A New York woman who donated a kidney so her ailing boss would move up the transplant waiting list says she was fired shortly after the operation, according to a complaint she filed with the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Deborah Stevens said her former employer, Atlantic Automotive Group, discriminated against her over disabilities brought about by complications from the surgery.
She plans to sue the company for lost earnings and damages.
The company, which runs car dealerships on Long Island, said Ms Stevens' complaint is groundless.
‘’My gal is just a good-natured woman who's trying to save a life and as soon as she did it, everything changed," said Ms Stevens' attorney Lenard Leeds.
"When she wanted to take time off, she was scolded, she was yelled at," he said. "Instead of being sympathetic, they were very hostile towards her."
Ms Stevens, of Hicksville, New York, said she learned that Jacqueline Brucia, who worked at Atlantic Automotive, was in need of a kidney in November 2010.
Ms Stevens had worked there as well but at the time had temporarily moved to Florida.
Ms Stevens said she told Ms Brucia she would donate a kidney.
"Brucia declined, but told her, 'You never know, I may have to take you up on that offer one day,'" the complaint said.
Ms Stevens learned the company would rehire her following her return to New York and not long afterward, Ms Brucia told her a potential donor had not been approved by the hospital and asked if she was still willing to donate.
Ms Stevens now believes Ms Brucia was "grooming (Stevens) to be her 'back-up plan,'" the complaint said.
Ms Stevens' kidney was not a good match for Ms Brucia, but she agreed to donate it to a stranger in St Louis, Missouri, setting up a transplant chain that enabled Ms Brucia to receive a better-matched kidney from a donor in San Francisco.
Surgeons removed Ms Stevens' left kidney in August, and she returned to work about a month later.
The surgery left her with damaged nerves in her leg, digestive problems and mental health issues, her lawyer said.
At work, Ms Brucia became "curt and dismissive," the complaint said.
Ms Stevens said she was berated for taking sick days and forced to relocate to a less desirable office after she complained to human resources about Ms Brucia's behaviour.
On 11 April, the company fired her, citing performance reasons.
Ms Stevens' lawyer said the complaint filed with the Division of Human Rights last week was a necessary step before a federal lawsuit is filed against Ms Brucia and the company.
Atlantic Automotive released a statement saying: "It is unfortunate that one employee has used her own generous act to make up a groundless claim.
"Atlantic Auto treated her appropriately and acted honourably and fairly, at every turn," it said.
Telephone calls by Reuters to Ms Brucia's home were not answered yesterday.
