In a dramatic legal confrontation, a former employee has filed a lawsuit against her previous employer, alleging severe workplace discrimination and retaliation. The complaint was lodged by Melina Jacobs in the Superior Court of California, County of Santa Clara, on February 4, 2025, targeting Illumio, Inc., a California-based corporation. Jacobs accuses the company of multiple violations including discrimination based on disability and unlawful retaliation.
Melina Jacobs began her tenure at Illumio, Inc. in October 2022 as a Senior Executive Assistant. She quickly rose through the ranks due to her extensive experience and exemplary performance, receiving a promotion to assist the Chief Product Officer (CPO), Mario. Her salary was increased from $135,000 to $154,000 along with additional benefits such as a relocation package and an annual bonus. However, despite her achievements and dedication, Jacobs claims she became the target of hostility from Marisol, the Executive Assistant to the CEO. Marisol allegedly excluded Jacobs from team activities and spread false accusations about her work performance.
The situation escalated when Mario's behavior towards Jacobs changed drastically in September 2023. He reportedly began creating a hostile work environment by yelling at her over minor tasks and making unreasonable demands that disrupted her personal life. This toxic atmosphere exacerbated Jacobs' pre-existing PTSD and anxiety conditions, leading her doctor to recommend medical leave starting September 29, 2023.
Despite providing medical documentation supporting her need for extended leave until May 15, 2024, Illumio demanded Jacobs return to work on March 18, 2024. When she informed them of her continued medical restrictions on March 17th, she was terminated the following day while still on approved leave. Furthermore, during this period of medical leave, Illumio allegedly accessed Jacobs' confidential medical records without consent—a breach she discovered through internal communications within the company.
Jacobs asserts that these actions resulted in significant financial losses due to the termination of her $154,000 salary and loss of employer-sponsored health insurance which led to out-of-pocket expenses exceeding $4,251 annually. Additionally, she experienced severe emotional distress requiring ongoing therapy.
In response to these grievances, Jacobs is seeking damages for discrimination under California Government Code §12940 for failing to accommodate her disability needs or engage in an interactive process regarding accommodations. She also alleges retaliation under both California Government Code §12940 and Labor Code §1102.5 for opposing discriminatory practices at Illumio.
Jacobs demands compensation for lost wages (both past and future), punitive damages sufficient enough to deter similar conduct by Illumio or others in future cases like hers; reimbursement for attorney fees incurred during litigation proceedings; general compensatory relief covering emotional pain suffered throughout this ordeal; among other remedies deemed appropriate by court authorities overseeing this case.
Representing Melina Jacobs is attorney Daniel Feder from The Law Office Of Daniel Feder located at Montgomery Street Suite #1019 San Francisco CA while no specific defense attorneys have been named yet publicly available records show Judge L Ayala presiding over Case ID:250V458165