<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

          This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of this 12th
day of October, 2004, by and between Spheris Holdings, Inc., or any assignee
permitted under this Agreement (the "Company") and Steven E. Simpson (the
"Employee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

          WHEREAS, Spheris Operations, Inc. and Employee are parties to an
employment agreement dated August 5, 2002, (the "Prior Agreement") pursuant to
which Employee serves as Chief Executive Officer of Spheris Operations, Inc.;
and

          WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Securities Purchase Agreement,
on the Closing Date, Spheris Operations, Inc. will become a wholly-owned
subsidiary of the Company;

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to enter into an employment agreement
embodying the terms of Employee's employment following the Closing (this
"Agreement") and Employee desires to enter into this Agreement and to commence
employment with the Company following the Closing, subject to the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Agreement.

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and Employee agree as follows:

          Section 1. DEFINITIONS.

          (a) "Accrued Obligations" shall mean (i) all accrued but unpaid Base
Salary through the date of termination of Employee's employment, (ii) any unpaid
or unreimbursed expenses incurred in accordance with Section 7 below, and (iii)
any benefits provided under the Company's employee benefit plans upon a
termination of employment, in accordance with the terms therein.

          (b) "Annual Bonus" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

          (c) "Base Salary" shall mean the salary provided for in Section 4(a)
below or any increased salary granted to Employee pursuant to Section 4(a).

          (d) "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

          (e) "Cause" shall mean (i) a continuing failure, neglect or refusal by
Employee to perform in any material respect his duties or responsibilities; (ii)
embezzlement, theft, larceny, material fraud or other acts of dishonesty; (iii)
Employee's conviction of, admission to, or entry of pleas of no contest to any
felony or other crime which has, or may have within the Company's reasonable
discretion, a material adverse effect on Employee's ability to carry out his
duties under this Agreement or upon the reputation of the Company; (iv)
consistent drunkenness by Employee or his illegal use of narcotics which is, or
could reasonably be expected to become, materially injurious to the reputation
or business of the Company or its affiliates or which impairs, or could
reasonably be expected to impair, the performance of

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Employee's duties hereunder; or (v) Employee's material breach of this
Agreement, the Noncompetition Agreement or any of the Equity Incentive
Agreements.

          (f) "Change in Control" shall mean any transactions or series of
related transactions pursuant to which any person(s) or entity(ies) (other than
the parties to the Securities Purchase Agreement at the Closing Date or their
respective affiliates), in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, acquires
beneficially or of record, (i) equity of a Designated Person, as hereinafter
defined, possessing the voting power to elect a majority of the Designated
Person's governing body (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization,
combination, sale or transfer of equity, stockholder or voting agreement, proxy,
power of attorney or otherwise) or (ii) all or substantially all of a Designated
Person's assets. For purposes of this Agreement, Designated Person shall mean
the Company or Spheris Operations, Inc.

          (g) "Closing" shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities
Purchase Agreement.

          (h) "Closing Date" shall have the meaning set forth in the Securities
Purchase Agreement.

          (i) "Disability" shall mean any physical or mental disability or
infirmity that prevents the performance of Employee's material duties hereunder
and such condition prevents Employee from materially performing such duties for
a period of (i) ninety (90) consecutive days or (ii) one hundred twenty (120)
non-consecutive days during any twelve (12) month period. Any question as to the
existence, extent or potentiality of Employee's Disability upon which Employee
and the Company cannot agree shall be determined by a qualified, independent
physician selected by the Company and approved by Employee (which approval shall
not be unreasonably withheld). The determination of any such physician shall be
final and conclusive for all purposes of this Agreement.

          (j) "Equity Incentives Agreements" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.

          (k) "Good Reason" shall mean any of the following, without Employee's
express written consent: (i) a reduction in Employee's Base Salary or an adverse
modification to his rights with respect to his Annual Bonus under this Agreement
or his rights with respect to equity incentives under the Equity Incentive
Agreements; (ii) a substantial and material diminution in Employee's title,
duties, responsibilities, reporting relationship or positions, (iii) the
relocation of Employee's principal place of employment (as provided in Section
3(c) hereof) more than fifty (50) miles from its current location; (iv) a
material breach by the Company of this Agreement, the Noncompetition Agreement
or any of the Equity Incentives Agreements; or (v) following any Change in
Control, the failure by the Company to continue in effect any material
compensation plan in which Employee is participating immediately prior thereto
to the material detriment to the Employee, including benefits pursuant to bonus
or similar plans, without substituting plans providing Employee with
substantially similar or greater benefits or value, or the taking of any action
by the Company for the purpose of materially adversely affecting Employee's
participation in or materially reducing Employee's benefits under any such


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plans or depriving Employee of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Employee
immediately prior thereto.

          (l) "Noncompetition Agreement" shall mean that certain Confidential
Information, Non-Competition and Invention Assignment Agreement, entered into by
Employee in connection with the Prior Agreement, as amended in accordance with
its terms from time to time.

          (m) "Non-Renewal Notice" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2
hereof.

          (n) "Pro Rata Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the product of (i)
(x) the Annual Bonus paid or payable to Employee with respect to the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2004, if such termination occurs prior to January 1, 2005,
or (y) the sum of the Annual Bonuses paid or payable to Employee with respect to
the two fiscal years immediately preceding his termination of Employment,
divided by two, if such termination occurs on or following January 1, 2005; and
(ii) a fraction, (x) the numerator of which shall be the number of months
Employee worked in the fiscal year Employee's employment is terminated or this
Agreement expires by counting from the first day of the fiscal year during which
Employee's employment is terminated or this Agreement expires and ending on the
last day of the month in which Employee's employment is terminated or this
Agreement expires and (y) the denominator of which shall be twelve; provided,
however, that for purposes of this definition, the amount of Employees Annual
Bonus paid or payable with respect to the fiscal year ending December 31, 2004
shall mean the lesser of (A) the sum of the Annual Bonus paid or payable to
Employee with respect to such fiscal year plus the amount of any transaction
bonus paid or payable to Employee with respect to the transactions contemplated
by the Securities Purchase Agreement and (B) the amount of Employee's Base
Salary as of December 31, 2004.

          (o) "Securities Purchase Agreement" shall mean that certain Securities
Purchase Agreement, dated October __, 2004, by and among Spheris Holdings, LLC
and Spheris Holding, Inc.

          (p) "Severance Term" shall mean the period of one (1) year following
the date of a termination.

          (q) "Term of Employment" shall mean the period specified in Section 2
below.

          Section 2. ACCEPTANCE AND TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.

          The Company agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to serve the
Company on the terms and conditions set forth herein. Unless sooner terminated
as provided in Section 8 hereof, the Term of Employment shall commence on the
Closing Date and shall continue during the period ending on the third
anniversary of the Closing Date. Subject to Section 8 hereof, the Term of
Employment shall be extended automatically without further action by either
party by one additional year first on the third anniversary of the Closing Date,
and on each succeeding anniversary thereafter, unless, not later than ninety
(90) days prior to the end of the Term of Employment (including any prior
extension thereof), either the Company or


                                       -3-

<PAGE>

Employee shall have notified the other in writing of its intention not to renew
this Agreement (a "Non-Renewal Notice"). Upon Non-Renewal Notice, Employee's
employment hereunder shall terminate on the close of the business on the last
day of the Term of Employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term of
Employment will not commence unless and until the Company shall have delivered
fully executed copies of all documents necessary or appropriate to give effect
to the management equity compensation provisions contained in the Securities
Purchase Agreement, in the form and substance approved by Employee, with such
approval not to be unreasonably withheld (collectively, the "Equity Incentives
Agreements").

          Section 3. POSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES; PLACE OF
PERFORMANCE.

          (a) During the Term of Employment, Employee shall be employed and
serve as a member of the Board and as the President and Chief Executive Officer
of Spheris Holdings, Inc., Spheris Operations, Inc. and any entity controlling
either such company, except for Warburg Pincus Private Equity VIII, L.P., its
officers, directors, partners and affiliated funds (together with such other
position or positions consistent with Employee's title as the Board shall
specify from time to time) and shall have such duties typically associated with
such title. Employee also agrees to serve as an officer and/or director of any
subsidiary of the Company without additional compensation.

          (b) Employee shall devote his full business time, attention, skill and
best efforts to the performance of his duties under this Agreement and shall not
engage in any other business or occupation during the Term of Employment,
including, without limitation, any activity that (x) conflicts with the
interests of the Company, (y) interferes with the proper and efficient
performance of his duties for the Company, or (z) interferes with the exercise
of his judgment in the Company's best interests. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
nothing herein shall preclude Employee from (i) serving, with the prior written
consent of the Board (which consent shall not be withheld unreasonably), as a
member of the board of directors or advisory boards (or their equivalents in the
case of a non-corporate entity) of non-competing businesses and charitable
organizations, (ii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and
(iii) managing his personal investments and affairs; provided, however, that the
activities set out in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) shall be limited by Employee
so as not to materially interfere, individually or in the aggregate, with the
performance of his duties and responsibilities hereunder.

          (c) Employee's principal place of employment shall be in Franklin,
Tennessee, although Employee understands and agrees that he may be required to
travel from time to time for business reasons.

          Section 4. COMPENSATION. During the Term of Employment, Employee shall
be entitled to the following compensation:

          (a) Base Salary. Employee shall be paid an annualized Base Salary,
payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of not
less than $325,000, with increases, if any, as may be approved in writing by the
Board.


                                       -4-

<PAGE>

          (b) Annual Bonus. Employee shall be eligible for an annual
discretionary incentive bonus award determined by the Board in respect of each
fiscal year during the Term of Employment (the "Annual Bonus"). The target
Annual Bonus for each such year shall be 100% of Employee's annual Base Salary
for such year, although the actual Annual Bonus amount may be less than or
greater than the target Annual Bonus depending upon the degree of attainment of
individual and Company performance criteria established by the Board for such
year. Employee shall receive the Annual Bonus in respect of any year at the same
time as bonuses are paid to other executive officers of the Company, but in no
event later than ninety (90) days after the end of the fiscal year for which the
bonus is payable.

          Section 5. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.

          During the Term of Employment, Employee shall be entitled to
participate in life insurance, disability, health, insurance, retirement and
other benefits provided to other senior executives of the Company. Employee
shall also be entitled to the same number of holidays, vacation, sick days (or
the same amount of paid time off, as applicable) and other benefits as are
generally allowed to senior executives of the Company in accordance with the
Company policy in effect from time to time. Any of Employee's unused vacation or
paid time off during a calendar year will be carried forward to subsequent
years, or in the discretion of the Board, will be paid in full promptly
following the end of the applicable year. All unused vacation or paid time off
at the time of termination, other than termination for Cause by the Company,
will be paid in full at the time of termination.

          Section 6. KEY-MAN INSURANCE.

          At any time during the Term of Employment, the Company shall have the
right to insure the life of Employee for the sole benefit of the Company, in
such amounts, and with such terms, as it may determine. All premiums payable
thereon shall be the obligation of the Company. Employee shall have no interest
in any such policy, but agrees to cooperate with the Company in taking out such
insurance by submitting to physical examinations, supplying all information
required by the insurance company, and executing all necessary documents,
provided that no financial obligation is imposed on Employee by any such
documents.

          Section 7. REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS EXPENSES.

          Employee is authorized to incur reasonable business expenses in
carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the
Company shall promptly reimburse him for all business expenses incurred in
connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to
documentation in accordance with the Company's policy, as in effect from time to
time.

          Section 8. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

          (a) General. The Term of Employment shall terminate earlier than as
provided in Section 2 hereof upon the earliest to occur of (i) Employee's death,
(ii) a termination by reason of a Disability, (iii) a termination by the Company
with or without Cause, or (iv) a termination by Employee with or without Good
Reason. Upon any termination of Employee's employment for any reason, except as
may otherwise be requested by the Company, Employee


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

shall resign from any and all directorships, committee memberships or any other
positions Employee holds with the Company or any of its affiliates.

          (b) Termination due to Death or Disability. Employee's employment
shall terminate automatically upon his death. The Company may terminate
Employee's employment immediately upon the occurrence of a Disability, such
termination to be effective upon Employee's receipt of written notice of such
termination. In the event Employee's employment is terminated due to his death
or Disability, Employee or his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may be,
shall be entitled to:

               (i) The Accrued Obligations;

               (ii) Any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect to any completed fiscal
     year which has ended prior to the date of such termination, which amount
     shall be paid at such time Annual Bonus amounts are paid to other senior
     executives; and

               (iii) An amount equal to the Pro Rata Bonus, which amount shall
     be paid in a lump-sum as soon as practicable following the date of such
     termination.

Following such termination of Employee's employment by the reason of death or
Disability, except as set forth in this Section 8(b), Employee shall have no
further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

          (c) Termination by the Company for Cause.

               (i) A termination for Cause shall not take effect unless the
     provisions of this subsection (i) are complied with. Employee shall be
     given not less than two (2) weeks written notice by the Board of the
     intention to terminate him for Cause, such notice to state in detail the
     particular act or acts or failure or failures to act that constitute the
     grounds on which the proposed termination for Cause is based and to be
     delivered within six (6) months of the occurrence of such act, acts,
     failures or failures to act. Employee shall have two (2) weeks after the
     date that such written notice has been given to Employee in which to cure
     such conduct, to the extent such cure is possible. If he fails to cure such
     conduct, the termination shall be effective on the date immediately
     following the expiration of the two (2) week notice period.

               (ii) In the event the Company terminates Employee's employment
     for Cause, he shall be entitled only to the Accrued Obligations. Following
     such termination of Employee's employment for Cause, except as set forth in
     this Section 8(c)(ii), Employee shall have no further rights to any
     compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

          (d) Termination by the Company without Cause. The Company may
terminate Employee's employment without Cause, effective upon Employee's receipt
of written notice of such termination. In the event Employee's employment is
terminated by the Company without Cause (other than due to death or Disability),
Employee shall be entitled to:

               (i) The Accrued Obligations;


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<PAGE>

               (ii) Continuation of Base Salary for the Severance Term, payable
     in accordance with the Company's payroll practices;

               (iii) Any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of any completed fiscal
     year which has ended prior to the date of such termination, which amount
     shall be paid at such time Annual Bonus amounts are paid to other senior
     executives;

               (iv) An amount equal to the Pro Rata Bonus, which amount shall be
     paid in substantially equal installments during the Severance Term at the
     same time as payments are made with respect to Base Salary pursuant to
     subsection (ii) above; and

               (v) Payment of COBRA premiums for Employee and his dependents in
     excess of the cost of such health insurance coverage for active employees
     of the Company until the earlier of (A) expiration of the Severance Term,
     or (B) the date that Employee commences employment with any person or
     entity and, thus, is eligible for health insurance benefits.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the payments and benefits described in
subsections (ii) through (v) above shall immediately terminate, and the Company
shall have no further obligations to Employee with respect thereto, in the event
that Employee breaches any provision of the Noncompetition Agreement.

          Following such termination of Employee's employment by the Company
without Cause, except as set forth in this Section 8(d), Employee shall have no
further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

          (e) Termination by Employee with Good Reason. Employee may terminate
his employment with Good Reason by providing the Company thirty (30) days'
written notice setting forth in reasonable specificity the event that
constitutes Good Reason, within six (6) months of the occurrence of such event.
During such thirty (30) day notice period, the Company shall have a cure right
(if curable), and if not cured within such period, Employee's termination will
be effective upon the expiration of such cure period, and the Employee shall be
entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in Section 8(d) above for
a termination without Cause. Following such termination of Employee's employment
by Employee with Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 8(e), Employee
shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under
this Agreement.

          (f) Termination by Employee without Good Reason. Employee may
terminate his employment without Good Reason by providing the Company thirty
(30) days' written notice of such termination. In the event of a termination of
employment by Employee under this Section 8(f), Employee shall be entitled only
to (i) the Accrued Obligations, and (ii) any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of
any completed fiscal year which has ended prior to the date of such termination,
which amount shall be paid at such time Annual Bonus amounts are paid to other
senior executives. In the event of termination of Employee's employment under
this subsection (f), the Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
prohibit Employee from entering the premises of the Company for all or any
portion of the notice period (which in no event shall be treated as a
termination without Cause or an event of Good Reason), provided that


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<PAGE>

the Company shall continue to pay to Employee his then current Base Salary and
continue benefits provided pursuant to Section 5 for the duration of the notice
period. Following such termination of Employee's employment by Employee without
Good Reason, except as set forth in this Section 8(f), Employee shall have no
further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

          (g) Expiration of the Term of Employment. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, (i) in no event shall delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice
by the Company in and of itself constitute a termination without Cause or an
event pursuant to which Employee may terminate employment with Good Reason; and
(ii) in no event shall delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice by Employee constitute
an event pursuant to which the Company may terminate Employee's employment for
Cause. Upon such expiration of the Term of Employment, Employee shall be
entitled to the

               (i) The Accrued Obligations; and

               (ii) Any unpaid Annual Bonus in respect of any completed fiscal
     year which has ended prior to the date of such termination, which amount
     shall be paid at such time Annual Bonus amounts are paid to other senior
     executives.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the expiration of the Term of
Employment is as a result of the Company's delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice, in
lieu of the payments and benefits described in subsections (i) and (ii) above,
the Employee shall be entitled to the same payments and benefits as provided in
Section 8(d) above for a termination without Cause. Following such termination
of Employee's employment upon expiration of the Term of Employment, except as
set forth in this Section 8(g), Employee shall have no further rights to any
compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.

          (h) Release. Except in respect of the Accrued Obligations, the Company
may require that, prior to payment of any amount or provision of any benefit
pursuant to subsections (d), (e) or (g) (but only as a result of the Company's
delivery of a Non-Renewal Notice) of this Section 8, Employee shall have
executed a customary general release in favor of the Company and its affiliates
and related parties in such form as is reasonably required by the Company, and
any waiting periods contained in such release shall have expired.

          Section 9. ADDITIONAL RIGHTS UPON A CHANGE IN CONTROL.

          (a) Notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary,
(i) all equity incentives in the Company or its affiliates (including stock or
membership interest options, restricted stock or membership interest awards,
stock or membership interest appreciation rights, capital stock, membership
interests and any other similar award based on the equity securities of, or any
other ownership interests in, the Company or its affiliates) held by Employee
(A) at the time of a Change in Control which occurs prior to the date of his
termination or (B) on the date of his termination, if a Change in Control occurs
after the date of such termination and such termination was in anticipation of a
Change in Control (in which case any such equity incentives which otherwise
would have terminated as of the date of such termination will be deemed not to
have terminated as of the date of such termination), shall


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<PAGE>

immediately vest and, if applicable, become exercisable upon the occurrence of
such Change in Control. For purposes of this Agreement, Employee's termination
shall be deemed in anticipation of a Change in Control only if (1) any party to
the Change in Control transaction is a party, or an affiliate of a party, which,
within the three month period immediately prior to the date of Employee's
termination, engaged in substantive negotiations with the Company and/or
publicly made an offer to the Company or its shareholders with respect to a
transaction which, if consummated, would constitute a Change in Control
transaction and (2) the Change in Control occurred within six months following
the date of such termination.

          (b) The parties hereto agree to reasonably cooperate with each other
to minimize any taxes that may be imposed under Sections 280G and/or 4999 of the
Internal Revenue Code. To the extent applicable, the Company and/or its
appropriate affiliate shall take appropriate action to obtain approval by the
shareholders of the Company and/or its appropriate affiliate of the payments
hereunder that would be subject to such taxes in a manner that satisfies Section
280G(b)(5)(B) of the Internal Revenue Code and Treas. Reg. Section 1.280G, Q/A
7.

          Section 10. NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT.

          The Noncompetition Agreement shall remain in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms, and Employee represents and warrants to the Company
that he will continue to comply with the obligations provided thereunder.
Employee acknowledges that the provisions of the Noncompetition Agreement shall
survive any termination of his employment hereunder.

          Section 11. BOARD ACTIONS.

          To the extent that Employee serves on the Board during the Term of
Employment, all actions under this Agreement requiring Board action and/or
consent shall be taken without Employee's participation, and Employee shall
recuse himself from any action of the Board which relates to his employment or
compensation.

          Section 12. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF EMPLOYEE.

          Employee represents that:

          (a) Employee is entering into this Agreement voluntarily and that his
employment hereunder and compliance with the terms and conditions hereof will
not conflict with or result in the breach by him of any agreement to which he is
a party or by which he may be bound; and

          (b) he has not, and in connection with his employment with the Company
will not, violate any non-solicitation or other similar covenant or agreement by
which he is or may be bound; and

          (c) in connection with his employment with the Company he will not use
any confidential or proprietary information he may have obtained in connection
with employment with any prior employer.


                                       -9-

<PAGE>

          Section 13. TAXES.

          The Company may withhold from any payments made under this Agreement
all applicable taxes, including but not limited to income, employment and social
insurance taxes, as shall be required by law.

          Section 14. SET-OFF; MITIGATION.

          The Company's obligation to pay Employee the amounts provided and to
make the arrangements provided hereunder shall be subject to set-off,
counterclaim or recoupment of amounts ascertainable to a sum certain owed by
Employee to the Company or its affiliates. Employee shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payment provided for pursuant to this Agreement by
seeking other employment or otherwise and the amount of any payment provided for
pursuant to this Agreement shall not be reduced by any compensation earned as a
result of Employee's other employment or otherwise.

          Section 15. DISPUTE RESOLUTION.

