Employment Agreement



 Exhibit 10.5 
 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 This EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT is made as of the 18th day of December, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Richard A. Lechleiter (the “Executive”). 
 WITNESSETH: 
 WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Kindred Healthcare, Inc. (“Parent”), and the parties hereto
desire to provide for Executive’s continued employment by the Company; and 
 WHEREAS, the Executive Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors of Parent (the “Board”) have determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and Parent to enter into this Agreement. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the respective covenants and agreements contained herein, and intending to be legally bound hereby, the Company and Executive agree as follows: 
 1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive and Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company on the terms and conditions
herein set forth. The initial term of this Agreement shall be for a one-year period commencing on the Effective Date. The Term shall be automatically extended by one additional day for each day beyond the Effective Date that the Executive remains
employed by the Company until such time as the Company elects to cease such extension by giving written notice of such election to the Executive. In such event, the Agreement shall terminate on the first anniversary of the effective date of such
election notice. 
 2. Duties. Executive is engaged by the Company in an executive capacity as Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer. 
 3. Extent of Services. Executive, subject to the direction and control of the Board, shall have the power and
authority commensurate with his executive status and necessary to perform his duties hereunder. During the term, Executive shall devote his working time, attention, labor, skill and energies to the business of the Company, and shall not, without the
consent of the Company, be actively engaged in any other business activity, whether or not such business activity is pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage. 
  


 –1– 








 4. Compensation. As compensation for services hereunder rendered, Executive shall receive during
the Term: 
 (a) A base salary (“Base Salary”) of not less than his current base salary per year payable in equal
installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll procedures. Executive may receive increases in his Base Salary from time to time, as approved by the Board. 
 (b) In addition to Base Salary, Executive shall be entitled to receive bonuses and other incentive compensation as the Board may approve
from time to time, including participation in the Company’s annual short-term incentive compensation plan and its long-term incentive compensation plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans as may be in effect from time to
time. 
 5. Benefits. 
 (a) Executive shall be entitled to participate in any and all Executive pension benefit, welfare benefit (including, without limitation, medical, dental, disability and group life insurance coverages) and fringe
benefit plans from time to time in effect for Executives of the Company and its affiliates. 
 (b) Executive shall be entitled
to participate in such bonus, stock option, or other incentive compensation plans of the Company and its affiliates in effect from time to time for executives of the Company. 
 (c) Executive shall be entitled to four weeks of paid vacation each year. The Executive shall schedule the timing of such vacations in a
reasonable manner. The Executive may also be entitled to such other leave, with or without compensation as shall be mutually agreed by the Company and Executive. 
 (d) Executive may incur reasonable expenses for promoting the Company’s business, including expenses for entertainment, travel and
similar items. The Company shall reimburse Executive for all such reasonable expenses in accordance with the Company’s reimbursement policies and procedures as in effect from time to time. 
 6. Termination of Employment. 
 (a) Death or Disability. Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death during the Term. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of Executive has occurred during the Term
(pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth below) it may give to Executive written 

  

 –2– 








 
notice of its intention to terminate Executive’s employment. In such event, Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on
the 30th day after receipt of such notice by Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such
receipt, Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean Executive’s absence from his full-time duties hereunder for a period of 90 days
due to disability as defined in the long-term disability plan provided to Executive by the Company. 
 (b) Cause. The
Company may terminate Executive’s employment during the Term for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean the Executive’s (i) conviction of or plea of nolo contendere to a crime involving moral
turpitude; or (ii) willful and material breach by Executive of his duties and responsibilities, which is committed in bad faith or without reasonable belief that such breaching conduct is in the best interests of the Company and its affiliates,
but with respect to (ii) only if the Board adopts a resolution by a vote of at least 75% of its members so finding after giving the Executive and his attorney an opportunity to be heard by the Board and a reasonable opportunity of not less than
30 days to remedy or correct the purported breaching conduct. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to
be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. 
 (c) Good
Reason. Executive’s employment may be terminated during the Term by Executive for Good Reason. “Good Reason” shall exist upon the occurrence, without Executive’s express written consent, of any of the following events:

 (i) a material adverse change in Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities (including, without limitation the
Company assigning to Executive duties of a substantially nonexecutive or nonmanagerial nature) (other than any such change directly attributable to the fact that the Company is no longer publicly owned); 
 (ii) the Company shall materially reduce the Base Salary or annual bonus opportunity of Executive; or 
 (iii) a material breach by the Company of Section 5(a) or Section 9(c) of this Agreement . 
  

