Segment Disclosures - Summary of Sales and Segment Operating Income (Loss) by Reportable Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	May 01, 2011	Jan. 30, 2011	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE		$ 571,559	$ 558,032	$ 573,443	$ 543,093	$ 588,198	$ 555,930	$ 558,296	$ 535,685	$ 2,246,127	$ 2,238,109	$ 1,956,412
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue		440,600	441,124	441,341	415,868	434,541	430,081	431,057	403,032	1,738,933	1,698,711	1,479,562
Cost of other revenue		39,363	38,296	42,759	43,435	46,176	40,658	38,507	40,870	163,853	166,211	178,268
Selling, administrative and other operating costs		81,259	78,093	77,003	74,492	77,490	76,636	75,220	73,536	310,847	302,882	294,564
Amortization of purchased intangible assets		348	344	345	345	345	345	344	313	1,382	1,347	1,434
Restructuring costs												3,149
Segment operating income (loss)										41,843	77,430	9,473
Corporate general and administrative										10,731	8,472	10,038
Gain on sale of building	(4,400)									(4,418)
Fees related to restatement and associated investigations		14,906	9,800	9,169	9,031	11,440	9,821	12,415	15,517	42,906	49,193	29,158
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		(499)	(9,625)	2,826	(78)	18,206	(1,611)	753	2,417	(7,376)	19,765	(29,723)
Other income (expense), net										(3,836)	(4,484)	(4,038)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		(1,914)	(9,681)	878	(495)	17,807	(1,933)	(2,161)	1,568	(11,212)	15,281	(33,761)
Operating Segments [Member] | Staffing Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										2,027,601	1,957,905	1,732,348
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue										1,738,933	1,698,711	1,479,562
Cost of other revenue
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										251,410	244,343	232,701
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										47	15	100
Restructuring costs												1,336
Segment operating income (loss)										37,211	14,836	18,649
Operating Segments [Member] | Computer Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										99,679	165,349	101,814
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue
Cost of other revenue										68,281	76,022	68,685
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										26,897	28,835	29,464
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										859	855	857
Restructuring costs												1,813
Segment operating income (loss)										3,642	59,637	995
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										118,847	114,855	122,250
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue
Cost of other revenue										95,572	90,189	109,583
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										21,809	21,232	22,361
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										476	477	477
Restructuring costs
Segment operating income (loss)										$ 990	$ 2,957	$ (10,171)