Praised as 'invaluable,' then placed on a PIP - she says the timing tells the story

A data scientist says John Hancock praised her work for years - then fired her weeks after she raised concerns about unequal treatment.

Dr. Saeedeh D. Shekarpour has sued John Hancock Life Insurance Company, accusing the insurer of retaliation and national-origin discrimination. She filed her complaint in federal court in Massachusetts on June 17, 2026.

The case turns on a contradiction that should catch the eye of any HR leader: a documented record of praise, followed by a sudden exit.

According to the complaint, Shekarpour - an Iranian-American data scientist with a Ph.D. - earned a "HIGHLY EFFECTIVE" rating in her December 2024 year-end review. The filing says her manager, an AVP in Advanced Analytics, called her "an invaluable asset" and noted she was pursuing "a future role as a technical leader."

Then the timeline tightens. The complaint alleges the same manager gave Shekarpour five formal recognition awards between February and June 11, 2025. One award, the filing says, landed on June 11, 2025 - one day after she raised concerns about unequal treatment - and praised her "thoughtful feedback on how our team can work better together."

Five weeks later, according to the complaint, that same AVP placed her on a Performance Improvement Plan. The filing says the plan cited deficiencies in SQL competency, data proficiency, and professional conduct - three issues that, the complaint alleges,...

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