Shortly after Jeri McVey reported to work July 9, 2003, she was surprised to find herself peeing into a cup. Her employer, Des Moines, Iowa-based National Organization Service (NOS), had decided to administer random drug tests. McVey tested positive for marijuana. As a federal contractor, the magazine subscription clearinghouse was required to meet federal “Drug-Free Workplace Act” standards. So McVey had to go.

McVey, however, didn’t go quietly.