Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Westinghouse [Member]
Consolidated Subsidiaries [Member]
Share Based Compensation [Member]
Total
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       $ (33,938)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       (50)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       32,147
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       (639,704)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       (16,558)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       328,455
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       1,321,278
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011 (50,724)      
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2011       (3,652)
Preferred stock       0
Common stock        
Exercise of stock options       519
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock based compensation       (50)
Tax benefit on stock based compensation       37
Stock-based compensation       8,157
Retained earnings        
Net income (loss) attributable to Shaw       49,244
Currency translation adjustment        
Change during year       (11,736)
Equity in unconsolidated entities' pre-tax and other comprehensive income (loss), net of Shaw’s tax        
Change during year (6,321)      
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities        
Change during year       4,758
Unrealized net holding gain (loss) on securities        
Change during year       (17)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans        
Change during year       598
Treasury stock at cost        
Purchases under repurchase plans       0
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock-based compensation     (21)  
Total Shaw shareholders’ equity at November 30       950,275
Noncontrolling interests        
Net income (loss)       1,163
Distributions to noncontrolling interests       (900)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests       3,075
Total equity at November 30       985,760
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       (33,340)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       (67)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       35,485
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011   (639,725)    
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       (11,800)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       377,699
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       1,329,941
Balance August 31 at Nov. 30, 2011 (57,045)     (117,640)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2011       (15,388)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       (36,234)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       (24)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       41,104
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       (791,868)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       (8,167)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       527,371
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       1,355,235
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012 (68,777)     (139,361)
Balance September 1 at Aug. 31, 2012       (26,159)
Preferred stock       0
Common stock        
Exercise of stock options       2,983
Shares exchanged for taxes on stock based compensation       (1,945)
Tax benefit on stock based compensation       1,427
Stock-based compensation       4,764
Retained earnings        
Net income (loss) attributable to Shaw       69,769
Currency translation adjustment        
Change during year       (1,205)
Equity in unconsolidated entities' pre-tax and other comprehensive income (loss), net of Shaw’s tax        
Change during year 12,868      
Unrealized gain (loss) on hedging activities        
Change during year       4,288
Unrealized net holding gain (loss) on securities        
Change during year       (73)
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans        
Change during year       285
Treasury stock at cost        
Purchases under repurchase plans       0
Total Shaw shareholders’ equity at November 30       1,044,538
Noncontrolling interests        
Net income (loss)       1,143
Distributions to noncontrolling interests       (4,270)
Total equity at November 30       1,082,515
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       (35,949)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       (97)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       37,977
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012   (791,868)   (791,868)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       (3,879)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       597,140
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       1,362,464
Balance August 31 at Nov. 30, 2012 (55,909)     (123,198)
Balance November 30 at Nov. 30, 2012       $ (27,364)