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                                                            Exhibit 10.40
                                TAB PRODUCTS CO.

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL AGREEMENT
                           ---------------------------


     This Change of Control Agreement (the "Agreement") is effective as of
November ___, 1996, by and between _____________________________________ (the
"Employee"), and TAB Products Co., a Delaware corporation (the "Company").

                                    RECITALS

     A.   The Employee presently serves at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors of the Company and performs significant strategic and management
responsibilities necessary to the continued conduct of the Company's business
and operations.

     B.   The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") has determined
that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to assure
that the Company will have the continued dedication and objectivity of the
Employee, notwithstanding the possibility or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined below) of the Company.

     C.   The Board believes that it is imperative to provide the Employee with
certain severance benefits upon the Employee's termination of employment
following a Change of Control which provide the Employee with enhanced financial
security and provide sufficient incentive and encouragement to the Employee to
remain with the Company following a Change of Control.

     D.   Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section
3 below.

     In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained, and in
consideration of the continuing employment of Employee by the Company, the
parties agree as follows:

     1.   TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT.  The Company and the Employee agree that the
Employee's employment is at will, and that their employment relationship may be
terminated by either party at any time, with or without cause.  If the
Employee's employment terminates for any reason, the Employee shall not be
entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than
as provided by this Agreement or in accordance with Company policies then in
effect.  The provisions of this Agreement shall terminate on October 1, 2001
(except that the Employee's employment by the Company shall continue to be "at
will").  Any termination of this Agreement shall not affect any required payment
or benefit that accrues prior to such termination.

     2.   SEVERANCE BENEFITS.  Subject to Sections 2(b) and 2(c) below,


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          (a)  TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE OF CONTROL.  If the Employee's
employment is terminated within one (1) month prior to or twelve (12) months
following a Change of Control, then the Employee shall be entitled to receive
severance benefits as follows:

               (i)   INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION.  If the Employee's employment is
terminated as a result of Involuntary Termination (as defined in Section 3(b)
below), then the Employee shall be entitled to receive severance pay in an
amount equal to 100% of the Employee's annual base salary at the time of such
termination, plus the full amount of Employee's annual bonus at the "on-target"
level for the fiscal year in which Employee is terminated, which amount shall be
paid in lieu of any bonus or commission that may be owing, or becomes owed to
Employee at any time thereafter.  Any severance payments to which the Employee
is entitled pursuant to this section shall be paid in a lump sum within thirty
(30) days of the Employee's termination.  In addition, for a period of up to
twelve (12) months after any termination under this Section 2(a)(i), (i) the
Company shall reimburse the Employee for any COBRA premiums paid by the Employee
for continued group health insurance coverage (the "Employment Benefits").  Such
Employment Benefits shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) twelve (12) months
from the date of the Employee's termination or (ii) upon commencement of new
employment by the Employee.

               (ii)  VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION.  If the Employee's employment
terminates by reason of the Employee's voluntary resignation (and is not an
Involuntary Termination or a Termination for Cause), then the Employee shall not
be entitled to receive severance or other benefits following the date of such
termination under the terms of this Agreement, and the Company shall have no
obligation to provide for the continuation of any health and medical benefit or
life insurance plans existing on the date of such termination except as
otherwise required by applicable law.

               (iii) DISABILITY; DEATH.  If the Company terminates the
Employee's employment as a result of the Employee's Disability, or such
Employee's employment is terminated at any time due to the death of the
Employee, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance or other
benefits following the date of such termination under the terms of this
Agreement, and the Company shall have no obligation to provide for the
continuation of any health and medical benefit or life insurance plans existing
on the date of such termination except as otherwise required by applicable law.

               (iv)  TERMINATION FOR CAUSE.  If the Employee is terminated for
Cause, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive any severance or other
benefits following the date of such termination under the terms of this
Agreement, and the Company shall have no obligation to provide for the
continuation of any health and medical benefit or life insurance plans existing
on the date of such termination except as otherwise required by applicable law.

               (v) ACCELERATION OF STOCK OPTIONS.  The Employee shall be
entitled to acceleration of vesting for Employee's stock options as provided
under the Company's 1991 Stock Option Plan or any applicable successor plan.


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          (b)  LIMITATION OF PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS.

               (i)   To the extent that any of the payments and benefits
provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to the Employee constitute
"parachute payments" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), and, but for this Section 2(b), would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any similar or
successor provision, the aggregate amount of such payments and benefits shall be
reduced, but only to the extent necessary so that none of such payments and
benefits are subject to excise tax pursuant to Section 4999 of the Code.

               (ii)  Within sixty (60) days after the later of termination of
employment or the related Change in Control, the Company shall notify the
Employee in writing if it believes that any reduction in the payments and
benefits that would otherwise be paid or provided to the Employee under the
terms of this Agreement is required to comply with the provisions of
Subsection 2(b)(i).  If the Company determines that any such reduction is
required, it will provide the Employee with copies of the information used and
calculations made by the Company to determine the amount of such reduction.  The
Company shall determine, in a fair and equitable manner after consultation with
the Employee, which payments and benefits are to be reduced so as to result in
the maximum benefit for the Employee.

               (iii) Within thirty (30) days after the Employee's receipt of the
Company's notice pursuant to Subsection 2(b)(ii), the Employee shall notify the
Company in writing if the Employee disagrees with the amount of reduction
determined by the Company, or the selection of the payments and the benefits to
be reduced.  As part of such notice, the Employee shall also advise the Company
of the amount of reduction, if any, that the Employee has, in good faith,
determined to be necessary to comply with the provisions of Subsection 2(b)(i)
and/or the payments and benefits to be reduced.  Failure by the Employee to
provide this notice within the time allowed will be treated by the Company as
acceptance by the Employee of the amount of reduction determined by the Company
and/or the payments and benefits to be reduced.  If any differences regarding
the amount of the reduction and/or the payments and benefits to be reduced have
not been resolved by mutual agreement within sixty (60) days after the
Employee's receipt of the Company's notice pursuant to Subsection 2(b)(ii), the
amount of reduction and/or the payments and benefits to be reduced as determined
by the Employee will be conclusive and binding on both parties unless, prior to
the expiration of such sixty (60) day period, the Company notifies the Employee
in writing of the Company's intention to have the matter submitted to
arbitration for resolution and proceeds to do so promptly.  If the Company gives
no notice to the Employee of a required reduction as provided in
Subsection 2(b)(ii), the Employee may unilaterally determine the amount of
reduction required, if any, and/or the payments and benefits to be reduced, and,
upon written notice to the Company, the amount and/or the payments and benefits
to be reduced will be conclusive and binding on both parties.

               (iv)  If, as a result of the reductions required by
Subsection 2(b)(i), the amounts previously paid to the Employee exceed the
amount to which the Employee is entitled, the Employee will promptly return the
excess amount to the Company.


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     3.   DEFINITION OF TERMS.  The following terms referred to in this
Agreement shall have the following meanings:

          (a)  CHANGE OF CONTROL.  "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence
of either of the following events:

               (i)   Any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and
14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is or becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under said Act), directly or
indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or
more of the total voting power represented by the Company's then outstanding
voting securities; or

               (ii)  (A) A merger or consolidation of the Company with any other
corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the
voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto
continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted
into voting securities of the surviving entity) at least fifty percent (50%) of
the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or
such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or
consolidation; or (B) the complete liquidation of the Company; or (C) the sale
or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all the Company's assets.

          (b)  INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION.  "Involuntary Termination" shall mean
the Employee's resignation within 60 days after any of the following:

               (i)   Without the Employee's express written consent, the
assignment to the Employee of any significant duties or the significant
reduction of the Employee's duties, either of which is materially inconsistent
with the Employee's position with the Company and responsibilities in effect
immediately prior to such assignment, or the removal of the Employee from such
position and responsibilities, which is not effected for death, Disability or
for Cause;

               (ii)  Without the Employee's express written consent, a
substantial reduction, without good business reasons, of the facilities and
perquisites (including office space and location) available to the Employee
immediately prior to such reduction;

               (iii) Any reduction by the Company in an amount greater than 10%
in the base salary and/or prospective bonus of the Employee as in effect
immediately prior to such reduction, other than a reduction applied generally to
executive officers of the Company;

               (iv)  Any reduction by the Company in the kind or level of
employee benefits to which the Employee is entitled immediately prior to such
reduction, other than a reduction applied generally to executive officers of the
Company;

               (v)   The relocation of the Employee to a facility or a location
more than 40 miles from the Employee's then present location, without the
Employee's express written consent; or


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               (vi)  The failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the
terms of this Agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 4 below.

PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Employee's resignation as a result of any of the
foregoing conditions shall be a voluntary resignation, and not an involuntary
termination, unless the Employee gives written notice of any such condition(s)
to the Board and allows the Company at least 10 days thereafter to correct such
condition(s).  It shall also be an Involuntary Termination if the Company
terminates the Employee for any reason other than Disability, death or for
Cause.

          (c)  CAUSE.  For purposes of this Agreement, a termination "for Cause"
occurs if the Employee is terminated for any of the following reasons:

               (i)   Theft, dishonesty, or intentional falsification of any
employment or Company records;

               (ii)  Improper disclosure of the Company's confidential or
proprietary information;

               (iii) Any action by the Employee that Employee knew or should
have known could have a material detrimental effect on the Company's reputation
or business;

               (iv)  The Employee's failure or inability to perform any
reasonable assigned duties after written notice from the Company to the Employee
of, and a reasonable opportunity to cure, such failure or inability; or

               (v)   The Employee's conviction (including any plea of guilty or
nolo contendre) for any criminal act that impairs his ability to perform his
duties for the Company.

          (d)  DISABILITY.  "Disability" shall mean that the Employee is unable
to perform his duties as an employee of the Company as the result of his
incapacity due to physical or mental illness for 120 days (not necessarily
consecutive) in any one year period.  Termination resulting from Disability may
only be effected after at least 30 days' written notice by the Company of its
intention to terminate the Employee's employment.  In the event that the
Employee resumes the performance of substantially all of his duties as an
employee of the Company before the termination of his employment becomes
effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall automatically be deemed to
have been revoked.

     4.   EMPLOYEE COVENANT REGARDING NONSOLICITATION.  For a period of one (1)
year following termination of employment for any reason, the Employee shall not
recruit, solicit, or invite the solicitation of any employees of the Company to
terminate their employment with the Company.

     5.   SUCCESSORS.


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          (a)  COMPANY'S SUCCESSORS.  Any successor to the Company (whether
direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation,
liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company's business
and/or assets shall assume the obligations under this Agreement and agree
expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner and
to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations
in the absence of a succession.  For all purposes under this Agreement, the term
"Company" shall include any successor to the Company's business and/or assets
which executes and delivers the assumption agreement described in this
subsection (a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by
operation of law.

          (b)  EMPLOYEE'S SUCCESSORS.  All rights of the Employee hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Employee's personal or
legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees.  Employee shall have no right to assign any
of his obligations or duties under this Agreement to any other person or entity.

     6.   NOTICE.

          (a)  GENERAL.  Notices and all other communications contemplated by
this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail,
return receipt requested and postage prepaid.  In the case of the Employee,
mailed notices shall be addressed to him at the home address which he most
recently communicated to the Company in writing.  In the case of the Company,
mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices
shall be directed to the attention of its Secretary.

          (b)  NOTICE OF TERMINATION.  Any termination by the Company for Cause
or by the Employee as a result of a voluntary resignation or an Involuntary
Termination shall be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party
hereto given in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement.  Such notice shall
indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, shall
set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a
basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and shall specify the
termination date (which shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such
notice).

     7.   MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

          (a)  NO DUTY TO MITIGATE.  The Employee shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement (whether by
seeking New Employment or in any other manner), nor shall any such payment be
reduced by any earnings that the Employee may receive from any other source.

          (b)  WAIVER.  No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived
or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in
writing and signed by the Employee and by an authorized officer of the Company
(other than the Employee).  No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of
compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement


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by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or
provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

          (c)  CHOICE OF LAW.  The validity, interpretation, construction and
performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California.

          (d)  SEVERABILITY.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
provision or provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of any other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force
and effect.

          (e)  ARBITRATION.  In the event of any dispute or claim relating to or
arising out of the Employee's employment relationship with the Company, this
Agreement, or the termination of the Employee's employment with the Company for
any reason (including, but not limited to, any claims of breach of contract,
wrongful termination, fraud or age, race, sex, national origin, disability or
other discrimination or harassment), the Employee and the Company agree that all
such disputes shall be fully, finally and exclusively resolved by binding
arbitration conducted by the American Arbitration Association in Santa Clara
County, California.  The Employee and the Company hereby knowingly and willingly
waive their respective rights to have any such disputes or claims tried to a
judge or jury.  Provided, however, that this arbitration provision shall not
apply to any disputes or claims relating to or arising out of the actual or
alleged misuse or misappropriation of the Company's property, including, but not
limited to, its trade secrets or proprietary information.

          (f)  NO ASSIGNMENT OF BENEFITS.  The rights of any person to payments
or benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or
assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of
law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other
creditor's process, and any action in violation of this subsection (f) shall be
void.

          (g)  EMPLOYMENT TAXES.  All payments made pursuant to this Agreement
will be subject to withholding of applicable income and employment taxes.

          (h)  ASSIGNMENT BY COMPANY.  The Company may assign its rights under
this Agreement to an affiliate, and an affiliate may assign its rights under
this Agreement to another affiliate of the Company or to the Company; provided,
however, that no assignment shall be made if the net worth of the assignee is
less than the net worth of the Company at the time of assignment.  In the case
of any such assignment, the term "Company" when used in a section of this
Agreement shall mean the corporation that actually employs the Employee.

          (i)  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.

          (j)  PRIOR AGREEMENTS.  This Agreement shall supersede all prior
arrangements whether written or oral, and understandings, regarding the subject
matter of this Agreement.


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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the
case of the Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year first
above written.


COMPANY                                 TAB PRODUCTS CO.



                                        By:
                                           ------------------------------------

                                        Title:
                                              ---------------------------------



EMPLOYEE                                By:
                                           ------------------------------------


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