XML 75 R50.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.8.0.1

Restructuring and Related Charges, Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program Liability (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Apr. 30, 2018 | Apr. 30, 2017 | Apr. 30, 2016
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring and related charges | $ 28,566 | $ 13,355 | $ 28,611
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, beginning of period | 22,790 |  |
Restructuring and related charges | 28,566 | 13,355 | 28,611
Payments | (30,595) |  |
Foreign translation & reclassifications | (710) |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 20,051 | 22,790 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, beginning of period | 10,082 |  |
Restructuring and related charges | 27,213 | 8,386 | 16,443
Payments | (21,197) |  |
Foreign translation & reclassifications | 1,181 |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 17,279 | 10,082 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance [Member] | Accrued Employment Costs [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 17,279 |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Process Reengineering Consulting [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, beginning of period | 0 |  |
Restructuring and related charges | 1,815 | 148 | 7,191
Payments | (1,815) |  |
Foreign translation & reclassifications | 0 |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 0 | 0 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, beginning of period | 12,708 |  |
Restructuring and related charges | (462) | 4,821 | $ 4,977
Payments | (7,583) |  |
Foreign translation & reclassifications | (1,891) |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 2,772 | $ 12,708 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] | Other Accrued Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | 900 |  |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] | Other Long-Term Liabilities [Member] |  |  |
Activity for Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability [Roll Forward] |  |  |
Restructuring liability, end of period | $ 1,900 |  |

X
- Definition Amount of cash payments made as the result of exit or disposal activities. Excludes payments associated with a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 25 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3536-108585 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_PaymentsForRestructuring
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of expenses associated with exit or disposal activities pursuant to an authorized plan. Excludes expenses related to a discontinued operation or an asset retirement obligation. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.3) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140864-122747 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 230 -SubTopic 10 -Section 45 -Paragraph 28 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98514028&loc=d3e3602-108585 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCharges
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 5.P.4(b)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of foreign currency translation gain (loss) which decreases (increases) the restructuring reserve. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(2)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=27011515&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(2) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringReserveTranslationAdjustment
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringPlanAxis=jwa_RestructuringAndReinvestmentProgramMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_EmployeeSeveranceMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=jwa_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=jwa_ProcessReengineeringConsultingMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringCostAndReserveAxis=us-gaap_OtherRestructuringMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherCurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_BalanceSheetLocationAxis=us-gaap_OtherNoncurrentLiabilitiesMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |