Document:

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                                                                    Exhibit 10.6

                         HYPERION SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
                             1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN

                                    ARTICLE I

                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

     I.   PURPOSE OF THE PLAN

          This 1999 Stock Option Plan is intended to promote the interests of
Hyperion Solutions Corporation (the "Corporation") by providing eligible persons
with the opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest, or otherwise increase
their proprietary interest, in the Corporation as an incentive for them to
remain in the service of the Corporation.

          Capitalized terms shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the attached Appendix.

     II.  ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN

          A. Administration of the Plan may, at the Board's discretion, be
vested in the Primary Committee or a Secondary Committee, or the Board may
retain the power to administer those programs with respect to all such persons.

          B. Members of the Primary Committee shall serve for such period of
time as the Board may determine and may be removed by the Board at any time. The
Board may also at any time terminate the functions of any Secondary Committee
and reassume all powers and authority previously delegated to such committee or
transfer such powers and authority to the Primary Committee.

          C. The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
administrative functions under the Plan, have full power and authority to
establish such rules and regulations as it may deem appropriate for proper
administration of the Plan and to make such determinations under, and issue such
interpretations of, the provisions of such programs and any outstanding options
thereunder as it may deem necessary or advisable. Decisions of the Plan
Administrator within the scope of its administrative functions under the Plan
shall be final and binding on all parties who have an interest in the Plan or
any option issued thereunder.

          D. Service on the Primary Committee or the Secondary Committee shall
constitute service as a Board member, and members of each such committee shall
accordingly be entitled to full indemnification and reimbursement as Board
members for their service on such committee. No member of the Primary Committee
or the Secondary Committee shall be liable for any act or omission made in good
faith with respect to the Plan or any option grants under the Plan.
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     III. ELIGIBILITY

          A. Employees and consultants to the Corporation shall be eligible for
the grant of options under the Plan, except that members of the Board and
individuals who are considered officers of the Corporation under the rules of
the National Association of Securities Dealers shall not be eligible for the
grant of options under the Plan.

          B.   The Plan Administrator shall, within the scope of its
administrative jurisdiction under the Plan, have full authority (subject to the
provisions of the Plan) to determine, with respect to the option grants under
the Plan, which eligible persons are to receive option grants, the time or times
when such option grants are to be made, the number of shares to be covered by
each such grant, the time or times at which each option is to become
exercisable, the vesting schedule (if any) applicable to the option shares and
the maximum term for which the option is to remain outstanding.

     IV.  STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

          A. The stock issuable under the Plan shall be shares of authorized but
unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the
Corporation on the open market. The number of shares of Common Stock which may
be issued under the Plan shall be determined from time to time by the Primary
Committee.

          B. Shares of Common Stock subject to outstanding options shall be
available for subsequent issuance under the Plan to the extent (i) the options
expire or terminate for any reason prior to exercise in full or (ii) the options
are canceled in accordance with the cancellation-regrant provisions of Article
II. All shares issued under the Plan, whether or not those shares are
subsequently repurchased by the Corporation pursuant to its repurchase rights
under the Plan, shall reduce on a share-for-share basis the number of shares of
Common Stock available for subsequent issuance under the Plan. In addition,
should the exercise price of an option under the Plan be paid with shares of
Common Stock or should shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable under the Plan
be withheld by the Corporation in satisfaction of the withholding taxes incurred
in connection with the exercise of an option under the Plan, then the number of
shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan shall be reduced by
the gross number of shares for which the option is exercised, and not by the net
number of shares of Common Stock issued to the holder of such option.

          C. Should any change be made to the Common Stock by reason of any
stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, combination of shares, exchange
of shares or other change affecting the outstanding Common Stock as a class
without the Corporation's receipt of consideration, appropriate adjustments
shall be made to (i) the maximum number and/or class of securities issuable
under the Plan and (ii) the number and/or class of securities and the exercise
price per share in effect under each outstanding option in order to prevent the
dilution or enlargement of benefits thereunder. The adjustments determined by
the Plan Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive.

