<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001562180-20-005040.txt : 20200706
<SEC-HEADER>0001562180-20-005040.hdr.sgml : 20200706
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20200706213320
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001562180-20-005040
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		2
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20200701
FILED AS OF DATE:		20200706
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20200706

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEWBREY DIANE L
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001200125

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-21886
		FILM NUMBER:		201015113

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		FIFTH THIRD BANCORP
		STREET 2:		38 FOUNTAIN SQ PLZ
		CITY:			CINCINNATI
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			45263

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000902791
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-HELP SUPPLY SERVICES [7363]
		IRS NUMBER:				520812977
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			MD
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 NE PARKWAY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			VANCOUVER
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98662
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(800) 494-5669

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8100 NE PARKWAY DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 200
		CITY:			VANCOUVER
		STATE:			WA
		ZIP:			98662
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primarydocument.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2020-07-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>false</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000902791</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>BBSI</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001200125</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEWBREY DIANE L</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>8100 N.E. PARKWAY DRIVE, SUITE 200</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VANCOUVER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>WA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>98662</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>true</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>false</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>false</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>false</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>501.00</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>501.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>501.00</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>501.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2020-07-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>false</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1457.00</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1457.00</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1457.00</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the Issuer's common stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Restricted Stock Units vest in one annual installment beginning July 1, 2020, and will be settled by delivery of unrestricted shares of common stock on the vesting date.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">The Restricted Stock Units vest in one annual installment beginning July 1, 2021, and will be settled by delivery of unrestricted shares of common stock on the vesting date.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Anthony Harris, as attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2020-07-06</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-24
<SEQUENCE>2
<FILENAME>ddewbreypoa.txt
<DESCRIPTION>POWER OF ATTORNEY
<TEXT>
Exhibit 24

POWER OF ATTORNEY

      The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints each of Gary
Kramer, Anthony Harris, and Ben Ward, signing singly, the
undersigned's true and lawful attorney-in-fact to:

            1.      Execute for and on behalf of the undersigned, in
the undersigned's capacity as an officer and/or director of Barrett
Business Services, Inc. (the "Company"), Forms 3, 4, and 5 in
accordance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
and the rules thereunder, and any other forms or reports the
undersigned may be required to file in connection with the
undersigned's ownership, acquisition, or disposition of securities of
the Company, including forms required to generate codes for the
Securities and Exchange Commission's electronic filing system; and

            2.      Do and perform any and all acts for and on behalf
of the undersigned which may be necessary or desirable to complete
and execute any such Form 3, 4, or 5, or other form or report, and
timely file such form or report with the United States Securities and
Exchange Commission and any stock exchange or similar authority as
appropriate.

            The undersigned hereby grants to each such attorney-in-fact
full power and authority to do and perform any and every act and
thing necessary or proper to be done in the exercise of any of the
rights and powers herein granted, as fully to all intents and
purposes as the undersigned could do if personally present, hereby
ratifying and confirming all that such attorney-in-fact shall
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue of this power of attorney
and the rights and powers herein granted. The undersigned
acknowledges that the foregoing attorneys-in-fact, in serving in such
capacity at the request of the undersigned, are not assuming, and the
Company is not assuming, any of the undersigned's responsibilities to
comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

            This Power of Attorney shall remain in full force and
effect until the undersigned is no longer subject to Section 16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 with respect to the undersigned's
holdings of and transactions in securities issued by the Company,
unless earlier revoked by the undersigned in a signed writing
delivered to the foregoing attorneys-in-fact.

            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Power
of Attorney to be executed as of this 21st day of October, 2019.

/s/ Diane L. Dewbrey
Diane L. Dewbrey
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
