An organization that suspended NRL star Jai Arrow’s spouse on the day she returned from maternity go away had allegedly introduced her substitute in a Slack message to employees greater than a 12 months earlier.
Berina Colakovic was stood down from her position as director of gross sales at AI promoting platform StackAdapt simply days after her husband was recognized with motor neurone illness.
Ms Colakovic, who married Queensland State of Origin ahead Arrow in July, is suing the corporate within the Federal Courtroom, claiming she was discriminated towards and denied procedural equity.
StackAdapt denies unlawfully suspending Ms Colakovic or taking opposed motion towards the mother-of-one, and alleges complaints from different employees justified its determination.
Ms Colakovic started working for StackAdapt as a buyer success supervisor in Canada in April 2019 earlier than transferring to Australia in February 2022, the place she was promoted to director of gross sales in July 2024.
Paperwork filed within the Federal Courtroom by Ms Colakovic’s legal professionals at Maurice Blackburn allege {that a} superior at StackAdapt ‘threatened’ her in September that 12 months.
The 31-year-old claims she was advised there can be ‘efficiency discussions’ until she might ‘flip the enterprise round’ by making ‘organisational adjustments ASAP’.
These adjustments allegedly included sacking two staff in circumstances Ms Colakovic believed may be illegal. She raised the matter with the corporate’s human sources division.
An organization which suspended NRL star Jai Arrow’s spouse Berina Colakovic on the day she returned from maternity go away had allegedly introduced her substitute in a Slack message to employees greater than a 12 months earlier. The couple is pictured with daughter Ayla Rae Arrow
Berina Colakovic (proper) was stood down from her position as director of gross sales at AI promoting platform StackAdapt days after her husband (left) was recognized with motor neurone illness
Ms Colakovic knowledgeable StackAdapt the next month she was pregnant and was because of give delivery to her first baby with Arrow in April 2025.
She was allegedly advised the corporate would organize somebody to cowl her place whereas she was on paid and unpaid maternity go away, which commenced in March final 12 months.
On March 27, 2025, the superior who had allegedly threatened Ms Colakovic introduced in an organization Slack message a brand new worker had been employed as director of gross sales.
The Day by day Mail understands it’s a part of Ms Colakovic’s declare that the Slack message didn’t point out her or the very fact the brand new director of gross sales can be overlaying for maternity go away.
Ms Colakovic had deliberate to return to work in September 2025 – 5 months after giving delivery – however prolonged her supposed go away till Might 1 this 12 months.
In early April, StackAdapt’s ‘individuals enterprise accomplice’ allegedly advised her she would resume work within the director of gross sales place.
Two days later Ms Colakovic was allegedly advised she would nonetheless be returning as director of gross sales however an current investigation into her office conduct would resume and her group would not be reporting to her.
Ms Colakovic was subsequently instructed to not are available at her regular 9am begin time on Might 1 however to attend a noon assembly at which she was suspended.
Ms Colakovic, who married Queensland State of Origin ahead Arrow in July, is suing StackAdapt, claiming she was discriminated towards and denied procedural equity
She was directed to not contact colleagues, purchasers or different stakeholders whereas a disciplinary course of was carried out, and a date was set for an additional assembly.
‘I had no concept what the complaints have been towards me,’ Ms Colakovic advised Information Corp earlier this month.
‘After I was advised, they have been imprecise, missing element and I imagine no foundation for suspension.’
Maurice Blackburn contacted StackAdapt three days later, describing Ms Colakovic’s suspension as an ambush and claiming she had been denied procedural equity.
Arrow, who performed for South Sydney, the Gold Coast Titans and Brisbane Broncos, introduced his retirement from the NRL on Might 20, after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease in April.
Ms Colakovic, who stays employed and continues to be paid whereas suspended, launched her Federal Courtroom motion on June 2.
‘It isn’t simply in regards to the cash, however the precept,’ she stated.
‘I’ve seen it earlier than the place girls are changed or demoted whereas on maternity go away.
‘It isn’t simply in regards to the cash, however the precept,’ Ms Colakovic stated of her Federal Courtroom motion. ‘I’ve seen it earlier than the place girls are changed or demoted whereas on maternity go away’
‘It is improper and I do not need [daughter] Ayla to develop up in a world the place this will occur.
‘It might be simple to keep away from the stress of combating what’s occurred to me, particularly right now, however to me it’s improper and my battle is about discrimination within the workforce.’
StackAdapt denies Ms Colakovic was threatened by her superior and claims she had ‘expressed her satisfaction’ with the result of her HR grievance in September 2024.
The corporate alleges she demonstrated a ‘sample of disengagement’ in conferences, was unreceptive to suggestions and confirmed an absence of empathy.
It additionally claims some staff felt unheard or misunderstood whereas working along with her.
Ms Colakovic’s legal professionals allege StackAdapt contravened the Truthful Work Act. They’ve referred to as for the corporate to withdraw its allegations, finish her suspension and return her to her former place as director of gross sales.
StackAdapt has achieved none of these issues and denies the investigation into Ms Colakovic or her suspension represent opposed motion.
Ms Colakovic stated she and her husband now confronted the opportunity of them each being unemployed whereas elevating their younger daughter.
Arrow vowed he would stand beside his spouse in the course of the case after she supported him via his sickness.
‘Now it’s my flip to assist Berina in her battle for what she believes is correct,’ the 31-year-old stated.
‘She has been, and is, superb.’
StackAdapt has been contacted for remark however has not responded.
On July 10, Justice Craig Lenehan ordered Ms Colakovic and StackAdapt to enter into mediation.
