| Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] | SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Description of business TrueBlue, Inc. (the “company,” “TrueBlue,” “we,” “us” and “our”) is a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions that help clients achieve growth and improve productivity. We serve clients in a wide variety of industries through our PeopleReady segment which offers industrial staffing services, our PeopleManagement segment which offers contingent and productivity-based on-site industrial staffing services, and our PeopleScout segment which offers recruitment process outsourcing and managed service provider services. We are headquartered in Tacoma, Washington. Basis of presentation The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TrueBlue and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). Fiscal period end The consolidated financial statements are presented on a 52/53-week fiscal year-end basis, with the last day of the fiscal year ending on the Sunday closest to the last day of December. In fiscal years consisting of 53 weeks, the final quarter will consist of 14 weeks while fiscal years consisting of 52 weeks, all quarters will consist of 13 weeks. The fiscal year ended 2016 included 53 weeks, with the 53rd week falling in our fourth quarter. All other years presented include 52 weeks. Revenue recognition We account for a contract when both parties to the contract have approved the contract, the rights of the parties are identified, payment terms are identified, the contract has commercial substance, and collectability of consideration is probable. Revenues are recognized over time using an output measure, as the control of the promised services is transferred to the client, in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for those services. The majority of our contracts are short-term in nature as they are filling the temporary staffing needs of our clients, or include termination clauses that allow either party to cancel within a short notice period, without cause. Revenue includes billable travel and other reimbursable costs and are reported net of sales, use or other transaction taxes collected from clients and remitted to taxing authorities. Payment terms vary by client and the services offered, however we do not extend payment terms beyond one year. Substantially all of our contracts include payment terms of 90 days or less. We primarily record revenue on a gross basis as a principal versus on a net basis as an agent on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). We have determined that gross reporting as a principal is the appropriate treatment based upon the following key factors: • We maintain the direct contractual relationship with the client and are responsible for fulfilling the service promised to the client. • We demonstrate control over the services provided to our clients by being the employer of record for the individuals performing the service. • We establish our worker’s billing rate. Contingent staffing We recognize revenue for our PeopleReady and PeopleManagement contingent staffing services over time as services are performed in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for our services, which is generally calculated as hours worked multiplied by the agreed-upon hourly bill rate. The client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are provided. We do not incur costs to obtain our contingent staffing contracts. Costs are incurred to fulfill some contingent staffing contracts, however these costs are not material and are expensed as incurred. Human resource outsourcing We primarily recognize revenue for our PeopleScout outsourced recruitment of permanent employees over time in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for our services. The client simultaneously receives and consumes the benefits of the services as they are provided. We do not incur costs to obtain our outsourced recruitment of permanent employees’ contracts. The costs to fulfill these contracts are not material and are expensed as incurred. Unsatisfied performance obligations As a practical expedient, we do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an expected original duration of one year or less and (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed. Cost of services Cost of services refers to costs directly associated with the earning of revenue and primarily includes wages and related payroll taxes and workers’ compensation expenses. Cost of services also includes billable travel as well as other reimbursable and non-reimbursable expenses. Advertising costs Advertising costs consist primarily of print and other promotional activities. We expense advertisements as of the first date the advertisements take place. Advertising expenses included in selling, general and administrative expense were $8.1 million , $7.3 million and $7.8 million in fiscal 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively. Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities We consider all highly liquid instruments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less at date of purchase to be cash equivalents. Investments with original maturities greater than three months are classified as marketable securities. We do not buy and hold securities principally for the purpose of selling them in the near future. Our investment policy is focused on the preservation of capital, liquidity and return. From time to time, we may sell certain securities but the objective is not to generate profits on short-term differences in price. We manage our cash equivalents and marketable securities as a single portfolio of highly liquid securities. Accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. We establish an allowance for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the failure of our clients to make required payments. The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined based on current collection efforts, historical collection trends, write-off experience, client credit risk and current economic data. The allowance for doubtful accounts is reviewed quarterly and represents our best estimate of the amount of probable credit losses. Past due balances are written off when it is probable the receivable will not be collected. Restricted cash and investments Cash and investments pledged as collateral and restricted to use for workers’ compensation insurance programs are included as restricted cash and investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Our investments consist of highly-rated investment grade debt securities, which are rated A1/P1 or higher for short-term securities and A or higher for long-term securities, by nationally recognized rating organizations. We have the positive intent and ability to hold our restricted investments until maturity in accordance with our investment policy and, accordingly, all of our restricted investments are classified as held-to-maturity. In the event that an investment is downgraded, it is replaced with a highly-rated investment grade security. We review for impairment on a quarterly basis and do not consider temporary unrealized losses to be an impairment. We have an agreement with American International Group, Inc. and the Bank of New York Mellon Corporation creating a trust (“Trust”), which holds the majority of our collateral obligations under existing workers’ compensation insurance policies. Placing the collateral in the Trust allows us to manage the investment of the assets and provides greater protection of those assets. Fair value of financial instruments and investments Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. For assets and liabilities recorded or disclosed at fair value on a recurring basis, we determine fair value based on the following: • Level 1: The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents and mutual funds approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. Inputs are valued using quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities. • Level 2: Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities are used. We use quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets or quoted prices or we estimate the fair value using a variety of valuation methodologies, which include observable inputs for comparable instruments and unobservable inputs. • Level 3: For assets and liabilities with unobservable inputs, we typically rely on management’s estimates of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. The carrying value of our cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash approximates fair value because of the short-term maturity of those instruments. We hold mutual funds classified as available-for-sale to support our deferred compensation liability, which are carried at fair value based on quoted market prices in active markets for identical assets. There are inherent limitations when estimating the fair value of financial instruments, and the fair values reported are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that would be realized in current market transactions. The carrying value of our accounts receivable, accounts payable and other accrued expenses, and accrued wages and benefits approximates fair value due to their short-term nature. We also hold certain restricted investments which collateralize workers’ compensation programs and are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Certain items such as goodwill and other intangible assets are recognized or disclosed at fair value on a non-recurring basis. We determine the fair value of these items using level 3 inputs. Property and equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost. We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows: Years Buildings 40 Computers and software 3 - 10 Furniture and equipment 3 - 10 Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the related non-cancelable lease term or their estimated useful lives. Non-capital expenditures associated with opening new locations are expensed as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss, net of proceeds, is reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Repairs and maintenance costs are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major renewals or replacements that substantially extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated. Costs associated with the acquisition or development of software for internal use are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the software, from three to ten years. A subsequent addition, modification or upgrade to internal-use software is capitalized to the extent that it enhances the software’s functionality or extends its useful life. Software maintenance and training costs are expensed in the period incurred. Leases We conduct our branch office operations from leased locations. We also lease office spaces for our centralized support functions, vehicles and equipment. Many leases require payment of property taxes, insurance and common area maintenance, in addition to rent. The terms of our lease agreements generally range from three to five years, majority containing options to renew or cancel with 90 days notice. Operating lease expense is included within selling, general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). For operating leases that contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent, we recognize the related rent expense on a straight-line basis from the date we take possession of the property to the end of the minimum lease term. We record any difference between the straight-line rent amounts and amounts payable under the leases as part of deferred rent, in accrued liabilities or long-term liabilities, as appropriate. Cash or lease incentives received upon entering into certain operating leases (“tenant allowances”) are recognized on a straight-line basis as a reduction to rent from the date we take possession of the property through the end of the initial lease term. We record the unamortized portion of tenant allowances as a part of deferred rent, in accrued liabilities or long-term liabilities, as appropriate. Intangible assets and other long-lived assets Long-lived assets include property and equipment, and finite-lived intangible assets. These assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. We have indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our Staff Management | SMX (“Staff Management”) and PeopleScout trade names. We test our trade names annually for impairment, and when indications of potential impairment exist. Goodwill We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the first day of our second quarter, or more frequently if an event occurs or circumstances change that would indicate impairment may exist. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in the business climate, operating performance indicators, competition, client engagement, legal factors or sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit. We monitor the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. Business combinations We account for our business acquisitions using the acquisition method of accounting. The fair value of the net assets acquired and the results of the acquired business are included in the financial statements from the acquisition date forward. We are required to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and results of operations during the reporting period. Estimates are used in accounting for, among other things, the fair value of acquired net operating assets, property and equipment, intangible assets, useful lives of property and equipment, and amortizable lives for acquired intangible assets. Any excess of the purchase consideration over the identified fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired is recognized as goodwill. Goodwill acquired in business combinations is assigned to the reporting unit(s) expected to benefit from the combination as of the acquisition date. We estimate the fair value of acquired assets and liabilities as of the date of the acquisition based on information available at that time. The valuation of these tangible and identifiable intangible assets and liabilities is subject to further management review and may change between the preliminary allocation and the final allocation. All acquisition-related costs are expensed as incurred and recorded in selling, general and administrative expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Additionally, we recognize liabilities for anticipated restructuring costs that will be necessary due to the elimination of excess capacity, redundant assets or unnecessary functions, and record them as selling, general and administrative expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Workers’ compensation claims reserves We maintain reserves for workers’ compensation claims using actuarial estimates of the future cost of claims and related expenses. These estimates include claims that have