McDonald’s employee fired after she paid to feed first responders

[The Straight Story]

Heather Levia is 23-years-old, has twins, works two jobs, and is in nursing school. She works incredibly hard, and therefore has an appreciation for the hard work first responders do. When some firefighters in Olean, New York, came in to order to food after fighting a house fire in freezing temperatures, Levia paid the $83 bill herself. When another round of food was ordered by a different fire department, she asked if the McDonald’s would cover the cost. As WIVB News 4 reports, Ms. Levia believes this was the catalyst in the restaurant’s decision to fire her.

After already paying $83 for the first order of food, Heather then texted her boss to see if the restaurant would pay the bill, since they regularly gave free meals to police officers. Her boss said no. After checking with corporate, Heather was once again told no. Not wanting the fire fighters to pay, she and her coworkers covered the cost.

When the firefighters heard that Heather paid the bill, they called her boss and complained because they thought the restaurant had, “made Levia feelobligated 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 (sic) to anybody.”

Tom Meyers, the owner of the McDonalds in statement to the news station, said in part…

“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.”

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/oddnews/mcdonald%E2%80%99s-employee-fired-after-she-paid-to-feed-first-responders-205646750.html

[Jenoch]

1. This young lady is going to come out of this just fine.

I do not understand why business owners do not understand the oower of the WWW and social media. This McDonald's owner made a huge mistake. The food order likely cost less than $100. He will endure tens of thousands of dollars in bad publicity.

[gerogie2]

27. No, She won't

She is going to be black balled as a trouble maker to her corporate masters. Benn there, done that.

[KG]

2. the thought occurs to me why these fire fighters thought their food should be comped

[belcffub]

9. they didn't

but when offered graciously accepted...

[MineralMan]

19. What makes you think they thought that?

If I had a restaurant and a bunch of firefighters came in from fighting a fire, I'd comp them. Every time.

[LuvNewcastle]

26. I didn't get the impression that the firefighters expected it.

However, if restaurants can give shit away to cops, and they routinely do that, they should do the same for firefighters.

[Whiskeytide]

43. There's actually a self serving reason to comp cops ...

... It brings them to the store and thereby reduces the likelihood of a robbery - cruisers in the parking lot and all.

Not defending the restaurant (its conduct is indefensible) - just pointing out why they might make a distinction between the two as a matter of policy.

[Uben]

3. I hope it costs the owner 1000 fold.....

He screwed up royally. His "cheapness" is typical of business owners who pay minimum wage to workers and lets the government subsidize his workers so they can put food on their tables. I believe all businesses who practice this should be levied a tax to cover what we the people are having to pay to subsidize their workers. Same goes for the Walton family and others who make fortunes on the backs of tax payers. They truly are the scum of this country.

[Laelth]

29. +1. n/t

-Laelth

[tomm2thumbs]

4. 'When the firefighters heard that Heather paid the bill, they called her boss and complained...'

I'm not dismissing her goodwill at pitching in to pick up the meals, but it sounds like the firefighters were riled up by someone who made it clear to them that the location didn't pay the bill. Who told them this?

In any business, it is up to management to decide if they want to offer free goods or services to someone. If the firefighters were calling to complain, my guess is that someone shared information with the customers in a way that hurt the company goodwill. If after being told 'no', the employees wanted to pay the bill, the employees should have done it and not mentioned that they felt they had to, because management wouldn't do it (if that is the case.)

That is where I'd have to draw the line on doing something because you want to as a nice gesture vs. doing it and then using that to make your employer look bad at the same time.

From the sound of it, there is more to the story than we are hearing.

[PADemD]

5. Possibility?

Maybe the firefighters tried to thank the Management for the free food; and, when told that Management had not donated the food, realized that the employees had paid.

[belcffub]

8. I'm a volunteer firefighter not far from here

and we do get food donated from time to time... after a drill when we roll into a dairy queen with two engines, a truck and 20 firefighters all in gear about 50% of the time someone picks up the tab...Many times its a customer... usually older people out with their grand kids... we don't ask but it happens... when we do pay the amount they bill is never what the total really is...

95% of the rest of the time we buy our own meals... like I said we don't ask for the freebees... but the local donut place has dropped off extra trays of day old stuff or if there is a fire and we have been up all night there's a high chance that some local business will drop off food of one type or another...

We always say thank you and are grateful for the donation. Our normal food expenditures comes out of a different budget... our fun drives, chicken dinners and donations...

Like I said we are grateful and offer thanks to those who donate but its unlikely they called in to thank management... They would have had to be to very moved by the gesture...

[tanyev]

12. I understand why Heather wanted to do this, but I have worked for both city and county governments

and every place I've been was very strict about what employees were allowed to accept. I think the firefighters in the city where I worked would have said thank you, but paid for their own meals anyway.

