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Welcome to Shaw Law Group, PC’s law blog. We focus on employment law developments, particularly in California. The posts below are current as of the date of the posting. Nothing in this forum should be construed as legal advice, ’cause it isn’t. Please consult your regular counsel or hire us! Also – this is a public website, so communications are not privileged.

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Columbia University Antisemitism Settlement: DEI is Alive

The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has opened the claims process for a $21 million class settlement with Columbia University arising from allegations of antisemitic harassment and retaliation against employees. Eligible current and former employees—including...

Workplace Investigations: Why Process Matters

Many employers assume that initiating a workplace investigation after a complaint is inherently neutral and protective. A recent Tenth Circuit decision—Byrnes v. St. Catherine Hospital—is a reminder that the way an investigation is designed and conducted can itself...

2026 Court Cases HR Should Watch

Several employment cases currently working their way through the appellate courts are poised for California Supreme Court review in 2026. These cases do not just clarify narrow disputes—they have the potential to reshape everyday HR practices, from timekeeping and...

SB 513 Is Coming: What HR Needs to Fix in Personnel Files Before 2026

California continues to expand employee access to personnel records—and SB 513 is the next change for which HR teams must prepare.  Effective January 1, 2026, SB 513 amends Labor Code section 1198.5 by expanding what documents qualify as a “personnel record” to which...

Holiday HR Tips

Yes, this is our second holiday post in the past few weeks. We focused the last one on parties, but there’s more to discuss! The holiday season is a welcome opportunity to recognize employees and build connections. It also brings unique challenges for HR professionals...

Strong Documentation Saves the Day

A new decision from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit—Chapman v. Maryland Department of State Police—reinforces a critical truth: good documentation wins cases. Although this decision is not binding on California employers, it offers an important...

Keeping Holiday Parties Low Risk

The holiday season is officially here, and many California employers are planning in-person celebrations to close out the year. Although these events can be a wonderful way to boost morale and strengthen connections, they also create legal risks if not handled...

Navigating Reassignment and Religious Accommodations Under California Law

A newly published decision from the Fourth Circuit—Hall v. Sheppard Pratt Health System, Inc.—offers timely guidance on one of the most misunderstood duties in both disability and religious accommodation law: when an employer must consider reassignment to a vacant...

New Eleventh Circuit ADA Decision Offers Practical Lessons for Employers

A new Eleventh Circuit decision, Mundt v. Sheriff, Okaloosa County, reinforces several key principles under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) that employers across the country—including those in California covered by the Fair Employment and Housing Act...

California’s New “Know-Your-Rights” Notice Requirement

As we move into 2026, California employers face a series of important compliance deadlines. One that deserves timely attention is the new notice requirement imposed by Senate Bill 294 (“SB 294”), which mandates that employers distribute a new standalone “Know Your...

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