Segment Data - Summary of Sales and Segment Operating Income (Loss) by Reportable Operating Segment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 02, 2015	Jul. 31, 2016	Aug. 02, 2015
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	$ 330,490	$ 364,668	$ 992,759	$ 1,132,923
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue	266,684	287,554	798,682	900,909
Cost of other revenue	15,110	19,696	47,785	59,210
Selling, administrative and other operating costs	49,712	58,025	154,019	178,227
Restructuring and severance costs	970	1,867	4,571	3,093
Gain on sale of building	0	0	(1,663)	0
Impairment charges	0	580	0	5,954
OPERATING LOSS	(1,986)	(3,054)	(10,635)	(14,470)
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	330,490	364,668	992,759	1,132,923
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue	266,684	287,554	798,682	900,909
Cost of other revenue	15,110	19,696	47,785	59,210
Selling, administrative and other operating costs	41,367	46,950	127,042	148,354
Restructuring and severance costs	755	400	3,155	651
Impairment charges		580		5,954
Segment operating income	6,574	9,488	16,095	17,845
Operating Segments | Staffing Services
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	313,428	341,383	939,356	1,064,481
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue	266,684	287,554	798,682	900,909
Cost of other revenue	0	0	0	0
Selling, administrative and other operating costs	39,926	43,197	122,676	137,721
Restructuring and severance costs	709	341	2,221	616
Impairment charges		2,130		3,107
Segment operating income	6,109	8,161	15,777	22,128
Operating Segments | Other
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Net revenue	17,062	23,285	53,403	68,442
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue	0	0	0	0
Cost of other revenue	15,110	19,696	47,785	59,210
Selling, administrative and other operating costs	1,441	3,753	4,366	10,633
Restructuring and severance costs	46	59	934	35
Impairment charges		(1,550)		2,847
Segment operating income	465	1,327	318	(4,283)
Corporate general and administrative
Expenses
Selling, administrative and other operating costs	8,345	11,075	26,977	29,873
Restructuring and severance costs	$ 215	$ 1,467	$ 1,416	$ 2,442