Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.1

                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                             --------------------

          THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is entered into on this _____ day of
________________, 2000, by and between OGLEBAY NORTON COMPANY, a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and [NAME] ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

          WHEREAS, Employee is an executive and key employee who has been
employed by Oglebay Norton Management Company (the "Subsidiary") and serves the
Company as its [________________________________];

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure itself of continuity of
management in the event of any threatened or actual Change in Control (as
hereafter defined);

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure itself, in the event of any
threatened or actual Change in Control, of the continued performance of services
by Employee on an objective and impartial basis and without distraction by
concern for [his][her] employment status and security;

          WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue in the employ of the Company
but desires assurance that [his][her] responsibilities and status as an
executive of the Company or Subsidiary will not be adversely affected by any
threatened or actual Change in Control;

          NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Employee agree as follows:

          1.   Operation of Agreement.  This Agreement shall be effective and
               ----------------------
binding immediately upon its execution, but, anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, this Agreement shall not be operative unless and until
there has been a Change in Control while Employee is in the employ of the
Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, a Change in Control shall have
occurred if at any time any of the following events occurs:

          (a)  a report is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
     (the "SEC") on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule,
     form, or report), each as promulgated pursuant to the Securities Exchange
     Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"), disclosing that any "person" (as the term
     "person" is used in Section 13(d) or Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act)
     is or has become a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities
     of the Company representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the
     Company's then outstanding securities;

          (b)  the Company files a report or proxy statement with the SEC
     pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing in response to Item 1 of Form 8-K
     thereunder or Item 5(f) of Schedule 14A thereunder that a Change in Control
     of the Company has or may have
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     occurred or will or may occur in the future pursuant to any then-existing
     contract or transaction;

          (c)  the Company is merged or consolidated with another corporation
     and, as a result thereof, securities representing less than 50% of the
     combined voting power of the surviving or resulting corporation's
     securities (or of the securities of a parent corporation in case of a
     merger in which the surviving or resulting corporation becomes a wholly-
     owned subsidiary of the parent corporation) are owned in the aggregate by
     holders of the Company's securities immediately prior to such merger or
     consolidation;

          (d)  all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are sold in
     a single transaction or a series of related transactions to a single
     purchaser or a group of affiliated purchasers; or

          (e)  during any period of 24 consecutive months, individuals who were
     Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period cease to
     constitute at least a majority of the Company's Board of Directors (the
     "Board") unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company's
     shareholders, of more than one half of any new Directors of the Company was
     approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors of the Company
     then still in office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of
     such 24 month period.

The first date on which a Change in Control occurs is referred to herein as the
"Change in Control Date."  Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control while
Employee is in the employ of the Subsidiary, this Agreement shall become
immediately operative subject, however, to the provisions of Paragraph 2, below.

          2.   Possible "Undoing" of a Change in Control.  If a report is filed
               -----------------------------------------
with the SEC disclosing that a person (the "Acquiror") is or has become a
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing 25% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's
outstanding securities and, as a result of that filing, a Change in Control, as
defined in Paragraph 1(a), above, occurs, while Employee is in the employ of the
Company, then, as provided in Paragraph 1, above, this Agreement will become
immediately operative.  However, if:

          (a)  a Change in Control as described in Paragraph 1(a) occurs while
     Employee is in the employ of the Subsidiary;

          (b)  the Acquiror subsequently transfers or otherwise disposes of
     sufficient securities of the Company in one or more transactions, to a
     person or persons other than affiliates of the Acquiror or any persons with
     whom the Acquiror has agreed to act together for the purpose of acquiring,
     holding, voting or disposing of securities of the Company, so that, after
     such transfer or other disposition, the Acquiror is no longer the
     beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
     representing 10% or more of the combined voting power of the Company's then
     outstanding securities;

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               (c) at the time of the subsequent transfer or disposition that
     reduced the Acquiror's holdings to less than 10% as provided in (b),
     immediately above, no other event constituting a Change in Control had
     occurred; and

               (d) at the time of the subsequent transfer or other disposition
     that reduced the Acquiror's holdings to less than 10%, Employee's
     employment with the Subsidiary had not been terminated by the Subsidiary
     without cause or by Employee for good reason,

then, for all purposes of this Agreement, the filing of the report constituting
a Change in Control under Paragraph 1(a) shall be treated as if it had not
occurred and this Agreement shall return to the status it had immediately before
the filing of the report constituting a Change in Control under Paragraph 1(a).
Accordingly, if and when a new Change in Control occurs, this Agreement will
again become operative on the date of that new Change in Control.

               3.  Employment, Contract Period.
                   ---------------------------

               (a) Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, upon
     the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company shall cause the
     Subsidiary to continue to employ Employee and Employee shall continue in
     the employ of the Subsidiary for the period specified in Paragraph 3(b)
     (the "Contract Period"), in the position and with the duties and
     responsibilities set forth in Paragraph 4.

               (b) The Contract Period shall commence on the date of occurrence
     of a Change in Control (the "Change in Control Date") and, subject only to
     the provisions of Paragraph 11 below, shall continue for a period of thirty
     months to the close of business on the day (the "Contract Expiration Date")
     falling thirty months after the Change in Control Date.

               4.  Position, Duties, Responsibilities.  At all times during the
                   ----------------------------------
Contract Period, Employee shall:

               (a) hold the same position with substantially the same duties and
     responsibilities as an executive of the Subsidiary as Employee held
     immediately before the Change in Control Date and as those duties and
     responsibilities may be extended, from time to time during the Contract
     Period, by the Board with Employee's consent;

               (b) adhere to and implement the policies and directives
     promulgated, from time to time, by the Board;

               (c) observe all Company and Subsidiary policies applicable to
     executive personnel of the Company and Subsidiary; and

               (d) devote [his][her] business time, energy, and talent to the
     business of and to the furtherance of the purposes and objectives of the
     Company and the Subsidiary to

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     generally the same extent as [he][she] has so devoted [his][her] business
     time, energy, and talent before the Change in Control Date, and neither
     directly nor indirectly render any business, commercial, or professional
     services to any other person, firm, or organization for compensation
     without the prior approval of the Board.

Nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from devoting reasonable
periods of time to charitable and community activities or the management of
[his][her] investment assets provided such activities do not materially
interfere with the performance by Employee of [his][her] duties hereunder.

          5.   Compensation.  For services actually rendered by Employee on
               ------------
behalf of the Subsidiary during the Contract Period as contemplated by this
Agreement, the Company shall cause to be paid to Employee a base salary at a
rate equal to the highest of (a) the rate in effect immediately before the
Change in Control Date, (b) the rate in effect exactly two years before the
Change in Control Date, or (c) such greater rate as the Company may determine.
The base salary shall be paid to Employee in the same increments and on the same
schedule each month as in effect immediately before the Effective Date.
Employee shall not be entitled to any base salary during any period when
[he][she] is receiving long-term disability benefits under the disability
benefit arrangement provided to Employee by the Company.  In addition, the
Company shall also cause to be paid to Employee (a) in the event the Change in
Control Date occurs between January 1 and March 1 of a calendar year, an annual
bonus for the year immediately preceding the year in which the Change in Control
Date occurs determined in accordance with the Company's bonus plan as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control Date for the preceding calendar year,
such bonus to be paid to Employee on the March 1 first following the Change in
Control Date, (b) an annual bonus for the year in which the Change in Control
Date occurs determined in accordance with the Company's bonus plan as in effect
immediately prior to the Change in Control Date and at a level no less than the
target amount thereunder for the year in which the Change in Control Date occurs
(the "Bonus Amount"), such bonus to be paid to Employee on the March 1 first
following the end of the calendar year in which the Change in Control Date
occurs, and (c) an annual bonus equal to not less than the Bonus Amount for each
of the next two calendar years beginning after the year in which the Change in
Control Date occurs, payable in each case on the March 1 following the calendar
year for which such bonus is paid or, if earlier, on the Contract Expiration
Date.

          6.   Vacation.  Employee will be entitled to such periods of vacation
               --------
and sick leave allowance each year as are determined by the Subsidiary's
vacation and sick leave policy for executive personnel as in effect immediately
before the Change in Control Date or as may be increased from time to time
thereafter.  Neither vacation time nor sick leave allowance will be accumulated
from year to year.