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                                   ARTICLE II

                                     OPTIONS

     I.   OPTION TERMS

          Each option shall be evidenced by one or more documents in the form
approved by the Plan Administrator; PROVIDED, however, that each such document
shall comply with the terms specified below.

          A. Exercise Price.

               1. The exercise price per share shall be fixed by the Plan
Administrator but shall not be less than eighty-five percent (85%) of the Fair
Market Value per share of Common Stock on the option grant date.

               2. The exercise price shall become immediately due upon exercise
of the option and shall, subject to the provisions of Section I of Article III
and the documents evidencing the option, be payable in one or more of the forms
specified below:

                    (i) cash or check made payable to the Corporation,

                    (ii) shares of Common Stock held for the requisite period
necessary to avoid a charge to the Corporation's earnings for financial
reporting purposes and valued at Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, or

                    (iii) to the extent the option is exercised for vested
shares, through a special sale and remittance procedure pursuant to which the
Optionee shall concurrently provide irrevocable written instructions to (a) a
Corporation-designated brokerage firm to effect the immediate sale of the
purchased shares and remit to the Corporation, out of the sale proceeds
available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the aggregate
exercise price payable for the purchased shares plus all applicable Federal,
state and local income and employment taxes required to be withheld by the
Corporation by reason of such exercise and (b) the Corporation to deliver the
certificates for the purchased shares directly to such brokerage firm in order
to complete the sale transaction.

               Except to the extent such sale and remittance procedure is
utilized, payment of the exercise price for the purchased shares must be made on
the Exercise Date.

               B. Exercise and Term of Options. Each option shall be exercisable
at such time or times, during such period and for such number of shares as shall
be determined by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the documents
evidencing the option. However, no option shall have a term in excess of ten
(10) years measured from the option grant date.

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               C. Effect of Termination of Service.

                    1. The following provisions shall govern the exercise of any
options held by the Optionee at the time of cessation of Service or death:

                         (i) Any option outstanding at the time of the
Optionee's cessation of Service for any reason shall remain exercisable for such
period of time thereafter as shall be determined by the Plan Administrator and
set forth in the documents evidencing the option, but no such option shall be
exercisable after the expiration of the option term.

                         (ii) Any option exercisable in whole or in part by the
Optionee at the time of death may be subsequently exercised by the personal
representative of the Optionee's estate or by the person or persons to whom the
option is transferred pursuant to the Optionee's will or beneficiary designation
or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution.

                         (iii) During the applicable post-Service exercise
period, the option may not be exercised in the aggregate for more than the
number of vested shares for which the option is exercisable on the date of the
Optionee's cessation of Service. Upon the expiration of the applicable exercise
period or (if earlier) upon the expiration of the option term, the option shall
terminate and cease to be outstanding for any vested shares for which the option
has not been exercised. However, the option shall, immediately upon the
Optionee's cessation of Service, terminate and cease to be outstanding to the
extent it is not exercisable for vested shares on the date of such cessation of
Service.

                         (iv) Should the Optionee's Service be terminated for
Misconduct, then all outstanding options held by the Optionee shall terminate
immediately and cease to be outstanding.

                         (v) In the event of an Involuntary Termination
following a Corporate Transaction, the provisions of Section III of this Article
II shall govern the period for which the outstanding options are to remain
exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service and shall supersede
any provisions to the contrary in this Section I.

                    2. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion,
exercisable either at the time an option is granted or at any time while the
option remains outstanding, to:

                         (i) extend the period of time for which the option is
to remain exercisable following the Optionee's cessation of Service from the
period otherwise in effect for that option to such greater period of time as the
Plan Administrator shall deem appropriate, but in no event beyond the expiration
of the option term, and/or

                         (ii) permit the option to be exercised, during the
applicable post-Service exercise period, not only with respect to the number of
vested shares of Common Stock for which such option is exercisable at the time
of the Optionee's cessation of Service but

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also with respect to one or more additional installments in which the Optionee
would have vested under the option had the Optionee continued in Service.

