Document:

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EXHIBIT 10.21
                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------

     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of March 21, 2000
(the "Effective Date"), between STERIS Corporation, an Ohio Corporation
("STERIS"), and Les C. Vinney ("Executive").

     In consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement and
other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are
in this Agreement acknowledged, the parties to this Agreement agree as follows:

A.   President and Chief Operating Officer
     -------------------------------------

     1.   Position and Duties.
          -------------------

          (a) Effective March 18, 2000, Executive shall serve as the Chief
Operating Officer of STERIS and shall have the normal duties, responsibilities
and authority of an executive serving in such position, subject to the power of
the STERIS Board of Directors (the "Board") to expand or limit such duties,
responsibilities and authority, either generally or in specific instances.
Executive shall have the title President of STERIS, subject to the power of the
Board to change such title from time to time. On or prior to the date of this
Agreement, Executive shall have been elected by the Board to fill the current
vacancy on Class I of the Board pursuant to Article II, Section 2 of the Amended
and Restated Regulations of STERIS.

          (b) Executive shall devote his best efforts and his full business time
and attention (except for permitted vacation periods, reasonable periods of
illness or other incapacity, and provided such activities do not have more than
a de minimis effect on Executive's performance of his duties under this
  -- -------
Agreement, participation in charitable and civic endeavors and management of
Executive's personal investments and business interests) to the business and
affairs of STERIS. Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities to
the best of his abilities in a diligent, trustworthy, businesslike and efficient
manner.

          (c) Executive shall perform his duties and responsibilities
principally in the Cleveland metropolitan area, and shall not be required to
travel outside that area any more extensively than required in the ordinary
course of the business of STERIS.

     2.   Compensation and Benefits.
          -------------------------

          (a) Base Salary. Effective April 1, 2000, STERIS agrees to pay
              -----------
Executive a base salary of $400,000.00 per annum. Executive's base salary may be
increased by the Board from time to time. Until April 1, 2000, Executive shall
be paid
<PAGE>

the base salary outlined in his July 13, 1999 letter agreement with STERIS.
Executive shall also receive the $75,000 bonus for the quarter ending March 31,
2000.

          (b) Annual Bonus. Effective April 1, 2000, Executive will be a
              ------------
participant in the STERIS Management Incentive Compensation Plan ("MICP").
Executive shall have the opportunity for the achievement of the full year bonus
target level of $320,000 based upon the overall corporate target established by
the Board for fiscal year 2001. Executive's entitlement to bonus compensation
for fiscal years after 2001 shall be pursuant to the MICP and may be increased
by the Board from time to time.

          (c) Stock Options. Executive will be eligible for a non-qualified
              -------------
stock option grant of not less than 250,000 common shares at the next such date
that other STERIS executives are granted options. Executive shall be eligible
for other option grants consistent with company practices. The option will be
evidenced by an agreement (The Stock Option Agreement) in the standard form of
option agreement used by STERIS.

          (d) Expense Reimbursement. STERIS shall reimburse Executive for all
              ---------------------
reasonable expenses incurred by him in the course of performing his duties under
this Agreement which are consistent with STERIS' policies in effect from time to
time with respect to travel, entertainment and other business expenses, subject
to STERIS' requirements with respect to reporting and documentation of such
expenses.

          (e) Standard Executive Benefits Package. In addition to the base
              -----------------------------------
salary and any bonus payable to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, Executive
shall continue to be entitled to participate in and receive on the same basis
any and all benefits made available to other executives of STERIS. STERIS will
continue to work with its insurance benefits provider to coordinate Executive's
medical and dental coverage under Executive's current program with Executive's
former employer and shall reimburse Executive for his cost of membership at The
Union Club (or similar club) and a country club of his choice.

          (f) Indemnification. With respect to Executive's acts or failures to
              ---------------
act during the Employment Period in his capacity as a director, officer,
employee or agent of STERIS, Executive shall be entitled to indemnification from
STERIS, and to liability insurance coverage, on the same basis as other
directors and officers of STERIS.

     3.   Change in Control Agreement. The Parties to this Agreement have
          ---------------------------
entered into a Change in Control Agreement effective March 21, 2000.

B.   President and Chief Executive Officer
     -------------------------------------

     1.   Effective Date. It is anticipated that Executive will be appointed to
          --------------
serve as Chief Executive Officer of STERIS on or before the date of the year
2000 annual meeting of the shareholders of STERIS currently scheduled for July
21, 2000. On such

                                       2
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appointment, Executive shall have the normal duties, responsibilities and
authority, of an executive serving in such position, subject to the power of the
Board to expand or limit such duties, responsibilities and authority, either
generally or in specific instances. Executive shall continue to act as President
of STERIS and shall maintain his position on the Board. From the effective date,
Executive's compensation will be as noted below.

     2.   Base Salary. Upon his appointment as Chief Executive Officer, STERIS
          -----------
agrees to pay Executive a base salary of $575,000 per annum. Executive's base
salary may be increased by the Board from time to time.

     3.   Bonus. Upon Executive's appointment as Chief Executive Officer,
          -----
Executive shall be a participant in the Senior Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan and shall have the opportunity for the achievement of the full
year bonus target level of $575,000, based upon overall corporate achievement
for fiscal year 2001. Executive's entitlement to bonus compensation for fiscal
years after 2001 shall be pursuant to the Senior Executive Management Incentive
Compensation Plan and may be increased by the Board from time to time.

     4.   Proration of Fiscal Year 2001 Bonus. For fiscal year 2001, the amount
          -----------------------------------
of any bonus opportunity for Executive shall be prorated based upon a target
level of $320,000 for the number of days Executive serves as Chief Operating
Officer and on a target level of $575,000 for the number of days Executive
serves as Chief Executive Officer prior to April 1, 2001, both periods prorated
based on a 365 day year.

     5.   Stock Options. STERIS will grant Executive non-qualified stock options
          -------------
to purchase additional shares of STERIS' common stock in accordance with the
customary business practices.

     6.   Benefits and Expenses Reimbursement. Upon Executive's appointment as
          -----------------------------------
Chief Executive Officer, he shall continue to receive the benefits and expense
reimbursements he received as Chief Operating Officer.

     7.   Change of Control. The Change of Control Agreement signed by the
          -----------------
parties on March 21, 2000, shall remain in effect upon Executive's appointment
as Chief Executive Officer.

     8.   Failure to Appoint by the Date of the Year 2000 Annual Meeting of
          -----------------------------------------------------------------
Shareholders. If Executive has not been appointed Chief Executive Officer on or
------------
prior to the date of the year 2000 annual meeting of Shareholders, Executive
shall receive a lump sum payment of (i) two years of his annual base salary as
Chief Operating Officer plus (ii) the Chief Operating Officer target bonus
amount of $320,000 Additionally, Executive shall receive:

          (a)  For the 12 months following the date of the year 2000 annual
               meeting of Shareholders, all benefits the Executive received as
               Chief Operating Officer;

          (b)  The value of any accrued, but unused vacation.

                                       3
<PAGE>

     9.   Miscellaneous. If the Executive is appointed Chief Executive Officer,
          -------------
the parties will mutually agree to the terms of Executive's separation as STERIS
Corporation's Chief Executive Officer at a future date.

C.   Notices
     -------

     Any notice provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
either personally delivered, or by recognized delivery service, to the recipient
at the address below indicated:

                   Notices to Executive:
                   --------------------
                   Les C. Vinney
                   85 West Juniper Lane
                   Moreland Hills, Ohio 44022

                   Notices to STERIS:
                   -----------------
                   STERIS Corporation
                   5960 Heisley Road
                   Mentor, Ohio 44060
                   Attn: General Counsel

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient
party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party. Any
notice under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given when delivered.

D.   Severability
     ------------

     Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in
any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, this Agreement
shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such
invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained in this
Agreement.

E.   Complete Agreement
     ------------------

     This Agreement, the Change of Control Agreement described in Paragraphs A.4
and B.7 and any Stock Option Agreement and the attached Non-Disclosure and
Non-Competition Agreement executed or to be executed in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, embody the complete Agreement and understanding between
the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and effective
as of its date supersedes and preempts any prior understanding, agreements or
representations by or between the parties, written or oral, which may have
related to the subject matter of this agreement in any way.

                                       4
<PAGE>

F.   Counterparts
     ------------

     This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which
shall be deemed to be an original and both of which taken together shall
constitute one and the same agreement.

G.   Successors and Assigns
     ----------------------

     This Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by
Executive, STERIS and their respective heirs, executors, personal
representatives, successors and assigns, except that neither party may assign
any of his or its rights or delegate any of his or its obligations hereunder
without the prior written consent of the other party. Executive hereby consents
to the assignment by STERIS of all of its rights and obligations hereunder to
any successor to STERIS by merger or consolidation or purchase of all or
substantially all of STERIS' assets; in each case provided such transferee or
successor assumes the liabilities of STERIS hereunder.

H.   Choice of Law
     -------------

     This Agreement shall be governed by the internal law, and not the law of
conflicts, of the State of Ohio.

I.   Amendment and Waiver
     --------------------

     The provisions of this Agreement may be amended or waived only with the
prior written consent of STERIS and Executive, and no course of conduct or
failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall affect the
validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement.

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

                                        STERIS Corporation

                                       By: /s/ David C. Dvorak
                                          --------------------------------------
                                               David C. Dvorak
                                       Its:    Senior Vice President and General
                                               Counsel

                                       /s/ Les C. Vinney
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       LES C. VINNEY

                                       5<PAGE>

EXHIBIT 10.22

Personal and Confidential

August 23, 1999

Michael A. Keresman, III
7753 Rutland Drive
Mentor, OH 44060

Dear Mike:

This letter agreement sets forth the agreement we have reached regarding the
termination of your status as an officer of STERIS Corporation ("STERIS"), your
continued part-time employment with STERIS after the termination of your officer
status, the ultimate termination of your employment with STERIS, the
compensation and benefits to be paid to you pursuant to this Agreement, and the
waiver and release that is part of this Agreement. You should review this
Agreement with legal counsel of your choice to be certain that you understand
and agree with all of the provisions that are contained in this Agreement.

1. Cessation of Officer Status. Your last day of employment as an officer of
STERIS will be August23, 1999. By execution of this Agreement, you hereby resign
as an officer of STERIS and as an officer of each subsidiary or other affiliate
of STERIS as to which you have heretofore been an officer. After August 23,
1999, you will not be an officer of STERIS or of any subsidiary or affiliate of
STERIS and you will not have, nor will you hold yourself out as having, any
authority to bind STERIS or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in any manner.

2. Part-Time Employment. STERIS hereby offers and, by signing this Agreement,
you hereby accept a part-time position as an employee of STERIS (but not as an
officer of STERIS) commencing on August 24, 1999. As a part-time employee of
STERIS you will report directly and only to Bill R. Sanford or such other
officer of STERIS as Mr. Sanford may designate and you shall perform such duties
as Mr. Sanford or his designee may from time to time assign to you. Unless
earlier terminated as provided in the last sentence of this paragraph, your
part-time employment with STERIS will continue through September 30, 2000, and
shall thereupon terminate without further action by either STERIS or you. Your
part-time employment with STERIS may be terminated by STERIS for cause (as
determined by STERIS in its sole discretion) upon 30 days advance notice.

3. Compensation. In consideration of your execution of this Agreement, your
part-time employment with STERIS, and your observance of all of the terms and
conditions set forth herein, STERIS will pay to you the following amounts:

     a.   Salary through September 30, 1999. Through September 30, 1999 (the end
          of the second quarter of the fiscal year ending March 31, 2000),
          STERIS will pay salary to you at the same rate and at the same times
          as if you had remained an officer of STERIS through that date with the
          same base salary that was in effect for you immediately before the
          execution of this Agreement.

     b.   Bonus. STERIS will pay a bonus to you under the Management Incentive
          Compensation Plan ("MICP") with respect to the second quarter of
          fiscal 2000 on or about November 15, 1999, in
<PAGE>

Mr. Michael A. Keresman, III
August 23, 1999
Page 2

          the same manner as it makes payments to other MICP participants on or
          about that date (notwithstanding the fact that you are no longer
          employed by STERIS as an officer on that date). You will receive no
          further bonus payments after that second quarter payment.

     c.   Salary after September 30, 1999. Commencing on October 1, 1999, and
          continuing thereafter for so long as you continue in its part-time
          employ, STERIS will pay salary to you at the rate of $20,000 per
          month, payable in accordance with STERIS's normal payroll procedures.

4. Medical Insurance Coverage. In further consideration of your execution of
this Agreement and your observance of all of the terms and conditions set forth
herein, STERIS will provide to you and your family full family medical insurance
coverage (at the same levels and on the same employee contribution basis as
applicable to full time associates of STERIS) through September 30, 2000. After
September 30, 2000, you will have such rights to continuing medical insurance
coverage as STERIS is required to provide under Part 6 of Title I of ERISA
(commonly referred to as "COBRA").

5. STERIS Equipment and Property. You agree to return to STERIS any and all
STERIS equipment and property of any kind whatsoever that you may have in your
possession by not later than August 25, 1999. You will be permitted access to
your former office at STERIS to obtain your personal effects through August 25,
1999, and you will return all STERIS equipment and property not later than that
time. In compliance with the requirements set forth above in this Section 5, you
will not remove from any STERIS facility or retain in your possession any
materials that contain any STERIS confidential or proprietary information, but
you will return any and all such materials to STERIS not later than August 25,
1999.

6. Termination of Change of Control Agreement. The Change of Control Agreement,
dated as of July 23, 1998, between you and STERIS (the "Change of Control
Agreement") is hereby terminated. From and after the date of execution of this
Agreement, you will have no rights whatsoever under the Change of Control
Agreement. You hereby waive and unconditionally release STERIS from any and all
claims whatsoever arising under or with respect to that Change of Control
Agreement.

7. Stock Options. You hold certain options issued under various STERIS stock
option plans for STERIS Common Shares. While you remain in the employ of STERIS,
your rights under those options that have not yet fully vested will continue to
vest in accordance with the terms of the relevant option agreements and plans.
Under the terms of the various option plans, you will be entitled to exercise
vested options while you are an employee of STERIS (including while you are a
part time employee of STERIS pursuant to this Agreement) and, provided your
employment is not terminated for cause, you will be entitled to exercise those
options, to the extent vested on your last day of employment, at any time within
three months of that last day of employment. However, under the terms of
STERIS's insider trading policy, you will be entitled to exercise those options
on a cashless basis only during an open window period. By signing this
Agreement, you acknowledge that you have received the summary of these
provisions that is attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

8. Stock Transfer Restrictions. Even though you will no longer be an officer of
STERIS or of any of its subsidiaries or other affiliates, you shall not take any
action with respect to STERIS Common Shares that is in violation of STERIS's
policies with respect to trading by STERIS officers in STERIS Common Shares.
STERIS will not prevent you from making any sale of STERIS Common Shares or from
<PAGE>

Mr. Michael A. Keresman, III
August 23, 1999
Page 3

exercising any options for STERIS Common Shares on a cashless basis during any
part of any open window period during which any officer of STERIS may sell
STERIS Common Shares. By signing this Agreement, you acknowledge that you have
received the summary of the application of those rules that is attached to this
Agreement as Exhibit B and agree that you will comply with all of the
restrictions and procedures reflected on Exhibit B.

9. Noncompetition and Nondisclosure. STERIS and you are parties to several
Nondisclosure and Noncompetition Agreements, entered into from time to time. By
signing this Agreement you acknowledge that those agreements are in full force
and effect and will remain in effect according to their respective terms both
during your part-time employment and after the termination of your employment
with STERIS.

10. Confidentiality, Cooperation. In consideration of the payments and benefits
to be provided to you by STERIS pursuant to this Agreement:

     a.   You acknowledge that as an employee of STERIS you possess confidential
          and proprietary information relating to STERIS and you agree not to
          use or to reveal to any other person or entity any confidential or
          proprietary information of STERIS, except as may be required by law.
          You agree that if you believe you are required by law to reveal any
          such confidential or proprietary information, you will first afford
          STERIS the opportunity to raise any objection that STERIS may have to
          the purported requirement that you reveal such information.

     b.   You will not reveal any information regarding the substance of this
          Agreement to any person or entity other than (i) your wife, (ii) your
          personal accountant, and/or (iii) counsel retained by you in
          connection with this Agreement and you will be responsible to see to
          it that none of these listed individuals reveals any information
          regarding the substance of this Agreement to any other person or
          entity.

     c.   You will not disparage, attempt to discredit, or otherwise call into
          disrepute STERIS, its affiliates, successors, assigns, officers,
          directors, employees, agents (in their capacity as agents of STERIS),
          or any of their systems, products, services or technologies in any
          manner that would damage the business or reputation of STERIS or its
          affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, or
          agents. The prohibition in the immediately preceding sentence applies
          to all statements that disparage, discredit, or call into disrepute,
          without regard to the truth or falsehood of the statement.

     d.   You will not assist any party other than STERIS in any litigation or
          investigation against STERIS or its affiliates, successors, assigns,
          officers, directors, employees, or agents with respect to any facts or
          circumstances existing at any time on or before the date of
          termination of your employment, except as maybe required by law. You
          agree that if you believe any such action is required by law, you will
          use your best efforts to first afford STERIS the opportunity to raise
          any objection that STERIS may have to the purported requirement that
          such action be taken by you.

Your obligations under this Section 10 shall remain in effect without any
limitation as to time.
<PAGE>

Mr. Michael A. Keresman, III
August 23, 1999
Page 4

11. Release. In consideration for STERIS's agreement to provide the compensation
and benefits set forth in this Agreement:

     a.   For yourself, your heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and
          assigns, you hereby release and discharge forever STERIS, its
          affiliates, successors, assigns, officers, directors, employees, and
          agents from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, losses, and
          expenses of every nature whatsoever, whether known or unknown, arising
          out of or in any way connected with any facts or circumstances
          occurring before or existing on the date of this Agreement or arising
          out of or in any way connected with your employment by STERIS,
          including, without limitation, any matter related in any way to the
          termination of your employment with STERIS, and further including,
          without limitation, any breach of contract (express or implied),
          promissory estoppel, wrongful discharge, intentional infliction of
          emotional harm, defamation, libel, slander, or other tort, or
          violation of any federal, state, or municipal statute or ordinance
          relating to discrimination in employment, including but not limited to
          Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964(42 U.S.C.ss.2000(e) et
          seq.), Ohio Revised Code Section 4112 et seq., Americans with
          Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C.ss.12101, and all state laws of
          similar import.

     b.   You agree that by signing this Agreement, you are also knowingly and
          voluntarily waiving any and all claims or causes of action you may
          have under the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967
          (29 U.S.C.ss.621 et seq.) and all state laws of similar import.

     c.   You agree not to bring any suit or action in any court or
          administrative agency against any of the beneficiaries of this release
          arising out of or relating to the subject matter of this release.

Nothing in this Section 11 shall release STERIS from its obligations under this
Agreement or prevent you from bringing an action to enforce or seek damages for
breach of this Agreement by STERIS.

12. Effect of Breach by You. If you breach any of the terms of this Agreement,
(a) STERIS will be relieved of its obligation to make any further payments or to
provide any further benefits to you under this Agreement and (b) you will be
required to repay to STERIS the full amount of any and all salary payments made
to you by STERIS after the date of this Agreement STERIS will also be entitled
to an injunction against further breach by you and to money damages suffered by
it or any of the beneficiaries of the release set forth in Section 11 above as a
result of any such breach by you.

13. Legal Fees If either party to this Agreement brings any suit or action to
enforce or seek damages for breach of this Agreement, the court shall have the
authority to award to the prevailing party recovery of his or its reasonable
legal fees and expenses incurred in the suit or action.

14. Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the
State of Ohio applicable to contracts made and to be performed entirely within
that state. Any suit, action, or other legal proceeding arising out of or
relating to this Agreement shall be brought in the Court of Common Pleas of Lake
County, Ohio. STERIS and you each (a) consent to the jurisdiction of that court
in any such suit, action, or proceeding and (b) waive, to the fullest extent
permitted by applicable law, any objection which either may have to the laying
of venue of any such suit, action, or proceeding in that court and any claim
that any such suit, action, or proceeding has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.
<PAGE>

Mr. Michael A. Keresman, III
August 23, 1999
Page 5

15. Withholding. All payments to be made by STERIS pursuant to this Agreement
are subject to applicable federal, state, and local tax withholding.

16. Entire Agreement, Binding Nature. This Agreement sets forth the entire
agreement between you and STERIS regarding the subject matter and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, whether oral or written, between you and
STERIS with respect to the subject matter hereof. This Agreement shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of you and your heirs, executors,
administrators, successors, and assigns and STERIS and its successor and
assigns.

Sincerely,

STERIS Corporation

By  /s/ Bill R. Sanford
    --------------------------------
     Bill R. Sanford
     Chairman, President and Chief
     Executive Officer

I hereby accept and agree to all of the terms of the above Agreement.

/s/  Michael A. Keresman III
------------------------------------
MICHAEL A. KERESMAN, III

August 24, 1999

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