Cost-reduction actions

2018 Cost-reduction Plan

In the fourth quarter of 2018, the company committed to a reduction of 589 employees. This resulted in charges, principally related to severance costs, of $27.7 million, which were comprised of: (a) a charge of $5.2 million for 264 employees in the U.S. and (b) a charge of $22.5 million for 325 employees outside the U.S. The charges were recorded in the following statement of income classifications: cost of revenue – services, $25.4 million and selling, general and administrative expenses, $2.3 million.

2015 Cost-reduction Plan

There were no additional cost-reduction charges recorded during 2018; however, a benefit of $8.0 million was recorded in the current year for changes in estimates. The benefit was recorded in the following statement of income classifications: cost of revenue – services, $7.3 million and selling, general and administrative expenses, $0.7 million.

During 2017, the company recognized cost-reduction charges and other costs of $146.8 million, principally related to a reduction in employees. The charges related to work-force reductions were $117.9 million, principally related to severance costs, and were comprised of: (a) a charge of $9.4 million for 542 employees and $(1.3) million for changes in estimates in the U.S. and (b) a charge of $109.4 million for 2,274 employees, $8.2 million for additional benefits provided in 2017 and $(7.8) million for changes in estimates outside the U.S. In addition, the company recorded charges of $28.9 million comprised of $4.7 million for idle leased facilities costs, $5.4 million for contract amendment and termination costs, $5.2 million for professional fees and other expenses related to the cost-reduction effort, $1.8 million for net asset sales and write-offs and $11.8 million for net foreign currency losses related to exiting foreign countries. The charges were recorded in the following statement of income classifications: cost of revenue – services, $99.6 million; cost of revenue - technology, $0.4 million; selling, general and administrative expenses, $33.6 million; research and development expenses, $1.4 million; and other income (expense), net, $11.8 million.

During 2016, the company recognized cost-reduction charges and other costs of $82.1 million, principally related to a reduction in employees. The charges related to work-force reductions were $62.6 million, principally related to severance costs, and were comprised of: (a) a charge of $8.3 million for 351 employees and $(1.3) million for changes in estimates in the U.S. and (b) a charge of $58.6 million for 1,048 employees and $(3.0) million for changes in estimates outside the U.S. In addition, the company recorded charges of $19.5 million comprised of $1.4 million for idle leased facilities costs, $4.1 million for contract amendment and termination costs, $13.3 million for professional fees and other expenses related to the cost-reduction effort and $0.7 million for net asset sales and write-offs. The charges were recorded in the following statement of income classifications: cost of revenue - services, $42.4 million; selling, general and administrative expenses, $38.0 million; and research and development expenses, $1.7 million.

Liabilities and expected future payments related to the company’s cost-reduction actions are as follows:



				Work-Force Reductions						Idle Leased
	Total			U.S.			International			Facilities Costs
Balance at January 1, 2016	$	33.0		$	4.2		$	28.8		$	—
Additional provisions	68.3			8.3			58.6			1.4
Payments	(59.3		)	(9.4		)	(49.9		)	—
Changes in estimates	(4.3		)	(1.3		)	(3.0		)	—
Translation adjustments	(1.1		)	—			(1.1		)	—
Balance at December 31, 2016	36.6			1.8			33.4			1.4
Additional provisions	131.2			9.4			117.6			4.2
Payments	(49.3		)	(6.0		)	(41.3		)	(2.0		)
Changes in estimates	(8.6		)	(1.3		)	(7.8		)	0.5
Translation adjustments	7.9			—			7.7			0.2
Balance at December 31, 2017	117.8			3.9			109.6			4.3
Additional provisions	27.7			5.2			22.5			—
Payments	(44.4		)	(3.1		)	(39.3		)	(2.0		)
Changes in estimates	(8.0		)	0.1			(8.8		)	0.7
Translation adjustments	(4.0		)	—			(3.9		)	(0.1		)
Balance at December 31, 2018	$	89.1		$	6.1		$	80.1		$	2.9

Expected future payments on balance at December 31, 2018:
In 2019	$	75.8		$	5.6		$	68.8		$	1.4
Beyond 2019	13.3			0.5			11.3			1.5