Deferred Grants - Schedule of Deferred Grants (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Deferred Grants [Abstract]
Property grants	$ 6,643	$ 7,270
Employment grants	146	337
Total deferred grants	6,789	7,607
Less: Property grants - short-term	(6)
Less: Employment grants - short-term	(146)
Total long-term deferred grants	$ 6,637	$ 7,607

The carrying amount of deferred property and employment grants as of the balance sheet date due beyond one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer.

No definition available.

Name:	syke_LongTermDeferredGrantsNet
Namespace Prefix:	syke_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant