47-year-old mother of two donates kidney to boss, gets fired later. 2012 story is viral now

Debbie Stevens underwent surgery on August 10, 2011, and returned to work four weeks later. She claims that’s when the harassment began. (AI-generated image)

A 2012 story of a woman, 47, who donated a kidney to save her boss's life, only to get fired later, has resurfaced on social media and on Reddit, triggering discussions on loyalty and betrayal in workplaces.

The employee and mother of two, Debbie Stevens from New York, had filed a formal complaint with the city's human rights commission, alleging discrimination and retaliation, ABC News reported.

‘It was almost like she hired me just to get my money' 

Stevens, who worked as an assistant at Atlantic Automotive Group, said her boss Jackie Brucia began treating her “horribly, viciously, inhumanly” after the surgery. “It was almost like she hired me just to get my kidney,” Stevens told ABCNews.com.

Although Stevens was not a perfect match, she donated her kidney to an out-of-state recipient so Brucia could move up the transplant list. “I didn’t do it for job security. I didn’t do it to get a raise. I did it because it’s who I am. I didn’t want her to die,” Stevens said.

From donation to demotion

Stevens underwent surgery on August 10, 2011, and returned to work four weeks later. She claims that’s when the harassment began. “Screaming at me about things I never did, carrying on to the point where she wouldn’t even let me leave my desk,” Stevens said. She was later demoted and transferred to a dealership 50 miles away.

The stress escalated, with her supervisor allegedly calling her an “actress.” Stevens consulted a psychiatrist and hired attorneys, who sent a letter to the company. Within a week, she was fired.

Legal action against employer
Stevens’s attorney, civil rights lawyer Lenard Leeds, had said he plans to file a discrimination lawsuit seeking millions in damages for lost pay and emotional distress. “Our ultimate goal is to bring this before the federal court,” Leeds said.

Atlantic Automotive Group had declined to comment after referring all inquiries to Brucia, who could not be reached.

Stevens reportedly sued for $15 million and settled out of court in 2014, but her case ignited outrage and raised urgent questions about how workplaces treat employees.

"Being loyal to a workplace or a stranger whom you know because you’ve been forced by the system to work to sustain your life is a joke. Many managers and bosses will be butthurt with this attitude, but brother, they were sure not loyal enough and surely stepped on someone to reach where they are," a Reddit user commented.

"Why would anyone even consider donating a kidney if it isn't for a family member? And worse, your boss. She was a bit naive at that end," wrote another.