Core Insights - The lawsuit filed by former finance chief Michelle Ressler against Real Brokerage alleges discrimination based on gender and pregnancy, claiming she was fired to make way for a less qualified male successor [7] - Ressler's complaint includes claims for back pay, future lost wages, and benefits, asserting violations of the Family and Medical Leave Act [3][7] - The case is currently in mediation, with a private session scheduled for October 30, 2023, following a request for more time to resolve the issues [7] Company Background - Michelle Ressler, a 40-year-old Black woman and first-time mother, was employed in the financial services and real estate technology sectors, which are noted for being male-dominated [4] - Ressler disclosed her pregnancy in January 2024 and was terminated in April 2025, approximately three months after returning from maternity leave [5] Allegations and Claims - The lawsuit claims that Ressler was fired for "pretextual" reasons related to alleged improper charges on a company card, which she contends were either business-related or an oversight she was willing to rectify [5] - Ressler raised concerns about financial compliance and risk management within the company, which she alleges led to retaliation against her [6]

Gender Bias and Discrimination in STEM and Workplace - Gender stereotypes lead to unequal treatment, with boys often receiving more attention and opportunities than girls in STEM programs [2][3][5] - Gender discrimination harms both men and women, suppressing women in career advancement and men in emotional expression [17] - Stereotypes pressure men to be successful and suppress their emotions [17][18] - Gender stereotypes limit individuals' potential and career choices [13][15] Impact on Productivity and Innovation - Gender discrimination obstructs productivity and innovation in male-dominated fields [19] - Industries with a higher share of female employment tend to grow faster in countries with greater gender equality [20] - An industry at the 75th percentile of female employment exhibits approximately 1.7 percentage points higher average annual value growth rate and about 1.2 percentage points higher labor productivity compared to an industry at the 25th percentile [20] - Gender diversity positively impacts innovation performance, especially in technology-intensive industries [21] Call for Equality and Freedom - The industry should stop judging people based on gender and leave space for equality and freedom [23] - The industry should recognize that gender discrimination harms everyone and limits potential [19][23]