been reported but not settled and claims that have been incurred but not reported. These reserves, which reflect potential liabilities to be paid in future periods based on estimated payment patterns, are discounted to estimated net present value using discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments, which are evaluated on a quarterly basis. We evaluate the reserves regularly throughout the year and make adjustments accordingly. If the actual cost of such claims and related expenses exceeds the amounts estimated, additional reserves may be required. Changes in reserve estimates are reflected on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period when the changes in estimates are made. Our workers’ compensation reserves include estimated expenses related to claims above our self-insured limits (“excess claims”) and a corresponding receivable for the insurance coverage on excess claims based on the contractual policy agreements we have with insurance companies. We discount the liability and its corresponding receivable to its estimated net present value using the “risk-free” rates associated with the actuarially determined weighted average lives of our excess claims. When appropriate, based on our best estimate, we record a valuation allowance against the insurance receivable to reflect amounts that may not be realized. Legal contingency reserves and regulatory liabilities From time to time we are subject to compliance audits by federal, state and local authorities relating to a variety of regulations including wage and hour laws, taxes, workers’ compensation, immigration and safety. In addition, we are subject to legal proceedings in the ordinary course of our operations. We establish accruals for contingent legal and regulatory liabilities when management determines that it is probable that a legal claim will result in an adverse outcome and the amount of liability can be reasonably estimated. We evaluate our reserve regularly throughout the year and make adjustments as needed. If the actual outcome of these matters is different than expected, an adjustment is charged or credited to expense in the period the outcome occurs or the period in which the estimate changes. Income taxes and related valuation allowance We account for income taxes by recording taxes payable or receivable for the current year and deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in our financial statements or tax returns. These expected future tax consequences are measured based on provisions of tax law as currently enacted; the effects of future changes in tax laws are not anticipated. Future tax law changes, such as changes to the federal and state corporate tax rates and the mix of states and their taxable income, could have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to offset future tax benefits that may not be realized. In determining whether a valuation allowance is appropriate, we consider whether it is more likely than not that all or some portion of our deferred tax assets will not be realized, based in part upon management’s judgments regarding future events and past operating results. Based on that analysis, we have determined that a valuation allowance is appropriate for certain net operating losses and tax credits that we expect will not be utilized within the permitted carryforward periods as of December 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 . A significant driver of fluctuations in our effective income tax rate is the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (“WOTC”). WOTC is designed to encourage hiring of workers from certain disadvantaged targeted categories, and is generally calculated as a percentage of wages over a twelve month period up to worker maximum by targeted category. Based on historical results and business trends, we estimate the amount of WOTC we expect to earn related to wages of the current year. However, the estimate is subject to variation because 1) a small percentage of our workers qualify for one or more of the many targeted categories; 2) the targeted categories are subject to different incentive credit rates and limitations; 3) credits fluctuate depending on economic conditions and qualified worker retention periods; and 4) state and federal offices can delay their credit certification processing and have inconsistent certification rates. We recognize additional prior year hiring credits if credits in excess of original estimates have been certified by government offices. Deferred compensation plan We offer a non-qualified defined contribution plan (the “Plan”) to eligible employees. Participating employees may elect to defer and contribute a portion of their eligible compensation. The Plan allows participants to direct their account based on the investment options determined by TrueBlue and offers discretionary matching contributions. The current portion of the deferred compensation liability is included in other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total deferred compensation liability is largely offset by deferred compensation mutual funds classified as available-for-sale recorded in restricted cash and investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These mutual funds are measured at fair value, with changes in market value recognized in selling, general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Stock-based compensation Under various plans, officers, employees and non-employee directors have received or may receive grants of stock, restricted stock awards, performance share units or options to purchase common stock. We also have an employee stock purchase plan ("ESPP"). Compensation expense for restricted stock awards and performance share units is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on the stock’s fair market value on the grant date. For restricted stock and performance share unit grants issued with performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized over each vesting period based on assessment of the likelihood of meeting these conditions. We recognize compensation expense for only the portion of restricted stock and performance share units that is expected to vest, rather than record forfeitures when they occur. If the actual number of forfeitures differs from those estimated by management, additional adjustments to compensation expense may be required in the future periods. Foreign currency Our consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of international subsidiaries with non-U.S. dollar functional currencies are translated to U.S. dollars at the exchange rates in effect on the balance sheet date. Revenues and expenses for each subsidiary are translated to U.S. dollars using a weighted average rate for the relevant reporting period. Translation adjustments resulting from this process are included, net of tax, in other comprehensive income (“OCI”), when applicable. Currency gains and losses on intercompany loans with international subsidiaries are included, net of tax, in OCI. Purchases and retirement of our common stock We purchase our common stock under a program authorized by our Board of Directors. Under applicable Washington State law, shares purchased are not displayed separately as treasury stock on the Consolidated Balance Sheets and are treated as authorized but unissued shares. It is our accounting policy to first record these purchases as a reduction to our common stock account. Once the common stock account has been reduced to a nominal balance, remaining