Document:

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                                                                   Exhibit 10.20

                                                                  Execution Copy

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the Effective Date by and between
PRIMEDIA Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns
permitted under this Agreement, the "Company"), and Thomas S. Rogers (the
"Executive").

                               W I T N E S S E T H:

      WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive and to enter into an
agreement embodying the terms of such employment (this "Agreement") and the
Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such employment,
subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement;

      NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a
"Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:

      1. Definitions.

            (a) "Affiliate" of a person or other entity shall mean a person or
other entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with the person or other entity specified.

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

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

            (d) "Cause" shall mean:

                  (i) the Executive is convicted of a felony involving moral
turpitude or involving fraud against the Company; or

                  (ii) the Executive is guilty of willful gross neglect or
willful gross misconduct, in carrying out his duties under this Agreement,
including, without limitation, a non-appealable final determination by a court
that he has committed sexual harassment, resulting, in either case, in material
economic harm to the Company, unless the Executive reasonably believed in good
faith that such act or nonact was in the best interests of the Company.

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            (e) "Change in Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (i) a transaction or series of related transactions whereby
KRR Associates and/or its Affiliates ("KKR") sells or otherwise disposes of
beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act")) of securities of the Company
representing 35% or more of the combined voting power of all securities of the
Company entitled to vote in the election of directors of the Company to any
single person or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d) (3) of the 1934 Act,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), other than to an
Affiliate of KKR, and in connection with or following such disposition such
single person or group obtains control of a majority of the seats (other than
vacant seats) on the Board;

                  (ii) the Company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for
the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets;

                  (iii) all or substantially all of the assets or business of
the Company is disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other
transaction (unless the shareholders of the Company immediately prior to such
merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or
indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the Voting Stock
of the Company, all of the Voting Stock or other ownership interests of the
entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of the Company); or

                  (iv) the Company combines with another company and is the
surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders
of the Company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or
indirectly, 50% or less of the Voting Stock of the combined company (there being
excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the
Voting Stock of the combined company, any shares received by Affiliates of such
other company in exchange for stock of such other company).

            (f) "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall mean termination
by the Executive of his employment at his initiative following the occurrence of
any of the following events without his consent:

                  (i) a reduction in the Executive's initial Base Salary or
target bonus opportunity or the termination or material reduction of any
employee benefit or perquisite enjoyed by him (other than as part of an
across-the-board reduction applicable to all executive officers of the Company);

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                  (ii) the failure to elect or reelect the Executive to any of
the positions described in Section 3 or the removal of him from any such
position;

                  (iii) a material diminution in the Executive's duties or the
assignment to the Executive of duties which are materially inconsistent with his
duties or which materially impair the Executive's ability to function as the
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company;

                  (iv) the relocation of the Company's principal office, or the
Executive's own office location, as assigned to him by the Company, other than a
relocation at the Executive's initiative, to a location more than 50 miles from
New York, New York; or

                  (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption in
writing of its obligation to perform this Agreement by any successor to all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company within 30 calendar days after a
merger, consolidation, sale or similar transaction, or

                  (vi) the occurrence of a Change in Control.

Following written notice from the Executive of any of the events described
above, the Company shall have 30 calendar days in which to cure. If the Company
fails to cure, the Executive's termination shall become effective on the 31st
calendar day following the written notice.

            (g) "Disability" shall mean the Executive's inability, due to
physical or mental incapacity, to substantially perform his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement as determined by a medical doctor selected
by the Company and the Executive. If the Parties cannot agree on a medical
doctor, each Party shall select a medical doctor and the two doctors shall
select a third who shall be the approved medical doctor for this purpose.

            (h) "Effective Date" shall be January 3, 2000; provided, however
that Executive may commence his employment with the Company earlier if his
obligation to provide services under his employment contract with his previous
employer ends earlier, in which event such earlier date of commencement of
employment with the Company shall be the Effective Date. The Executive warrants
he has no such contractual obligations with his previous employer as of January
3, 2000.

            (i) "Execution Date" shall mean the date on which this Agreement is
executed by both Parties and placed in escrow.

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            (j) "Fair Market Value" per share on any given date shall mean the
closing price of the shares of Stock on such date on the principal securities
exchange on which such shares may at the time be listed, or if shares are not so
listed, the average of the representative bid and asked prices quoted on the
Nasdaq or any similar successor organization. If at any time the shares are not
listed or quoted, the Fair Market Value per share shall be agreed between
Executive and the Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree, the
matter shall be submitted to arbitration in New York, NY and shall be settled in
accordance with the Expedited Procedures of the then-prevailing Commercial
Arbitration Rules (the "Rules") of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"),
by a neutral arbitrator to be selected by mutual agreement between the Executive
and the Company. Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event
that a different plan or agreement is currently in effect or is subsequently
adopted or entered into which provides a different definition of and/or
mechanism for ascertaining Fair Market Value, the definition in such different
plan or agreement will prevail as to the interpretation of that plan or
agreement.

            (k) "Pro Rata" shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the
number of days that the Executive was employed in the applicable performance
period (a calendar year in the case of an annual bonus and a performance cycle
in the case of an award under the Long-Term Incentive Plan) and the denominator
of which shall be the number of days in the applicable performance period.

            (l) "Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company.

            (m) "Term of Employment" shall mean the period specified in Section
2 below (including any extension as provided therein).

            (n) "Voting Stock" shall mean capital stock of any class or classes
having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of
contingencies, to elect the directors of a corporation.

      2. Term of Employment.

            The Term of Employment shall begin on the Effective Date, and shall
extend until the fourth anniversary of the Effective Date, with automatic
one-year renewals thereafter unless either Party notifies the other at least 6
months before the scheduled expiration date that the term is not to renew.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Term of Employment may be earlier terminated
by either Party in accordance with the provisions of Section 12.

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      3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities.

            (a) Commencing on the Effective Date and continuing for the
remainder of the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be employed as the
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and be
responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Company. The
Executive shall also be elected by the Board as a member of the Board, effective
as of the Effective Date. The Executive, in carrying out his duties under this
Agreement, shall report to the Board. During the term of this Agreement, the
Executive shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention to
the business and affairs of the Company and shall use his best efforts, skills
and abilities to promote its interests.

            (b) Nothing herein shall preclude the Executive from (i) serving on
the boards of directors of a reasonable number of other corporations with the
concurrence of the Board (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld),
(ii) serving on the boards of a reasonable number of trade associations and/or
charitable organizations, (iii) engaging in charitable activities and community
affairs, and (iv) managing his personal investments and affairs, provided that
such activities set forth in this Section 3 (b) do not conflict or materially
interfere with the effective discharge of his duties and responsibilities under
Section 3 (a).

      4. Base Salary.

            The Executive shall be paid an annualized Base Salary, payable in
accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of $1,200,000. The
Base Salary shall be reviewed annually for increase in the discretion of the
Board.

      5. Annual Incentive Award.

            During the Term of Employment, commencing in 2000 the Executive
shall have a target bonus opportunity each year equal to $800,000, payable in
that amount if the performance goals established for the relevant year are met.
If such performance goals are not met, the Executive shall receive a lesser
amount (or nothing) as determined in accordance with agreed upon measures and
benchmarks. In addition, the Executive may receive an additional bonus payment,
at the Board's discretion, in an amount of up to $1 million for extraordinary
performance. The performance measures and benchmarks shall be mutually agreed
upon and may include, without limitation, such areas as revenue and EBITDA
growth, debt management, market share and other strategic objectives. In
addition to the foregoing, the Executive shall be paid a one-time guaranteed
annual incentive award of $400,000 payable contemporaneously with the payment of
1999 annual incentive awards to other senior executives of the Company. The

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Executive shall be paid his annual incentive awards no later than other senior
executives of the Company are paid their annual incentive awards.

      6. Stock Purchase.

            Within 60 days of the Effective Date, the Executive agrees to
purchase a number of shares of the Company's Stock pursuant to the Company's
1992 Stock Option and Purchase Plan; such number of shares shall be determined
by dividing $2,000,000 by the Fair Market Value of a share of the stock on the
Execution Date.

      7. Equity Awards.

            (a) General. As soon as practicable following the Effective Date,
the Company shall grant the Executive the equity-based awards described in this
Section 7.

            (b) Restricted Stock Award. In order to keep the Executive whole in
respect of compensation he is forfeiting at his previous employer, as of the
Effective Date the Company shall award the Executive shares of restricted stock
with terms substantially as summarized in Exhibit A attached hereto, such terms
to be embodied in an agreement as soon as practicable.

            (c) Stock Option Award. As of the Effective Date, the Company shall
grant the Executive a ten-year stock option award to purchase 5 million shares
of Stock, with terms substantially as summarized in Exhibit B, attached hereto,
such terms to be embodied in an agreement as soon as practicable.

            (d) Awards in Separate Internet Ventures. In the event that one or
more separate internet ventures ("Internet Ventures") are formed by the Company,
the Executive shall be granted 3% of the equity of each Internet Venture in the
form of options (the "Internet Options"). In addition, the Executive shall be
offered an opportunity to purchase an additional 2% of the equity of each such
Internet Venture (together with the Internet Options, the "Internet Equity").
The purchase price and the exercise price of the Internet Options shall be the
lower of the price then utilized by the Company either to (i) sell equity or
grant options to executives in the relevant Internet Venture or (ii) sell equity
or enter into a transaction with a third party, and if no such transaction has
taken place then the purchase price and the exercise price shall be as the
parties shall agree. The Executive and the Company shall agree on the specific
terms of the option grants or equity purchases at the time of such grants and
purchases. Such agreement shall include terms relating to vesting,
anti-dilution, tag-along, and registration rights (whether the Internet Ventures
are private or public). Such terms will address the basis for providing

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Executive liquidity in the event the relevant Internet Venture is not or does
not become, a publicly traded entity, including in cases of termination without
Cause, death and Disability (which, in such cases, shall be on a basis
comparable to that outlined in Section 12 and Exhibit B with respect to such
terminations). The terms of such options to, and purchases of, Internet Equity
as applied to the Executive may be more substantial than or different from the
terms of similar transactions in the relevant Internet Venture involving grants
or sales to other employees, as determined at such time. In each case, the
Company and the Executive shall consider, in determining the terms of the option
or purchase, the specific business being developed.

            (e) Going Private Protection. The Executive's equity participation
shall continue in the event the Company is taken private by KKR. Prior to the
Company's being taken private, the Company and the Executive shall negotiate, in
good faith, definitive agreements governing the rights of the Executive
following such event, it being the intention of the Parties to provide the
Executive with a comparable equity opportunity to that contemplated at the time
such Stock and options were granted. The agreements will specify, among other
things, that the Executive will have the opportunity to sell his equity
interests on a basis comparable to the sales made by KKR, on behalf of itself
and its fund investors, and will have terms governing registration rights,
tag-along rights, anti-dilution rights and puts and calls between the Executive
and the Company. The agreement will also specify how the Executive will be able
to avail himself of full liquidity in the case of death, disability and
termination without cause, so as to continue to effectuate the intent of Section
12 and Exhibit B with respect to such terminations.

      8. Additional Stock Option Awards.

            The Executive may be eligible for stock option awards commencing
with awards in 2000 in accordance with Coin an practices applicable to its
senior-level executives at the sole discretion of the Board.

      9. Employee Benefit Programs.

            During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled to
participate in any employee pension and welfare benefit plans and programs made
available to the Company's senior level executives or to its employees
generally, as such plans or programs may be in effect from time to time,
including, without limitation, pension, profit sharing, savings and other
retirement plans or programs, 401(k), medical, dental, hospitalization,
short-term and long-term disability and life insurance plans, accidental death
and dismemberment protection, travel accident insurance, and any other pension
or retirement plans or programs

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and any other employee welfare benefit plans or programs that may be sponsored
by the Company from time to time, including any plans that supplement the
above-listed types of plans or programs, whether funded or unfunded. The
Executive's participation shall be based on, and the calculation of all benefits
shall be based on, the assumptions that the Executive has met all service-period
or other requirements for such participation provided that no such assumptions
shall be made as to a tax-qualified plan if such assumption would jeopardize the
tax-qualified status of such plan.

      10. Supplemental Pension.

            It is the intention of the Parties that the Company in the near
future shall give good faith consideration to the adoption of a pension or
deferred compensation arrangement in which the Executive would participate. Such
arrangement would take into account his 13 years of credited service at his
previous employer, in addition to his years of service with the Company, as well
as the level of benefits provided to him at his previous employer. Any decision
by the Company on whether to adopt such a pension or deferred compensation
arrangement shall be made by the Board in its sole discretion.

      11. Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses; Perquisites; Vacations.

            (a) The Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in
carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the
Company shall promptly reimburse him for all reasonable business expenses
incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to
documentation in accordance with the Company's policy. The Company shall pay all
reasonable financial consultant and legal fees and expenses incurred by the
Executive in connection with the negotiation of the Executive's employment
arrangements with the Company.

            (b) During the Term of Employment, the Executive shall be entitled
to a car and driver and to participate in the Company's other perquisites in
accordance with the terms and conditions of such arrangements as they are in
effect from time to time for the Company's chief executive officer, including
without limitation, tax preparation and financial counseling, first-class air
travel and limousine services.

            (c) The Executive shall be entitled to five weeks paid vacation per
year of employment, which shall accrue and otherwise be subject to the Company's
vacation policy for senior executives.

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      12. Termination of Employment.

            (a) Termination Due to Death. In the event that the Executive's
employment is terminated due to his death, his estate or his beneficiaries, as
the case may be, shall be entitled to the following benefits:

                  (i) Base Salary through the end of the month in which death
occurs;

                  (ii) annual incentive award for the year in which the
Executive's death occurs, based on the original target award performance for
such year, payable in a single installment promptly after his death;

                  (iii) all outstanding options in the shares of the Company or
any Internet Venture, whether or not then exercisable, shall become exercisable
and shall remain exercisable until the end of their originally scheduled terms;
and

                  (iv) the restrictions on restricted stock shall lapse.

            (b) Termination Due to Disability. In the event that the Executive's
employment is terminated due to his Disability, he shall be entitled to the
following benefits:

                  (i) disability benefits in accordance with the long-term
disability program then in effect for senior executives of the Company;

                  (ii) Base Salary through the end of the month in which
disability benefits commence;

                  (iii) annual incentive award for the year in which the
Executive's termination occurs, based on the original target award for such
year, payable in a single installment promptly after his termination;

                  (iv) all outstanding options, both in the shares of the
Company and any Internet Venture, whether or not then exercisable, shall become
exercisable and shall remain exercisable until the end of their originally
scheduled terms; and

                  (v) the restrictions on any restricted stock shall lapse.

            In no event shall a termination of the Executive's employment for
Disability occur until the Party terminating his

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employment gives written notice to the other Party in accordance with Section 23
below.

            (c) Termination by the Company for Cause.

                  (i) A termination for Cause shall not take effect unless the
provisions of this paragraph (i) are complied with. The Executive shall be given
written notice by the Board of the intention to terminate him for Cause, such
notice (A) to state in detail the particular act or acts or failure or failures
to act that constitute the grounds on which the proposed termination for Cause
is based and (B) to be given within six months of the Board learning of such act
or acts or failure or failures to act. The Executive shall have ten calendar
days after the date that such written notice has been given to the Executive in
which to cure such conduct, to the extent such cure is possible. If he fails to
cure such conduct or such cure is not possible, the Executive shall then be
entitled to a hearing before the Board. Such hearing shall be held within 15
calendar days of such notice to the Executive, provided he requests such hearing
within ten calendar days of the written notice from the Board of the intention
to terminate him for Cause. If, within five calendar days following such
hearing, the Executive is furnished written notice by the Board confirming that,
in its judgment, grounds for Cause on the basis of the original notice exist, he
shall thereupon be terminated for Cause.

                  (ii) In the event the Company terminates the Executive's
employment for Cause:

                        (A) he shall be entitled to Base Salary through the date
of the termination;

                        (B) all outstanding options both in shares of the
Company and any Internet Venture which are not then exercisable shall be
forfeited; exercisable options and warrants shall remain exercisable until the
earlier of the forty-fifth day after the date of termination or the originally
scheduled expiration date of the options unless the Compensation Committee
determines otherwise; and

                        (C) all restricted stock as to which restrictions have
not lapsed shall be forfeited.

            (d) Termination without Cause or Constructive Termination without
Cause. In the event the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause, other than due to Disability or death, or in the event there is a
Constructive Termination without Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to the
following benefits:

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                  (i) Base Salary through the date of termination;

                  (ii) Base Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on the date
of termination, for a period of 24 months following such termination, provided
that, at the Executive's option, the Company shall pay him the present value of
such salary continuation payments in a lump sum (using as the discount rate the
Applicable Federal Rate specified under Section 1274 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), for short-term Treasury obligations as
published by the Internal Revenue Service for the month in which such
termination occurs);

                  (iii) a Pro Rata annual incentive award for the year in which
termination occurs, based on his original target award for such year, payable
when annual incentive awards are paid to other senior executives (or in a lump
sum in accordance with the proviso in Section 12 (d) (ii));

                  (iv) an annual incentive award for a period of 24 months
following the date of termination, based on his original target award for the
year in which termination occurs and payable in equal monthly installments over
the 24-month period of Base Salary continuation payments pursuant to Section 12
(d) (ii) (or in a lump sum in accordance with the proviso in Section 12 (d)
(ii));

                  (v) options granted pursuant to Section 7 (c) shall accelerate
and remain exercisable in accordance with Exhibit B; all options both in shares
of the Company and any Internet Venture, whether or not then exercisable, shall
become exercisable and shall remain exercisable until the end of their
originally scheduled terms;

                  (vi) the restrictions on restricted stock shall lapse; and

                  (vii) the Executive shall be entitled to continued
participation in all medical, dental, vision and hospitalization insurance
coverage and in other employee benefit plans or programs in which he was
participating on the date of his termination until the earlier of:

                        (A) 24 months following the date of termination and

                        (B) the date, or dates, he becomes eligible for coverage
and benefits under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer. The
Executive shall promptly advise the Company of any such subsequent employment
and the benefits he receives in connection therewith.

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In the event the Company's plans do not permit continuation of Executive's
participation following his termination, the Company shall provide the Executive
with an amount which, after taxes, is sufficient for him to purchase equivalent
benefits.

            (e) Voluntary Termination. A termination of employment by the
Executive on his own initiative, other than a termination due to death or
Disability or a Constructive Termination without Cause or retirement
following the end of the Term of Employment, shall have the same consequences
as provided in Section 12 (c) (ii) for a termination for Cause. A voluntary
termination under this Section 12 (e) shall be effective 30 calendar days
after prior written notice is received by the Company, unless the Company
elects to make it effective earlier.

            (f) Non-renewal by the Company. In the event that the Company
notifies the Executive pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement that the Term of
Employment shall not renew, the Executive shall be entitled to the same benefits
as provided in Section 12 (d); provided, however that the period for which
entitlements are provided shall be 12 months instead of 24 months in all
subsections where such period applies.

            (g) Consequences of a Change in Control.

                  (i) Upon Executive's termination of employment pursuant to
Section 12 (d), following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled
to the benefits provided in Section 12 (d) above as well as to the benefits
provided in Section 12 (g) (ii)

                  (ii) Immediately following a Change in Control, whether or not
he remains employed, all amounts, rights and benefits to which the Executive is
entitled at the Company or at any Internet Venture but not yet vested, whether
under this Agreement or otherwise, shall become fully vested.

                  (iii) In the event that any amount or benefit (collectively,
the "Covered Payments") paid or distributed to the Executive by the Company or
any Affiliate incurs an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or any similar tax that may hereafter be
imposed ("Excise Tax"), the Company shall pay to Executive at the time specified
below, the Tax Reimbursement Payment. The Tax Reimbursement Payment is defined
as an amount which, after imposition of all income, employment and excise taxes
thereon, is equal to the Excise Tax on the Covered Payments. The determination
of whether Covered Payments are subject to Excise Tax and, if so, the amount of
the Tax Reimbursement Payment to be paid to the Executive shall be made by an
independent auditor (the "Auditor") jointly selected by the Company and the
Executive and paid by the Company. The Auditor

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shall be a nationally recognized United States public accounting firm which has
not, during the two years preceding the date of its selection, acted in any way
on behalf of the Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree on the
firm to serve as the Auditor, then Executive and the Company shall each select
an accounting firm and those two firms shall jointly select the accounting firm
to serve as the Auditor. The portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment
attributable to a Covered Payment shall be paid to the Executive by the Company
prior to the date that the corresponding Excise Tax payment is due to be paid by
the Executive (through withholding or otherwise). The Executive covenants that
he will use the Tax Reimbursement Payment under this subsection (iii) for the
sole purpose of paying the Excise Tax.

            (h) Other Termination Benefits. In the case of any of the foregoing
terminations, the Executive or his estate shall also be entitled to:

                  (i) the balance of any incentive awards due for performance
periods which have been completed, but which have not yet been paid;

                  (ii) any expense reimbursements due the Executive; and

                  (iii) other benefits, if any, in accordance with applicable
plans and programs of the Company.

            (i) No Mitigation; No Offset. In the event of any termination of
employment under this Section 12, the Executive shall be under no obligation to
seek other employment and there shall be no offset against amounts due the
Executive under this Agreement on account of any remuneration attributable to
any subsequent employment that he may obtain.

            (j) Nature of Payments. Any amounts due under this Section 12 are in
the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the Company and
are not in the nature of a penalty.

      13. Confidentiality.

            (a) The Executive agrees that he will not, at any time during the
Term of Employment or thereafter, disclose or use any trade secret, proprietary
or confidential information of the Company or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the
Company, obtained during the course of his employment, except as required in the
course of such employment or with the written permission of the Company or, as
applicable, any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company or as may be required by
law, provided that, if the Executive receives legal process with regard to
disclosure of

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such information, he shall promptly notify the Company and cooperate with the
Company in seeking a protective order.

            (b) The Executive agrees that at the time of the termination of his
employment with the Company, whether at the instance of the Executive or the
Company, and regardless of the reasons therefor, he will deliver to the Company,
and not keep or deliver to anyone else, any and all notes, files, memoranda,
papers and, in general, any and all physical matter containing information,
including any and all documents significant to the conduct of the business of
the Company or any subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company which are in his
possession, except for any documents for which the Company or any subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Company has given written consent to removal at the time of the
termination of the Executive's employment and his personal rolodex, personal
files, phone book and similar items.

            (c) The Executive agrees that the Company's remedies at law would be
inadequate in the event of a breach or threatened breach of this Section 13;
accordingly, the Company shall be entitled, in addition to its rights at law, to
seek an injunction and other equitable relief without the need to post a bond.

      14. Resolution of Disputes.

            Any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement
shall be resolved by third party mediation of the dispute and, failing that, by
binding arbitration, to be held in New York, in accordance with the rules and
procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. Each Party shall bear his or its own costs of the mediation,
arbitration or litigation.

      15. Indemnification.

            (a) The Company agrees that if the Executive is made a party, or is
threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative ("Proceeding"), by reason of the
fact that he is or was a director, officer or employee of the Company or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, member,
employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or
other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans,
whether or not the basis of such Proceeding is the Executive's alleged action in
an official capacity while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or
agent, the Executive shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to
the fullest extent legally permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate
of incorporation or bylaws or resolutions of the Company's Board of Directors
or, if greater, by the laws of the State of Delaware, against all cost, expense,

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liability and loss (including, without limitation, attorney's fees, judgments,
fines, ERISA excise taxes or other liabilities or penalties and amounts paid or
to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by the Executive in
connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to the
Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, member, employee or agent of
the Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of the Executive's
heirs, executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to the Executive
all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in connection with a
Proceeding within 20 calendar days after receipt by the Company of a written
request for such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by the
Executive to repay the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be
determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified against such costs and
expenses.

               (b) Neither the failure of the Company (including its board of
directors, independent legal counsel or stockholders) to have made a
determination prior to the commencement of any proceeding concerning payment of
amounts claimed by the Executive under Section 15 (a) above that indemnification
of the Executive is proper because he has met the applicable standard of
conduct, nor a determination by the Company (including its board of directors,
independent legal counsel or stockholders) that the Executive has not met such
applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that the Executive
has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

               (c) The Company agrees to indemnify the Executive against any
action which the Executive's previous employer may bring against the Executive
in connection with his resignation whether for damages, injunction or other
forms of equitable relief, including the costs in the form of reasonable
attorneys' fees and disbursements; provided, however, that nothing in this
Agreement shall be construed as requiring any breach of Executive's existing
contractual obligations, including, without limitation, the term of his services
and the preservation of confidentiality of his previous employer's proprietary
information.

               (d) The Company agrees to continue and maintain a directors' and
officers' liability insurance policy covering the Executive to the extent the
Company provides such coverage for its other executive officers.

       16.     Assignability; Binding Nature.

            This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
Parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the Executive)
and assigns. Rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be
assigned or transferred by the Company pursuant to a merger or consolidation in
which the

<PAGE>
                                                                              16

Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and
duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or
as a matter of law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale of
assets or liquidation as described in the preceding sentence, it shall take
whatever action it reasonably can in order to cause such assignee or transferee
to expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company
hereunder. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this Agreement may be
assigned or transferred by the Executive other than his rights to compensation
and benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law.

      17. Entire Agreement.

            This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement
between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings,
whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect thereto.

      18. Amendment or Waiver.

            No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorized officer of
the Company. No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any
condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed by such other
Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision
at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and
signed by the Executive or an authorized officer of the Company, as the case may
be.

      19. Severability.

            In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall
be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in
part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and
shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law so
as to achieve the purposes of this Agreement.

      20. Survivorship.

            Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this Agreement, the
respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder shall survive any
termination of the Executive's employment. This Agreement itself (as
distinguished from the Executive's employment) may not be terminated by either
Party

<PAGE>
                                                                              17

without the written consent of the other Party. Upon the expiration of the term
of the Agreement, the respective rights and obligations of the Parties shall
survive such expiration to the extent necessary to carry out the intentions of
the Parties as embodied in the rights (such as vested rights) and obligations of
the Parties under this Agreement.

      21. References.

            In the event of the Executive's death or a judicial determination of
his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed,
where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal
representative.

      22. Governing Law.

            This Agreement shall be governed in accordance with the laws of New
York without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

      23. Notices.

            All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when (a) delivered personally, (b)
delivered by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt
requested or (c) delivered by overnight courier (provided that a written
acknowledgment of receipt is obtained by the overnight courier) to the Party
concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as such
Party may subsequently give such notice of:

If to the Company:      PRIMEDIA Inc.
                        745 Fifth Avenue
                        New York, New York 10151

If to the Executive:    Thomas S. Rogers
                        c/o PRIMEDIA Inc.
                        745 Fifth Avenue
                        New York, New York 10151

      24. Headings.

            The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.

      25. Counterparts.

            This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.

<PAGE>
                                                                              18

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

                                           PRIMEDIA Inc.

                                           By: /s/ Perry Golkin
                                              ----------------------------------
                                               Perry Golkin

                                           /s/ Thomas S. Rogers
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Thomas S. Rogers

<PAGE>
                                                                             A-l

                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                                RESTRICTED STOCK

                              SUMMARY OF KEY TERMS

1. Number of Shares               Number of shares determined by dividing
                                  $17,000,000 by Fair Market Value of a share of
                                  Stock as of the Execution Date

2. Grant Date                     Granted as soon as practicable following the
                                  Effective Date

3. Vesting                        Vests in three equal installments on the first
                                  three anniversaries of the Effective Date

4. Accelerated Vesting            Vests immediately if stock price is double the
                                  Fair Market Value on the Execution Date and
                                  does not fall below that doubled value for a
                                  period of 30 consecutive calendar days. For
                                  this purpose the Fair Market Value on the
                                  Execution Date shall be appropriately adjusted
                                  for stock splits, stock dividends, etc.

