Table:
|  |  | Fiscal Year Ended August 31, |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 2019 | 2018 | 2017(2) |
| Employee severance and benefit costs | $16,029 | $16,269 | $56,834 |
| Lease costs | (41) | 1,596 | 3,966 |
| Asset write-off costs | (3,566) | 16,264 | 94,346 |
| Other costs | 13,492 | 2,773 | 5,249 |
| Total restructuring and related charges(1) | $25,914 | $36,902 | $160,395 |
Paragraphs:
14. Restructuring and Related Charges
Following is a summary of the Company’s restructuring and related charges (in thousands):
(1) Includes $21.5 million, $16.3 million and $51.3 million recorded in the EMS segment, $2.6 million, $16.6 million and $82.4 million recorded in the DMS segment and $1.8 million, $4.0 million and $26.7 million of non-allocated charges for the fiscal years ended August 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Except for asset write-off costs, all restructuring and related charges are cash settled.
(2) Fiscal year ended August 31, 2017, includes expenses related to the 2017 and 2013 Restructuring Plans.
Question:
What was the change in Employee severance and benefit costs between 2017 and 2018?
Answer: 16269-56834 = -40565