| SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies) | 12 Months Ended |
| Dec. 31, 2023 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | |
| Basis of presentation | Basis of presentation The consolidated financial statements (“financial statements”) include the accounts of TrueBlue and all of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. The 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 | Fiscal period end The 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 consists of 14 weeks, while in fiscal years consisting of 52 weeks, all quarters consist of 13 weeks. Our 2023 fiscal year contained 53 weeks, with the 53rd week falling in the fiscal fourth quarter, while our 2022 and 2021 fiscal years contained 52 weeks. |
| Use of estimates | 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, acquisition method of accounting, allowance for credit losses, estimates for asset and goodwill impairments, stock-based awards, assumptions underlying self-insurance reserves, contingent legal, regulatory and government incentive 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 due to risks and uncertainties, including uncertainty in the current economic environment. |
| Revenue recognition | 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. Consolidated revenues are presented net of intercompany eliminations. Additionally, consolidated revenues are recognized net of any discounts, allowances and sales incentives, including rebates. 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 contingent 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 on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) 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. • We establish our billing rates. 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 collect 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 incur immaterial costs to obtain our contingent staffing contracts. We have concluded that the amortization period for these costs would be less than one year and have elected to use the practical expedient to expense these costs as incurred. Also, we incur immaterial costs to fulfill some contingent staffing contracts, which 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 recognize revenue using an output method, generally based on the number of hires made during each month multiplied by the agreed-upon rate per hire. We incur immaterial costs to obtain our outsourced recruitment of permanent employee contracts. We have concluded that the amortization period for these costs would be less than one year and have elected to use the practical expedient to expense these costs as incurred. Also, we incur immaterial costs to fulfill these contracts, which 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 an amount for which we have the right to invoice for services performed. |
| Cost of services | Cost of services Cost of services refers to costs directly associated with the earning of revenue and primarily includes wages, payroll taxes, benefits, and workers’ compensation expenses for our associates and employees involved with the delivery of our services. These costs differ fundamentally from selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses in that they arise specifically from the action of providing services to clients, whereas SG&A costs are incurred regardless of whether or not we provide service to our clients. |
| Advertising cost | Advertising costs Advertising costs consist primarily of print, digital and other promotional activities. We expense advertisements as of the first date the advertisements take place. Advertising expenses included in SG&A were $9.2 million, $12.5 million and $9.7 million in fiscal 2023, 2022 and 2021, respectively. |
| Cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities | 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. We have not experienced any losses related to these balances, and we believe credit risk to be minimal. |
| Accounts receivable and allowance for credit losses | Accounts receivable and allowance for credit losses Accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. We establish an estimate for the allowance for credit losses resulting from the failure of our clients to make required payments by applying an aging schedule to pools of assets with similar risk characteristics. Based on an analysis of the risk characteristics of our clients and associated receivables, we have concluded our pools are as follows: • PeopleReady and Centerline Drivers (“Centerline”) have a large, diverse set of clients, generally with frequent, low dollar invoices due to the daily nature of the work we perform. This results in high turnover in accounts receivable. • PeopleManagement On-Site has a smaller number of clients, and follows a contractual billing schedule. The invoice amounts are higher than that of PeopleReady and Centerline, with longer payment terms. • PeopleScout has a smaller number of clients, and generally sends invoices on a consolidated basis for a client. Invoice amounts are generally higher for PeopleScout than for PeopleManagement On-Site, with similar payment terms. When specific clients are identified as no longer sharing the same risk profile as their current pool, they are removed from the pool and evaluated separately. The credit loss rates applied to each aging category by pool are based on current collection efforts, historical collection trends, write-off experience, client credit risk, current economic data and forecasted information. The allowance for credit loss is reviewed and represents our best estimate of the amount of expected credit losses. Past due or delinquent balances are identified based upon a review of aged receivables performed by collections and operations. Past due balances are written off when it is probable the receivable will not be collected. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded in SG&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). |
| Restricted cash and investments | Restricted cash and investments Cash and investments pledged as collateral and restricted for use in 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 at the time of purchase, were 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 below our investment policy criteria, it may be replaced with a new security. We establish an allowance for credit loss for our held-to-maturity debt securities using a discounted cash flow method including a probability of default rate based on the issuer’s credit rating. 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 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: 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. • Level 3: Assets and liabilities with unobservable inputs. 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 money market funds to support our workers’ compensation program, 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 hold company-owned life insurance policies that fund our deferred compensation liability. Company-owned life insurance policies are carried at cash surrender value, which approximates fair value. We hold certain restricted investments to collateralize our workers’ compensation programs, which are classified as held-to-maturity and carried at amortized cost on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We determine the fair value of these restricted investments based on comparisons to similar financial instruments or financial models based on observable inputs to arrive at consensus pricing. Annual and interim impairment tests may subject our reporting units with goodwill and other intangible assets to nonrecurring fair value measurement. We typically determine the fair value of these items using internal estimates and assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset. |
