Special Charges Costs associated with exit or disposal activities or restructuring (Policies)

12 Months Ended

Jan. 31, 2016

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities or Restructurings

Special Charges

We record restructuring charges in connection with our plans to better align our cost structure with projected operations in the future. We record restructuring charges in connection with employee rebalances based on estimates of the expected costs associated with severance benefits. If the actual cost incurred exceeds the estimated cost, additional expense is recognized. If the actual cost is less than the estimated cost, a benefit is recognized.

We also record within special charges, expenses incurred related to certain litigation costs that are unusual in nature due to the significance in variability of timing and amount. Special Charges may also include costs associated with acquisitions, excess facility costs and asset related charges. See additional discussion in Note 15. "Special Charges."

Special charges generally include expenses incurred related to employee severance, certain litigation costs, acquisitions, excess facility costs, and asset related charges.

We offered the voluntary early retirement program in North America during the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 110 employees elected to participate. The costs presented here are for severance benefits. All of these costs were paid during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016.

Employee severance and related costs include severance benefits and notice pay. These rebalance charges generally represent the aggregate of numerous unrelated rebalance plans which impact several employee groups, none of which is individually material to our financial position or results of operations. We determine termination benefit amounts based on employee status, years of service, and local statutory requirements. We record the charge for estimated severance benefits in the quarter that the rebalance plan is approved.