Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Revenue	$ 1,179,388	$ 1,094,906	$ 1,167,915
Operating expenses
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below)	848,362	789,697	820,517
Selling, general and administrative	188,802	165,812	180,039
Depreciation and amortization	44,889	50,218	56,991
Restructuring charges, net	3,651	13,476	5,072
Impairment losses	230	1,958	4,587
Total operating expenses	1,085,934	1,021,161	1,067,206
Income from operations	93,454	73,745	100,709
Other income (expense)
Interest income	3,064	2,129	2,634
Interest expense	(5,118)	(3,161)	(3,158)
Other income (expense), net	154	9,256	2,858
Total other income (expense)	(1,900)	8,224	2,334
Income before income taxes	91,554	81,969	103,043
Provision for income taxes	(13,279)	(28,431)	(27,477)
Net income	78,275	53,538	75,566
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(4,101)	(3,664)	(3,812)
Net income attributable to TeleTech stockholders	74,174	49,874	71,754
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustments	(12,596)	8,080	18,231
Derivatives valuation, net of tax	(12,942)	2,623	25,647
Other	(655)	(792)	0
Total comprehensive income	52,082	63,449	119,444
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(3,716)	(3,754)	(4,157)
Comprehensive income attributable to TeleTech stockholders	$ 48,366	$ 59,695	$ 115,287
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	56,669	60,361	62,891
Diluted	57,963	61,792	64,238
Net income per share attributable to TeleTech stockholders
Basic	$ 1.31	$ 0.83	$ 1.14
Diluted	$ 1.28	$ 0.81	$ 1.12