Segment Disclosures - Summary of Sales and Segment Operating Income (Loss) by Reportable Operating Segment (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012	Nov. 03, 2013	Jul. 28, 2013	Apr. 28, 2013	Jan. 27, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Jul. 29, 2012	Apr. 29, 2012	Jan. 29, 2012	Nov. 03, 2013	Oct. 28, 2012	Oct. 30, 2011
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE		$ 546,795	$ 504,213	$ 519,724	$ 520,205	$ 571,559	$ 558,032	$ 573,443	$ 543,093	$ 2,090,937	$ 2,246,127	$ 2,238,109
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue		418,824	390,432	413,116	411,993	440,600	441,124	441,341	415,868	1,634,365	1,738,933	1,698,711
Cost of other revenue		42,978	37,595	39,873	39,753	39,363	38,296	42,759	43,435	160,199	163,853	166,211
Selling, administrative and other operating costs		76,577	72,128	74,992	70,337	81,259	78,093	77,003	74,492	294,034	310,847	302,882
Amortization of purchased intangible assets		341	337	346	345	348	344	345	345	1,369	1,382	1,347
Restructuring costs		2,815	223	948	740					4,726
Segment operating income (loss)										5,530	41,843	77,430
Corporate general and administrative										9,286	10,731	8,472
Gain on sale of building	(4,418)					(4,418)					(4,418)
Restatement and associated investigations		2,462	1,159	7,387	13,820	14,906	9,800	9,169	9,031	24,828	42,906	49,193
OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)		2,798	2,339	(16,938)	(16,783)	(499)	(9,625)	2,826	(78)	(28,584)	(7,376)	19,765
Other income (expense), net										(1,822)	(3,836)	(4,484)
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES		1,374	1,612	(16,878)	(16,514)	(1,914)	(9,681)	878	(495)	(30,406)	(11,212)	15,281
Staffing Services [Member]
Expenses
Restructuring costs										781
Computer Systems [Member]
Expenses
Restructuring costs										3,945
Operating Segments [Member] | Staffing Services [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										1,899,723	2,027,601	1,957,905
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue										1,634,365	1,738,933	1,698,711
Cost of other revenue
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										239,105	251,410	244,343
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										34	47	15
Restructuring costs										781
Segment operating income (loss)										25,438	37,211	14,836
Operating Segments [Member] | Computer Systems [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										73,465	99,679	165,349
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue
Cost of other revenue										65,680	68,281	76,022
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										24,314	26,897	28,835
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										858	859	855
Restructuring costs										3,945
Segment operating income (loss)										(21,332)	3,642	59,637
Operating Segments [Member] | Other [Member]
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
NET REVENUE										117,749	118,847	114,855
Expenses
Direct cost of staffing services revenue
Cost of other revenue										94,519	95,572	90,189
Selling, administrative and other operating costs										21,329	21,809	21,232
Amortization of purchased intangible assets										477	476	477
Segment operating income (loss)										$ 1,424	$ 990	$ 2,957