Special Charges

The Company monitors global macroeconomic conditions on an ongoing basis and continues to assess opportunities for improved operational effectiveness and efficiency, as well as a better alignment of expenses with revenues. As a result of these assessments, the Company has undertaken various restructuring actions over the past several years. These actions are described below.

The following tables display the special charges taken for ongoing actions and a roll-forward from November 1, 2014 to October 28, 2017 of the employee separation and exit cost accruals established related to these actions.



Statement of Income	Reduction of Operating Costs Action		Early Retirement Action		Total Special Charges
Workforce reductions	13,684		—		13,684
Total Fiscal 2016 Charges	$	13,684	$	—	$	13,684
Workforce reductions	8,126		41,337		49,463
Total Fiscal 2017 Charges	$	8,126	$	41,337	$	49,463



Accrued Restructuring	Reduction of Operating Costs Action			Early Retirement Action
Balance at November 1, 2014	$	40,503		$	—
Severance payments	(33,220		)	—
Facility closure costs	(459		)	—
Non-cash impairment charge	(433		)	—
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	(514		)	—
Balance at October 31, 2015	$	5,877		$	—
Fiscal 2016 special charges	13,684			—
Severance payments	(7,184		)	—
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	(3		)	—
Balance at October 29, 2016	$	12,374		$	—
Fiscal 2017 special charges	8,126			41,337
Severance payments	(15,764		)	(9,126		)
Effect of foreign currency on accrual	401			—
Balance at October 28, 2017	$	5,137		$	32,211

Early Retirement Offer Action

During fiscal 2017, the Company initiated an early retirement offer. This resulted in a special charge of approximately $41.3 million for severance, related benefits and other costs in accordance with this program for 225 manufacturing, engineering and selling, marketing, general and administrative (SMG&A) employees. As of October 28, 2017, the Company still employed 26 of the 225 employees included in these cost reduction actions. These employees must continue to be employed by the Company until their employment is terminated in order to receive the severance benefits.

Reduction of Operating Costs Actions

During fiscal 2016, the Company recorded special charges of approximately $13.7 million for severance and fringe benefit costs in accordance with the Company's ongoing benefit plan for 123 manufacturing, engineering and SMG&A employees. As of October 28, 2017, the Company still employed 23 of the 123 employees included in these cost reduction actions. These employees must continue to be employed by the Company until their employment is terminated in order to receive the severance benefit.

During fiscal 2017, the Company recorded special charges of approximately $8.1 million for severance and fringe benefit costs in accordance with the Company's ongoing benefit plan or statutory requirements at foreign locations for 177 manufacturing, engineering and SMG&A employees. As of October 28, 2017, the Company still employed 10 of the 177 employees included in this cost reduction action. These employees must continue to be employed by the Company until their employment is terminated in order to receive the severance benefits.