5. Consequences of                Vesting and exercisability in the event of the
   Termination of                 following:
   Employment
                                  - Death
                                  - Disability
                                  - Termination for Cause
                                  - Termination without Cause or Constructive
                                    Termination
                                  - Voluntary Termination
                                  - Change in Control

                                  shall be pursuant to Section 12 of the
                                  Employment Agreement.

6. Going Private                  The consequences in the event the Company is
                                  taken private shall be pursuant to Section
                                  7(e) of the Employment Agreement.

<PAGE>
                                                                             B-l

                                                                       EXHIBIT B

                               STOCK OPTION GRANT

                              SUMMARY OF KEY TERMS

1. Number of Shares               5 million

2. Grant Date                     Granted as soon as practicable following the
                                  Effective Date

3. Term                           10 years

4. Exercise Price                 Fair Market Value on Execution Date

5. Vesting                        Vests monthly over 4 years in 48 equal
                                  tranches or 104,167 shares per month.

6. Additional Shares:             In the event of a Termination without Cause or
                                  a Constructive Termination Without Cause
   Accelerated Vesting            additional shares not yet vested shall vest
   upon Termination               (the "Additional Shares") so that Executive
   without Cause or               shall have no less than the following total
   Constructive                   number of vested shares:
   Termination
   Without Cause
   (including by
   Change in Control)

                                  Termination        1.75 million
                                  prior to the
                                  end of year 1

                                  Termination        3 million
                                  after the
                                  completion
                                  of year 1

<PAGE>

                                  In the event of a termination without Cause or
                                  a Constructive Termination without Cause, all
                                  shares that became vested pursuant to this
                                  Section 6 or that have previously vested under
                                  Section 5 shall continue to be exercisable for
                                  the remainder of the option term.

7. Performance Shares:            Of the 5 million shares, 2 million will be in
                                  a "special acceleration pool" that can
   Accelerated                    accelerate faster based on achievement of
   Performance Vesting            stock price targets (the "Performance Shares")
   as Alternative                 This leaves 3 million shares under this
   Calculation to                 calculation to vest on a time basis of 1/48
   Accelerate Monthly             per month. If the Stock doubles in value from
   Vesting                        the exercise price and remains at that level
                                  for 30 consecutive calendar days, all 2
                                  million shares will become vested. The 2
                                  million shares in this "pool" will vest on a
                                  pro-rata basis if the stock price increases
                                  to a level less than double the exercise
                                  price. The potential vesting of the shares in
                                  this "pool" is in lieu of the vesting of
                                  41,667 shares on a monthly basis of the total
                                  104,167 which vest monthly. All shares of
                                  Stock vesting pursuant to this Section 7 shall
                                  continue to be exercisable for the remainder
                                  of the option term except in the case of a
                                  termination for Cause or a voluntary
                                  termination (see Section 9 below).

                                  The operation of this paragraph will never
                                  result in the number of options that vest
                                  being less than the number which would have
                                  vested based on the vesting schedule of
                                  104,167 shares per month.

<PAGE>
                                                                             B-3

8.  Illustration of               To illustrate the above, assume on the second
    Accelerated Vesting           anniversary date the stock has gone up 100% in
                                  value. 2.5 million shares will have vested on
                                  the basis of monthly vesting. In this
                                  instance, however, Executive would be entitled
                                  to full acceleration of the 2 million shares
                                  in the "special acceleration pool" for an
                                  aggregate of 3.5 million shares as follows:

                                  - 1.5 million shares based on monthly vesting
                                  at the rate of 1/48 per month for 3 million
                                  non-acceleration shares plus

                                  - 2 million "special acceleration pool"
                                  performance shares based on achievement of
                                  100% of the target price increase (the target
                                  being double the market price)

9.  Consequences of               Vesting and exercisability in the
    Termination of                event of the following:
    Employment on
    Vesting and                   - death or disability - full vesting and
    Exercisability                option remains exercisable for remainder of
    (Other than                   option term
    Termination without
    Cause or                      - termination for Cause or voluntary
    Constructive                  termination - unvested option shares forfeited
    Termination)                  and already vested option remains exercisable
                                  for 90 days

10. Going Private                 The consequences in the event the Company is
                                  taken private shall be pursuant to Section
                                  7 (e) of the Employment Agreement.

<PAGE>

                                   AMENDMENT I

      AMENDMENT made and entered into as of the Effective Date by and between
PRIMEDIA Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its successors and assigns
permitted under this Amendment, the "Company") and Thomas S. Rogers (the
"Executive")

                                   WITNESSETH

      WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive entered into an Employment
Agreement (the "Employment Agreement"); and

      WHEREAS the Company and the Executive wish to amend the Employment
Agreement;

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

      1. The capitalized terms contained in this Amendment which are not
      specifically defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to them in the
      Employment Agreement.

      2. Section 12 (c) (ii) (C) shall be amended by deleting the period and by
      adding the following "...; provided that (I) if such termination occurs
      after October 26, 2000, at least one-third of all of the restricted stock
      shall be vested and all unvested restricted stock forfeited and (II) if
      such termination occurs after the conditions set forth in Section 4 of
      Exhibit A(without giving effect to the addition to the first sentence
      thereof added in accordance with Section 4 of this Amendment) have been
      met, none of the restricted stock shall be forfeited.

      3. Section 3 of Exhibit A is amended by deleting everything following "on"
      and substituting in lieu thereof the following "...January 1, 2001,
      October 26, 2001 and October 26, 2002."

      4. Section 4 of Exhibit A is amended by deleting the period at the end of
      the first sentence thereof and adding thereto the following "...; provided
      however that such accelerated vesting shall occur no earlier than January
      1, 2001."

      5. Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment to the contrary, the
      Employment Agreement shall be unmodified and remain in full force and
      effect.

<PAGE>

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

                                                  PRIMEDIA Inc.

                                                  by /s/ Beverly C. Chell
                                                     ---------------------------
                                                       Vice Chairman

                                                  /s/ Thomas S. Roger
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Thomas S. Roger<PAGE>

                           GRANT AGREEMENT

                     NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Corporation"), for and in consideration of
the provisions and conditions as stated herein and in the Corporation's 1993
Management Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan") and other good and valuable
consideration, does hereby grant to the employee (one of the key employees of
the Corporation) identified in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option
(the "Optionee") this option to purchase from the Corporation the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation at the price per share set forth in
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option, which option is not intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option ("ISO") as that term is defined in Section
422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")

The option granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement (the "Option") shall be
subject to the following conditions:

(1)   Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4, the Option shall become
      exercisable in three installments in accordance with the following
      schedule and after the expiration of the following periods of time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Portion of       Period from which
      Installment         Option Grant      Option Granted
      -----------         ------------      -----------------
     <S>                <C>               <C>

      First               One-third            12 months

      Second              One-third            24 months

      Third               One-third            36 months
</TABLE>

      If the Optionee does not purchase the full number of shares which he
      has at any time become entitled to purchase, he may purchase all or any
      part of those shares at any subsequent time during the term of this
      Option.

(2)   The Option herein granted to the extent that is exercisable may be
      exercised by giving written  notice to the Corporate Human Resources
      Department or other designated person of the

<PAGE>

      Corporation at its principal office no later than the Expiration Date
      (as defined in Paragraph 3).  Such notice shall include a statement of
      the number of shares with respect to which this Option is being
      exercised and the exercise date, and shall be accompanied by full
      tender of the purchase price payable which may be made in whole or in
      part either in cash or by the exchange of such number of whole shares
      of Thomas & Betts Corporation Common Stock owned by the Optionee whose
      fair market value as of the close of the business day immediately
      preceding the specified Exercise Date does not exceed the purchase
      price payable; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the following holding periods
      shall have been satisfied with respect to shares to be exchanged: (i)
      if the shares to be exchanged were acquired by exercise of an ISO, such
      ISO shall have been granted at least two years prior thereto; and (ii)
      if the shares to be exchanged were acquired by exercise of an option,
      such Common Stock shall have been owned by the Optionee for at least
      one year prior to such payment, and FURTHER PROVIDED that the Committee
      shall have the right, upon prior notice to the holders of options, to
      modify, suspend or cancel the right to pay the purchase price in whole
      or in part by exchange of shares at any time in the event the Committee
      determines that there has been a change in tax or accounting
      consequences  to the Corporation  or to any Optionee. Nothing in this
      agreement shall confer upon the  Optionee any rights as a stockholder
      prior to the time of the delivery to the Optionee of a stock
      certificate for the shares purchased under this agreement.

(3)   Unless this Option expires earlier in accordance with any provision of
      Paragraph 4, this Option shall expire on the date which is ten (10)
      years from the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date").

(4)   If, prior to the Expiration Date, the Optionee (i) becomes totally and
      permanently disabled as determined by the Corporation in its sole
      discretion, (ii) retires, (iii) dies, or (iv) otherwise terminates or
      is terminated as an employee of the Corporation, this Option shall be
      exercisable under the circumstances and for the time periods set forth
      below, but only to the extent such time periods do not extend beyond
      the Expiration Date:

         (a)  If the Optionee's employment terminates or is terminated for
              any reason other than (i) retirement, (ii) the Optionee
              becoming totally and permanently disabled, or (iii) death,
              this Option may be exercised within thirty (30) days of the
              date of such termination to the extent exercisable in
              accordance with the provisions of Paragraph 1.