[proReality]

22. Olean's population is under 15,000

It's a small town, in the middle of farm country, where everyone knows you or someone who does. So about a quarter of the population heard within minutes that employees had paid the bill, there was nothing nefarious going on, it was just the gossip of indignation spreading as usual.

[Lars39]

6. I thought it was illegal for cops to accept gifts:

"...regularly gave free meals to police officers"

[loli phabay]

10. its rather complicated, each agency has its own rules about it but simply put when you get

food comped you just pay the normal amount as a tip, some companies have their own policies that give discounts to certain groups, in these cases ie chick fil a or baja fresh its set at corporate level so there is no expectation of the employee garnering a favour by discounting the food. in the end its down to each situation on how it is handled.

[Lars39]

11. The favor garnered is the presence of police

[loli phabay]

13. yup, its why 7 11 and handy marts give free coffee, it means cops are around but that is

not so much an issue, the problem is when someone tries on either side to sell favours at a personal level. with corporate policies leos are advised to just accept them rather than make a scene, but also not to expect them which gets officers into trouble.

[belcffub]

24. In NY I think the limit is fifteen dollars

Other then being a volunteer FF my day job is working for state government... we are reminded from time to time about these limits... funny how it only seems to apply to those at the bottom...

[H. Cromwell]

7. As a Vol firefighter

of more than 30 years this has happened a lot. ie having someone or the business comp a food order or an attempt to buy groceries. After a brutal cold fire I was sent to purchase coffee and milk, sugar at a local quick mart. Ended up leaving with the supplies and a case of bottled water and Gatorade. These acts of kindness are always repaid 10 fold with the patronage of the firefighters and the word of mouth advertising the businesses get.
McDonalds will also get that advertising...not in a good way.

[marble falls]

14. One more reason to add to the stack that I will not touch anything McDonalds.....

screw them on a corporate level.

[Eleanors38]

30. You got that right. Yet another reason.

[Scootaloo]

51. If i could find a way to buy less at mcDonalds than I already do, I would

Turns out spending isn't like saving though, you can't go below zero.

[Dustlawyer]

15. There is one point that was missed out of this. These workers as we all know, don't

make much money, yet they were willing to, and did, pay for these fire fighters themselves. Why is it poor people who are always generous, and the 1% so greedy they want to take from the poor.

[theHandpuppet]

16. I read a study a few years ago

The amount you give to charity, proportionate to income, decreases the more you climb the income ladder. And when the poor give, they don't expect recognition, awards, fancy dinners, or invitations to the WH.

[SharonAnn]

28. And sometimes, the wealthy "give" to suport their lifestyle - such as museums, opera,

symphony orchestras, theaters, etc.

I think these are worthy causes too, but when they make up the bulk of one's giving, it's just supporting one's self-interest.

[Gormy Cuss]

35. The real self-supporting charity is when the wealthy set up foundations

and pay family members and friends to staff same or to be on the board of directors.

[exboyfil]

65. I would throw churches in there

when they don't have a mission component. If almost all the money goes to keeping the lights on and paying the staff, then it is just another social club.

[progressoid]

55. Paul Piff: Does money make you mean?

[mac56]

18. Add to that

The article doesn't specify whether this was a paid fire department or a volunteer fire department.

The fire fighters may have been working for free themselves. Which supports your point.

[belcffub]

20. They are a paid department...

[marble falls]

31. Empathy. Its whats missing in Corporations and Teabillies.

[Egalitarian Thug]

50. The rich don't "give" anything, they take, period.

They commonly hide their money behind trusts and foundations, but as so clearly shown by the fact that these constructs hold more money today than when they were founded, they are all about not paying taxes and have nothing to do with doing good.

[TRoN33]

17. ......................

A fast-food empire with $40 billion in profits fired a lady over $83? This is a mockery of humanity.

[Glassunion]

57. Their profits are actually only about 5 1/2 billion

So now you can clearly see they could not afford the $83.

[hughee99]

64. I think this is a franchise

Not the corporate mcdonalds.

[MineralMan]

21. I'm betting she gets begged to come back by her boss.

This will go viral and bring down waves of disgust on that McDonalds and even corporate.

[MineralMan]

23. Shared on my FB page.

[mac56]

25. I used to work at a video store, if you remember them.

In Northeast Minneapolis.

Our policy was to provide free rentals to fire departments. Fire fighters from all over the metro area would stop in to pick up VCR tapes. They never abused the privilege, and it fostered great good will.

Plus, when they would roll up in their fire truck and come in wearing fire fighter gear, the little kids in the store would be in awe.

[heaven05]

32. american capitalism

breeds such mean, vicious clowns. Fire this person for having a heart. SNAKES!!!!

[Vashta Nerada]

33. Something doesn't add up about this story.

I can't put my finger on it. I feel like we're missing some details.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

39. Here ya go...

[Vashta Nerada]

40. Oh great.

Now how am I supposed to sleep tonight with that creepy image in my head?

