Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) $ in Thousands	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Income Statement [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 864,367	$ 985,494	$ 1,122,972
Cost of services	702,247	800,593	916,415
Gross profit	162,120	184,901	206,557
Operating and administrative expenses	177,535	187,433	182,873
Restructuring and other related costs	3,767	4,217	3,645
Impairment	0	21,537	14,653
Loss on disposition of business interests	11,301	310	0
Operating profit (loss)	(30,483)	(28,596)	5,386
Other income (expense), net	(988)	61	(228)
Income (loss) before income taxes	(31,471)	(28,535)	5,158
Income tax expense	102	8,551	2,141
Net income (loss)	(31,573)	(37,086)	3,017
Less: Loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest	0	(83)	(65)
Net income (loss) attributable to CDI	$ (31,573)	$ (37,003)	$ 3,082
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ (1.66)	$ (1.88)	$ 0.16
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ (1.66)	$ (1.88)	$ 0.16