NONCONTROLLING INTEREST - Changes in Stockholders' Equity Attributed to Company and Noncontrolling Interest (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014			$ 474,745
Net income	$ 11,932	$ (351)	21,259	$ 4,384
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment	(4,925)	(27,563)	(11,096)	(26,925)
Comprehensive income (loss)	7,007	$ (27,914)	10,163	$ (22,541)
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards and units			(8,592)
Cash distribution			(10,018)
Stock based compensation - restricted stock			11,243
Balance, September 30, 2015	477,541		477,541
Attributable to Monster Worldwide, Inc.
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014			420,498
Net income			17,547
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			(7,805)
Comprehensive income (loss)			9,742
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards and units			(8,592)
Cash distribution			0
Stock based compensation - restricted stock			11,243
Balance, September 30, 2015	432,891		432,891
Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Balance, December 31, 2014			54,247
Net income			3,712
Change in cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment			(3,291)
Comprehensive income (loss)			421
Tax withholdings related to net share settlements of restricted stock awards and units			0
Cash distribution			(10,018)
Stock based compensation - restricted stock			0
Balance, September 30, 2015	$ 44,650		$ 44,650