A New York mom Debbie Stevens (middle) donated her left kidney to save her boss’s life, but was fired by the same boss.

A New York mom donated her left kidney to save her boss’s life, but once she came back to her job at the Atlantic Automotive Group (AAG) in September, she was berated and fired by the same boss, said New York Post.

“I decided to become a kidney donor to my boss, and she took my heart,’’ said Debbie Stevens, a 47-year-old divorced mother of two. She also accused the boss of using “her power to manipulate me.”

Stevens has filed a state Human Rights Commission Complaint and demanded her ex-boss Jackie Brucia, 61, return the organ.

“You hate me so much, and I’m so despicable — give me my kidney back!” Stevens said.

“I will always be grateful that she gave me a kidney,” Brucia told 1010 WINS-AM radio. “I have nothing bad to say about her. I will always be grateful to her — she did a wonderful thing for me.”

The case, in the eyes of tradition-bound Chinese people, is more about morality and ethics than medical and legal jargon.

China has a long history of gratitude for those who lend a helping hand, as evidenced by the Chinese phrase Zhi en tu bao (Chinese: 知恩图报, literally, appreciate your kindness and repay as the needs arise) . To appreciate other’s help is one of the major social norms and has been imparted to the children as the nation’s traditional virtues.

Generally speaking, the ancient idea of gratitude demands one’s loyalty to the country, filial piety to the family for their nurturing and adherence to high moral principles. It also requires each social member to seek justice and act in the interest of the whole community.