v2.4.0.6

Share-Based Compensation (Details 5) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 02, 2012	Nov. 27, 2011	Nov. 28, 2010
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based compensation expense	$ 8,117	$ 13,243	$ 15,863
Restricted share units
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based compensation expense	7,477	11,245	13,446
Directors Plan
Share-Based Compensation
Share-Based compensation expense	$ 291	$ 210	$ 251
Period after which deferred compensation balance payment may be received by a director	6 months
Directors Plan \| Restricted share units
Activity of share units outstanding under directors' deferred compensation plan
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)	516,983
Granted (in shares)	138,063
Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)	655,046
Weighted average grant date fair value
Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 2.89
Granted (in dollars per share)	$ 2.00
Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)	$ 2.70

Represents the expense recognized during the period arising from equity-based compensation arrangements (for example, shares of stock, unit, stock options or other equity instruments) with employees, directors and certain consultants qualifying for treatment as employees.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 2

-Subparagraph (h)(1)(i)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5070-113901

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph A240

-Subparagraph g(1)

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section 50

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (b)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6415400&loc=d3e5047-113901

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 14

-Section F

Reference 5: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 123R

-Paragraph 64

-Subparagraph b

-LegacyDoc This reference is SUPERSEDED by the Accounting Standards Codification effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. This reference is included to help users transition from the previous accounting hierarchy and will be removed from future versions of this taxonomy.

Reference 6: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Accounting Standards Codification

-Topic 718

-SubTopic 10

-Section S99

-Paragraph 1

-Subparagraph (SAB TOPIC 14.F)

-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6793087&loc=d3e301413-122809

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_AllocatedShareBasedCompensationExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Net number of non-option equity instruments granted to participants.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsGranted
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Number of shares reserved for issuance under non-option equity instrument agreements awarded that validly exist and are outstanding, including vested instruments.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingNumber
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsOutstandingRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value at grant date for equity-based awards issued during the period on other than stock (or unit) option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, performance target plan).

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	zz_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The weighted average fair value of awards on equity-based plans excluding option plans (for example, phantom stock or unit plan, stock or unit appreciation rights plan, revenue or profit achievement stock award plan) for which the employer is contingently obligated to issue equity instruments or transfer assets to an employee.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue
Namespace Prefix:	zz_
Data Type:	num:perShareItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	zz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNonOptionEquityInstrumentsWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValueRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	zz_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Represents the period after which deferred compensation balance payment may be received by a director following his departure from the board.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	zz_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPeriodAfterWhichDeferredCompensationBalancePaymentReceivableByDirectorFollowingDepartureFromBoard
Namespace Prefix:	zz_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

SEALY CORP 8-K