          7.   Other Company Plans, Benefits, and Perquisites.  During the
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Contract Period Employee shall be entitled to participate in the Company's
Pension Plan applicable to  salaried employees (the "Salaried Plan"); the
Incentive Savings and Stock Ownership Plan; and every other employee benefit
plan or arrangement not specifically referred to in this Agreement that is
generally available to executive personnel of the Company and Subsidiary
immediately

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before the Change in Control Date or that is specifically extended to Employee
by the Company or the Subsidiary before the Change in Control Date, whether or
not Employee is eligible to participate in such plan or arrangement on the date
of this Agreement. Employee's participation in and benefits under any such plan
or arrangement shall be on the terms and subject to the conditions specified in
the governing document of the particular plan or arrangement as in effect
immediately before the Change in Control Date, which terms and conditions shall
not be amended during the Contract Period unless the benefits to Employee are at
least as great under the plan or arrangement as amended (or under a substitute
plan or arrangement) as were the benefits under the plan or arrangement as in
effect immediately before the Change in Control Date. The Company or the
Subsidiary will also provide Employee with such perquisites during the Contract
Period as the Company or the Subsidiary customarily provided to similarly
situated executive personnel in the period immediately before the Change in
Control Date.

          8.   Additional Benefit.  If a Change in Control occurs and this
               ------------------
Agreement becomes operative and thereafter Employee's employment is terminated
by the Subsidiary without cause or by Employee for good reason, whether such
termination occurs before, on, or after the Contract Expiration Date, the
Company shall cause to be paid and provided benefits to or with respect to
Employee in such amounts and at such times so that the aggregate benefits
payable to or with respect to Employee under the Salaried Plan and any Excess
Benefit Plan maintained in connection with the Salaried Plan and under this
Agreement with respect to the Salaried Plan and any such Excess Benefit Plan
will be equal to the aggregate benefits that would have been paid to or with
respect to Employee under the Salaried Plan and any such Excess Benefit Plan if
Employee were exactly five years older than [his][her] actual age and [his][her]
credit under the Salaried Plan and any such Excess Benefit Plan were equal to
the greater of [his][her] actual service or the amount of service [he][she] is
deemed to have under Paragraph 12(a)(ii), below.  If Employee's employment is
terminated after a Change in Control by the Company without cause or by Employee
for good reason and Employee is entitled to additional benefits by virtue of the
additional five years of deemed age provided for in this Paragraph 8, then the
Company shall directly provide such benefits to Employee in the same manner as
additional benefits are to be provided to Employee under Paragraph 12(a), below.

          9.   Priority of Paragraphs 2 and 8.  Paragraph 2 of this Agreement
               ------------------------------
shall take precedence over Paragraph 8 of this Agreement so that if a Change in
Control occurs and is subsequently undone under Paragraph 2 of this Agreement,
Employee will thereafter have no rights under Paragraph 8 of this Agreement
unless and until a further Change in Control occurs.

          10.  Effect of Disability.  If during the Contract Period and before
               --------------------
[his][her] employment hereunder is otherwise terminated, Employee becomes
disabled to such an extent that [he][she] is prevented from performing
[his][her] duties hereunder by reason of physical or mental incapacity:  (a)
[he][she] shall be entitled to disability and other benefits at least equal to
those that would have been available to [him][her] had the Subsidiary continued,
throughout the period of Employee's disability, all of its programs, benefits,
and policies with respect to disabled employees that were in effect immediately
before the Change in Control; and (b) if [he][she] recovers from [his][her]
disability before the end of the Contract Period, [he][she] shall be reinstated
as an active employee for the remainder of the Contract Period under and subject
to all

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of the terms of this Agreement including, without limitation, the Company's
right to terminate Employee with or without cause under Paragraph 11.

          11.  Termination Following a Change in Control.  Following a Change in
               -----------------------------------------
Control:

          (a)  Employee's employment hereunder will terminate without further
     notice upon the death of Employee;

          (b)  The Subsidiary may terminate Employee's employment hereunder
     effective immediately upon giving notice of such termination:

               (i)   for "cause," (A) if Employee commits an act of fraud,
          embezzlement, theft, or other similar criminal act constituting a
          felony and involving the Company's business or (B) if Employee
          breaches [his][her] agreement with respect to the time to be devoted
          to the business of the Company and the Subsidiary set forth in
          Paragraph 4(d) hereof and fails to cure such breach within 30 days of
          receipt of written notice of such breach from the Board; or

               (ii)  without cause at any time; and

          (c)  Employee may terminate [his][her] employment hereunder effective
     immediately upon giving of notice of such termination:

               (i)   without cause at any time; or

               (ii)  for "good reason," which, for purposes of this Agreement
          shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:

                     (A) any reduction in base salary or position or any
          material reduction in responsibilities or duties contemplated for
          Employee under this Agreement or any material reduction in the
          aggregate of employee benefits, perquisites, or fringe benefits
          contemplated for Employee under this Agreement, provided that any
          particular reduction described in this clause (A) shall constitute
          "good reason" only if Employee terminates [his][her] employment within
          six months of the date of the reduction;

                     (B) any good faith determination by Employee that, as a
          result of fundamental differences of opinion between Employee and the
          Board as to the goals of the Company or the Subsidiary, Employee is
          unable to carry out the responsibilities and duties contemplated for
          Employee under this Agreement, provided that any determination by
          Employee described in this clause (B) shall constitute "good reason"
          only if Employee terminates [his][her] employment within six months of
          the Change in Control Date; or

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                    (C) any material change in the geographic location of
          Employee's principal place of employment (e.g., if Employee's
          principal place of employment is in Cleveland, Ohio, a change to a
          location outside of the greater Cleveland metropolitan area), provided
          that any such change described in this clause (C) shall constitute
          "good reason" only if Employee terminates [his][her] employment within
          six months of the date of the Employee receives notice of the change
          in location.

          12.  Severance Compensation.
               ----------------------

          (a)  If, before the Contract Expiration Date, Employee's
     employment is terminated by the Subsidiary without cause or by Employee for
     good reason, then, except as provided in Paragraph 12(b), 12(c), or 12(d),
     the Company shall cause to be paid and provided to Employee base salary at
     the highest monthly rate payable to Employee during the Contract Period and
     annual bonus awards as described in Paragraph 5, to be paid at the times
     provided in Paragraph 5 hereof through the last to occur of (x) the
     expiration of six months after the effective date of the termination, and
     (y) the Contract Expiration Date (such last-to-occur date is hereinafter
     referred to as the "Severance Benefits Termination Date"); and the
     following benefits for a period of twelve months following the Contract
     Expiration Date:

               (i)  coverage under the Company's medical insurance plan, short-
          term disability plan, long-term disability plan, salary continuation
          arrangement, disability benefit arrangement, and executive life
          insurance benefit (provided that [he][she] became eligible to
          participate therein prior to the date [his][her] employment is
          terminated), each as in effect on the Change in Control Date (or, if
          subsequently amended to increase benefits to Employee or [his][her]
          dependents, as so amended) and each as if Employee's employment had
          continued through the Severance Benefits Termination Date; and

               (ii) coverage and service credit under the Salaried Plan and any
          Excess Benefit Plan maintained in connection with the Salaried Plan
          under which [he][she] is eligible to participate so that the aggregate
          benefits payable to or with respect to the Employee under the Salaried
          Plan and any such Excess Benefit Plan will be equal to the aggregate
          benefits that would have been paid to or with respect to Employee
          under the Salaried Plan and any such Excess Benefit Plan if Employee's
          employment had continued through the Severance Benefits Termination
          Date.

     If any of the benefits to be provided under one or more of the plans,
     agreements, or arrangements specified above cannot be provided through that
     plan, agreement, or arrangement to Employee following termination of
     [his][her] employment, the Company shall cause the full equivalent of such
     benefits to Employee.  For example, since it is not possible to provide
     additional service credit directly through the Salaried Plan, if Employee
     becomes entitled to an additional 18 months of service credit under the

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     Salaried Plan pursuant to (ii) above, the Company will be required to cause
     payment to Employee, from its general assets or those of its Subsidiary, on
     each date on which Employee receives a payment from the Salaried Plan, a
     supplemental payment equal to the amount by which that particular payment
     under the Salaried Plan would have been increased if Employee's total
     service credit under the Salaried Plan were 18 months greater than is
     actually the case.  In addition, if in these circumstances any payments
     become due under the Salaried Plan with respect to Employee following
     [his][her] death, the Company will be obligated to cause similar
     supplemental payments with respect to Employee to be made on the dates on
     which payments are made with respect to Employee under the Salaried Plan.

               (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of Paragraph 15(a),
     the Company shall cause any benefit to which Employee becomes entitled
     pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph 8 or 12(a) under the Salaried Plan
     or the Excess Benefit Plan including, in the event Employee is not fully
     vested under the provisions of either, the present value of any otherwise
     forfeitable benefit thereunder, to be paid in a single sum to Employee as
     soon as practicable, but not more than thirty days following [his][her]
     termination of employment, with present value determination to be made
     based on actuarial factors for single sum payments set forth in the
     Salaried Pension Plan.

               (c) If Employee becomes entitled to compensation and benefits
     pursuant to Paragraph 12(a), [he][she] shall use reasonable efforts to seek
     other employment, provided, however, that [he][she] shall not be required
     to accept a position of less importance and dignity or of substantially
     different character than that of [his][her] position with the Subsidiary,
     nor shall [he][she] be required to accept a position outside the geographic
     area in which [he][she] resides on the Change in Control Date.  The
     Company's and the Subsidiary's obligations under items (i) and (ii) of
     Paragraph 12(a) will be offset by payments and benefits received by
     Employee from another employer to the following extent:

                   (i)  The obligation to pay any particular installment of base
          salary following Employee's termination will be offset, on a dollar
          for dollar basis, by any base salary received by Employee from another
          employer before the date on which the installment of base salary is
          payable by the Company or the Subsidiary.

                   (ii) To the extent that Employee is provided medical, dental,
          or short-term or long-term disability income protection benefits by
          another employer during any period, the Company will be relieved of
          its obligation to provide such benefits to Employee. For example, if a
          new employer provides Employee with a medical benefits plan that pays
          $500.00 for a specific claim made by Employee and the Company's
          medical insurance plan would have paid $750.00 for that claim, then
          the Company will be obligated to pay Employee $250.00 with respect to
          that claim.

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     Other than as provided in this Paragraph 12(c), Employee shall have no duty
     to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this
     Agreement.

          (d)  If during any period in which Employee is entitled to payments or
     benefits under Paragraph 12(a) Employee materially and willfully breaches
     [his][her] agreement with respect to confidential information set forth in
     Paragraph 13 hereof and such breach directly causes the Company or the
     Subsidiary substantial and demonstrable damage, then the Company will be
     relieved of its obligations under Paragraph 12(a) hereof as of the first
     day of the month immediately following the date of such material breach.

          (e)  If Employee dies on or before the Severance Benefits Termination
     Date or, with respect to benefits, the Contract Expiration Date, and
     immediately before [his][her] death [he][she] is entitled to payments or
     benefits under Paragraph 12(a), the Company will be relieved of its
     obligations under Paragraph 12(a) with respect to base salary and bonus
     payments as of the first day of the month immediately following the month
     in which Employee dies and thereafter the Company will cause to be provided
     to Employee's beneficiaries and dependents salary continuation payments,
     benefits under any Excess Benefits Plan (as supplemented by item (ii) of
     Paragraph 12(a)), and continuing medical and dental benefits to the same
     extent (subject to reduction for payments or benefits from a new employer
     under Paragraph 12(c)) as if Employee's death had occurred while Employee
     was in the active employ of the Subsidiary.

          13.  Confidential Information.  Employee agrees that [he][she] will
               ------------------------
not, during the term of the Agreement or at any time thereafter, either directly
or indirectly, disclose or make known to any other person, firm, or corporation
any confidential information, trade secret, or proprietary information of the
Company or the Subsidiary that Employee may acquire in the performance of
Employee's duties hereunder.  Upon the termination of Employee's employment with
the Subsidiary, Employee agrees to deliver forthwith to the Subsidiary any and
all literature, documents, correspondence, and other materials and records
furnished to or acquired by Employee during the course of such employment.

          14.  Costs of Enforcement.  The Company shall pay and be solely
               --------------------
responsible for any and all costs and expenses (including attorneys' fees)
incurred by Employee in seeking to enforce the Company's obligations under this
Agreement unless and to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction determines
that the Company was relieved of those obligations because (a) the Subsidiary
terminated Employee for cause (as determined under Paragraph 11(b)(i) hereof),
(b) Employee voluntarily terminated [his][her] employment other than for good
reason (as determined under Paragraph 11(c)(ii) hereof), or (c) Employee
materially and willfully breached [his][her] agreement with respect to
confidential information and such breach directly caused substantial and
demonstrable damage to the Company.  The Company shall forthwith pay directly or
reimburse Employee for any and all such costs and expenses upon presentation by
Employee or by counsel selected from time to time by Employee of a statement or
statements prepared by Employee or by such counsel of the amount of such costs
and expenses.  If and to the extent a court of competent jurisdiction renders a
final binding judgment determining that the Company was relieved of its
obligations for any of the reasons set forth in (a), (b), or (c) above,

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Employee shall repay the amount of such payments or reimbursements to the
Company. In addition to the payment and reimbursement of expenses of enforcement
provided for in this Paragraph 14, the Company shall pay to Employee in cash, as
and when the Company makes any payment on behalf of, or reimbursement to,
Employee, an additional amount sufficient to pay all federal, state, and local
taxes (whether income taxes or other taxes) incurred by Employee as a result of
(x) payment of the expense or receipt of the reimbursement, and (y) receipt of
the additional cash payment. The Company shall also pay to Employee interest
(calculated at the Base Rate from time to time in effect at National City Bank,
Cleveland, Ohio, compounded monthly) on any payments or benefits that are paid
or provided to Employee later than the date on which due under the terms of this
Agreement.

          15.  Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments.
               ----------------------------

          (a)  In the event it shall be determined following a Change in Control
     that any payment or distribution by the Company or the Subsidiary or other
     amount with respect to the Company to or for the benefit of Employee,
     whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the
     terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any
     additional payments required under this Paragraph 15 (a "Payment"), is (or
     will be) subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Internal
     Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any interest or penalties
     are (or will be) incurred by Employee with respect to the excise tax
     imposed by Section 4999 of the Code with respect to the Company (the excise
     tax, together with any interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
     referred to as the "Excise Tax"), Employee shall be entitled to receive an
     additional cash payment (an "Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment") from the Company
     in an amount equal to the sum of the Excise Tax and an amount sufficient to
     pay the cumulative Excise Tax and all cumulative income taxes (including
     any interest and penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) relating to
     the Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment so that the net amount retained by Employee
     is equal to all payments received pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
     or otherwise less income taxes (but not reduced by the Excise Tax).

          (b)  Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 15(c), all determinations
     required to be made under this Paragraph 15, including whether and when an
     Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Excise Tax
     Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at the
     determination, shall be made by a nationally recognized certified public
     accounting firm designated by Employee (the "Accounting Firm") which shall
     provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and Employee
     within 30 days after the receipt of notice from Employee that there has
     been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
     event that at any time relevant to this Agreement the Accounting Firm is
     serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group or
     person effecting the Change in Control, Employee shall appoint another
     nationally recognized certified public accounting firm to make the
     determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be
     referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the
     Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Excise Tax Gross-
     Up Payment, as determined in

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     accordance with this Paragraph 15, shall be paid by the Company to Employee
     within five days after the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination.
     If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by
     Employee, it shall so indicate to Employee in writing.  Any determination
     by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and Employee.  As
     a result of uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at
     the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm, it is
     possible that Excise Tax Gross-Up Payments that the Company should have
     made will not have been made (an "Underpayment"), consistent with the
     calculations required to be made hereunder.  In the event the Company
     exhausts its remedies in accordance with Paragraph 15(c) and Employee
     thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting
     Firm shall determine the amount of Underpayment that has occurred and the
     Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of
     Employee.

          (c)  Employee shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the
     Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require an Excise Tax
     Gross-Up Payment (that has not already been paid by the Company).  The
     notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten
     business days after Employee is informed in writing of the claim and shall
     apprise the Company of the nature of the claim and the date on which the
     claim is requested to be paid.  Employee shall not pay the claim prior to
     the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which Executive
     gives notice to the Company or any shorter period ending on the date that
     any payment of taxes with respect to the claim is due.  If the Company
     notifies the Employee in writing prior to the expiration of the 30-day
     period that it desires to contest the claim, Employee shall:

               (i)   give the Company any information reasonably requested by
          the Company relating to the claim;

               (ii)  take any action in connection with contesting the claim as
          the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
          including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
          respect to the claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the
          Company;

               (iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
          effectively to contest the claim; and

               (iv)  permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
          related to the claim.

     The Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including
     additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with the contest
     and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for
     any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect
     thereto) imposed as a result of the representation and payment of costs and
     expenses.  Without limitation of the foregoing provisions of this Paragraph
     15, the Company shall control all proceedings taken in

                                       11
<PAGE>

     connection with the contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego
     any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings, and conferences
     with the taxing authority in respect of the claim and may, at its sole
     option, either direct Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund
     or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and Employee agrees to
     prosecute the contest to a determination before any administrative
     tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate
     courts, as the Company shall determine. If the Company directs Employee to
     pay the claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of
     payment to Employee, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and
     hold Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
     income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed
     with respect to the advance or with respect to any imputed income with
     respect to the advance; and any extension of the statute of limitations
     relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of Employee with respect
     to which the contested amount is claimed to be due shall be limited solely
     to the contested amount. The Company's control of the contest shall be
     limited to issues with respect to which an Excise Tax Gross-Up Payment
     would be payable hereunder and Employee shall be entitled to settle or
     contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue
     Service or any other taxing authority.

          (d)  If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by the
     Company pursuant to Paragraph 15(c), Employee becomes entitled to receive
     any refund with respect to the claim, Employee shall, subject to the
     Company's compliance with the requirements of Paragraph 15(c), promptly pay
     to the Company the amount of the refund (together with any interest paid or
     credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by
     Employee of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Paragraph 15(c),
     a determination is made that Employee shall not be entitled to any refund
     with respect to the claim and the Company does not notify the Employee in
     writing of its intent to contest the denial of refund prior to the
     expiration of 30 days after the determination, then the advance shall be
     forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of the
     advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Excise Tax
     Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.

          16.  Outplacement.  Following any termination of employment occurring
               ------------
after a Change in Control other than for cause as described in Paragraph 11(b),
whether such termination occurs during or after the Contract Period, the Company
shall provide to Employee at its expense full executive level outplacement
services to assist Employee in securing suitable employment, such outplacement
services to be provided by a party selected by Employee, provided that Employee
must select and commence use of such services within six months of [his][her]
date of termination of employment with the Subsidiary and all other affiliates
of the Company.

          17.  Employment Rights.  Nothing expressed or implied in this
               -----------------
Agreement shall create any right or duty on the part of the Company, the
Subsidiary, or Employee to have Employee remain in the employ of the Subsidiary
before any Change in Control and Employee shall have no rights under this
Agreement if [his][her] employment with the Subsidiary is

                                       12
<PAGE>

terminated for any reason or for no reason before any Change in Control. Nothing
expressed or implied in this Agreement shall create any duty on the part of the
Company or the Subsidiary to continue in effect, or continue to provide to
Employee, any plan or benefit unless and until a Change in Control occurs. If,
before a Change in Control, the Company or the Subsidiary ceases to provide any
plan or benefit to Employee, nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
require the Company or the Subsidiary to reinstitute that plan or benefit to
Employee upon the later occurrence of a Change in Control.

          18.  Notices.  For purposes of this Agreement, all communications
               -------
provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when delivered or when mailed by United States registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to the Company
(Attention:  President) at its principal executive office and to Employee at
[his][her] principal residence, or to such other address as either party may
have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

          19.  Assignment, Binding Effect.
               --------------------------

          (a)  This Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the
     benefit of the Company and the Company's successors and assigns. 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, by agreement in form and
     substance satisfactory to Employee, 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 succession had taken
     place.

          (b)  This Agreement shall be binding upon Employee and this Agreement
     and all rights of Employee hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be
     enforceable by, Employee and [his][her] personal or legal representatives,
     executors, or administrators.  No right, benefit, or interest of Employee
     hereunder shall be subject to assignment, anticipation, alienation, sale,
     encumbrance, charge, pledge, hypothecation, or to execution, attachment,
     levy, or similar process; except that Employee may assign any right,
     benefit, or interest hereunder if such assignment is permitted under the
     terms of any plan or policy of insurance or annuity contract governing such
     right, benefit, or interest.

          20.  Invalid Provisions.
               ------------------

          (a)  Any provision of this Agreement that is prohibited or
     unenforceable shall be ineffective to the extent, but only to the extent,
     of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
     portions hereof and such remaining portions of this Agreement shall
     continue to be in full force and effect.

          (b)  In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement
     shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the parties will
     negotiate in good faith to

                                       13
<PAGE>

     replace such provision with another provision that will be valid or
     enforceable and that is as close as practicable to the provision held
     invalid or unenforceable.

          21.  Modification.  No modification, amendment, or waiver of any of
               ------------
the provisions of the Agreement shall be effective unless in writing,
specifically referring hereto, and signed by both parties.

          22.  Waiver of Breach.  The failure at any time to enforce any of the
               ----------------
provisions of this Agreement or to require performance by the other party of any
of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver
of such provisions or to affect either the validity of this Agreement or any
part of this Agreement or the right of either party thereafter to enforce each
and every provision of this Agreement in accordance with the terms hereof.

          23.  Entire Agreement.  This Agreement forms the entire agreement
               ----------------
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter contained in this
Agreement and, except as otherwise provided herein, shall supersede all prior
agreements, promises and representations regarding employment, compensation,
severance or other payments contingent upon termination of employment, whether
in writing or otherwise.

          24.  Governing Law.  This Agreement has been made in and shall be
               -------------
governed and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and Employee have executed this
Agreement on the day and year first above written.

                              OGLEBAY NORTON COMPANY

                              By:________________________________________
                                    John N. Lauer, President and Chief
                                    Executive Officer

                              ___________________________________________
                              [NAME]

                                       14<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.2

                                   AMENDMENT
                                   ---------
                                       TO
                                       --
                             OGLEBAY NORTON COMPANY
                             ----------------------
                      SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTAL RETIREMENT PLAN
                      ------------------------------------

          WHEREAS, OGLEBAY NORTON COMPANY ("Oglebay") adopted the Special
Supplemental Retirement Plan (the "Special Plan") for the benefit of JOHN N.
LAUER ("Lauer"), effective December 17, 1997, as contemplated by the Employment
Agreement, effective December 17, 1997, entered into between Oglebay and Lauer
(the "Employment Agreement"); and

          WHEREAS, Oglebay and Lauer wish to amend the terms of the Special Plan
to provide for the availability of certain additional benefits to Lauer in the
event of a Change of Control, as defined below, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth herein.

          NOW, THEREFORE, Oglebay and Lauer hereby agree to amend the Special
Plan by adding thereto a new provision as Section 9 thereof to provide as
follows:

          9.   Change of Control.

          (a)  "Change of Control" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term
     under Section 14.6 of the Employment Agreement, and a Change of Control
     shall be deemed to have occurred for the purposes of the Special Plan under
     the circumstances set forth in, and subject to the terms and conditions of,
     such Section 14.6. In the event of the occurrence of a Change of Control,
     and the termination by Lauer of his employment with Oglebay pursuant to
     Section 5.6 of the Employment Agreement, Lauer shall be eligible for the
     Enhanced Benefit, as defined in, and pursuant to the terms and conditions
     set forth in, paragraph (b) of this Section 9.

          (b)  The "Enhanced Benefit" shall mean a retirement benefit in an
     amount determined otherwise in accordance with Section 2 of the Special
     Plan, provided that Lauer shall be (i) credited for benefit accrual
     purposes with the greater of five years of service or the actual number of
     years of service with which he is otherwise credited under the terms of the
     Salaried Plan and (ii) deemed to have a vested and non-forfeitable right to
     the benefit so determined under clause (i), subject to Section 5 and
     Section 6 of the Special Plan. The Enhanced Benefit shall be payable to
     Lauer in lieu of, and not in addition to, any other benefit payable
     pursuant to Section 2 of the Special Plan, and only upon Lauer's
     termination under the circumstances described in paragraph (a) of this
     Section 9. The Enhanced Benefit shall be paid, not more than thirty days
     following Lauer's termination of employment, in the form of a single lump
     sum amount, the present value of which shall be determined by application
     of the GATT Actuarial Factors, as defined in paragraph (c) of this Section
     9. The lump sum form of payment shall be available to Lauer only with
     respect to the Enhanced Benefit and shall be in lieu of any
<PAGE>

     other optional form of payment which would otherwise be available pursuant
     to Section 3 of the Special Plan.

          (c)  "GATT Actuarial Factors" shall mean the GATT Mortality Table and
     the Treasury Rate. The "GATT Mortality Table" shall mean the mortality
     table based on the prevailing commissioners' standard table (described in
     Section 807(d)(5)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code) used to determine
     reserves for group annuity contracts issued on the date as of which the
     actuarially equivalent lump sum amount is determined (without regard to any
     other subparagraph of Section 807(d)(5) of the Internal Revenue Code), that
     is prescribed by the Commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service in
     revenue rulings, notices, or other guidance published in the Internal
     Revenue Bulletin. The Treasury Rate shall mean the annual interest rate on
     30-year Treasury Securities determined as of the time set forth under the
     Salaried Plan for establishing the applicable interest rate for calculating
     actuarially equivalent benefits to be distributed on the date the lump sum
     payment of the Enhanced Benefit is made.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Oglebay and Lauer have executed this Amendment to
Oglebay Norton Company Special Supplemental Retirement Plan, Oglebay by the duly
authorized Chairman of the Compensation, Organization and Governance Committee
of its Board of Directors, as of the 30th day of June, 2000.

                                    OGLEBAY NORTON COMPANY

                                     By /s/ Albert C. Bersticker
                                        -------------------------------
                                        Albert C. Bersticker, Chairman
                                        Compensation, Organization and
                                        Governance Committee

                                        /s/ John N. Lauer
                                        -------------------------------
                                        John N. Lauer

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