New York Woman Alleges She Was Fired After Donating Kidney to Boss
Deborah Stevens, a 47-year-old mother from Long Island, donated her kidney to help her boss, Jacqueline Brucia, move up the transplant waiting list
Stevens underwent surgery in August 2011, donating her kidney to a stranger in St. Louis, which allowed Brucia to receive a better-matched kidney from a donor in San Francisco
After returning to work a month later, Stevens experienced complications from the surgery, including nerve damage, digestive issues, and psychological distress
She alleges that Brucia became hostile, criticized her use of sick leave, and reassigned her to a less favorable office location after she raised concerns with human resources
On April 11, 2012, Stevens was terminated from her position at Atlantic Automotive Group, with the company citing performance issues as the reason for her dismissal
Stevens filed a formal complaint with the New York State Division of Human Rights, alleging discrimination and retaliation under the Americans with Disabilities Act