               D. Stockholder Rights. The holder of an option shall have no
stockholder rights with respect to the shares subject to the option until such
person shall have exercised the option, paid the exercise price and become a
holder of record of the purchased shares.

               E. Repurchase Rights. The Plan Administrator shall have the
discretion to grant options which are exercisable for unvested shares of Common
Stock. Should the Optionee cease Service while holding such unvested shares, the
Corporation shall have the right to repurchase, at the exercise price paid per
share, any or all of those unvested shares. The terms upon which such repurchase
right shall be exercisable (including the period and procedure for exercise and
the appropriate vesting schedule for the purchased shares) shall be established
by the Plan Administrator and set forth in the document evidencing such
repurchase right.

               F. Limited Transferability of Options. During the lifetime of the
Optionee, the option shall be exercisable only by the Optionee and shall not be
assignable or transferable other than by will, beneficiary designation or the
laws of descent and distribution following the Optionee's death. However, a
Non-Statutory Option may be assigned in whole or in part during the Optionee's
lifetime in accordance with the terms of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.
The assigned portion may only be exercised by the person or persons who acquire
a proprietary interest in the option pursuant to such Qualified Domestic
Relations Order. The terms applicable to the assigned portion shall be the same
as those in effect for the option immediately prior to such assignment and shall
be set forth in such documents issued to the assignee as the Plan Administrator
may deem appropriate.

          II.  CORPORATE TRANSACTION/CHANGE IN CONTROL

               A. In the event of any Corporate Transaction, each outstanding
option shall automatically accelerate so that each such option shall,
immediately prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction, become
fully exercisable for all of the shares of Common Stock at the time subject to
such option and may be exercised for any or all of those shares as fully-vested
shares of Common Stock. However, an outstanding option shall NOT so accelerate
if and to the extent: (i) such option is, in connection with the Corporate
Transaction, either to be assumed by the successor corporation (or parent
thereof) or to be replaced with a comparable option to purchase shares of the
capital stock of the successor corporation (or parent thereof), (ii) such option
is to be replaced with a cash incentive program of the successor corporation
which preserves the spread existing on the unvested option shares at the time of
the Corporate Transaction and provides for subsequent payout in accordance with
the same vesting schedule applicable to such option or (iii) the acceleration of
such option is subject to other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at
the time of the option grant. The determination of option comparability under
clause (i) above shall be made by the Plan Administrator, and its determination
shall be final, binding and conclusive.

               B. All outstanding repurchase rights shall also terminate
automatically, and the shares of Common Stock subject to those terminated rights
shall immediately vest in full, in

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the event of any Corporate Transaction, except to the extent: (i) those
repurchase rights are to be assigned to the successor corporation (or parent
thereof) in connection with such Corporate Transaction or (ii) such accelerated
vesting is precluded by other limitations imposed by the Plan Administrator at
the time the repurchase right is issued.

               C. Immediately following the consummation of the Corporate
Transaction, all outstanding options shall terminate and cease to be
outstanding, except to the extent assumed by the successor corporation (or
parent thereof).

               D. Each option which is assumed in connection with a Corporate
Transaction shall be appropriately adjusted, immediately after such Corporate
Transaction, to apply to the number and class of securities which would have
been issuable to the Optionee in consummation of such Corporate Transaction had
the option been exercised immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction.
Appropriate adjustments shall also be made to (i) the number and class of
securities available for issuance under the Plan on both an aggregate and per
Optionee basis following the consummation of such Corporate Transaction and (ii)
the exercise price payable per share under each outstanding option, PROVIDED the
aggregate exercise price payable for such securities shall remain the same.

               E. Any options which are assumed or replaced in the Corporate
Transaction and do not otherwise accelerate at that time shall automatically
accelerate (and any of the Corporation's outstanding repurchase rights which do
not otherwise terminate at the time of the Corporate Transaction shall
automatically terminate and the shares of Common Stock subject to those
terminated rights shall immediately vest in full) in the event the Optionee's
Service should subsequently terminate by reason of an Involuntary Termination
within eighteen (18) months following the effective date of such Corporate
Transaction. Any options so accelerated shall remain exercisable for
fully-vested shares until the EARLIER of (i) the expiration of the option term
or (ii) the expiration of the one (1)-year period measured from the effective
date of the Involuntary Termination.