| Property and equipment | 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 Software 3 - 8 Computers, 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, including internal and external labor costs, are capitalized and amortized over the expected useful life of the software, from three |
| Leases | Leases We conduct our PeopleReady branch operations primarily from leased locations. We also lease office spaces for our other operations, centralized support functions, office equipment, and machinery for use at client sites. Many leases require variable payments for common area maintenance, sales tax, and repairs and maintenance, and insurance coverage, in addition to base rent. The variable portion of these lease payments is not included in our right-of-use assets or lease liabilities. Rather, variable payments, other than those dependent upon an index or rate, along with any non-lease components of a contract, are expensed when the obligation for those payments is incurred and are included in SG&A expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). We determine if an arrangement meets the definition of a lease at inception, at which time we also perform an analysis to determine whether the lease qualifies as operating or financing. The terms of our lease agreements generally range from three Operating leases are included in operating lease right-of-use assets, net and current and long-term operating lease liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Lease expense for operating leases is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term and is included in SG&A expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Lease right-of-use assets and lease liabilities are measured using the present value of future minimum lease payments over the lease term at commencement date. The right-of-use asset also includes any lease payments made on or before the commencement date of the lease, less any lease incentives received. As the rate implicit in the lease is not readily determinable in our leases, we use our incremental borrowing rates based on the information available at the lease commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rates used are estimated based on what we would be required to pay for a collateralized loan over a similar term. We have lease agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for as a single lease component. For leases with an initial non-cancelable lease term of less than one year and no option to purchase, we have elected not to recognize the lease on our Consolidated Balance Sheets and instead recognize rent payments on a straight-line basis over the lease term within SG&A expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). In addition, for those leases where the right to cancel the lease is available to both TrueBlue (as the lessee) and the lessor, the lease term is the initial non-cancelable period plus the notice period, which is typically 90 days, and not greater than one year. |
| Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy | Goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets We evaluate goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the first day of our fiscal second quarter, or whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. These events or circumstances could include a significant change in general economic conditions, deterioration in industry environment, changes in cost factors, declining operating performance indicators, legal factors, competition, client engagement, changes in the carrying amount of net assets, sale or disposition of a significant portion of a reporting unit, or a sustained decrease in share price. We monitor the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. Goodwill We test for goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. We consider our operating segments to be our reporting units for goodwill impairment testing. Our operating segments with remaining goodwill are PeopleReady, PeopleManagement Centerline, PeopleScout RPO and PeopleScout MSP. When evaluating goodwill for impairment, we may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions and overall company financial performance. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. The quantitative impairment test, if necessary, involves comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to its carrying value, including goodwill. Fair value reflects the price a market participant would be willing to pay in a potential sale of the reporting unit. If the fair value exceeds the carrying value, we conclude that no goodwill impairment has occurred. If the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value of the goodwill. We consider a reporting unit’s fair value to be substantially in excess of its carrying value at a 20% premium or greater. We performed our annual impairment test for goodwill as of the first day of our fiscal second quarter of 2023. Refer to Note 5: Goodwill and Intangible Assets for additional details on the impairment charges, valuation methodologies, and inputs used in the fair value measurements. Indefinite-lived intangible assets We have indefinite-lived intangible assets related to our Staff Management and PeopleScout trade names. We evaluate our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment on an annual basis as of the first day of our fiscal second quarter, or whenever events or circumstances make it more likely than not that an impairment may have occurred. These events or circumstances could include significant change in general economic conditions, deterioration in industry environment, changes in cost factors, declining operating performance indicators, legal factors, competition, client engagement, or sale or disposition of a significant portion of the business. We monitor the existence of potential impairment indicators throughout the fiscal year. When evaluating indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment, we may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is more likely than not the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible is less than its carrying amount. Qualitative factors include macroeconomic conditions, industry and market conditions and overall company financial performance. If, after assessing the totality of events and circumstances, we determine that it is more likely than not the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is greater than its carrying amount, the quantitative impairment test is unnecessary. The quantitative impairment test, if necessary, utilizes the relief from royalty method to determine the fair value of each of our trade names. If the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we recognize an impairment loss in an amount equal to the excess, not to exceed the carrying value. We performed our annual impairment test for indefinite-lived intangible assets as of the first day of our fiscal second quarter of 2023. Refer to Note 5: Goodwill and Intangible Assets for additional details on the impairment charges, valuation methodologies, and inputs used in the fair value measurements. |
