Document and Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 19, 2014	Jun. 28, 2013
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	TELETECH HOLDINGS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001013880
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2013
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Public Float			$ 451,226,304
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		49,987,299	51,346,419