<PAGE>

         (b)  If the Optionee retires at his normal or later retirement date
              or, with the consent of the Corporation, takes early
              retirement, this Option may be exercised in full,
              notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph 1, at any time
              within six (6) years of the date of retirement;

        (c)   If the Optionee becomes totally and permanently disabled, this
              Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions
              of Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date
              the Optionee's service as an employee is terminated within the
              meaning of the Code by reason of being totally and permanently
              disabled;

        (d)   If the Optionee dies while he is employed or within three (3)
              years of his retirement in accordance with subparagraph (b)
              above, this Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding
              the provisions of Paragraph 1, at any time within three (3)
              years of the Optionee's date of death by the legal
              representative of the Optionee or any person who acquires this
              Option by bequest or inheritance; and

      (e)     For purpose of this Paragraph 4, a sick leave or other bona
              fide leave of absence granted in accordance with the
              Corporation's usual procedure which does not operate to
              interrupt continuous employment for other benefits granted by
              the Corporation shall not be considered a termination of
              employment or an interruption of continuous employment
              hereunder and an employee who is granted such a leave of
              absence shall be considered to be continuously employed during
              such period of leave; provided, that if the Code or the
              regulations promulgated thereunder establish a more restrictive
              rule defining termination of employment applicable to the
              option granted herein, such rule shall be substituted herefor.

(5)   The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, for himself and
      his executors and administrators, that if a registration statement
      under the Securities Act of 1933 is not in effect at the time of the
      exercise of any portion of this Option, with respect to the sale by the
      Corporation and the resale by the Optionee of the shares issuable upon
      such exercise, it shall be a condition precedent to the right to
      purchase such shares that the notice of exercise shall be accompanied
      by a written representation that the Optionee or his executor or
      administrator is acquiring such shares for his own or such executor's
      or administrator's

<PAGE>

      account for investment and not with a view to the distribution thereof.

(6)   The Corporation shall not he required to issue or deliver any
      certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the
      exercise of this Option until the admission of such shares to listing
      on any stock exchange on which the Corporation's stock may then be
      listed and until the Corporation takes such steps as may be required by
      law and applicable regulations, including rules and regulations of the
      Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange as above
      mentioned, or until, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, any
      such listing or registration or other steps are not required.

(7)   The shares issued may be authorized but unissued stock, or treasury
      stock, and the number of shares with respect to which this Option may
      be exercised, and the price payable with respect thereto, shall be
      properly adjusted if the Corporation shall at any time declare a stock
      split, issue any stock dividend, or make a reclassification of such
      stock, so that the Optionee or his executors, administrators, legatees
      or distributees entitled hereunder shall not be in any way in a better
      or worse position as to the number of shares acquired and the aggregate
      amount paid therefore, solely from having exercised this option with
      respect to any of said shares after, rather than before, such stock
      split, stock dividend, or reclassification.

(8)   The granting of this Option shall not constitute or be evidence of any
      agreement or understanding, express or implied, on the part of the
      Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to employ the Optionee for any
      specified period. The Company continues to retain the absolute right to
      terminate the employment relationship with the Optionee at any time,
      with or without good cause.

(9)   This Option shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors
      and assigns, and upon the Optionee and his administrators and executors.

(10)  Whenever the Corporation is required to issue or transfer shares of its
      Common Stock to Optionee pursuant hereto, the Corporation shall have
      the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Corporation an amount
      sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding tax
      requirements, if any.

(11)  The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, to the amendment
      of this Grant Agreement, the Notice of Grant of Stock Option and the
      form of exercise of option provided by the Corporation in any manner
      requested by the Corporation pursuant to advice from the Securities and
      Exchange Commission at any time during the term of this Option, and to
      execute any and all instruments relative thereto when so requested by
      the Corporation.

(12)  Throughout this agreement, the masculine gender shall be deemed to
      include the feminine.

<PAGE>

(13)  This Option is not transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will
      or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of
      the Optionee it is exercisable only by the Optionee.

<PAGE>

                              GRANT AGREEMENT

                           INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION

Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Corporation"), for and in consideration of
the provisions and conditions as stated herein and in the Corporation's 1993
Management Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan") and other good and valuable
consideration, does hereby grant to the employee (one of the key employees of
the Corporation) identified in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option
(the "Optionee") this option to purchase from the Corporation the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation at the price per share set forth in
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option, which option, except as provided in
Paragraph 4, is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option ("ISO") as
that term is defined in Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").

The option granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement (the "Option") shall be
subject to the following conditions:

(1)   Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4, the Option  shall become
      exercisable in three installments in accordance with the following
      schedule and after the expiration of the following periods of time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Portion of       Period from which
      Installment         Option Grant      Option Granted
      -----------         ------------      -----------------
     <S>                <C>               <C>

      First               One-third            12 months

      Second              One-third            24 months

      Third               One-third            36 months
</TABLE>

      If the Optionee does not purchase the full number of shares which he
      has at any time become entitled to purchase, he may purchase all or any
      part of those shares at any subsequent time during the term of this
      Option.

(2)   The Option herein granted to the extent that it is exercisable may be
      exercised by giving written notice to the Corporate Human Resources
      Department or other designated person of the Corporation at its
      principal office no later than the Expiration Date (as defined in
      Paragraph 3). Such notice shall include a statement of the number of
      shares with respect to which this Option is being exercised and the
      exercise date, and shall be accompanied by full tender of the purchase
      price payable which may be made in whole or in part either in cash or
      by the exchange of such number of whole shares of Thomas & Betts
      Corporation Common Stock owned by the Optionee whose fair market value
      as of the close of the business day immediately preceding the specified
      Exercise Date does not exceed the purchase price payable; PROVIDED,
      HOWEVER, that the following holding periods shall have been satisfied
      with respect to shares to be exchanged: (i) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired under an ISO, such ISO shall have been granted
      at least two years prior thereto; and (ii) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired by exercise of an option, such Common Stock
      shall have been owned by the Optionee for at least one year prior to
      such payment; and FURTHER PROVIDED that the Committee shall have the
      right, upon prior notice to the holders of options, to modify, suspend
      or cancel the right to pay the purchase price in whole

<PAGE>

      or in part by exchange of shares at any time in the event the Committee
      determines that there has been a change in tax or accounting
      consequences to the Corporation or to any Optionee. Nothing in this
      agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any rights as a stockholder
      prior to the time of the delivery to the Optionee of a stock
      certificate for the shares purchased under this agreement.

(3)   Unless this Option expires earlier in accordance with any provision of
      Paragraph 4, this Option shall expire on the date which is ten (10)
      years from the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date").

(4)   If, prior to the Expiration Date, the Optionee (i) becomes totally and
      permanently disabled as determined by the Corporation in its sole
      discretion, (ii) retires, (iii) dies, or (iv) otherwise terminates or
      is terminated as an employee of the Corporation, this Option shall be
      exercisable under the circumstances and for the time periods set forth
      below, but only to the extent such time periods do not extend beyond
      the Expiration Date:

      (a) If the Optionee's employment terminates or is terminated for any
          reason other than (i) retirement, (ii) the Optionee becoming
          totally and permanently disabled, (iii) death, or (iv) under the
          circumstances described in Paragraph 4(b), this Option may be
          exercised within thirty (30) days of the date of such termination
          to the extent exercisable in accordance with the provisions of
          Paragraph 1;

      (b) In the event that (i) the Optionee has an employment agreement with
          the Corporation which provides for his continued employment
          following a change in control ("Employment Agreement") and (ii) a
          "Change in Control," as defined in Section 2 of such Employment
          Agreement, occurs, this Option shall become fully exercisable upon
          the "Effective Date," as defined in Section 1(a) of such Employment
          Agreement, notwithstanding any provision in Paragraph 1 to the
          contrary, provided, however, that to the extent (if any) that the
          limitation set forth in Code Section 422(d) is exceeded, the Option
          shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option; in addition, if
          such Optionee's employment with the Corporation is thereafter
          terminated under the circumstances described in Section 7(d) of
          such Employment Agreement, this Option shall remain exercisable at
          any time prior to the Expiration Date, provided, however, that if
          such exercise occurs more than three (3) months after the date of
          such Optionee's termination of employment, the Option shall be
          treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option;

      (c) If the Optionee retires at his normal or later retirement date or,
          with the consent of the Corporation, takes early retirement, this
          Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date of
          retirement; provided, however, that if such exercise occurs more
          than three (3) months after the date of such retirement, the Option
          shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option;

      (d) If the Optionee becomes totally and permanently disabled, this
          Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within six

<PAGE>

          (6) years of the date the Optionee's service as an employee is
          terminated within the meaning of the Code by reason of being
          totally and permanently disabled; provided, however, that if such
          Exercise occurs more than one (1) year after the date the
          Optionee's employment is terminated due to such disability, this
          Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option;

      (e) If the Optionee dies while he is employed or within three (3) years
          of his retirement in accordance with subparagraph (c) above, this
          Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within three (3) years of the Optionee's
          date of death by the legal representative of the Optionee or any
          person who acquires this Option by bequest or inheritance;
          provided, however, if the Optionee's date of death is more than
          three (3) months from the date of such retirement, this Option
          shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, and

      (f) For purpose of this Paragraph 4, a sick leave or other bona fide
          leave of absence granted in accordance with the Corporation's usual
          procedure which does not operate to interrupt continuous employment
          for other benefits granted by the Corporation shall not be
          considered a termination of employment or interruption of
          continuous employment hereunder and an employee who is granted such
          a leave of absence shall be considered to be continuously employed
          during such period of leave; provided, that if the Code or the
          regulations promulgated thereunder establish a more restrictive
          rule defining termination of employment applicable to the option
          granted herein, such rule shall be substituted herefor.

