EXHIBIT 99.1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

                                               Contact:  Paul A. Norberg
                                                Telephone:  925/930-5300
                                            e-mail: pnorberg@westaff.com




                       WESTAFF REPORTS TERMINATION OF BUYOUT PROPOSAL

     WALNUT CREEK, Calif., May 3, 2000   -   Westaff, Inc. (NASDAQ: WSTF), a
leading provider of essential staffing services, today reported that the
recapitalization agreement signed on March 7, 2000 has been terminated by
mutual consent of all parties.  In connection with the termination, Mike
Phippen, President and Chief Executive Officer, has resigned effective
immediately.  W. R. Stover, Chairman, will assume the position of Interim
President and Chief Executive Officer until a replacement has been hired. The
annual meeting of stockholders has been postponed to June 20, 2000.

     W.R. Stover stated that, "We are disappointed that the recapitalization
has been terminated; however, we are exploring various strategies for
improving operating performance and increasing stockholder value as a public
company."  Stover added that, "The search for a new CEO will begin
immediately."

     The Company also announced that it currently projects net earnings for
the quarter ended April 15, 2000 will be approximately $0.11 per share which
is $0.08 per share below analysts' estimates of $0.19 per share.  Included,
as an expense during the quarter, is $638,000 of pre-tax costs relating to
the terminated recapitalization agreement.  The Company estimates that it
will incur approximately $1,100,000 of additional pre-tax costs during the
third quarter of fiscal 2000 relating to the terminated recapitalization
agreement.  Actual results for the second quarter will be announced on
Tuesday, May 23, 2000.

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     Westaff provides essential staffing services to and employment
opportunities at competitive businesses in global markets.  Westaff annually
employs approximately 270,000 people worldwide and services approximately
25,000 clients from more than 360 offices located throughout the U.S., United
Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Norway and Denmark, and achieved fiscal 1999
system revenues of $690 million.  For more information, please visit our
website at WWW.WESTAFF.COM.

      THIS PRESS RELEASE CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS REGARDING FUTURE
EVENTS AND FUTURE PERFORMANCE OF THE COMPANY THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER MATERIALLY.  WE REFER
YOU TO DOCUMENTS THAT THE COMPANY FILES FROM TIME TO TIME WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, SUCH AS FORM 10-K, FORM 10-Q AND FORM 8-K REPORTS,
WHICH CONTAIN A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL
RESULTS TO DIFFER FROM CURRENT EXPECTATIONS AND THE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS IN THIS PRESS RELEASE.


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