Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT (Additional Information) (Detail)

v2.4.0.8
DEBT (Additional Information) (Detail) (USD $)
12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Dec. 31, 2011
Dec. 31, 2013
Maximum
Dec. 31, 2013
Minimum
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes, 7.34%, due in installments through May 2014 [Member]
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes, 7.34%, due in installments through May 2014 [Member]
May 31, 2007
Notes, 7.34%, due in installments through May 2014 [Member]
Nov. 04, 2009
Notes, 4.45%, due December 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes, 4.45%, due December 2014
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes, 4.45%, due December 2014
Jun. 28, 2007
Notes, 6.30%, due July 2017
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes, 6.30%, due July 2017
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes, 6.30%, due July 2017
Jun. 28, 2007
Notes, 7.00%, due July 2037
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes, 7.00%, due July 2037
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes, 7.00%, due July 2037
Dec. 17, 2012
Notes, 3.30%, due Dec 2022
Dec. 31, 2013
Notes, 3.30%, due Dec 2022
Dec. 31, 2012
Notes, 3.30%, due Dec 2022
Dec. 31, 2013
Debentures, 6.90%, due July 2028
Dec. 31, 2012
Debentures, 6.90%, due July 2028
Debt Instrument [Line Items]                                            
Credit facility expiration date Dec. 31, 2017                                          
Credit facility borrowing capacity $ 750,000,000                                          
Credit facility covenants compliance The financial covenants require us to maintain a maximum leverage ratio, defined as consolidated funded debt divided by consolidated EBITDA (as set forth in the Senior Credit Facility) for the preceding four quarters, of not more than 3.5 to 1.0. Compliance with this financial covenant is tested quarterly. The non-financial covenants include limitations on liens, subsidiary debt, mergers, liquidations, asset dispositions and acquisitions. As of December 31, 2013, we were in compliance with our covenants under the Senior Credit Facility                                          
Credit facility, available for borrowings 748,600,000                                          
Commercial paper, maturity date       397 days 1 day                                  
Long term debt 1,438,100,000 1,720,400,000       15,000,000 30,000,000 75,000,000 275,000,000 275,000,000 275,000,000 300,000,000 272,500,000 272,500,000 250,000,000 250,000,000 250,000,000 500,000,000 500,000,000 500,000,000 125,000,000 125,000,000
Long term debt, interest rate           7.34% 7.34% 7.34% 4.45% 4.45% 4.45% 6.30% 6.30% 6.30% 7.00% 7.00% 7.00% 3.30% 3.30% 3.30% 6.90% 6.90%
Debt instrument, maturity term                 5 years     10 years     30 years     10 years        
Long term debt, interest payment date terms                 Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on December 1 and June 1 of each year     Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year     Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 1 and July 1 of each year     Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on December 15 and June 15 of each year        
Fair value adjustments 6,000,000 12,600,000       100,000       6,000,000                        
Repayment of debt, terms           We are required to repay the principal amount of the TALX Notes in five equal annual installments commencing on May 25, 2010 with a final maturity date of May 25, 2014                                
Cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest 67,800,000 53,000,000 54,000,000                                      
Line Of Credit Facility Potential Maximum Borrowing Capacity 1,000,000,000                                          
Commercial Paper Maximum Borrowing Capacity $ 750,000,000