Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended				9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011		Sep. 30, 2012		Sep. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	$ 5,172.3	[1]	$ 5,782.3	[1]	$ 15,475.4	[1]	$ 16,522.0	[1]
Operating unit profit (loss)	133.6	[2]	175.3	[2]	352.7	[2]	452.8	[2]
Corporate expenses	(24.5)		(29.9)		(73.7)		(92.4)
Intangible asset amortization expense	(9.2)	[2]	(9.9)	[2]	(27.4)	[2]	(28.9)	[2]
Reclassification of French business tax	18.7	[3]	22.5	[3]	55.2	[3]	62.9	[3]
Operating profit	118.6		158.0		306.8		394.4
Interest and other expenses	(10.1)		(11.0)		(33.2)		(33.9)
Earnings before income taxes	108.5		147.0		273.6		360.5
Franchise fees	6.4		7.2		17.9		18.8
Franchise revenue	270.5		293.9		794.4		818.0
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Franchise fees	3.9		3.9		10.9		9.8
Franchise revenue	175.8		166.9		520.8		478.6
Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,149.1		1,210.0		3,439.8		3,493.7
Operating unit profit (loss)	35.4	[2]	42.7	[2]	75.8	[2]	103.7	[2]
Americas [Member] | United States [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	760.8	[4]	828.9	[4]	2,259.8	[4]	2,371.4	[4]
Operating unit profit (loss)	24.5	[2]	32.1	[2]	39.1	[2]	68.0	[2]
Americas [Member] | Other Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	388.3		381.1		1,180.0		1,122.3
Operating unit profit (loss)	10.9	[2]	10.6	[2]	36.7	[2]	35.7	[2]
Southern Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,828.0		2,198.2		5,474.2		6,199.2
Operating unit profit (loss)	29.3	[2]	50.0	[2]	83.9	[2]	127.0	[2]
Southern Europe [Member] | France [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,392.0		1,670.3		4,111.4		4,668.1
Operating unit profit (loss)	17.7	[2]	27.9	[2]	38.7	[2]	64.7	[2]
Southern Europe [Member] | Italy [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	246.8		321.0		788.3		950.5
Operating unit profit (loss)	9.4	[2]	19.1	[2]	36.5	[2]	54.4	[2]
Southern Europe [Member] | Other Southern Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	189.2		206.9		574.5		580.6
Operating unit profit (loss)	2.2	[2]	3.0	[2]	8.7	[2]	7.9	[2]
Northern Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,426.9		1,595.6		4,286.7		4,618.5
Operating unit profit (loss)	42.5	[2]	62.8	[2]	125.6	[2]	160.8	[2]
APME [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	688.2		701.0		2,031.1		1,966.7
Operating unit profit (loss)	20.8	[2]	21.7	[2]	62.2	[2]	57.1	[2]
Right Management [Member]
Segment Reporting, Revenue Reconciling Item [Line Items]
Revenues from services	80.1		77.5		243.6		243.9
Operating unit profit (loss)	$ 5.6	[2]	$ (1.9)	[2]	$ 5.2	[2]	$ 4.2	[2]

[1] Our consolidated revenues from services include fees received from our franchise offices of $6.4 and $7.2 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $17.9 and $18.8 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These fees are primarily based on revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were $270.5 and $293.9 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively and $794.4 and $818.0 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.

[2] We evaluate segment performance based on Operating Unit Profit ("OUP"), which is equal to segment revenues less cost of services and branch and national headquarters operating costs. This profit measure does not include goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges or amortization of intangibles related to acquisitions, interest and other income and expense amounts or income taxes.

[3] The French business tax was reported in provision for income taxes rather than in Cost of services, in accordance with the current accounting guidance on income taxes. However, we view this tax as operational in nature. Accordingly, the financial information reviewed internally continues to include the French business tax within the OUP of our France reportable segment. Therefore, we have shown the amount of the French business tax separately to be able to reconcile to our Earnings before income taxes.

[4] In the United States, where a majority of our franchises operate, revenues from services included fees received from the related franchise offices of $3.9 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, and, $10.9 and $9.8 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively. These fees are primarily based on revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were $175.8 and $166.9 for the three months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively, and $520.8 and $478.6 for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 and 2011, respectively.