 –3– 








 For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall not exist until after
Executive has given the Company notice of the applicable event within 90 days of the initial occurrence of such event and which is not remedied within 30 days after receipt of written notice from Executive specifically delineating such claimed event
and setting forth Executive’s intention to terminate employment if not remedied; provided, that if the specified event cannot reasonably be remedied within such 30-day period and the Company commences reasonable steps within such 30-day
period to remedy such event and diligently continues such steps thereafter until a remedy is effected, such event shall not constitute “Good Reason” provided that such event is remedied within 60 days after receipt of such written notice.

 (d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, shall be
communicated by Notice of Termination given in accordance with this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon, (ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) specifies the intended termination date
(which date, in the case of a termination for Good Reason, shall be not more than thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any right of Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder. 
 (e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination”
means (i) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by Executive for Good Reason, the later of the date specified in the Notice of Termination or the date that is one day after the last day of any applicable cure
period, (ii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, or Executive resigns without Good Reason, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company or Executive notified
Executive or the Company, respectively, of such termination and (iii) if Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of Executive or the Disability Effective
Date, as the case may be. 
 7. Obligations of the Company Upon Termination. Following any termination of Executive’s employment
hereunder, the Company shall pay Executive his Base Salary through the Date of Termination and any amounts owed to Executive 

  

 –4– 








 
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Executive benefit plans and programs of the Company at the time such payments are due. In addition, subject to
Section 7(e) hereof and the conditions set forth below, Executive shall be entitled to the following additional payments: 
 (a) Death or Disability. If, during the Term, Executive’s employment shall terminate by reason of Executive’s death or Disability, the Company shall pay to Executive (or his designated beneficiary or estate, as the case may
be) the prorated portion of any Target Bonus (as defined below) Executive would have received for the year of termination of employment. Such amount shall be paid on the date when such amounts would otherwise have been payable to the Executive if
Executive’s employment with the Company had not terminated as determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable short-term incentive plan of the Company 
 For purposes of this Agreement: “Target Bonus” shall mean the full amount of the targeted annual short-term incentive bonus that
would be payable to the Executive, assuming the targeted performance criteria on which such annual short-term incentive bonus is based were deemed to be satisfied, in respect of services for the calendar year in which the date in question occurs.

 (b) Good Reason; Other than for Cause. If, during the Term, the Company shall terminate Executive’s employment
other than for Cause (but not for Disability), or the Executive shall terminate his employment for Good Reason: 
 (1) In
satisfaction of the annual bonus Executive would otherwise be eligible to receive under the short-term incentive plan in respect of the calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the
product of (i) the annual bonus, if any, to which the Executive would have been entitled for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs had Executive’s employment with the Company not been terminated, as determined in accordance with
the terms and conditions of the applicable short-term incentive plan of the Company as provided in Section 4(b) hereof, and (ii) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the period beginning on the first day of the
calendar year in which the Date of Termination occurs and ending on the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365. Such amount shall be paid on the date when such amounts would otherwise have been payable to the Executive if
Executive’s employment with the Company had not terminated as determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the applicable short-term incentive plan of the Company. 
  

 –5– 








 (2) Within 14 days following Executive’s Date of Termination, the Company shall pay
to Executive a cash severance payment in an amount equal to 1.5 times the sum of the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus as of the Date of Termination. 
 (3) For a period of 18 months following the Date of Termination (the “Benefit Continuation Period”), the Executive shall be
treated as if he had continued to be an Executive for all purposes under the Company’s health insurance pan and dental insurance plan; or if the Executive is prohibited from participating in such plans, the Company shall otherwise provide such
benefits. Executive shall be responsible for any employee contributions for such insurance coverage. Following the Benefit Continuation Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive continuation coverage under Part 6 of Title I or ERISA
(“COBRA Benefits”) by treating the end of this period as the applicable qualifying event (i.e., as a termination of employment) for purposes of ERISA Section 603(2)) and with the concurrent loss of coverage occurring on the same date,
to the extent allowed by applicable law. 
 (4) For the Benefit Continuation Period, Company shall maintain in force, at its
expense, the Executive’s life insurance in effect under the Company’s voluntary life insurance benefit plan as of the Date of Termination. Executive shall be responsible for any employee contributions for such insurance coverage. For
purposes of clarification, the portion of the premiums in respect of such voluntary life insurance for which Executive and Company are responsible, respectively, shall be the same as the portion for which Company and Executive are responsible,
respectively, immediately prior to the Date of Termination. 
 (5) For the Benefit Continuation Period, the Company shall
provide short-term and long-term disability insurance benefits to Executive equivalent to the coverage that the Executive would have had he remained employed under the disability insurance plans applicable to Executive on the Date of Termination.
Executive shall be responsible for any employee contributions for such insurance coverage. Should Executive become disabled during such period, Executive shall be entitled to receive such benefits, and for such duration, as the applicable plan
provides. For purposes of clarification, the portion of the premiums in respect of such short-term and long-term disability benefits for which Executive and Company are responsible, respectively shall be the same as 

