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Special Charges (Notes)
6 Months Ended
Jul. 31, 2016
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]  
Special Charges
Special Charges
The following is a summary of the components of special charges:
 
Three months ended July 31,
 
Six months ended July 31,
 
2016
 
2015
 
2016
 
2015
Employee severance and related costs
$
442

 
$
840

 
$
2,530

 
$
10,703

Litigation costs
556

 
944

 
1,363

 
2,519

Voluntary early retirement program

 

 

 
25,435

Other costs, net
447

 
402

 
543

 
506

Total special charges
$
1,445

 
$
2,186

 
$
4,436

 
$
39,163



Special charges generally include expenses incurred related to employee severance, certain litigation costs, acquisitions, excess facility costs, and asset related charges.

We offered the voluntary early retirement program in North America during the three months ended April 30, 2015 and 110 employees elected to participate. The costs presented here are for severance benefits.

Employee severance and related costs include severance benefits and notice pay. These rebalance charges generally represent the aggregate of numerous unrelated rebalance plans which impact several employee groups, none of which is individually material to our financial position or results of operations. We determine termination benefit amounts based on employee status, years of service, and local statutory requirements. We record the charge for estimated severance benefits in the quarter that the rebalance plan is approved.

Approximately 79% of the employee severance and related costs for the six months ended July 31, 2016 were paid during the period. We expect to pay the remainder during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2017. Substantially all of the employee severance and related costs for the six months ended July 31, 2015 were paid during the fiscal year ending January 31, 2016. There were no significant modifications to the amount of those charges.

Litigation costs consist of professional service fees for services rendered, related to patent litigation involving us, EVE, and Synopsys regarding emulation technology.

Accrued special charges are included in accrued and other liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. The following table shows changes in accrued special charges during the six months ended July 31, 2016:
 
Accrued special
charges as of
 
Charges during the six months ended
 
Payments during the six months ended
 
Accrued special
charges as of
 
January 31, 2016
 
July 31, 2016
 
July 31, 2016
 
July 31, 2016
Employee severance and related costs
$
1,935

 
$
2,530

 
$
(3,550
)
 
$
915

Litigation costs
311

 
1,363

 
(626
)
 
1,048

Other costs, net
760

 
543

 
(763
)
 
540

Total accrued special charges
$
3,006

 
$
4,436

 
$
(4,939
)
 
$
2,503