UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                           ---------------------------

                                    FORM 8-K

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                       Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

                                December 15, 2004

                         BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

                                    Maryland
                 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)

                                     0-21886
                                (SEC File Number)

                                   52-0812977
                        (IRS Employer Identification No.)

         4724 S.W. Macadam Avenue
         Portland, Oregon                                    97239
         (Address of principal executive offices)           (Zip Code)

               Registrant's telephone number, including area code:

                                 (503) 220-0988

     Check the  appropriate  box below  if the Form 8-K  filing is  intended  to
simultaneously  satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
following provisions:

|_|   Written  communications  pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17
      CFR 230.425)

|_|   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR
      240.14a-12)

|_|   Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  14d-2(b)  under  the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

|_|   Pre-commencement  communications  pursuant  to  Rule  13e-4(c)  under  the
      Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))





Item 5.02.  Departure of Directors or Principal Officers; Election of Directors;
Appointment of Principal Officers

            Effective  December  15,  2004,  the Board of  Directors  of Barrett
Business Services,  Inc. (the "Company"),  elected Jon L. Justesen,  co-owner of
Justesen  Ranches in eastern Oregon,  as a director of the Company.  There is no
arrangement or understanding  between Mr. Justesen and any other person relating
to his election as a director. At the time of this report, there are no plans to
appoint Mr. Justesen to any committee of the Board of Directors.

                                   SIGNATURES

            Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the  registrant  has duly  caused  this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                    BARRETT BUSINESS SERVICES, INC.


Dated:  December 17, 2004           By: /s/ Michael D. Mulholland
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Michael D. Mulholland
                                        Vice President - Finance