Employee Suggestion Program

Frequently asked questions

What is the Employee Suggestion Program?

The Employee Suggestion Program (ESP) provides employees an opportunity to submit and be recognized for innovative and creative ideas for improving county government’s ability to serve the public.

Who can participate?

All employees of King County (short-term and contract workers are not eligible) may submit suggestions.

Is participation required?

Participation in the ESP is voluntary and should occur on the employee’s own time.  Employees can use county e-mail, computers and printers according to Ethics Board guidelines: at negligible or no additional cost to the county, so as not to interfere with county work, and briefly and infrequently.

How do I submit a suggestion?

Read the Eligibility Requirements and information below. Complete the Employee Suggestion Form online. Alternately, hard copies will be made available for employees without computers. Send completed forms to the Executive via inter-office mail C/O Mauricio Martinez at CNK-EX-800.  Using the structure of the ESP form, you may also phone in suggestions to 206-263-8500.

How will my suggestion be evaluated?

Teams of subject matter experts from departments will objectively and thoroughly evaluate each suggestion.  Also, the office of Labor Relations reviews all suggestions.

What if my suggestion is implemented?

Authors of implemented suggestions may be invited to meet and discuss their ideas with the Executive.

Where can I get more information about the ESP?

Contact Mauricio Martinez in the Office of the King County Executive with questions regarding the program or the form.

Eligibility Requirements

Suggestions that meet the following criteria are eligible:

• Propose cost-effective, practical improvements to county government operations.
• Be specific regarding the improvement expected or how efficiencies can be achieved.
• Be submitted:
• By an individual employee;
• By a group of employees submitting the suggestion together and using the same form. (The names of all employees submitting the suggestion should be to attached the form.); or
• Anonymously.  (All suggestions, including anonymous ones, are subject to public disclosure.)

As noted under Eligibility Requests, a suggestion may not be eligible for consideration if any of the following apply:

• Are within the employee’s individual authority or responsibility to implement;
• Concern matters already under consideration;
• Concern personal grievances, personnel issues or whistleblower complaints; or
• Concern existing policies or procedures that an employee believes are not being followed or that are not being applied properly.

(Policies and procedures exist to address these situations, please utilize them to ensure proper handling of the items listed as not eligible. Please work with your management team and/or the Human Resources Division as appropriate to address these situations. )

ESP Information

• Employees are protected against retaliation for submitting suggestions in that no adverse employment action may be taken against an employee because he/she has exercised his/her rights protected under the law by submitting a suggestion in good faith.
• Be aware suggestions may be published on the intranet without personal information being identified
• Decisions made regarding Employee Suggestion Program submissions are final. However, if new or additional information is presented, a decision may be reviewed.
• The Executive retains the right to change or terminate the Employee Suggestion Program at any time.