A Brampton employee of EB Games Canada who purchased a video game console for a man with autism during the Christmas season has been fired from his job.

This past December, Teddy Kellow, an assistant manager at the EB Games store at the Bramalea City Centre, purchased a Sony PS4 console ($399 and taxes) out of his own pocket and gave it to 30-year-old James Al-Haj, a gaming enthusiast and a regular at the store who has high-functioning autism.

Kellow was handed a pink slip last month for breaching the company’s policy for the way in which he processed items for family and friends.

Kellow alleges on the day he was let go, human resources personnel from EB Games Canada in a verbal conversation brought up several of his transgressions, including his purchase of the PS4 for James Al-Haj. He said he was also told he breached company policy by talking to media when he was warned not to do so.

John Watson, vice president of Brampton headquartered EB Games Canada, told The Guardian Kellow’s allegations are untrue.

“We completely and totally support the kindness Teddy showed, but again, his termination is 100 per cent completely and totally unrelated to this (gift of a PS4),” Watson said, adding EB Games Canada has a robust corporate social responsibility policy and encourages its employees to contribute to charities and causes.

“When the Sony PlayStation 4 console was given to the customer as a gift, we applauded the associate’s actions for demonstrating the giving power of EB Games Canada,” Watson said.

The termination letter, which Kellow received two weeks after his dismissal, said Kellow’s employment was terminated because he had broken rules by processing transactions for family and friends over the phone and several other transgressions.

“They (breaches) demonstrate a serious and intentional dishonesty by you in an attempt to deceive the company, revealing a character not suitable for continued employment with the Company,” the termination letter says.

In December, when EB Games Canada enjoyed good publicity as a result of his unselfish deed, his “character” was lauded and held in high esteem, so for a company to turn him into an “dishonest employee” four short months later smacks of hypocrisy, Kellow said.