Segment Data (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013		Mar. 31, 2012
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	$ 4,768.9	[1]	$ 5,096.4	[1]
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	71.8		111.7
Corporate expenses	(24.4)		(26.3)
Intangible asset amortization expense	(8.4)		(9.0)
Reclassification of French business tax	15.4	[2]	17.4	[2]
Operating Profit	54.4		93.8
Interest and other expenses	(11.5)		(11.8)
Earnings before income taxes	42.9		82.0
Franchise fees	5.3		5.4
Franchise revenue	234.7		253.9
United States [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Franchise fees	3.2		3.2
Franchise revenue	155.1		164.4
Americas reportable segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,093.0		1,138.3
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	16.1	[3]	22.2	[3]
Americas reportable segment [Member] | United States [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	706.1	[4]	735.8	[4]
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	7.4	[3]	6.9	[3]
Americas reportable segment [Member] | Other Americas [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	386.9		402.5
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	8.7	[3]	15.3	[3]
Southern Europe reportable segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,596.5		1,754.5
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	28.3	[3]	23.5	[3]
Southern Europe reportable segment [Member] | France [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,145.2		1,291.8
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	14.3	[3]	5.5	[3]
Southern Europe reportable segment [Member] | Italy [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	257.9		267.5
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	11.7	[3]	14.5	[3]
Southern Europe reportable segment [Member] | Other Southern Europe [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	193.4		195.2
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	2.3	[3]	3.5	[3]
APME reportable segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	632.5		680.0
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	14.8	[3]	19.6	[3]
Right Management reportable segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	76.6		79.6
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	2.0	[3]	2.5	[3]
Northern Europe reportable segment [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Revenues from services	1,370.3		1,444.0
Operating Unit Profit (Loss)	$ 10.6	[3]	$ 43.9	[3]

[1] Our consolidated revenues from services include fees received from our franchise offices of $5.3 and $5.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. These fees are primarily based on revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were $234.7 and $253.9 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

[2] 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.

[3] 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.

[4] In the United States, where a majority of our franchises operate, revenues from services included fees received from the related franchise offices of $3.2 for both the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012. These fees are primarily based on revenues generated by the franchise offices, which were $155.1 and $164.4 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively.