<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>115</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>247</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>true</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>49</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>5</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>0001000 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/DocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/ConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS &amp; COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfOperationsComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS &amp; COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>1006000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/ConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2101100 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2103100 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/FairValueMeasurement</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2104100 - Disclosure - MARKETABLE SECURITIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/MarketableSecurities</Role>
      <ShortName>MARKETABLE SECURITIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2105100 - Disclosure - RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/RestrictedCashAndInvestments</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2106100 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNet</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2107100 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2108100 - Disclosure - WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/WorkersCompensationInsuranceAndReserves</Role>
      <ShortName>WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2109100 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Notes)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Notes</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/LongTermDebtNotes</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT (Notes)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2110100 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2113100 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensation</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2114100 - Disclosure - DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/DefinedContributionPlans</Role>
      <ShortName>DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2115100 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/IncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2116100 - Disclosure - NET INCOME PER SHARE</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/NetIncomePerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME PER SHARE</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2117100 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2118100 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2119100 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SegmentInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2121100 - Disclosure - SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SubsequentEvents</Role>
      <ShortName>SUBSEQUENT EVENTS</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2201201 - Disclosure - SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2203201 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Fair Value Measurement (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/FairValueMeasurementFairValueMeasurementPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT Fair Value Measurement (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2303302 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/FairValueMeasurementTables</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2305301 - Disclosure - RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2306301 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNetTables</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2307301 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2308301 - Disclosure - WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/WorkersCompensationInsuranceAndReservesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2309301 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/LongTermDebtTables</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2310301 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2313301 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2316301 - Disclosure - NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/NetIncomePerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME PER SHARE (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2317301 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeTables</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2318301 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2319301 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SegmentInformationTables</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2403403 - Disclosure - FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/FairValueMeasurementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENT (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2404401 - Disclosure - MARKETABLE SECURITIES - Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/MarketableSecuritiesAvailableForSaleSecuritiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>MARKETABLE SECURITIES - Available-for-sale Securities (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2405402 - Disclosure - RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/RestrictedCashAndInvestmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>RESTRICTED CASH AND INVESTMENTS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406402 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNetDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2406403 - Disclosure - PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (NARRATIVE) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/PropertyAndEquipmentNetNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET (NARRATIVE) (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407402 - Disclosure - - Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/ChangesInCarryingAmountOfGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>- Changes in Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407403 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsIntangibleAssetsOtherThanGoodwillDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Intangible Assets Other Than Goodwill (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407404 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative Finite Intangibles (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsNarrativeFiniteIntangiblesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS - Narrative Finite Intangibles (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2407405 - Disclosure - GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS  - Narrative Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/GoodwillAndIntangibleAssetsNarrativeIndefiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>GOODWILL AND INTANGIBLE ASSETS  - Narrative Indefinite-lived Intangible Assets (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408402 - Disclosure - WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES - Reconciliation of Workers' Compensation Claims Reserve (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/WorkersCompensationInsuranceAndReservesReconciliationOfWorkersCompensationClaimsReserveDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES - Reconciliation of Workers' Compensation Claims Reserve (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2408403 - Disclosure - WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/WorkersCompensationInsuranceAndReservesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>WORKERS' COMPENSATION INSURANCE AND RESERVES - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409402 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Summary of long-term debt (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/LongTermDebtSummaryOfLongTermDebtDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT Summary of long-term debt (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409403 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Revolving Credit Facility Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/LongTermDebtRevolvingCreditFacilityNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT Revolving Credit Facility Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2409404 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Term Loan Agreement (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/LongTermDebtTermLoanAgreementDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>LONG-TERM DEBT Term Loan Agreement (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2410402 - Disclosure - COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Workers' Compensation Commitments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/CommitmentsAndContingenciesWorkersCompensationCommitmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES - Workers' Compensation Commitments (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413402 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted and Unrestricted Stock and Performance Share Units (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensationRestrictedAndUnrestrictedStockAndPerformanceShareUnitsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted and Unrestricted Stock and Performance Share Units (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413403 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockOptionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Stock Option (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413404 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensationEmployeeStockPurchasePlanDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Employee Stock Purchase Plan (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2413405 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION  - Stock-based compensation expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/StockBasedCompensationStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION  - Stock-based compensation expense (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2414401 - Disclosure - DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/DefinedContributionPlansDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLANS (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2415401 - Disclosure - INCOME TAXES  - Narrative (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/IncomeTaxesNarrativeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>INCOME TAXES  - Narrative (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2416402 - Disclosure - NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/NetIncomePerShareDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>NET INCOME PER SHARE (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2417402 - Disclosure - ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/AccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncomeDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2418402 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SupplementalCashFlowInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>2419402 - Disclosure - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://trueblue.com/role/SegmentInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>SEGMENT INFORMATION (Details)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2404401 - Disclosure - MARKETABLE SECURITIES - Available-for-sale Securities (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409403 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Revolving Credit Facility Narrative (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2409404 - Disclosure - LONG-TERM DEBT Term Loan Agreement (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Shares' elements on report '2413402 - Disclosure - STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION - Restricted and Unrestricted Stock and Performance Share Units (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '2418402 - Disclosure - SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION (Details)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 28, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 27, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1001501 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1002000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS &amp; COMPREHENSIVE INCOME</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 1006000 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>tbi-20150327.xml</File>
    <File>tbi-20150327.xsd</File>
    <File>tbi-20150327_cal.xml</File>
    <File>tbi-20150327_def.xml</File>
    <File>tbi-20150327_lab.xml</File>
    <File>tbi-20150327_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
