Provisions:
We recognize a provision for legal or constructive obligations arising from past events when the amount can be reliably estimated and it is probable that an outflow of resources will be required to settle an obligation. The nature and type of provisions vary and management judgment is required to determine the extent of an obligation and whether the outflow of resources is probable. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the appropriateness of the remaining balances. We may require adjustments to the recorded amounts to reflect actual experience or changes in estimates in future periods.
Restructuring:
We incur restructuring charges relating to workforce reductions, site consolidations, and costs associated with businesses we are downsizing or exiting. Our restructuring charges include employee severance and benefit costs, gains, losses or impairments related to owned sites and equipment we no longer use and which are available for sale, impairment of related intangible assets, and costs related to leased sites and equipment we no longer use.
The recognition of restructuring charges requires management to make certain judgments and estimates regarding the nature, timing and amounts associated with our restructuring actions. Our major assumptions include the number of employees to be terminated and the timing of such terminations, the measurement of termination costs, the timing and amount of lease obligations and any anticipated sublease recoveries from exited sites, and the timing of disposition and estimated fair values less costs to sell of assets we no longer use and which are available for sale. We develop detailed plans and record termination costs in the period the employees are informed of their termination. For owned sites and equipment that are no longer in use and are available for sale, we recognize an impairment loss based on their fair value less costs to sell, with fair value estimated based on market prices for similar assets. We may engage independent third parties to determine the estimated fair values less costs to sell for these assets. For leased sites that we intend to exit, we discount the lease obligation costs, which represent future contractual lease payments and cancellation fees, if any, less estimated sublease recoveries, if any. We recognize any change in provisions due to the passage of time as finance costs. To estimate future sublease recoveries, we engage independent brokers to determine the estimated tenant rents we can expect to realize. At the end of each reporting period, we evaluate the appropriateness of our restructuring charges and balances. Adjustments to the recorded amounts may be required to reflect actual experience or changes in estimates for future periods. See note 16(a).
Legal and other contingencies:
In the normal course of our operations, we may be subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims, including environmental, labor, product, customer disputes and other matters. The filing of a suit or formal assertion of a claim does not automatically trigger a requirement to record a provision. We recognize a provision for loss contingencies, including legal claims, based on management’s estimate of the probable outcome. Judgment is required when there is a range of possible outcomes. Management considers the degree of probability of the outcome and the ability to make a reasonable estimate of the loss. We may also use third party advisors in making our determination. The ultimate outcome, including the amount and timing of any payments required, may vary significantly from our original estimates. Potential material legal and other contingent obligations that have not been recognized as provisions, as the outcome is remote or not probable, or the amount cannot be reliably estimated, are disclosed as contingent liabilities. See note 24.
Warranty:
We offer product and service warranties to our customers. We record a provision for future warranty costs based on management’s estimate of probable claims under these warranties. In determining the amount of the provision, we consider several factors including the terms of the warranty (which vary by customer, product or service), the current volume of products sold or services rendered during the warranty period, and historical warranty information. We review and adjust these estimates as necessary to reflect our experience and new information. The amount and aging of our provision will vary depending on various factors including the length of the warranty offered, the remaining life of the warranty and the extent and timing of warranty claims. We classify the portion of our warranty provision for which payment is expected in the next 12 months as current, and the remainder as non-current.
