SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
Oct. 01, 2017	Sep. 23, 2016	Oct. 01, 2017	Sep. 23, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	$ 660,780	$ 697,097	$ 1,839,146	$ 2,015,689
Segment EBITDA	45,789	45,978	105,278	17,507
Corporate unallocated	131,552	134,679	378,150	401,090
Depreciation and amortization	(11,189)	(11,690)	(34,650)	(34,673)
Income (loss) from operations	29,278	27,751	53,928	(40,476)
Interest and other income (expense), net	(219)	(867)	10	(2,773)
Income (loss) before tax expense	29,059	26,884	53,938	(43,249)
Corporate Segment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Corporate unallocated	(5,322)	(6,537)	(16,700)	(23,310)
PeopleReady
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	414,995	435,783	1,118,331	1,198,067
Segment EBITDA	28,572	34,100	57,448	75,198
PeopleManagement
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	196,835	216,834	581,408	682,605
Segment EBITDA	6,940	3,520	18,759	(70,218)
PeopleScout
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenue	48,950	44,480	139,407	135,017
Segment EBITDA	$ 10,277	$ 8,358	$ 29,071	$ 12,527

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- Definition

The current period expense charged against earnings on long-lived, physical assets not used in production, and which are not intended for resale, to allocate or recognize the cost of such assets over their useful lives; or to record the reduction in book value of an intangible asset over the benefit period of such asset; or to reflect consumption during the period of an asset that is not used in production.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 360
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6391035&loc=d3e2868-110229

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66902209&loc=d3e3602-108585

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- Definition

Amount of income (loss) from continuing operations before deduction of income tax expense (benefit) and income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest, and addition of income (loss) from equity method investments.

+ 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.(h)(1)(i))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=26873400&loc=d3e23780-122690

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- Definition

The aggregate amount of income or expense from ancillary business-related activities (that is to say, excluding major activities considered part of the normal operations of the business).

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- Definition

The net result for the period of deducting operating expenses from operating revenues.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Aggregate revenue during the period from services rendered in the normal course of business, after deducting allowances and discounts.

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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.

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- Definition

The aggregate total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 225
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-03.4)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=63488584&loc=d3e20235-122688

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-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 330
-SubTopic 10
-Section 30
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=68048583&loc=d3e3636-108311

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