McDonald’s Manager Fired After Paying for Food for Firefighters
Heather Levia, 23, a single mother pf twins and longtime employee at a McDonald’s franchise was recently fired after 8-years at the establishment. The reason for her dismissal? Levia performed what has to be considered the best deed ever on a very cold winter morning. That would be, she took money out of her pocket to pay for breakfast sandwiches for firefighters who stopped for a bite, after responding to an early morning fire. Unbelievable? Yes. Shocking? No. After all, this is McDonald’s
This from WTVB 4:
Levia, a 23-year-old single mom with twins, works two jobs and is putting herself through nursing school. During her morning shift as a manager at McDonald’s 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 firefighters ordered 25 breakfast sandwiches and hash browns, and Levia says she pulled $83 out of her pocket and paid for it herself.
“Just because I appreciate everything they do,” she explained.
Heather Levia fired for paying for food for firefighters
Then a little bit later, another department ordered $70 of food.
Levia sent her boss a text message to see if the company would pay the tab. She thought they might because she claims they regularly give free meals to police officers who stop by.
“It’s very common in our store,” she said.
But Levia’s boss said no, McDonald’s would not donate the food. Levia then called the corporate office and got the same answer.
So once again, she and fellow workers picked up the tab.
When word spread that Levia paid the bill, some firefighters called her boss and complained, thinking the restaurant made Levia feel obligated to pay for their meals.
Levia says after that, her boss told her, “You opened a whole bee’s nest.”
At her next shift, after eight years of working for McDonald’s, Levia was fired. She says the reason given was she swore at a superior – something she denies.
“I did say this is ‘freaking’ ridiculous. But it was not implied to anybody,” she said.
In a world where greedy corporations like McDonald’s refuse to compensate employees by offering the dignity of a living wage, what Levia did was highly commendable. She didn’t have to do what she did. But even so, it’s good to know that there are still some genuinely good people in this world. Unfortunately, however, people like Levia aren’t appreciated.
To that point, the owner of the Olean McDonald’s, gave WTVB the following statement:
“The Meyers Organization 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.
“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 organization. Still, it should be pointed out that the allegations are absolutely not true. We would never penalize an employee for showing appropriate gratitude for the work of our firefighters.”
Levia said that she has already received job offers.
Which is good, because it says that good deeds and good people are still welcomed..
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