(5)   The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, for himself and
      his executors and administrators, that if a registration statement
      under the Securities Act of 1933 is not in effect at the time of the
      exercise of any portion of this Option, with respect to the sale by the
      Corporation and the resale by the Optionee of the shares issuable upon
      such exercise, it shall be a condition precedent to the right to
      purchase such shares that the notice of exercise shall be accompanied
      by a written representation that the Optionee or his executor or
      administrator is acquiring such shares for his own or such executor's
      or administrator's account for investment and not with a view to the
      distribution thereof.

(6)   The Corporation shall be not be required to issue or deliver any
      certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the
      exercise of this Option until the admission of such shares to listing
      on any stock exchange on which the Corporation's stock may then be
      listed and until the Corporation takes such steps as may be required by
      law and applicable regulations, including rules and regulations of the
      Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange as above
      mentioned, or until, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, any
      such listing or registration or other steps are not required.

(7)   The shares issued may be authorized but unissued stock, or treasury
      stock. and the number of shares with respect to which this Option may
      be exercised, and the price payable with respect thereto, shall be
      properly adjusted if the Corporation shall at any time declare a stock
      split, issue any stock dividend, or make a reclassification of such
      stock, so that the Optionee or his executors, administrators, legatees
      or distributees entitled hereunder shall not be in any

<PAGE>

      way in a better or worse position as to the number of shares acquired
      and the aggregate amount paid therefore, solely from having
      exercised this option with respect to any of said shares after,
      rather than before, such stock split, stock dividend, or
      reclassification.

(8)   The granting of this Option shall not constitute or be evidence of any
      agreement or understanding, express or implied, on the part of the
      Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to employ the Optionee for any
      specified period. The Company continues to retain the absolute right to
      terminate the employment relationship with the Optionee at any time,
      with or without good cause.

(9)   This Option shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors
      and assigns, and upon the Optionee and his administrators and executors.

(10)  Whenever the Corporation is required to issue or transfer shares of its
      Common Stock to Optionee pursuant hereto, the Corporation shall have
      the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Corporation an amount
      sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding tax
      requirements, if any.

(11)  The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, to the amendment
      of this Grant Agreement, the Notice of Grant of Stock Option and the
      form of exercise of option provided by the Corporation, in any manner
      requested by the Corporation pursuant to advice from the Securities and
      Exchange Commission at any time during the term of this Option, and to
      execute any and all instruments relative thereto when so requested by
      the Corporation.

(12)  Throughout this agreement, the masculine gender shall be deemed to
      include the feminine.

(13)  This Option is not transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will
      or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of
      the Optionee it is exercisable only by the Optionee.

<PAGE>

                              GRANT AGREEMENT

                         NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION

Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Corporation"), for and in consideration of
the provisions and conditions as stated herein and in the Corporation's 1993
Management Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan") and other good and valuable
consideration, does hereby grant to the employee (one of the key employees of
the Corporation) identified in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option
(the "Optionee") this option to purchase from the Corporation the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation at the price per share set forth in
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option, which option is not intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option ("ISO") as that term is defined in Section
422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").

The option granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement (the "Option") shall be
subject to the following conditions:

(1)   Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4, the Option shall become
      exercisable in three installments in accordance with the following
      schedule and after the expiration of the following periods of time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Portion of       Period from which
      Installment         Option Granted      Option Granted
      -----------         --------------   -----------------
     <S>                <C>               <C>

      First               One-third            12 months

      Second              One-third            24 months

      Third               One-third            36 months
</TABLE>

      If the Optionee does not purchase the full number of shares which he
      has at any time become entitled to purchase, he may purchase all of any
      part of those shares at any subsequent time during the term of this
      Option.

(2)   The Option herein granted to the extent that it is exercisable may be
      exercised by giving written notice to the Corporate Human Resources
      Department or other designated person of the Corporation at its
      principal office no later than the Expiration Date (as defined in
      Paragraph 3). Such notice shall include a statement of the number of
      shares with respect to which this Option is being exercised and the
      exercise date, and shall be accompanied by full tender of the purchase
      price payable which may be made in whole or in part either in cash or
      by the exchange of such number of whole shares of Thomas & Betts
      Corporation Common Stock owned by the Optionee whose fair market value
      as of the close of the business day immediately preceding the specified
      Exercise Date does not exceed the purchase price payable; PROVIDED,
      HOWEVER, that the following holding periods shall have been satisfied
      with  respect to shares to be exchanged: (i) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired by exercise of an ISO, such ISO shall have been
      granted at least two years prior thereto; and (ii) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired by exercise of an option, such  Common Stock
      shall have been owned by the Optionee for at least one year prior to
      such payment; and FURTHER PROVIDED that the Committee shall have the
      right, upon prior notice to the holders of options, to modify, suspend
      or cancel the right to pay the purchase price in whole or in part by
      exchange of shares at any time in the event the Committee determines
      that there has been a

<PAGE>

      change in tax or accounting consequences to the Corporation or to
      Optionee Nothing in this agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any
      rights as a stockholder prior to the time of the delivery to the
      Optionee of a stock certificate for the shares purchased under this
      agreement.

(3)   Unless this Option expires earlier in accordance with any provision of
      Paragraph 4, this Option shall expire on the date which is ten (10)
      years from the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date").

(4)   If, prior to the Expiration Date, the Optionee (i) becomes totally and
      permanently disabled as determined by the Corporation in its sole
      discretion, (ii) retires, (iii) dies, or (iv) otherwise terminates or
      is terminated as an employee of the Corporation, this option shall be
      exercisable under the circumstances and for the time periods set forth
      below, but only to the extent such time periods do not extend beyond
      the Expiration Date:

      (a) If the Optionee's employment terminates or is terminated for any
          reason other than (i) retirement, (ii) the Optionee becoming
          totally and permanently disabled, (iii) death, or (iv) under the
          circumstances described in Paragraph 4(b),  this Option may be
          exercised within thirty (30) days of the date of such termination
          to the extent exercisable in accordance with the provisions of
          Paragraph 1;

      (b) In the event that (i) the Optionee has an employment agreement with
          the Corporation which provides for his continued employment
          following a change in control ("Employment Agreement") and (ii) a
          "Change in Control," as defined in Section 2 of such Employment
          Agreement, occurs, this Option shall become fully exercisable upon
          the "Effective Date," as defined in Section 1(a) of such Employment
          Agreement, notwithstanding any provision in Paragraph 1 to the
          contrary; in addition, if such Optionee's employment with the
          Corporation is thereafter terminated under the circumstances
          described in Section 7(d) of such Employment Agreement, this Option
          shall remain exercisable at any time prior to the Expiration Date;

      (c) If the Optionee retires at his normal or later retirement date or,
          with the consent of the Corporation, takes early retirement, this
          Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date of
          retirement;

      (d) If the Optionee becomes totally and permanently disabled, this
          Option may he exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date the
          Optionee's service as an employee is terminated within the meaning
          of the Code by reason of being totally and permanently disabled;

      (e) If the Optionee dies while he is employed or within three (3) years
          of his retirement in accordance with subparagraph (c) above, this
          Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
          Paragraph 1, at any time within three (3) years of the Optionee's
          date of death by the legal representative of the Optionee or any

<PAGE>

          person who acquires this Option by bequest or inheritance; and

      (f) For purpose of this Paragraph 4, a sick leave or other bona fide
          leave of absence granted in accordance with the Corporation's usual
          procedure which does not operate to interrupt continuous employment
          for other benefits granted by the Corporation shall not be
          considered a termination of employment or interruption of
          continuous employment hereunder and an employee who is granted such
          a leave of absence shall be considered to be continuously employed
          during such period of leave; provided, that if the Code or the
          regulations promulgated thereunder establish a more restrictive
          rule defining termination of employment applicable to the option
          granted herein, such rule shall be substituted here for.

(5)   The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, for himself and
      his executors and administrators, that if a registration statement
      under the Securities Act of 1933 is not in effect at the time of the
      exercise of any portion of this Option, with respect to the sale by the
      Corporation and the resale by the Optionee of the shares issuable upon
      such exercise, it shall be a condition precedent to the right to
      purchase such shares that the notice of exercise shall be accompanied
      by a written representation that the Optionee or his executor or
      administrator is acquiring such shares for his own or such executor's
      or administrator's account for investment and not with a view to the
      distribution thereof.

(6)   The Corporation shall be not be required to issue or deliver any
      certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the
      exercise of this Option until the admission of such shares to listing
      on any stock exchange on which the Corporation's stock may then be
      listed and until the Corporation takes such steps as may be required by
      law and applicable regulations, including rules and regulations of the
      Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange as above
      mentioned, or until, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, any
      such listing or registration or other steps are not required.

(7)   The shares issued may be authorized but unissued stock, or treasury
      stock, and the number of shares with respect to which this Option may
      be exercised, and the price payable with respect thereto, shall be
      properly adjusted if the Corporation shall at any time declare a stock
      split, issue any stock dividend, or make a reclassification of such
      stock, so that the Optionee or his executors, administrators, legatees
      or distributees entitled hereunder shall not be in any way in a better
      or worse position as to the number of shares acquired and the aggregate
      amount paid therefore, solely from having exercised this option with
      respect to any of said shares after, rather than before, such stock
      split, stock dividend, or reclassification.

(8)   The granting of this Option shall not constitute or be evidence of any
      agreement or understanding, express or implied, on the part of the
      Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to employ the Optionee for any
      specified period. The Company continues to retain the absolute right to
      terminate the employment relationship with the Optionee at any time,
      with or without good cause.

(9)   This Option shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors
      and assigns, and upon the Optionee and his administrators and executors.

<PAGE>

(10)  Whenever the Corporation is required to issue or transfer shares of
      its Common Stock to Optionee pursuant hereto, the Corporation shall
      have the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Corporation an
      amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding
      tax requirements, if any.

(11)  The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, to the
      amendment of this Grant Agreement, the Notice of Grant of Stock Option
      and the form of exercise of option provided by the Corporation, in any
      manner requested by the Corporation pursuant to advice from the
      Securities and Exchange Commission at any time during the term of this
      Option, and to execute any and all instruments relative thereto when so
      requested by the Corporation.

(12)  Throughout this agreement, the masculine gender shall be deemed to
      include the feminine.

(13)  This Option is not transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will
      or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of
      the Optionee it is exercisable only by the Optionee.

<PAGE>

                            GRANT AGREEMENT

                        INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION

Thomas & Betts Corporation (the "Corporation"), for and in consideration of
the provisions and conditions as stated herein and in the Corporation's 1993
Management Stock Ownership Plan (the "Plan") and other good and valuable
consideration, does hereby grant to the employee (one of the key employees of
the Corporation) identified in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option
(the "Optionee") this option to purchase from the Corporation the number of
shares of Common Stock of the Corporation at the price per share set forth in
the Notice of Grant of Stock Option, which option, except as provided in
Paragraph 4, is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option ("ISO") as
that term is defined in Section 422(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended (the "Code").

The option granted pursuant to this Grant Agreement (the "Option") shall be
subject to the following conditions:

(1)   Subject to the provisions of Paragraph 4, the Option  shall become
      exercisable in three installments in accordance with the following
      schedule and after the expiration of the following periods of time:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          Portion of       Period from which
      Installment         Option Grant      Option Granted
      -----------         ------------      -----------------
     <S>                <C>               <C>

      First               One-third            12 months

      Second              One-third            24 months

      Third               One-third            36 months
</TABLE>

      If the Optionee does not purchase the full number of shares which he
      has at any time become entitled to purchase, he may purchase all or any
      part of those shares at any subsequent time during the term of this
      Option.

(2)   The Option herein granted to the extent that it is exercisable may be
      exercised by giving written notice to the Corporate Human Resources
      Department or other designated person of the Corporation at its
      principal office no later than the Expiration Date (as defined in
      Paragraph 3). Such notice shall include a statement of the number of
      shares with respect to which this Option is being exercised and the
      exercise date, and shall be accompanied by full tender of the purchase
      price payable which may be made in whole or in part either in cash or
      by the exchange of such number of whole shares of Thomas & Betts
      Corporation Common Stock owned by the Optionee whose fair market value
      as of the close of the business day immediately preceding the specified
      Exercise Date does not exceed the purchase price payable;  PROVIDED,
      HOWEVER, that the following holding perioda shall have been satisfied
      with respect to shares to be exchanged: (i) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired under an ISO, such ISO shall have been granted
      at least two years prior thereto; and (ii) if the shares to be
      exchanged were acquired by exercise of an option, such Common Stock
      shall have been owned by the Optionee for at least one year prior to
      such payment, and FURTHER PROVIDED that the Committee shall have the
      right, upon prior notice to the holders of options, to modify, suspend
      or cancel the right to pay the purchase price

<PAGE>

      in whole or in part by exchange of shares at any time in the event the
      Committee determines that there has been a change in tax or accounting
      consequences to the Corporation or to any Optionee.  Nothing in this
      agreement shall confer upon the Optionee any rights as a stockholder
      prior to the time of the delivery to the Optionee of a stock
      certificate for the shares purchased under this agreement.

(3)   Unless this Option expires earlier in accordance with any provision of
      Paragraph 4, this Option shall expire on the date which is ten (10)
      years from the Date of Grant (the "Expiration Date").

(4)   If, prior to the Expiration Date, the Optionee (i) becomes totally and
      permanently disabled as determined by the Corporation in its sole
      discretion, (ii) retires, (iii) dies, or (iv) otherwise terminates or
      is terminated as an employee of the Corporation, this Option shall be
      exercisable under the circumstances and for the time periods set forth
      below, but only to the extent such time periods do not extend beyond
      the Expiration Date:

      (a)  If the Optionee's employment terminates or is terminated for any
           reason other than (i) retirement, (ii) the Optionee becoming
           totally and permanently disabled, (iii) death, or (iv) under the
           circumstances described in Paragraph 4(b), this Option may be
           exercised within thirty (30) days of the date of such termination
           to the extent exercisable in accordance with the provisions of
           Paragraph 1;

      (b)  If the Optionee retires at his normal or later retirement date or,
           with the consent of the Corporation, takes early retirement, this
           Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
           Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date of
           retirement; provided, however, that if such exercise occurs more
           than three (3) months after the date of such retirement, the
           Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option;

       (c) If the Optionee becomes totally and permanently disabled, this
           Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the provisions of
           Paragraph 1, at any time within six (6) years of the date the
           Optionee's service as an employee is terminated within the meaning
           of the Code by reason of being totally and permanently disabled;
           provided, however, that if such Exercise occurs more than one (1)
           year after the date the Optionee's employment is terminated due to
           such disability, this Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified
           Stock Option;

       (d) If the Optionee dies while he is employed or within three (3)
           years of his retirement in accordance with subparagraph (c) above,
           this Option may be exercised in full, notwithstanding the
           provisions of Paragraph 1, at any time within three (3) years of
           the Optionee's date of death by the legal representative of the
           Optionee or any person who acquires this Option by bequest or
           inheritance; provided, however, if the Optionee's date of death is
           more than three (3) months from the date of such retirement, this
           Option shall be treated as a Nonqualified Stock Option, and

       (e) For purpose of this Paragraph 4, a sick leave or other bona fide
           leave of absence

<PAGE>

          granted in accordance with the Corporation's usual procedure which
          does not operate to interrupt continuous employment for other
          benefits granted by the Corporation shall not be considered a
          termination of employment or interruption of continuous employment
          hereunder and an employee who is granted such a leave of absence
          shall be considered to be continuously employed during such period
          of leave; provided, that if the Code or the regulations
          promulgated thereunder establish a more restrictive rule defining
          termination of employment applicable to the option granted herein,
          such rule shall be substituted here for.

(5)   The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, for himself and
      his executors and administrators, that if a registration statement
      under the Securities Act of 1933 is not in effect at the time of the
      exercise of any portion of this Option, with respect to the sale by the
      Corporation and the resale by the Optionee of the shares issuable upon
      such exercise, it shall be a condition precedent to the right to
      purchase such shares that the notice of exercise shall be accompanied
      by a written representation that the Optionee or his executor or
      administrator is acquiring such shares for his own or such executor's
      or administrator's account for investment and not with a view to the
      distribution thereof.

(6)   The Corporation shall be not be required to issue or deliver any
      certificate or certificates for shares of stock purchased upon the
      exercise of this Option until the admission of such shares to listing
      on any stock exchange on which the Corporation's stock may then be
      listed and until the Corporation takes such steps as may be required by
      law and applicable regulations, including rules and regulations of the
      Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchange as above
      mentioned, or until, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, any
      such listing or registration or other steps are not required.

(7)   The shares issued may be authorized but unissued stock, or treasury
      stock. and the number of shares with respect to which this Option may
      be exercised, and the price payable with respect thereto, shall be
      properly adjusted if the Corporation shall at any time declare a stock
      split, issue any stock dividend, or make a reclassification of such
      stock, so that the Optionee or his executors, administrators, legatees
      or distributees entitled hereunder shall not be in any way in a better
      or worse position as to the number of shares acquired and the aggregate
      amount paid therefore, solely from having exercised this option with
      respect to any of said shares after, rather than before, such stock
      split, stock dividend, or reclassification.

(8)   The granting of this Option shall not constitute or be evidence of any
      agreement or understanding, express or implied, on the part of the
      Corporation or any of its subsidiaries to employ the Optionee for any
      specified period. The Company continues to retain the absolute right to
      terminate the employment relationship with the Optionee at any time,
      with or without good cause.

(9)   This Option shall be binding upon the Corporation and its successors
      and assigns, and upon the Optionee and his administrators and executors.

<PAGE>

(10)  Whenever the Corporation is required to issue or transfer shares of
      its Common Stock to Optionee pursuant hereto, the Corporation shall
      have the right to require the Optionee to remit to the Corporation an
      amount sufficient to satisfy all federal, state and local withholding
      tax requirements, if any.

(11)  The Optionee agrees, by the acceptance of this Option, to the
      amendment of this Grant Agreement, the Notice of Grant of Stock Option
      and the form of exercise of option provided by the Corporation, in any
      manner requested by the Corporation pursuant to advice from the
      Securities and Exchange Commission at any time during the term of this
      Option, and to execute any and all instruments relative thereto when so
      requested by the Corporation.

