Checking Into a Temp's Past What you don't know about a temp's shadowy past can hurt you.

Anita Johnston calls every last reference on a job application before hiring a new employee at A. Johnston Appliance Repair Inc. in Orland Park, Illinois. "Another thing I always check is their driving record," says the 49-year-old owner. "If their driving record isn't good, I don't even bring them in for an interview."

All that checking takes work, however, so Johnston was tickled to learn that two temporary workers she hired in 2004 had their backgrounds pre-cleared by the employment agency.

In fact, the types of background checks commonly done on permanent employees are becoming more popular with temporary workers. These checks go beyond calling references and delve deeply into an individual's educational, criminal and credit history.