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Restructuring and Related Charges
 12 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2020
Restructuring and Related Charges [Abstract]  
Restructuring and Related Charges
Note 7 – Restructuring and Related Charges

Business Optimization Program

Beginning in fiscal year 2020, we initiated a multi-year Business Optimization Program (the “Business Optimization Program”) to drive efficiency improvement and operating savings.

The following tables summarize the pre-tax restructuring charges related to this program:

  
2020
  
Charges by Segment:
      
Research Publishing & Platforms
  
$
3,546
  
Academic & Professional Learning
    
10,475
  
Education Services
    
3,774
  
Corporate Expenses
    
15,018
  
Total Restructuring and Related Charges
  
$
32,813
  
         
Charges by Activity:
        
Severance and termination benefits
  
$
26,864
  
Operating lease right-of-use asset impairment
    
161
  
Facility related charges
    
3,986
  
Other activities
    
1,802
  
Total Restructuring and Related Charges
  
$
32,813
  

Other Activities for the year ended April 30, 2020 primarily relate to reserves and costs associated with the cessation of certain offerings, and to a lesser extent, a pension settlement, and the impairment of certain software licenses.

The following table summarizes the activity for the Business Optimization Program liability for the year ended April 30, 2020:

  
April 30, 2019
    
Charges
    
Payments
    
Foreign
Translation &
Other
Adjustments
    
April 30, 2020
  
Severance and termination benefits
  
$
—
    
$
26,864
    
$
(9,193
)
  
$
(39
)
  
$
17,632
  
Other activities
    
—
      
1,802
      
—
      
(1,372
)
    
430
  
Total
  
$
—
    
$
28,666
    
$
(9,193
)
  
$
(1,411
)
  
$
18,062
  

Approximately $16.9 million of the restructuring liability for accrued severance and termination benefits is reflected in Accrued Employment Costs and approximately $0.7 million is reflected in Other Long-Term Liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position, as of April 30, 2020.

The amount included in Other Long-Term Liabilities that relates to severance and termination benefits is expected to be paid in the year ended April 30, 2022.

The restructuring liability as of April 30, 2020 for other activities is reflected in Other Accrued Liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

Restructuring and Reinvestment Program

Beginning in the year ended April 30, 2013, we initiated a global program (the “Restructuring and Reinvestment Program”) to restructure and realign our cost base with current and anticipated future market conditions. We are targeting a majority of the expected cost savings achieved to improve margins and earnings, while the remainder will be reinvested in high-growth digital business opportunities.


The following tables summarize the pre-tax restructuring (credits) charges related to this program:

  
2020
    
2019 (1)
    
2018 (1)
    
Total Charges
Incurred to Date
  
(Credits) Charges by Segment:
                        
Research Publishing & Platforms
  
$
340
    
$
1,131
    
$
5,257
    
$
26,884
  
Academic & Professional Learning
    
(5
)
    
1,139
      
8,244
      
42,834
  
Education Services
    
(103
)
    
389
      
1,894
      
3,764
  
Corporate Expenses
    
(438
)
    
459
      
13,171
      
95,940
  
Total Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges
  
$
(206
)
  
$
3,118
    
$
28,566
    
$
169,422
  
                                 
(Credits) Charges by Activity:
                                
Severance and termination benefits
  
$
(250
)
  
$
1,456
    
$
27,213
    
$
116,009
  
Consulting and contract termination costs
    
(171
)
    
526
      
1,815
      
20,984
  
Other activities
    
215
      
1,136
      
(462
)
    
32,429
  
Total Restructuring and Related (Credits) Charges
  
$
(206
)
  
$
3,118
    
$
28,566
    
$
169,422
  

(1)
As previously announced, we have changed our segment reporting structure to align with our strategic focus areas. See Note 20, “Segment Information,” for more details.

Other activities for the year ended April 30, 2020 include facility related costs. Other Activities for the year ended April 30, 2019 reflect lease impairment related costs. The credits in other activities for the year ended April 30, 2018 mainly reflect changes in estimates for previously accrued restructuring charges related to facility lease reserves. 

The following table summarizes the activity for the Restructuring and Reinvestment Program liability for the year ended April 30, 2020:

  
April 30, 2019
    
(Credits)
    
Payments
    
Adoption of
New Lease
Standard (1)
    
Foreign
Translation &
Other Adjustments
    
April 30, 2020
  
Severance and termination benefits
  
$
4,887
    
$
(250
)
  
$
(3,238
)
  
$
—
    
$
(39
)
  
$
1,360
  
Consulting and contract termination costs
    
303
      
(171
)
    
(132
)
    
—
      
—
      
—
  
Other activities
    
2,544
      
—
      
—
      
(2,270
)
    
(44
)
    
230
  
Total
  
$
7,734
    
$
(421
)
  
$
(3,370
)
  
$
(2,270
)
  
$
(83
)
  
$
1,590
  

(1)
Refer to Note 2, “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, Recently Issued, and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards,” and Note 12, “Operating Leases” for more information related to the adoption of the new lease standard.

The restructuring liability as of April 30, 2020 for accrued severance and termination benefits is reflected in Accrued Employment Costs in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position.

The restructuring liability as of April 30, 2020 for other activities are reflected in Other Long-Term Liabilities in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position and mainly relate to facility relocation and lease impairment related costs. The amount included in Other Long-Term Liabilities is expected to be paid in the year ended April 30, 2022.

We currently do not anticipate any further material charges related to the Restructuring and Reinvestment Program.