XML 74 R57.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
v3.20.2

Restructuring and Related Charges, Pre-tax Restructuring Charges (Credits) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 3 Months Ended
--- | ---
Jul. 31, 2020 | Jul. 31, 2019
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | $ 2,218 | $ 10,735
Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 2,185 | 10,870
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 34,998 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 1,110 | 10,709
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 27,974 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Operating Lease Right-of-use Asset Impairment [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | 161
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 161 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Facility Related Charges [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 1,075 | 0
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 5,061 |
Business Optimization Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | 0
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 1,802 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 33 | (135)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 169,455 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Severance and Termination Benefits [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 33 | (350)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 116,042 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Consulting and Contract Termination Costs [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | 0
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 20,984 |
Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] | Other Activities [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | 215
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 32,429 |
Research Publishing & Platforms [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | (197) | 2,636
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 3,349 |
Research Publishing & Platforms [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | (16)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 26,884 |
Academic & Professional Learning [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | (227) | 2,777
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 10,248 |
Academic & Professional Learning [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 260 | 28
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 43,094 |
Education Services [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 139 | 2,192
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 3,913 |
Education Services [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 0 | (103)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 3,764 |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Business Optimization Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | 2,470 | 3,265
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | 17,488 |
Corporate Expenses [Member] | Restructuring and Reinvestment Program [Member] |  |
Summary of pre-tax restructuring charges (credits) [Abstract] |  |
Restructuring and related charges (credits) | (227) | $ (44)
Restructuring and related charges incurred to date | $ 95,713 |

X
- Definition Restructuring charges for research and professional development, net of related reversal of severance provisions previously recorded by the Company. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | jwa_RestructuringChargesNetOfCredits
Namespace Prefix: | jwa_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Amount of costs incurred to date for the specified restructuring cost. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (b)(1) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (d) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6394359&loc=d3e17939-110869 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(d)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747 Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/disclosureRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 420 -SubTopic 10 -Section S99 -Paragraph 2 -Subparagraph (SAB Topic 5.P.4(b)(1)) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=115931487&loc=d3e140904-122747 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringAndRelatedCostCostIncurredToDate1
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | instant

X
- References No definition available. + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RestructuringChargesAbstract
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type: | na
Period Type: | duration

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

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

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

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=jwa_ResearchPublishingAndPlatformsSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=jwa_AcademicAndProfessionalLearningSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=jwa_EducationServicesSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_StatementBusinessSegmentsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | srt_ConsolidationItemsAxis=us-gaap_CorporateNonSegmentMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |