Former CFO sues Real, alleging discrimination
Michelle Ressler was fired in April by Real, which cited misconduct. Ressler says the claims were “manufactured” as a way to oust her after having a baby.
Former Real Brokerage CFO Michelle Ressler is accusing the firm of discrimination and retaliation, attorneys for the finance executive announced on June 10.
In a scathing court filing submitted with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, attorneys stated that Ressler was "blindsided" by her termination in April. At the time of her firing, Real indicated that Ressler "was terminated based on the Company's opinion that she engaged in actions that violated Company policies."
Allegations of pregnancy-related discrimination: In the filing, lawyers stated that Real CEO Tamir Poleg "less than subtly suggested that Ms. Ressler could not be both an effective and dedicated CFO and a mother" leading up to her planned maternity leave in 2024.
Poleg is alleged to have questioned Ressler's capacity to perform her job following her leave, stating that Ressler should not "underestimate how hard this is going to be once you've had the baby," and "you might find that your priorities change" after having the baby, according to the complaint.
A key architect of Real's rapid rise? The filing paints a picture of Ressler as a major contributor to Real's success, which includes massive growth in revenue and agent count in recent years.
"When Ms. Ressler joined the Company in July 2020, it had just $16 million in annual revenue; today, the Company is the fastest-growing national real estate brokerage with over $1.3 billion in annual revenue, operating at scale across the US and Canada. Suffice it to say, without Ms. Ressler's strategy, vision, and execution, the Company would not be what it is today," the filing states.
Accusations of misconduct: In remarks to Real's board of directors, Poleg stated that Ressler was being fired after an internal audit uncovered "gross misconduct," according to the filing. Specifically, Ressler was said to have used her company bank card for eight personal charges totalling around $17,000, primarily for airfare.
Ressler indicated that she was not informed of the audit or the charges prior to her firing, and she offered to repay the expenses, which she said were charged accidentally. The complaint also alleged that Ressler was singled out, stating that Real "failed to discipline, let alone fire, male executives who engaged in similar or worse behavior," and the company "needed to manufacture a reason that it could spin as misconduct."
What Ressler had to say: "This lawsuit is about the truth," Ressler said in the press release. "In an industry where women comprise a majority of the workforce but too few of the decision-makers, we need more leaders willing to challenge outdated, discriminatory norms and lead with integrity. I'm coming forward not just to right Real's wrongs against me and hold it accountable, but also to demonstrate what resilience looks like when it's rooted in principle, precision, and results."
What Real had to say: In a statement shared with Real Estate News, a spokesperson for Real said, "As a matter of policy, Real does not comment on pending litigation."