A McDonald's employee in Olean, New York, has been fired after paying the bill of firefighters who had responded to a house fire in freezing temperatures.
Heather Levia is a mother of twins and has worked for McDonald's for eight years. She knows what it's like to have to work hard and appreciates everything the firefighters do. When they came in to the McDonald's, Levia paid the bill without any hesitation.
After a second order was placed with another fire department, the McDonald's employee texted her boss to find out if the company would offer a discount or even pay the bill. When the answer to the question was no, Levia and her coworkers agreed to pay the bill.
“Just because I appreciate everything they do,” Levia explained.
The NY Post noted that when the fire department became aware of what Levia and her coworkers did, they called the McDonald's boss and complained for making them feel as if they needed to pick up the tab for the firefighters.
According to the Olean Times Herald, Levia was fired when she showed up for her shift on Friday morning. The other coworkers who contributed to the tab were not fired.
“I was told I was being fired for going against the wishes of McDonald’s as well has having my own opinion on not donating to the firefighters. I was so caught off-guard by this. I’m very distraught that I would be fired over something like this. I was just trying to give back to the firefighters and they weren’t asking for much," Levia said.
Tom Meyers, the owner of the McDonalds in Olean, denies firing Levia for her kind gestures, but feels it would not be appropriate to state the reasons. Levia claims this is not true.
Levia has already have several other job offers, but is very disappointed that the company would not help out.
"If losing my job is going to speak out to the community, then that’s what it’s going to do," Levia said.