Temporary Workers Prioritize Transparency and Human Connection

TrueBlue’s PeopleReady survey of 1,200+ temporary workers also highlights openness to AI in job search

TACOMA, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI), a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions, today announced new survey findings from its flagship PeopleReady brand, revealing that temporary workers continue to value transparency, human guidance, and fast pay, while being open to technology-enabled tools that speed up and improve job matching.

The findings, from People Pulse – Spring 2026, a nationwide survey of more than 1,200 temporary workers, explore how today’s workforce balances emerging technology with traditional staffing support. Results show temporary workers recognize AI’s potential for faster, more effective job matching, while trust, human interaction, and fast pay remain central to the experience.

“As AI continues to reshape how work gets done, it’s encouraging to see these findings reinforce what matters most to workers — speed, transparency, and human connection,” said Taryn Owen, President and CEO of TrueBlue. “Our approach has been to use technology to enhance — not replace — the human experience. By combining digital innovation with deep local expertise, we’re delivering faster, more transparent connections between people and work while maintaining the trust workers and businesses expect.”

“Temporary workers value technology that helps them connect with jobs more quickly, but human connection remains imperative to the experience,” said Mike Kruszewski, President of PeopleReady On-Demand. “Our local teams play a key role in understanding the needs of both workers and customers — providing guidance, support, and trusted relationships in every market we serve. By combining our JobStack technology with the expertise of our local teams, we’re able to create more meaningful opportunities for workers while helping customers maintain a reliable workforce and achieve lasting results.”

Key Findings

• Human Communication Matters: Just 3% of workers prefer AI-only communication about jobs, with the vast majority favoring either human interaction or a blend of human and AI engagement.
• Transparency is Key: Nearly four in five temporary workers are receptive to AI-supported job matching, but most still want visibility into all available jobs — not just algorithmic recommendations.
• Trust in AI is Mixed: While 53% of workers say they are at least somewhat comfortable chatting with an AI assistant during their job search, only 14% say they fully trust AI in that process.
• Speed and Fairness Drive Value: The top perceived benefit of AI is faster job matching (cited by 36% of respondents), followed by its potential to reduce bias.

The PeopleReady Advantage

With its nationwide branch network and award-winning AI-enabled JobStack app, PeopleReady is uniquely positioned to meet the evolving needs of both businesses and today’s temporary workforce. JobStack delivers a smarter, faster, and more reliable staffing experience, connecting employers with talent when and where they need it most.

About People Pulse

People Pulse – Spring 2026 is based on a nationwide survey of more than 1,200 PeopleReady temporary workers across generations and industries. The survey explores evolving workforce attitudes toward technology, job priorities and how AI is shaping temporary staffing.

Full survey findings are available here.

About TrueBlue

TrueBlue (NYSE: TBI) is a leading provider of specialized workforce solutions. As The People Company®, we put people first—advancing our mission to connect people and work while delivering smart, scalable solutions that help businesses grow and communities thrive. Since our founding, TrueBlue has connected more than 10 million people with work and served over 3 million clients across a variety of industries. Powered by proprietary, digitally enabled platforms and decades of expertise, our brands—PeopleReady, PeopleScout, Staff Management | SMX, Centerline, SIMOS, and Healthcare Staffing Professionals—provide a full spectrum of flexible staffing, workforce management, and recruitment solutions that bring precision, speed, and scale to the changing world of work. Learn more at www.trueblue.com.