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Document and Entity Information (USD $)	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information (USD $)	Oct. 02, 2011	Jul. 03, 2011	Oct. 28, 2011 Common Class A	Oct. 28, 2011 Common Class B
Entity Registrant Name	KELLY SERVICES INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000055135
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Oct. 02, 2011
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2011
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--01-01
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float		$ 487,710,754
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			33,367,074	3,454,485