(12)  Throughout this agreement, the masculine gender shall be deemed to
      include the feminine.

(13)  This Option is not transferable by the Optionee otherwise than by will
      or by the laws of descent and distribution and during the lifetime of
      the Optionee it is exercisable only by the Optionee.

<PAGE>

                           RESTRICTED STOCK AGREEMENT

This Restricted Stock Agreement (hereinafter "Agreement") is made as of the
2nd day of February, 2000, by and between THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
(hereinafter "Corporation"), a Tennessee corporation, and "Name", an employee
of the Corporation (hereinafter "Participant").

WHEREAS, the Corporation has adopted with the approval of its stockholders
the 1993 Management Stock Ownership Plan, attached as Exhibit A to the 1993
Proxy Statement and as amended from time to time thereafter (hereinafter
"Plan"); and

WHEREAS, the Committee under the Plan has awarded shares of the Corporation's
Common Stock to the Participant;

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the mutual promises
hereinafter set forth, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Corporation and the
Participant, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

1. ISSUANCE OF RESTRICTED STOCK. Subject to the terms and conditions hereinafter
set forth, the Corporation has awarded to Participant a value equal to a total
of "Grant" shares of its Common Stock, par value $.10 per share (hereinafter
sometimes "Restricted Stock"). The shares of Restricted Stock actually given
pursuant to this award are evidenced by a certificate or certificates registered
in Participant's name.

The Committee, in its sole discretion, may award the above mentioned grant of
shares of Restricted Stock, in whole or in part, in cash for the purpose of
allowing Participant to satisfy federal, state or local tax obligations.
Participant agrees to cooperate fully with any rules and regulations of the
Committee to permit this award of cash in lieu of stock to occur.

2. TERMS AND CONDITIONS. The terms and conditions of the Plan are incorporated
by reference herein, and to the extent that any conflict may exist between any
term or provision of this Agreement and any term or provision of the Plan, the
term or provision of the Plan shall control.

3. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Participant agrees that he is acquiring said
shares for his own account and not with a view to distribution thereof and that
the shares of Restricted Stock acquired by the Participant will not be sold
except pursuant to an effective Registration Statement under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, or pursuant to an exemption from registration under said
Act.

4. RESTRICTION ON TRANSFER. Except as otherwise provided pursuant to or in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement or the Plan, the
shares of Restricted Stock shall not be sold, exchanged, assigned, transferred
or permitted to be transferred voluntarily, involuntarily, or by operation of
law, delivered, encumbered, discounted, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise
disposed of for three (3) years i.e., until February 2, 2003, or such longer
period (and upon such terms and conditions) that the Committee, in its sole
discretion, permits the Participant to defer the Participant's ability to
dispose of the shares of Restricted Stock ("Restricted Period").

During the Restricted Period, certificates evidencing the Restricted Shares
shall bear the following legend: "These shares have been issued pursuant to
the Thomas & Betts Corporation ("Corporation") 1993 Management Stock
Ownership Plan ("Plan") and are subject to forfeiture to the Corporation in
accordance with the terms of the Plan and an Agreement between the
Corporation and the person in whose name the certificate is registered. These
shares may not be sold, pledged, exchanged, transferred, hypothecated or
otherwise disposed of except in accordance with the terms of said Plan and
said Agreement."

5. DEPOSIT OF RESTRICTED STOCK. In order to induce the Corporation to issue to
the Participant the Restricted Stock, Participant consents to the deposit with
the Secretary of the Corporation or such other person designated by the
Committee, the certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock, together with stock
powers or other instruments of transfer required by the Corporation or its
counsel appropriately endorsed in blank by him. Such deposits shall remain in
effect until the time the Corporation reacquires the Restricted Stock under and
pursuant to the terms and provisions of Section 6 hereof or until said
Restricted Stock shall be released from restrictions under the Plan and the
Agreement. Participant consents to the appointment of the Secretary of the
Corporation, in his official capacity, and his successors in office, or any
other person that may be appointed by the Committee under the Plan as Escrow
Agent for said shares during the Restricted Period. If during the Restricted
Period, Participant's employment with the Corporation is terminated, and the
Restricted Shares forfeited in accordance with Section 6, Participant authorizes
the Escrow Agent to cause such certificate or certificates to be canceled on the
stock record books of the Corporation. Participant agrees that the Escrow Agent
is acting merely as a depository and shall have no liability hereunder except as
a depository to retain the Restricted Shares and to dispose of them in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the Plan. If the Escrow Agent is
notified of any adverse claim or demand by any person, he is hereby authorized
to hold such

<PAGE>

certificates until the dispute shall have been settled by the parties and notice
submitted to him in writing by all persons so interested, or until the rights of
the parties have been finally adjudicated in a court of competent jurisdiction.
So long as the Restricted Shares are held in escrow, Participant shall be
entitled to all the rights of a stockholder with respect thereto except as may
be limited by the terms of the Plan and this Agreement.

6. FORFEITURE OF RESTRICTED STOCK. Subject at all times to the provisions of
this Agreement, if the employment of the Participant is terminated for any
reason before the shares of Restricted Stock have been released from the
restrictions on transfer as set forth in Section 4 hereof, such Restricted Stock
shall be forfeited to the Corporation unless the Committee shall determine in a
particular case that such forfeiture would not be in the best interest of the
Corporation. For purposes of this Section 6, "termination of employment" shall
mean termination of employment with the Corporation for any reason whatsoever,
whether voluntary or involuntary, including, but not limited to, death,
disability, retirement, insanity, or dismissal with or without just cause.

7. DELIVERY OF STOCK AND DOCUMENTS. In the event any shares of Restricted Stock
are forfeited to the Corporation, pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement, the
Participant shall, to the extent not already deposited with the Escrow Agent,
deliver to the Escrow Agent the following: the certificate or certificates
representing the Restricted Stock duly endorsed for transfer and bearing
whatever documentary stamps, if any, are necessary, and such assignments,
certificates of authority, tax releases, consents to transfer, instruments, and
evidences of title of the Participant and of his compliance with this Agreement
as may be reasonably required by the Corporation or by its counsel.

8. EMPLOYMENT OF PARTICIPANT. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as
constituting a commitment, guarantee, agreement, or understanding of any kind or
nature that the Corporation shall continue to employ the Participant, nor shall
this Agreement affect in any way the right of the Corporation to terminate the
employment of the Participant at any time.

9. STOCK DISTRIBUTIONS. Any shares of Common Stock of the Corporation received
by a recipient as a stock dividend, or as a result of stock splits,
recapitalizations, combinations, exchanges of shares, reorganizations, mergers,
consolidations or otherwise which are derived directly or indirectly from shares
of Restricted Stock shall have the same status, be subject to the same
agreements, and shall bear the same legend as the shares of Restricted Stock and
shall be delivered to the Escrow Agent to be held under the same terms and
conditions as the Restricted Stock.

10. NON-ALIENATION. No Restricted Stock shall be subject to alienation, sale,
assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge and any attempt to anticipate,
alienate, sell, assign, pledge, encumber or charge the same shall be void. No
right or benefit hereunder shall in any manner be liable for or subject to the
debts, contracts, liabilities or torts of the person entitled to such benefit.

11. RIGHTS OF STOCKHOLDER. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Tennessee
Business Corporation Act and of this Agreement, the Participant shall have all
the rights of a stockholder of the Corporation with respect to the Restricted
Stock, including the right to vote the Restricted Stock and to receive all
dividends or other distributions paid or made with respect thereto.

12. CHANGE OF CONTROL, MERGER OR CONSOLIDATION. In the event the Corporation
undergoes a change of control as defined in Paragraph 6 of the Plan or is not
the surviving company in a merger, consolidation, liquidation, reorganization or
other business combination or transaction, the rights of the Participant shall
be governed by Section 6 of the Plan.

13. BURDEN AND BENEFIT. The terms and provisions of this Agreement shall be
binding upon, and shall inure to the benefit of, the Participant and his
executors or administrators, heirs, and personal and legal representatives.

14. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Tennessee.

15. MODIFICATIONS. No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid
unless it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth all of
the promises, agreements, conditions, understandings, warranties, and
representations between the parties hereto with respect to the shares of
Restricted Stock, and there are no promises, agreements, conditions,
understandings, warranties, or representations, oral or written, express or
implied, between them with respect to the shares of Restricted Stock other than
as set forth herein or therein.

17. GENDERS. The use of any gender herein shall be deemed to include the other
genders and the use of the singular herein shall be deemed to include the plural
and vice versa, wherever appropriate.

18. NOTICES. Any and all notices required herein shall be addressed: (i) if to
the Corporation, to the principal executive office of the Corporation; and (ii)
if to the Participant, to his address as reflected in the stock records of the
Corporation.

<PAGE>

19. SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE. The parties hereto agree that the shares of Restricted
Stock are unique, that the Participant's failure to perform the obligations
provided by this Agreement will result in irreparable damage to the Corporation,
and that specific performance of the Participant's obligations may be obtained
by a suit in equity.

20. INVALID OR UNENFORCEABLE PROVISIONS. The invalidity or unenforceability of
any particular provision of this Agreement shall not affect the other provisions
hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid
or unenforceable provisions were omitted.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation and the Participant have executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                              THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION

-------------------------------      -------------------------------------
Vice President-General               President and Chief Executive Officer
Counsel and Secretary

WITNESS:                             PARTICIPANT:

-------------------------------      --------------------------------------
                                     "Name"

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