Cost-reduction actions

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2020

Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]

During 2020, the company recognized cost-reduction charges and other costs of $95.5 million. The charges (credits) related to work-force reductions were $25.5 million, principally related to severance costs, and were comprised of: (a) a charge of $39.0 million and (b) a credit of $13.5 million for changes in estimates. In addition, the company recorded charges of $70.0 million comprised of $32.3 million for foreign currency losses related to exiting foreign countries, $24.0 million for asset impairments and $13.7 million for other expenses related to the cost-reduction effort.

During 2019, the company recognized cost-reduction charges and other costs of $28.7 million. The charges related to work-force reductions were $22.1 million, principally related to severance costs, and were comprised of: (a) a charge of $25.7 million and (b) a credit of $3.6 million for changes in estimates. In addition, the company recorded charges of $6.6 million comprised of $4.6 million for lease abandonment costs, $1.1 million for asset write-offs and $0.9 million for other expenses related to the cost-reduction effort.

During 2018, the company recognized cost-reduction charges and other costs of $19.7 million. The charges related to work-force reductions were $19.0 million, principally related to severance costs, and were comprised of: (a) a charge of $27.7 million and (b) a credit of $8.7 million for changes in estimates. In addition, the company recorded a charge of $0.7 million for changes in estimates related to idle leased facilities costs.

The charges (credits) were recorded in the following statement of income classifications:


Year ended December 31,	2020		2019		2018
Cost of revenue
Services	$	22.2	$	10.8	$	18.1
Technology	—		0.2		—
Selling, general and administrative	38.5		15.5		1.6
Research and development	2.5		2.2		—
Other (expenses), net	32.3		—		—
Total	$	95.5	$	28.7	$	19.7

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


	Total		U.S.		International
Balance at December 31, 2017	$	113.5	$	3.9	$	109.6
Additional provisions	27.7		5.2		22.5
Payments	(42.4)		(3.1)		(39.3)
Changes in estimates	(8.7)		0.1		(8.8)
Translation adjustments	(3.9)		—		(3.9)
Balance at December 31, 2018	86.2		6.1		80.1
Additional provisions	25.7		4.6		21.1
Payments	(57.7)		(4.0)		(53.7)
Changes in estimates	(3.6)		(1.5)		(2.1)
Translation adjustments	(0.8)		—		(0.8)
Balance at December 31, 2019	49.8		5.2		44.6
Additional provisions	39.0		13.8		25.2
Payments	(21.5)		(3.2)		(18.3)
Changes in estimates	(13.5)		(2.7)		(10.8)
Translation adjustments	2.1		—		2.1
Balance at December 31, 2020	$	55.9	$	13.1	$	42.8

Expected future payments on balance at December 31, 2020:
In 2021	$	40.7	$	13.1	$	27.6
Beyond 2021	15.2		—		15.2