| Other long-lived assets | Other long-lived assets We have finite-lived intangible assets related to acquired company customers, trade names/trademarks, and technology, as well as purchased trade names/trademarks. We capitalize implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract. Capitalized implementation costs are recorded in both prepaid expenses and other current assets, and in other assets, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, depending on the timing of future amortization. The related amortization expense is recorded in SG&A expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) on a straight-line basis over the fixed, non-cancelable term of the associated arrangement plus any reasonably certain renewal periods. License fees incurred during the development period are expensed as incurred. Other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. Other long-lived assets include property and equipment, lease right-of-use assets, finite-lived intangible assets and capitalized implementation costs for cloud computing arrangements that are service contracts. There were no material other long-lived asset impairment charges recorded during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. |
| Workers' compensation claims reserves | 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” United States of America (“U.S.”) Treasury instruments available during the year in which the liability was incurred, 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 in cost of services on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss) in the period when the changes 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 this reserve and corresponding receivable to its estimated net present value using the discount rates based on average returns of “risk-free” U.S. Treasury instruments available during the year in which the liability was incurred. We also establish an allowance for credit loss for our insurance receivables using a probability of default and losses expected upon default method, with the probability of default rate based on the third-party insurance carrier’s credit rating. Changes in the allowance for credit losses are recorded in cost of services on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Management evaluates the adequacy of the workers’ compensation reserves in conjunction with an independent quarterly actuarial assessment. Factors considered in establishing and adjusting these reserves include, among other things: • changes in medical and time loss (“indemnity”) costs; • changes in mix between medical only and indemnity claims; • regulatory and legislative developments impacting benefits and settlement requirements; • type and location of work performed; • impact of safety initiatives; and • positive or adverse development of claims. |
| Legal contingency reserves and regulatory liabilities | Legal contingency reserves and regulatory liabilities We are subject to compliance audits by federal, state, local and international 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 estimate changes. |
| Income taxes and related valuation allowance | 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. We recognize deferred tax assets to the extent we believe it is more likely than not the asset will be realized. We consider available positive and negative evidence when making such determination, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, carryback potential if permitted, and results of recent operations. When appropriate, we record a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount that is more likely than not to be realized. Our liability for unrecognized tax benefits is recorded in other long-term liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We recognize interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits within income tax expense (benefit) on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Accrued interest and penalties are included within other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. A significant driver of fluctuations in our effective income tax rate is the federal 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 associates 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 an adjustment to prior year hiring credits if credits certified by government offices differ from original estimates. The WOTC program has been approved through the end of 2025. |
| Deferred compensation plan | 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 accrued wages and benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The total deferred compensation liability is funded through company-owned life insurance policies recorded in restricted cash and investments on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The carrying value of company-owned life insurance policies is based on the cash surrender value of the policies, which approximates fair value. Changes in the cash surrender value, premiums incurred, and proceeds received relating to the company-owned life insurance policies are recorded in SG&A expense on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Prior to fiscal 2022, we also held mutual funds and money market funds to support the deferred compensation liability, which were measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recognized in SG&A expense, while realized gains and losses were recorded in interest and other income (expense), net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). As of December 26, 2021, all of the mutual funds and money market funds had been converted into company-owned life insurance policies. |