  

 –6– 








 
the portion for which Executive and Company are responsible, respectively, immediately prior to the Date of Termination. 
 (6) Within fifteen (15) days after the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive a cash payment in an amount, if
any, necessary to compensate Executive for the Executive’s unvested interests under the Company’s retirement savings plan which are forfeited by Executive in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment. 
 (7) Company may adopt such amendments to its Executive benefit plans, if any, as are necessary to effectuate the provisions of this
Agreement. 
 (8) Any outstanding unvested stock options, stock performance units or similar equity awards (other than
restricted stock awards) held by Executive on the Date of Termination shall continue to vest in accordance with their original terms (including any related performance measures) for the duration of the Benefit Continuation Period as if Executive had
remained an employee of the Company through the end of such period and any such stock option, stock performance unit or other equity award (other than restricted stock awards) that has not vested as of the conclusion of such period shall be
immediately cancelled and forfeited as of such date. In addition, Executive shall have the right to continue to exercise any outstanding vested stock options held by Executive during the Benefit Continuation Period; provided that in no event shall
Executive be entitled to exercise any such option beyond the original expiration date of such option. Any outstanding restricted stock award held by Executive as of the Date of Termination that would have vested during the Benefit Continuation
Period had Executive remained an employee of the Company through the end of such period shall be immediately vested as of the Date of Termination and any restricted stock award that would not have vested as of the conclusion of such period shall be
immediately cancelled and forfeited as of such date. 
 (9) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, in no
event shall the provision of in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 7 during any taxable year of Executive affect the provision of in-kind benefits pursuant to this Section 7 in any other taxable year of Executive. 
  

 –7– 








 (10) Following the Executive’s Date of Termination, the Executive shall receive the
computer which Executive is utilizing as of the Date of Termination. 
 (b) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If
Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause or Executive terminates employment without Good Reason (and other than due to such Executive’s death) during the Term, this Agreement shall terminate without further additional
obligations to Executive under this Agreement. 
 (c) Death after Termination. In the event of the death of Executive
during the period Executive is receiving payments pursuant to this Agreement, Executive’s designated beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the balance of the payments; or in the event of no designated beneficiary, the remaining payments
shall be made to Executive’s estate. 
 (e) General Release of Claims. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, the amounts payable pursuant to this Section 7 are subject to the condition that Executive has delivered to the Company an executed copy of an irrevocable general release of claims in a form satisfactory to the Company within the 60
day period immediately following the Executive’s separation from service (the “Release Period”). Any payment that otherwise would be made prior to Executive’s delivery of such executed release pursuant to this Section 7
shall be paid on the first business day following the conclusion of the Release Period; provided that in-kind benefits provided pursuant to subsections (b)(3), (4) and (5) of this Section 7 shall continue in effect after separation
from service pending the execution and delivery of such release for a period not to exceed 60 days; provided further that if such release is not executed and delivered within such 60-day period, Executive shall reimburse the Company for the full
cost of coverage during such period. 
 (f) Six Month Delay for Specified Employees. Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, if at the time of Executive’s separation from service Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder (the
“Code”) and the deferral of the payment payable pursuant to Section 7(b)(2) is necessary in order to prevent any accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, then the payment to which Executive would otherwise be
entitled during the first six months following Executive’s separation from service shall be deferred and accumulated (without any reduction in such payment ultimately paid to Executive) for a period of six months from the date of separation
from service and paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh 

  

 –8– 








 
month following such separation from service (or, if earlier, the date of Executive’s death), together with interest during such period at a rate
computed by adding 2.00% to the Prime Rate as published in the Money Rates section of the Wall Street Journal, or other equivalent publication if the Wall Street Journal no longer publishes such information, on the first publication date of the Wall
Street Journal or equivalent publication after the date of Executive’s separation from service (provided that if more than one such Prime Rate is published on any given day, the highest of such published rates shall be used). 
 8. Disputes. Any dispute or controversy arising under, out of, or in connection with this Agreement shall, at the election and upon written demand
of either party, be finally determined and settled by binding arbitration in the City of Louisville, Kentucky, in accordance with the Labor Arbitration rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association, and judgment upon the award may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The Company shall pay all costs of the arbitration and all reasonable attorneys’ and accountants’ fees of the Executive in connection therewith, including any litigation to enforce any
arbitration award. 
 9. Successors. 
 (a) This Agreement is personal to Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement
shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives. 
 (b) This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. 
 (c) The Company shall require any
successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, or any business of the Company for which Executive’s services are principally
performed, to assume expressly 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 succession had taken place. As used this Agreement, “Company” shall
mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise. 
 10. Other Severance Benefits. Executive hereby agrees that in consideration for the payments to be received under Section 7(b) of this
Agreement, Executive waives any and all rights to any payments or benefits under any plans, programs, contracts or arrangements of the Company or their respective affiliates that 

  

 –9– 








 
provide for severance payments or benefits upon a termination of employment, other than the Change in Control Severance Agreement between the Company and
Executive (the “Change in Control Severance Agreement”); provided that any payments payable to Executive under Section 7(b) hereof shall be offset by any payments payable under the Severance Agreement. 
 11. Withholding. All payments to be made to Executive hereunder will be subject to all applicable required withholding of taxes. 
 12. No Mitigation. Executive shall have no duty to mitigate his damages by seeking other employment and, should Executive actually receive
compensation from any such other employment, the payments required hereunder shall not be reduced or offset by any such compensation. Further, the Company’s and Parent’s obligations to make any payments hereunder (including, without
limitation, the provision of in-kind benefits provided under Section 7(b) hereof) shall not be subject to or affected by any setoff, counterclaims or defenses which the Company or Parent may have against Executive or others. 
 13. Non-solicitation. During the Term and for a period of one year thereafter (collectively, the “Non-solicitation Period”), Executive
shall not directly or indirectly, individually or on behalf of any person other than the Company, aid or endeavor to solicit or induce any of the Company’s or its affiliates’ employees to leave their employment with the Company or such
affiliates in order to accept employment with Executive or any other person, corporation, limited liability company, partnership, sole proprietorship or other entity; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not restrict Executive or any other
person from conducting general solicitations or advertisements not directed specifically at employees of the Company or its affiliates, or from employing any employee who responds to any such general solicitation or advertisement or who otherwise
initiates a request for employment. If the restrictions set forth in this section would otherwise be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the parties intend and agree that such court shall exercise its
discretion in reforming the provisions of this Agreement to the end that Executive will be subject to a non-solicitation covenant which is reasonable under the circumstances and enforceable by the Company. It is agreed that no adequate remedy at law
exists for the parties for violation of this section and that this section may be enforced by any equitable remedy, including specific performance and injunction, without limiting the right of the Company to proceed at law to obtain such relief as
may be available to it. The running of the Non-solicitation Period shall be tolled for any period of time during which Executive is in violation of any covenant contained herein, for any reason whatsoever. 
 14. Notices. Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given
when 

  

 –10– 








 
delivered or sent by telephone facsimile transmission, personal or overnight couriers, or registered mail with confirmation or receipt, addressed as follows:

 If to Executive: 
 Richard A. Lechleiter 
 680 South Fourth Street 
 Louisville, KY 40202 
 If to Company: 
 Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc. 
 680 South
Fourth Street 
 Louisville, KY 40202 
 Attn: General Counsel 
 15. Waiver of Breach and Severability. The waiver by either party of a breach of any provision of
this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by either party. In the event any provision of this Agreement is found to be invalid or unenforceable, it may be severed from the Agreement and
the remaining provisions of the Agreement shall continue to be binding and effective. 
 16. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This
instrument contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations and warranties between them, whether written or
oral with respect to the subject matter hereof. No provisions of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing signed by Executive and such officer of the Company
specifically designated by the Board. 
 17. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the
laws of the State of Delaware. 
 18. Headings. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be used to
interpret or construe its provisions. 
 19. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. 
 20. Cancellation of Prior
Agreement. The Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that this Agreement is intended to and does hereby replace that 

  

 –11– 








 
certain employment agreement dated July 28, 1998, and any amendments thereto, between the Company (or its predecessor) and the Executive, and that such
agreement is cancelled, terminated and of no further force and effect. 
 21. Section 409A. If any provision of this Agreement
(or any award of compensation or benefits provided under this Agreement) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall reform such provision to comply with 409A and agrees to
maintain, to the maximum extent practicable without violating 409A of the Code, the original intent and economic benefit to Executive of the applicable provision; provided that nothing herein shall require the Company to provide Executive with any
gross-up for any tax, interest or penalty incurred by Executive under Section 409A of the Code. Furthermore, notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no payment or benefit payable under this Agreement shall be required to be paid or
provided in calendar year 2008 if the payment of such payment or benefit would constitute an impermissible acceleration under Section 409A of the Code and the transition guidance thereunder and such payment shall instead be paid on
January 1, 2009, without interest. 
  

 –12– 








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

  

			
	KINDRED HEALTHCARE OPERATING, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Paul J. Diaz

		 	 Paul J. Diaz, President and
 Chief Executive
Officer

	
	Solely for the purpose of Section 7
	
	KINDRED HEALTHCARE, INC.
		
	By:	 	 /s/ Paul J. Diaz

		 	 Paul J. Diaz, President and
 Chief Executive
Officer

	
	 /s/ RICHARD A. LECHLEITER

	RICHARD A. LECHLEITER


  

 –13–