DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		36 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013 segments countries	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2001 acquisition
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment, Gross Margin [Line Items]
Gross margin, from external customer	$ 56,677	$ 73,208
Number of acquisitions (in acquisitions)			67
Number of countries in which entity operates (in countries)	20
Number of reportable segments (in segments)	3
Gross margin, percent of total	100.00%	100.00%
Minimum
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment, Gross Margin [Line Items]
Number of employees (in employees)	2,000
Hudson Americas
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment, Gross Margin [Line Items]
Gross margin, from external customer	8,144	11,831
Gross margin, percent of total	14.40%	16.20%
Hudson Asia Pacific
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment, Gross Margin [Line Items]
Gross margin, from external customer	21,492	29,313
Gross margin, percent of total	37.90%	40.00%
Hudson Europe
Schedule Of Segment Reporting Information By Segment, Gross Margin [Line Items]
Gross margin, from external customer	$ 27,041	$ 32,064
Gross margin, percent of total	47.70%	43.80%