It's not bad to be a Good Samaritan once in a while, but sometimes doing so could get you into trouble or, in this case, cost you your job.
Former McDonald's employee Heater Levia was fired by her boss for paying $83 dollars for fire fighters' meals, after they fought a house fire in freezing temperatures.
Heather Levia is a 23-year old single mother in Olean, New York, with twins, who works two jobs and is currently in nursing school. Heather Levia has been working for McDonalds for eight years.
During her morning shift as a manager last week, while several local fire departments worked in sub-zero temperatures to put out a house fire, Levia says she saw a way to help. Olean fire fighters ordered 25 breakfast sandwiches and hash browns, and Levia says she pulled $83 out of her pocket and paid for it herself.
When a second fire fighter unit ordered $70 dollars of food, she texted her boss to see if the company would "pat the tab," since they regularly gave free meals to police officers. But when her boss said no, Levia and the other workers again picked up the bill.
"Just because I appreciate everything they do," she told WIVB.
When the firefighters heard that Heather paid the bill, they called her boss and complained because they thought the restaurant had, "made Levia feel obligated to pay for their meals."
The Olean Times Herald reports when Heather showed up for her next shift, she was fired after 8 years of working for the company. She was told it was because she swore at a superior, but she denies that, telling WIVB, "I did say this is 'freaking' ridiculous. But it was not implied to anybody."
The firefighters say they didn't expect free food and were grateful for the gesture.
"We certainly regret the fact she lost her job. We can't speak on corporate policy because we don't know the background of it," said Allegany Fire Media Officer Gordon Scott. "It was a sad affair because a gentleman lost a home. And it's even worse because we know now that this gal apparently lost her job because of it."
Levia, who has already been offered two other jobs in the community, said she felt sad that people can't help each other out.
"It's just wrong. I wish the communities would change and help each other out. I wish that things didn't have to be the way they are. And if losing my job is going to speak out to the community, then that's what it's going to do."
Tom Meyers, the owner of the Olean McDonald's, released a statement saying:
"The Meyers Organisation has always valued the employees who serve our customers every day. We likewise continue to be an ardent supporter of our police and fire departments, along with other first responders. They are always welcome in our restaurants, and we will continue to support them in the future," he said. "We are aware that certain allegations have been made concerning the reasons for Heather Levia's termination. Out of respect for Ms Levia and her privacy, it would not be appropriate to comment in detail on the reasons she is no longer employed by our organisation. Still, it should be pointed out that the allegations are absolutely not true. We would never penalise an employee for showing appropriate gratitude for the work of our firefighters."
Levia doesn't regret her actions, despite losing her job. She said,
"It's just wrong. I wish the communities would change and help each other out. I wish that things didn't have to be the way they are. And if losing my job is going to speak out to the community, then that's what it's going to do." WIVB says she's in the process of finding a new job and has already received, "several offers."