          Any controversy arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
breach hereof (other than claims arising under the Noncompetition Agreement)
shall be settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the Employment
Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association and judgment
upon the award rendered may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
The arbitrator shall be selected by mutual agreement of the Company and
Employee, or if the Company and Employee are unable to agree on an arbitrator,
the arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association. The
costs of any such arbitration proceedings, including all reasonable legal fees,
disbursements, and other costs paid or incurred by the prevailing party arising
out of or resulting from such proceedings, shall be reimbursed by the
non-prevailing party. Any award made by such arbitrator shall be final, binding
and conclusive on the parties for all purposes, and judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof.

          Section 16. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; NO THIRD-PARTY BENEFICIARIES.

          (a) The Company. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by, and may be assigned by the Company to (i) any purchaser of all
or substantially all of the Company's business or assets, any successor to the
Company or any assignee thereof (whether direct or indirect, by purchase,
merger, consolidation or otherwise); and (ii) Spheris Operations, Inc. An
assignment to Spheris Operations, Inc. shall not constitute a Change in Control
for purposes of this Agreement. The Company will require any such purchaser,
successor or assignee to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in
the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to
perform it if no such purchase, succession or assignment had taken place.

          (b) Employee. Except as otherwise provided herein, Employee's rights
and obligations under this Agreement shall not be transferable by Employee by
assignment or otherwise, without the prior written consent of the Company;
provided, however, that if Employee shall die, all amounts then payable to
Employee hereunder shall be paid in accordance


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<PAGE>

with the terms of this Agreement to Employee's devisee, legatee or other
designee or, if there be no such designee, to Employee's estate.

          Section 17. WAIVER AND AMENDMENTS.

          Any waiver, alteration, amendment or modification of any of the terms
of this Agreement shall be valid only if made in writing and signed by the
parties hereto; provided, however, that any such waiver, alteration, amendment
or modification is consented to on the Company's behalf by the Board. No waiver
by either of the parties hereto of their rights hereunder shall be deemed to
constitute a waiver with respect to any subsequent occurrences or transactions
hereunder unless such waiver specifically states that it is to be construed as a
continuing waiver.

          Section 18. SEVERABILITY AND GOVERNING LAW.

          If any covenants or such other provisions of this Agreement are found
to be invalid or unenforceable by a final determination of a court of competent
jurisdiction: (a) the remaining terms and provisions hereof shall be unimpaired,
and (b) the invalid or unenforceable term or provision hereof shall be deemed
replaced by a term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes
closest to expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or
provision hereof. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO THE
CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF) APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE
PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN SUCH STATE.

          Section 19. NOTICES.

          (a) Every notice or other communication relating to this Agreement
shall be in writing, and shall be mailed to or delivered to the party for whom
it is intended at such address as may from time to time be designated by it in a
notice mailed or delivered to the other party as herein provided, provided that,
unless and until some other address be so designated, all notices or
communications by Employee to the Company shall be mailed or delivered to the
Company at its principal executive office, and all notices or communications by
the Company to Employee may be given to Employee personally or may be mailed to
Employee at Employee's last known address, as reflected in the Company's
records.

          (b) Any notice so addressed shall be deemed to be given: (i) if
delivered by hand, on the date of such delivery; (ii) if mailed by courier or by
overnight mail, on the first business day following the date of such mailing;
and (iii) if mailed by registered or certified mail, on the third business day
after the date of such mailing.

          Section 20. SECTION HEADINGS.

          The headings of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are
inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute a part
thereof, affect the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or of any term
or provision hereof.


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          Section 21. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.

          This Agreement, together with the Noncompetition Agreement,
constitutes the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto
regarding the employment of Employee including, without limitation, the Prior
Agreement. This Agreement supersedes all prior negotiations, discussions,
correspondence, communications, understandings and agreements between the
parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement including, without
limitation, the Prior Agreement.

          Section 22. SURVIVAL OF OPERATIVE SECTIONS.

          Upon any termination of Employee's employment, the provisions of
Section 8 through Section 23 of this Agreement shall survive to the extent
necessary to give effect to the provisions thereof.

          Section 23. COUNTERPARTS.

          This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument. The execution of this Agreement may be
by actual or facsimile signature.

                                      * * *
                  [Signatures to appear on the following page.]


                                      -12-

<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.

                                        SPHERIS HOLDINGS INC.



                                        By: /s/ Tenno Tsai
                                            ------------------------------------
                                        Title: President
                                               ---------------------------------

                                        Employee

                                        /s/ Steven E. Simpson
                                        ----------------------------------------


                                      -13-