CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2012	Oct. 01, 2011
Net Cash Flows From (To) Operating Activities:
Net income	$ 30,949	$ 27,722
Noncash items included in net income:
Depreciation and amortization	32,104	35,135
Other postretirement and post employment benefits	1,259	1,245
Stock-based compensation	5,039	5,210
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	(4,156)	(99)
Deferred income taxes	6,288	7,412
Loss on sale, retirement and impairment of long-lived assets and intangibles	649	397
Stock issued to retirement plan	4,864	4,906
Other – net	1,506	(834)
Net increase (decrease) in operating assets and liabiities	(391)	(18,785)
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities	2,725	4,663
Net cash flows from (to) operating activities	80,836	66,972
Net Cash Flows From (To) Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures	(27,297)	(16,937)
Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment	596	2,697
Capitalized software	(17,362)	(3,257)
Acquisition spending, net of cash acquired	(26,894)	0
Purchase of investments	(4,752)	(14,555)
Sales or maturities of investments	3,962	5,857
Other - net	40	413
Net cash flows from (to) investing activities	(71,707)	(25,782)
Net Cash Flows From (To) Financing Activities:
Proceeds from sales of HNI Corporation common stock	4,610	2,607
Withholdings related to net share settlements of equity based awards	(5,995)	0
Purchase of HNI Corporation common stock	(13,359)	(10,000)
Proceeds from long-term debt	105,000	5,455
Payments of note and long-term debt and other financing	(94,855)	(5,973)
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	4,156	99
Dividends paid	(32,233)	(30,940)
Net cash flows from (to) financing activities	(32,676)	(38,752)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(23,547)	2,438
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	72,812	99,096
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 49,265	$ 101,534