NATION

NATION
Longaberger recallssome laid-off workers
NEWARK, Ohio -- The Longaberger Co., which finished 2003 with its strongest sales in a two-month period, said that it was recalling 250 employees laid off last April. The workers were among 461 laid off last April because of slumping sales.
Of the workers being recalled, 200 are basket makers and 50 are in the woodcrafts division who make basket components. They work at the company's manufacturing complex in nearby Frazeysburg.
The company, based in Newark, employs 5,700 workers, not counting independent home consultants.
For a fee, job seekerscan check own background
ALPHARETTA, Ga. -- Job seekers will be able to do background checks on themselves and verify the results before a prospective employer sees the information under a partnership between a data gathering company and an Internet help-wanted site.
The data collection is being provided by ChoicePoint Inc. and will be offered starting today to people applying for jobs on Yahoo!'s HotJobs.com. For $24.95, people will be able to do an instant check of public records that pertain to them, including criminal records in every state.
Associated Press