When Good Intentions Create Liability

by Jennifer Shaw | | May 4, 2026

You have seen it play out. A strong employee needs flexibility. A manager wants to help. A decision gets made in the moment, practical, human, and well-intended. No one thinks twice about it. Months later, that same decision shows up in a demand letter. This pattern...

Cell Phone Reimbursement Done Right

by Jennifer Shaw | | April 27, 2026

California employers routinely underestimate cell phone reimbursement. Labor Code section 2802 requires reimbursement for necessary business expenses, including personal cell phone use. The mistake is assuming the obligation only applies when use is substantial. It...

When the Investigation Becomes the Case

by Jennifer Shaw | The Daily Recorder | April 9, 2026

When something goes wrong in the workplace, such as employees submitting harassment, discrimination, or retaliation claims, most employers know they need to investigate. But the real issue is not whether an investigation happens. The key is how it happens, and whether...

Employee Misclassification: It Adds Up Fast

by Jennifer Shaw | | April 20, 2026

A company hires workers and calls them independent contractors. They sign agreements. They get 1099s. Everyone is aligned with what they are. Until they’re not. That’s exactly what happened in Dynamex Operations West, Inc. v. Superior Court—a case that reshaped how...

HR + AI: Smart Tool and Real Risk

by Jennifer Shaw | | April 13, 2026

Artificial intelligence has quietly made its way into HR’s day-to-day work. It shows up in performance reviews, investigation summaries, interview questions, and even discipline memoranda. For busy teams, it can feel like a lifesaver. Tasks that used to take an hour...
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