[Spitfire of ATJ]

42. Count sheep....

[belcffub]

44. They are watching me...

please make it stop...

[Spitfire of ATJ]

58. Could be worse....

[nadinbrzezinski]

47. This is what stinks, this is NOT a VOL FD

http://www.cityofolean.org/ofd/members.html

I wonder if the Fire Personnel broke city rules?

Locally the cops cannot get free coffee, let alone food at anywhere. For that matter, no city employee can.

[joanbarnes]

34. Makes me glad I NEVER patronize McDonald's. Wish they could afford to feed first responders...

After taking their tax breaks, taking money away from those services.

[Beacool]

36. What a rotten thing to do, but not surprising.

These fast-food places treat their employees as subhumans.

Shame on them!!!! I hope that the job offers that she's been getting result in a better job and higher wages.

[valerief]

37. Wouldn't surprise me if that McDonald's suffered a fire and the

firefighters got caught in traffic.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

38. That was a slippery response....

"We would never penalize an employee for showing appropriate gratitude for the work of our firefighters.”

No. But you WOULD fire someone for expecting YOU to pick up the tab.

[SoapBox]

41. I don't work for these dicks, so I can say it!

FUCKING ridiculous.

[Liberal_in_LA]

45. kick

[armed_and_liberal]

46. It was not her food to give away

I hate McDonalds as much as anyone else but it was not her food to give away. If she wanted to buy those firefighters food out of her own pocket she should have done so graciously and without drama. For her to expect her employer to pay for food she gave away without authorization is wrong on her part.

Her employer on the other hand was stupid for not picking up the tab and giving her a warning, rather than escalating the situation into a public relations disaster.

[noiretextatique]

54. she paid $83.00 of her own money

and she likely makes minimum wage. mcdonald's is a multi-billion dollar corporation. of course they didn't have to pick up the tab, but it's not like they couldn't afford it. unlike her.

[bpj62]

48. What has happened to McDonalds

I worked at McDonalds back in the late 70s and early 80's when I was in High School and college. I did it because they had very flexible schedules back then. Management was good and I never felt mistreated. It may have been because the 2 stores were corporate and not franchise stores so we reported directly to McDonalds and not a private owner. As for the accusation of cussing I would assume that most McDonalds have some sort of disciplinary guidelines and unless this fell under a cause for instant dismissal I call bullshit on the owner. It is truly sad what has happened to McDonalds.

[Incitatus]

59. The problem is far greater than just McDonald's.

The treatment of workers is declining in just about every large corporation.

[nadinbrzezinski]

49. This is a PR disaster for the company

but I wonder if those Fire Fighters did not violate rules themselves by accepting the food? They are paid personnel. In this city none of our public employees can accept even a cup of coffee. It has to do with bribes or the impression of such.

http://www.cityofolean.org/ofd/members.html

And the Fire Fighters should have graciously declined. That is my opinion of course, based on experience serving the public actually.

[polly7]

62. We've always gotten all of our meals for half price at Smitty's restaurants here.

They do it for anyone in EMS wearing a uniform, I don't know when or why it started, and it's only in our health region as far as I know, I haven't seen it anywhere else. Just something nice they wanted to do, I guess ... we were told there was no problem with it.

[nadinbrzezinski]

63. Do you work for a public or private agency?

My kids and I were volunteers. I did not get a stipend either. None did actually. And except for major disasters where locals gave us food, we did not take anything. It was a question of impressions.

Now disasters... 18-20 hours on the line... or worst.

And we were not public workers either, but members of an NGO.

[Enthusiast]

52. That's horrible!

[bvar22]

53. When you ship Millions of "good" jobs offshore through "Free Trade" ,

import H1B Workers who will Work for Less,
Bust Unions,
Stimulate the Economy with trickle down Tax Breaks,
implement the Blue Print for another Jobless Recovery,
and keep unemployment HIGH,
....The Big Bosses can get away with this kind of BULLSHIT.

[davidpdx]

56. I saw this article yesterday and was waiting to see if someone would post it

If the food was paid for by the employees, then there really shouldn't have been an issue. The owner should have just covered the food (which would be cost + labor) as it wouldn't have been that much.

[sulphurdunn]

60. We fucked you over, but

out of respect for your privacy we can't tell you why we did it.

I'm getting real sick of hearing this kind of shit.

[1000words]

61. Two things:

First, no good deed goes unpunished.
Next, why the fuck are cops getting free meals? Do they really need another reason to feel entitled?

[mackerel]

66. It was a kind gesture on her part and the other employees.

However Firefighters are paid very well and receive benefits. It's time for them to step up and help this woman get a good job. I do believe the other of the particular McDonald's suffer bad publicity and his family, friends and the Chamber of Commerce have all been confirmed what they'd been thinking for years, the dude's a dick.