AB 1940: Menopause May Be Included in FEHA’s Definition of “Sex”

by Jennifer Shaw | | February 25, 2026

California lawmakers recently introduced AB 1940 (Calderon), a bill that would explicitly add perimenopause, menopause, post-menopause, and related medical conditions to the definition of “sex” under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Although FEHA...

Return-to-Office Doesn’t Override Accommodation Obligations

by Jennifer Shaw | | February 18, 2026

There is a renewed push to bring employees back into the office. Leaders want collaboration, mentorship, culture, and innovation. All legitimate business objectives. But here is the part that cannot get lost in the momentum: a return-to-office mandate does not cancel...

Navigating Notice Rights in Workplace Investigations

by Jennifer Shaw | The Daily Recorder | February 11, 2026

Workplace investigations are a balancing act. On one side is the employer’s obligation to promptly and thoroughly investigate alleged misconduct. On the other is the respondent’s expectation of fairness, and particularly the right to be informed about the allegations...

Why Policing Language at Work is a Risky Move

by Jennifer Shaw | | February 9, 2026

From time to time, HR hears a familiar complaint: “Employees are speaking another language, and it’s making others uncomfortable.” The impulse to step in is understandable. But in California, restricting language use at work is one of the quickest ways to create legal...
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