RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Oct. 01, 2017	Jan. 01, 2017
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Cash collateral held by insurance carriers	$ 29,122	$ 34,910
Cash and cash equivalents held in Trust	30,666	32,841
Investments held in Trust	163,270	146,517
Other	21,115	16,925
Restricted cash and investments	244,173	231,193
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Gain	2,195	685
Gross Unrealized Loss	(412)	(1,249)
Fair Value	165,053	145,953
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	165,053	145,953
Municipal debt securities
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Investments held in Trust	76,373	71,618
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Gain	1,561	443
Gross Unrealized Loss	(233)	(865)
Fair Value	77,701	71,196
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	77,701	71,196
Corporate debt securities
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Investments held in Trust	81,395	68,934
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Gain	572	212
Gross Unrealized Loss	(166)	(352)
Fair Value	81,801	68,794
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	81,801	68,794
Agency mortgage-backed securities
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Investments held in Trust	4,502	5,965
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Gain	36	30
Gross Unrealized Loss	(13)	(32)
Fair Value	4,525	5,963
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	4,525	$ 5,963
U.S. government and agency securities
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Investments held in Trust	1,000
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Gross Unrealized Gain	26
Gross Unrealized Loss	0
Fair Value	1,026
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	1,026
Restricted Cash and Investments [Member]
Restricted Cash and Investments [Line Items]
Investments held in Trust	163,270
Held-to-maturity Securities, Reconciliation to Fair Value [Abstract]
Fair Value	165,053
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Amortized Cost [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	16,796
Due after one year through five years	83,156
Due after five years through ten years	63,318
Held-to-maturity Securities, Investment Maturities, Fair Value [Abstract]
Due in one year or less	16,816
Due after one year through five years	83,764
Due after five years through ten years	64,473
Fair Value	$ 165,053

Held-to-maturity Securities, Adjustments for Fair Value Calculation [Abstract]

No definition available.

Name:	tbi_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAdjustmentsForFairValueCalculationAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	tbi_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount of cash and investment securities on deposit with state regulatory authorities in connection with capital requirements.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=28366721&loc=d3e22002-158495

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsHeldByInsuranceRegulators
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of cash, securities, or other assets held by a third-party trustee pursuant to the terms of an agreement which assets are available to be used by beneficiaries to that agreement only within the specific terms thereof and which agreement is expected to terminate more than one year from the balance sheet date (or operating cycle, if longer) at which time the assets held-in-trust will be released or forfeited.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 235
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.4-08.(b))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AssetsHeldInTrustNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount after other than temporary impairment (OTTI) accretion, of investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 25
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65884222&loc=d3e22054-111558

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03.1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03.6)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecurities
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized gain on investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingGain
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of accumulated unrealized loss on investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesAccumulatedUnrecognizedHoldingLoss
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities maturing in the sixth fiscal year through the tenth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of debt securities accounted for as held-to-maturity, net of adjustments including, but not limited to, accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) recognized, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, maturing in the fifth through tenth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterFiveThroughTenYearsNetCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities maturing in the second fiscal year through the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)(2)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Carrying amount of debt securities accounted for as held-to-maturity, net of adjustments including, but not limited to, accretion, amortization, collection of cash, previous other-than-temporary impairments (OTTI) recognized, and fair value hedge accounting adjustments, maturing in the next fiscal year through the fifth fiscal year following the latest fiscal year.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesAfterOneThroughFiveYearsNetCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesFairValueAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesNetCarryingAmountAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities maturing in the next fiscal year following the latest fiscal year. Excludes interim and annual periods when interim periods are reported on a rolling approach, from latest balance sheet date.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 320
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6957658&loc=d3e62586-112803

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 320
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 5
-Subparagraph (f)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=73527792&loc=d3e27232-111563

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesDebtMaturitiesWithinOneYearNetCarryingAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Fair value of investments in debt securities classified as held-to-maturity.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_HeldToMaturitySecuritiesFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount of noncurrent assets that are pledged or subject to withdrawal restrictions, classified as other.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_OtherRestrictedAssetsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsItemsLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The noncurrent cash, cash equivalents and investments that is restricted as to withdrawal or usage. Restrictions may include legally restricted deposits held as compensating balances against borrowing arrangements, contracts entered into with others, or entity statements of intention with regard to particular deposits classified as long-term; that is not expected to be released from such existing restrictions within one year of the balance sheet date or operating cycle, whichever is longer. Excludes compensating balance arrangements that are not agreements which legally restrict the use of cash amounts shown on the balance sheet. Includes noncurrent cash equivalents and investments that are similarly restricted as to withdrawal, usage or disposal.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_MunicipalBondsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_CorporateBondSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_AssetBackedSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_MajorTypesOfDebtAndEquitySecuritiesAxis=us-gaap_USGovernmentCorporationsAndAgenciesSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsCashAndCashEquivalentsAxis=tbi_RestrictedCashandInvestmentsMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type: