CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Oct. 01, 2011	Oct. 02, 2010
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 27,722	$ 14,547
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	35,135	45,361
Other postretirement and post employment benefits	1,245	1,268
Stock-based compensation	5,210	5,020
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(99)
Deferred income taxes	7,412	8,579
Loss on sale, retirement and impairment of long-lived assets and intangibles	397	2,468
Stock issued to retirement plan	4,906	5,400
Other – net	(834)	1,918
Net increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabiities	(18,785)	(31,885)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	4,663	(3,557)
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	66,972	49,119
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(16,937)	(17,834)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	2,697	2,217
Capitalized software	(3,257)	(842)
Purchase of long-term investments	(14,555)	(11,209)
Sales or maturities of long-term investments	5,857	8,320
Other - net	413	3,444
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(25,782)	(15,904)
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of HNI Corporation common stock	2,607	2,242
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(10,000)	(17,806)
Proceeds from long-term debt	5,455	50,157
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(5,973)	(53,845)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	99
Dividends paid	(30,940)	(29,098)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(38,752)	(48,350)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	2,438	(15,135)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	99,096	87,374
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 101,534	$ 72,239