purchases are recorded as a reduction to our retained earnings. Furthermore, activity in our common stock account related to stock-based compensation is also recorded to retained earnings until such time as the reduction to retained earnings due to stock repurchases has been recovered. Net income (loss) per share Basic net income (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share is calculated by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares include the dilutive effects of vested and non-vested restricted stock, performance share units and shares issued under the ESPP, except where their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. Anti-dilutive shares primarily include non-vested restricted stock and performance share units for which the sum of the assumed proceeds, including unrecognized compensation expense, exceeds the average stock price during the periods presented. Anti-dilutive shares associated with our stock options relate to those stock options with an exercise price higher than the average market value of our stock during the periods presented. Use of estimates Preparing financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Estimates in our financial statements include, but are not limited to, purchase accounting, allowance for doubtful accounts, estimates for asset and goodwill impairments, stock-based performance awards, assumptions underlying self-insurance reserves, contingent legal and regulatory liabilities, and the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may differ from these estimates and assumptions. Recently adopted accounting standards Stock compensation In May 2017, the Financial Accounting Standing Board (“FASB”) issued guidance to provide clarity and reduce diversity in practice when accounting for a change to the terms or conditions of share-based payment awards. The objective was to reduce the scope of transactions that would require modification accounting. Disclosure requirements remain unchanged. This amended guidance was effective for our fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue), with early adoption permitted. We adopted this guidance for our fiscal first quarter of 2018. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Business combinations In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance clarifying the definition of a business, which revises the definition of a business and provides new guidance in evaluating when a set of transferred assets and activities is a business. This guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue) on a prospective basis. This standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Restricted cash and cash equivalents In November 2016, the FASB issued guidance to amend the presentation of restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents on the statement of cash flows. The standard requires restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. This amended guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue). We adopted this guidance for our fiscal first quarter of 2018 using the retrospective transition method. Accordingly, the change in restricted cash and cash equivalents is no longer segregated on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and the $21.5 million and $19.8 million previously presented in the investing section for the years ended December 31, 2017 and January 1, 2017, respectively, are now included when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash shown on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. Accounting for income taxes - intra-entity asset transfers In October 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for income tax effects of intercompany sales or transfers of assets other than inventory. The guidance requires entities to recognize the income tax impact of an intra-entity sale or transfer of an asset other than inventory when the sale or transfer occurs, rather than when the asset has been sold to an outside party. This guidance was effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue). The guidance requires a modified retrospective application with a cumulative catch-up adjustment to opening retained earnings. We adopted this guidance for our fiscal first quarter of 2018. The adoption of the new standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Statement of cash flows classification In August 2016, the FASB issued guidance relating to how certain cash receipts and cash payments should be presented and classified in the statement of cash flows. The update was intended to reduce the existing diversity in practice. The amended guidance was effective for fiscal years, and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue). We adopted this guidance for our fiscal first quarter of 2018. The adoption of the new standard did not have an impact on our financial statements. Financial instruments – recognition, measurement, presentation, and disclosure In January 2016, the FASB issued guidance on the accounting for equity investments, financial liabilities under the fair value option, and the presentation and disclosure requirements for financial instruments. The guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue). Early adoption of the amendments in the guidance was not permitted, with limited exceptions. The guidance required a cumulative-effect adjustment be made to reclassify unrealized gains and losses related to available-for-sale equity securities from accumulated other comprehensive income, to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. We adopted this guidance as of the first day of our fiscal first quarter of 2018 and reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to retained earnings, $1.5 million in unrealized gains, net of tax on available-for-sale equity securities. Beginning in Q1 2018, change in market value for our available-for-sale equity securities is included in selling, general and administrative expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operation and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Revenue from contracts with customers In May 2014, the FASB issued guidance outlining a single comprehensive model for accounting for revenue arising from contracts with clients, which supersedes the previous revenue recognition accounting guidance. The guidance was effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2017 (Q1 2018 for TrueBlue). This guidance required an entity to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to clients in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. We adopted this new guidance as of January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective transition method. Results for reporting periods beginning after January 1, 2018 are presented under the new revenue recognition guidance, while prior period amounts were not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with previous accounting guidance. The adoption of this new guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements as of the adoption date, or for the year ended December 30, 2018 , except for expanded disclosures. Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Intangibles-goodwill and other-internal-use software In August 2018, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. This new standard is intended to reduce complexity for the accounting for costs of implementing a cloud computing service arrangement. The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a serv |
