EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated December 31, 1997 appearing on page F-1 of the Western Staff Services, Inc. 1997 Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 1, 1997. /s/ Price Waterhouse LLP - ------------------------- PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP San Francisco, California March 13, 1998