Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Revenue	$ 286,268	$ 304,235	$ 867,720	$ 878,850
Operating expenses
Cost of services (exclusive of depreciation and amortization presented separately below)	201,766	220,795	622,782	630,274
Selling, general and administrative	43,845	43,445	137,689	138,529
Depreciation and amortization	10,695	11,807	31,040	34,828
Restructuring charges, net	2,440	1,616	20,694	2,298
Impairment losses	161	0	2,958	230
Total operating expenses	258,907	277,663	815,163	806,159
Income from operations	27,361	26,572	52,557	72,691
Other income (expense)
Interest income	780	896	2,235	2,282
Interest expense	(2,129)	(1,143)	(4,810)	(3,814)
Other income (expense), net	97	(386)	(227)	(647)
Total other income (expense)	(1,252)	(633)	(2,802)	(2,179)
Income before income taxes	26,109	25,939	49,755	70,512
Benefit (Provision) for income taxes	3,611	496	3,030	(9,482)
Net income	29,720	26,435	52,785	61,030
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,291)	(1,064)	(3,152)	(2,969)
Net income attributable to TeleTech stockholders	28,429	25,371	49,633	58,061
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Foreign currency translation adjustment	7,358	(16,612)	10,607	(9,731)
Derivative valuation, gross	7,260	(7,104)	21,650	(17,584)
Derivative valuation, tax effect	(2,906)	3,270	(8,480)	7,170
Other, net of tax	298	113	933	334
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	12,010	(20,333)	24,710	(19,811)
Total comprehensive income	41,730	6,102	77,495	41,219
Comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interest	(1,357)	(697)	(3,265)	(2,604)
Comprehensive income attributable to TeleTech stockholders	$ 40,373	$ 5,405	$ 74,230	$ 38,615
Weighted average shares outstanding
Basic	54,093	56,476	55,233	56,790
Diluted	54,905	57,748	55,991	58,173
NET INCOME PER SHARE [Abstract]
Basic	$ 0.53	$ 0.45	$ 0.90	$ 1.02
Diluted	$ 0.52	$ 0.44	$ 0.89	$ 1.00