used to cover the event if an employee gets sick after getting a COVID-19 vaccination. Any paid leaves that are retroactively converted to SPSL will be restored to an employee’s leave balances.
In addition, if employees used their 80 hours of leave under the Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and/or FML-Public Health Emergency Leave (PHE) in 2020, they are still eligible to use 80 hours of SPSL benefits between Jan. 1, 2021 and Sept. 30, 2021.
Your departmental human resources officer or departmental payroll staff can provide more information and process your request to apply for the SPSL benefits.
Here’s a link to frequently asked questions for more information.
Meet CSDFEA's 2021 SHEROES!
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In celebration of Women's History Month, the County of San Diego Filipino American Employee Association (CSDFEA) is showcasing the personal SHEROES of County of San Diego employees.
Meet 30+ amazing women in CSDFEA's first SHERO edition.
The employee resource group thanked everyone that submitted a SHERO and stated “it is an honor for CSDFEA to shine a light on the women who have inspired you in your journey.”
(Click on the image or link above to learn above to learn about each of the SHEROES.)
Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis
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Please join the LGBTQ&A Employee Resource Group and SD County Credit Union for a free financial seminar–Rebuilding after a Financial Crisis— at noon on April 6.
There are many things in life that can derail even the best money management plans, such as unexpected car or home repairs or illness. When in crisis mode, most people just take things day by day, hoping to get by. Join your SDCCU representative for an informative online session on how to get your finances back on track.
Please register for Rebuilding After a Financial Crisis. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Get to Know VALOR President Rea Alvarez
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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.
Get to know our VALOR ERG President Rea Alvarez, an administrative analyst II with Aging & Independence Services:
Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?
A: Twenty-nine years employed with the County of San Diego, with the first three years as a student worker.
I’ve worked in the following departments:
Department of Public Works
Department of Social Services (prior to the County merging with other departments to form HHSA)
Marshall’s Office (prior to the County merging with the Sheriff’s Department)
Department of General Services
Office of the District Attorney
Assessor/Recorder/County Clerk’s Office
Registrar of Voters (seasonal) and
Health and Human Services Agency
Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?
A: I’m currently temporarily assigned with the Medical Operations Center (MOC), providing logistic procurement and support to the COVID-19 Response.
Q: What are three words that best describe you?
A: Loyal, Fair, Accountable
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: Any free time I get, I try to spend with my family and loved ones first, even if it means volunteering to coach a sports team, chaperone a field trip, organize a fundraising event, or do service work within the community and church. Other than that, staying home and watching Netflix to catch up on missed seasons of certain shows, is what I would do in my free time.
Q: Tell us about your ERG.
A: Every member in VALOR is either currently serving in the military, a veteran, a dependent, or someone who is very supportive of the VALOR ERG. We are a group of individuals with personal bravery. We support organization and individual growth through a network of colleagues leveraging a collective range of skills, talents, and diverse perspectives while being a resource to veterans and the County of San Diego.
Q: Why are ERGs important?
A: The ERGs are important because it serves as a “resource” for all employees and their families. It is important to network, meet, and get to know other employees from other parts of the County of San Diego organization.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?
A: My favorite part of being a member of VALOR is the camaraderie. It is the spirit of good friendship where we leave the discussion of work strictly back at the office.
Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?
A: During my employment with the County, I always like to improve and enhance my professional growth. I encourage new hires and existing employees to utilize the Learning Management System by keeping up with the latest trainings, taking refresher trainings or going through the hyperlinks on InSite for information you did not know existed.
For military/veteran related sources, I recommend the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs. This Office is headquartered in the County Operations Center spearheaded by one of VALOR’s Executive Advisor, Wilfred Quintong. For more detailed information about their services, please click HERE.
Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?
A: VALOR welcomes EVERYONE! For more questions or how you can be involved, please email your interest to valor@sdcounty.ca.gov.
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Blood Donors Needed
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Donate blood during the San Diego County Employee Blood Drive taking place at 22 worksites throughout the county in April. All blood types are needed!
The San Diego Blood Bank is taking additional precautions due to COVID-19. Donations are by appointment only and all donors must wear a face covering. Find deferral restrictions and frequently asked questions related to coronavirus online.
Employees can use County time to give blood by asking for their supervisor’s approval in advance.
Make your appointment today! If you cannot give blood, invite a family member or friend.
Celebrating Greece's Independence
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The County Administration Center was lit in blue Thursday night for the 200th anniversary of Greece’s independence.
Get to Know SDCLA President Oscar Talaro
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The County has 10 great Employee Resource Groups (ERG). They are each led by respective presidents who all demonstrate commitment and stewardship of its members to the various sectors of our community.
Get to know our San Diego County Latino Association ERG President Oscar Talaro, an administrative analyst III with Behavioral Health Services:
Q: How long have you worked for the County and what departments have you worked for?
A: I have worked 30 years for the County all with the Health Department and Health and Human Services Agency. The same “office” for all 30 years, first with Drug Abuse Services, then Alcohol and Drug Services and now Behavioral Health Services.
Q: What do you do in your role/what are your job responsibilities?
A: I would say I have program development and contracting officer representative (COR) responsibilities in support of substance use disorder prevention services and prevention and early intervention mental health services under contract with non-profit organizations.
Q: What are three words that best describe you?
A: Consistent, faithful and caring.
Q: What do you do in your free time?
A: I write grants for non-profit organizations, do long distance running, play golf, hike, journal, cook new recipes for my daughter Alexandra, and volunteer through my church.
Q: Tell us about your ERG.
A: The San Diego County Latino Association is a 501 C 3 non-profit organization dedicated to Latino employee participation in County government by improving their access to promotional opportunities; To promote the public service profession within the Latino community; To build and strengthen professional, career and social development among its members; To foster cultural awareness and expression for members; and To support and get involved in County initiatives, and serve as a resource to our County leadership.
Q: Why are ERGs important?
A: ERGs serve various purposes: They are a platform for member conversation and dialogue on important career and community issues; They are a vehicle for county employees to pay it forward in our community by volunteering and supporting initiatives; They are professional networks systems to build personal and professional development; and They are a pipeline to give input and feedback to County leadership staff on various employee, career, professional development, cultural and socio-economic perspectives.
Q: What is your favorite part of being a member of your ERG?
A: For me there are two favorite parts, contributing to the greater good in your community through volunteering and organizing activities that support leadership development and cultural expression, and building and sustaining life-long personal relationships with members and colleagues of the ERG.
Q: What are some resources that you find useful and recommend to others?
A: I would say our elders in our community are a resource, our families with lived experience are resources, and leadership development books like “Good to Great” by Jim Collins, “The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom” by Don Miguel Ruiz, the textbook “Leadership With Impact” by Araque and Weiss, and my special favorite the New King James Version Bible.
Q: Who can participate in your ERG and how can employees join?
A: To join SDCLA, you can go to our join in webpage via the County InSite page that lists all the ERGs. All County employees are welcome to join as well as community members who want to align with our vision, mission and goals.
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Desmond to Speak on Ethics
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Ethics Awareness Month provides us an opportunity to pause and reflect on the importance of ethics in our public service! This year the Office of Ethics and Compliance is hosting a series of virtual ethics events.
Join the next virtual event with guest speaker Supervisor Jim Desmond:
Date: March 29, noon
Link: On Zoom
Link: On YouTube (watch live)