| Stock-based compensation | Stock-based compensation Compensation expense for restricted stock-based awards is generally recognized on a straight-line basis over the vesting period, based on our stock’s fair market value on the grant date. For restricted stock-based awards with non-market performance conditions, compensation expense is recognized over each vesting period based on assessment of the likelihood of meeting these conditions. Compensation expense for our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) is based on the estimated fair value on the date of grant, using the Black-Scholes valuation model, and is recognized on a straight-line basis over the offering period, which is over a calendar month. We recognize forfeitures as they occur. In the event that there are changes to an employee’s requisite service period based on terms existing in the original award agreement, any unrecognized compensation expense is recognized prospectively over the updated remaining requisite service period. In the case that terms of an existing stock award agreement are modified, the sum of any unrecognized compensation expense as of the modification date and the modification charge will be expensed on a straight-line basis over the new requisite service period. The modification charge is the incremental amount of the fair value of the award before the modification and the fair value after the modification. |
| Foreign currency | Foreign currency Our financial statements are reported in U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities of foreign 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 accumulated other comprehensive loss on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), when applicable. Revenue and expense transactions denominated in a currency other than our functional currency are converted to our functional currency using the exchange rate on the transaction date. Gains or losses resulting from these transactions are included in interest and other income (expense), net on our Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). |
| Purchases and retirement of our common stock | Purchases and retirement of our common stock We purchase our common stock under a program authorized by our Board of Directors (“Board”). 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 and the related excise tax 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 per share | 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 (loss) per share is calculated by dividing net income (loss) 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. |
| Segments | Segments Our operating segments are based on the organizational structure for which financial results are regularly reviewed by our chief operating decision-maker, our Chief Executive Officer, to determine resource allocation and assess performance. We evaluate performance based on segment revenue and segment profit. Segment revenue is net of intercompany eliminations. Segment profit includes revenue, related cost of services, and ongoing operating expenses directly attributable to the reportable segment. Segment profit excludes goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges, depreciation and amortization expense, unallocated corporate general and administrative expense, interest expense, other income and expense, income taxes, and other costs and benefits not considered to be ongoing. |
| Government incentives | Government assistance There is limited U.S. GAAP accounting guidance for for-profit business entities that receive government assistance that is not in the form of a loan, an income tax credit or revenue from a contract with a client. We are permitted to utilize other accounting standards, and have elected to analogize to International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”), specifically International Accounting Standards (“IAS”) 20, Accounting for Government Grants and Disclosures of Government Assistance. Following IAS 20, we recognize government assistance on a systematic basis over the periods in which we recognize the related costs for which the grant is intended to compensate, but only when there is reasonable assurance we will comply with all conditions attached to the grant and there is reasonable assurance the assistance will be received. We have interpreted “reasonable assurance” to mean “probable,” as defined in loss contingencies guidance in U.S. GAAP. On March 27, 2020, the U.S. government enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act"), which among other things, provided payroll tax credits to eligible employers to address the negative economic impacts of the coronavirus pandemic (“COVID-19”) outbreak. Also during fiscal 2020, the Canadian and Australian governments enacted subsidy programs to help employers offset a portion of wage and rent expenses for a limited period. During fiscal 2021, Canadian subsidies reduced operating expenses by $3.9 million on our Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). Based on the reasonable assurance criteria, we have deferred recognition of certain benefits of $27.6 million and $21.8 million as of December 31, 2023 and December 25, 2022, respectively until recognition becomes probable, and we have included these amounts in accrued wages and benefits on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Additionally, under the CARES Act, we were allowed to delay payments for the employer portion of social security taxes (6.2% of taxable wages) incurred between March 27, 2020 and December 31, 2020, for both our temporary associates and permanent employees. Deferred employer payroll taxes of $59.9 million were paid in full on September 15, 2021. |
| Business combinations | 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 initial 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 SG&A 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 SG&A expense on the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss). |
| Recently adopted accounting standards | Recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Segments In November 2023, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2023-07, “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures,” which requires disclosure of incremental segment information on an interim and annual basis, primarily regarding significant segment expenses and information used to assess segment performance. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 (2024 for TrueBlue), and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2024 (Q1 2025 for TrueBlue). Retrospective application is required for all periods presented. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our required disclosures. Income Taxes In December 2023, the FASB issued ASU 2023-09, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures,” which requires enhancements and further transparency to certain income tax disclosures, primarily to the tax rate reconciliation and income taxes paid. This ASU is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 (2025 for TrueBlue), on a prospective basis with retrospective application permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of this ASU on our required disclosures. There are no other new accounting pronouncements, issued or effective during the fiscal year, that are expected to have a significant impact on our financial statements and related disclosures. |
