Woman fired after donating kidney to boss; Decade-old case trending now

A 2012 incident from New York has resurfaced online, after a woman who donated a kidney to her boss revealed she was fired just months later, reigniting debate over workplace loyalty and exploitation. According to media reports, 47-year-old Debbie Stevens, a mother of two, had accused her employer of discrimination and retaliation following the donation.

Allegations of Mistreatment After Surgery

Stevens, an assistant at Atlantic Automotive Group, volunteered to donate her kidney to her boss Jackie Brucia so that she could move up the transplant list. Although not a direct match, Stevens donated her organ to another recipient so Brucia could receive one in exchange.

Stevens said she returned to work four weeks after her August 2011 surgery but immediately faced hostility. She alleged Brucia treated her “horribly” and “inhumanely,” often yelling at her and restricting her from leaving her desk. She was later demoted and reassigned to a dealership nearly 50 miles away. The stress allegedly worsened when a supervisor called her an “actress,” prompting Stevens to seek psychiatric help and legal counsel.

Legal Action and Public Reaction

After her attorneys contacted the company, Stevens was fired within a week. Her lawyer, civil rights attorney Lenard Leeds, said they pursued a discrimination lawsuit seeking millions in damages. Stevens reportedly filed a $15 million suit and later reached an out-of-court settlement in 2014.

The resurfaced story has reignited anger online. Many Reddit users criticised the power imbalance, with some calling Stevens “naive” for donating an organ to her employer, while others condemned workplace cultures that exploit loyalty.