The State - News from Feb. 3, 1988

The San Diego chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union announced it has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a woman who was fired by an affiliate of Sara Lee Corp. after refusing to take a company-mandated drug test. The San Diego Superior Court suit was filed on behalf of Sue Ryan, who worked as an area manager for Hanes Direct Store Delivery, a Sara Lee-owned company that distributes L’Eggs hosiery and other hosiery products to retail stores. Ryan, 31, was fired on Dec. 21--two weeks after she declined to submit to a random urine test. A 10-year employee, Ryan said she objected to the test on grounds that it was an invasion of her constitutional right to privacy. The suit seeks reinstatement to her $35,000-a-year job, back pay, unspecified general and punitive damages and a judicial declaration as to her constitutional rights. Hanes officials referred calls to Maryland-based Sara Lee, whose officials could not be reached.