Just as Jai Arrow’s Family Faced One Heartbreaking Challenge, Another Unexpected Battle Began
Just weeks before Jai Arrow’s life changed forever with his motor neurone disease diagnosis, his family was already facing another deeply personal battle behind the scenes.
Now, his wife Berina Colakovic has launched legal action against her employer, alleging she was suspended on the very day she was due to return from maternity leave — a move she says was both unfair and discriminatory.
The company strongly denies the allegations, setting the stage for a legal fight that comes at an already devastating time for the Arrow family.
A Return to Work That Never Happened
Colakovic, a senior executive at AI advertising platform StackAdapt, had been preparing to return to work on May 1, 2026, after maternity leave.
Instead, she says she was told not to begin work as planned.
Rather than rejoining her team, she was called into a meeting and informed she had been suspended while an internal disciplinary process was carried out.
She was also instructed not to contact colleagues, clients or other stakeholders during the investigation.
“I had no idea what the complaints were against me,” Colakovic told News Corp.
She said the allegations presented to her were vague, lacked detail and, in her view, provided no proper basis for suspension.
Why She Believes the Decision Was Unfair
Colakovic has now filed proceedings in the Federal Court, alleging she was discriminated against after taking maternity leave and denied procedural fairness.
Represented by Maurice Blackburn Lawyers, she argues StackAdapt breached Australia’s Fair Work Act.
Her legal team is seeking to have the suspension lifted, the allegations withdrawn and Colakovic reinstated to her previous position as Director of Sales.
Speaking publicly, she said the case extends beyond her own circumstances.
“It’s not just about the money, but the principle.”
She added that she hopes her daughter Ayla grows up in a workplace where women are not disadvantaged because they choose to have children.
“I’ve seen it before where women are replaced or demoted while on maternity leave.”
“It’s wrong.”
The Company Strongly Rejects the Claims
StackAdapt has denied acting unlawfully.
In court documents, the company says Colakovic’s suspension followed complaints raised by staff and was not connected to her maternity leave.
The business alleges she displayed a “pattern of disengagement” during meetings, was unreceptive to feedback and lacked empathy towards colleagues.
It also denies claims that a manager threatened her in 2024 or that the company’s actions amounted to unlawful adverse action.
According to StackAdapt, the internal investigation and disciplinary process were justified.
The allegations have not yet been tested in court.
Then Came Another Life-Changing Blow
As the employment dispute unfolded, the Arrow family was confronted with an even greater challenge.
Just weeks after Colakovic’s suspension, Jai Arrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, forcing the former NRL star to retire from professional rugby league.
The legal proceedings were temporarily paused while the family focused on his diagnosis and prepared for their wedding in July.
Colakovic has since acknowledged the uncertainty now facing their household, saying there is a possibility both parents could eventually be without work while raising their young daughter.
Jai Arrow Says It’s Now His Turn to Stand Beside His Wife
Throughout his own health battle, Arrow says his wife never left his side.
Now, he believes it’s his turn to support her.
“Now it is my turn to support Berina in her fight for what she believes is right.”
He also paid tribute to the strength she has shown throughout the past year.
“She has been, and is, amazing.”
As the Federal Court case moves forward, the family now faces two battles at once — one centred on the courtroom, the other on life beyond football.
For Berina Colakovic, the fight is about more than returning to work.
She says it is about ensuring no woman feels she has to choose between building a family and protecting her career.