               F. The Plan Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable
either at the time the option is granted or at any time while the option remains
outstanding, to (i) provide for the automatic acceleration of one or more
outstanding options (and the automatic termination of one or more outstanding
repurchase rights with the immediate vesting of the shares of Common Stock
subject to those rights) upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or (ii)
condition any such option acceleration (and the termination of any outstanding
repurchase rights) upon the subsequent Involuntary Termination of the Optionee's
Service within a specified period following the effective date of such Change in
Control. Any options accelerated in connection with a Change in Control shall
remain fully exercisable until the expiration or sooner termination of the
option term.

               G. The grant of options under the Plan shall in no way affect the
right of the Corporation to adjust, reclassify, reorganize or otherwise change
its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, liquidate
or sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets.

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     III. CANCELLATION AND REGRANT OF OPTIONS

          The Plan Administrator shall have the authority to effect, at any time
and from time to time, with the consent of the affected option holders, the
cancellation of any or all outstanding options under the Plan and to grant in
substitution new options covering the same or different number of shares of
Common Stock but with an exercise price per share based on the Fair Market Value
per share of Common Stock on the new option grant date.

     IV.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

          A. The Plan Administrator shall have full power and authority to grant
to selected Optionees tandem stock appreciation rights and/or limited stock
appreciation rights.

          B. The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise of tandem
stock appreciation rights:

               (i) One or more Optionees may be granted the right, exercisable
upon such terms as the Plan Administrator may establish, to elect between the
exercise of the underlying option for shares of Common Stock and the surrender
of that option in exchange for a distribution from the Corporation in an amount
equal to the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value (on the option surrender date)
of the number of shares in which the Optionee is at the time vested under the
surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof) over (b) the aggregate
exercise price payable for such shares.

               (ii) No such option surrender shall be effective unless it is
approved by the Plan Administrator. If the surrender is so approved, then the
distribution to which the Optionee shall be entitled may be made in shares of
Common Stock valued at Fair Market Value on the option surrender date, in cash,
or partly in shares and partly in cash, as the Plan Administrator shall in its
sole discretion deem appropriate.

               (iii) If the surrender of an option is rejected by the Plan
Administrator, then the Optionee shall retain whatever rights the Optionee had
under the surrendered option (or surrendered portion thereof) on the option
surrender date and may exercise such rights at any time prior to the LATER of
(a) five (5) business days after the receipt of the rejection notice or (b) the
last day on which the option is otherwise exercisable in accordance with the
terms of the documents evidencing such option, but in no event may such rights
be exercised more than ten (10) years after the option grant date.

          C. The following terms shall govern the grant and exercise of limited
stock appreciation rights:

               (i) Upon the occurrence of a Hostile Take-Over, each such
individual holding one or more options with such a limited stock appreciation
right in effect for at least six (6) months shall have the unconditional right
(exercisable for a thirty (30)-day period following such Hostile Take-Over) to
surrender each such option to the Corporation, to the extent the option is at
the time exercisable for vested shares of Common Stock. In return for the

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surrendered option, the Optionee shall receive a cash distribution from the
Corporation in an amount equal to the excess of (A) the Take-Over Price of the
shares of Common Stock which are at the time vested under each surrendered
option (or surrendered portion thereof) over (B) the aggregate exercise price
payable for such shares. Such cash distribution shall be paid within five (5)
days following the option surrender date.

               (ii) Neither the approval of the Plan Administrator nor the
consent of the Board shall be required in connection with such option surrender
and cash distribution.

               (iii) The balance of the option (if any) shall continue in full
force and effect in accordance with the documents evidencing such option.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     I.   FINANCING

          A. The Plan Administrator may permit any Optionee to pay the option
exercise price under the Plan by delivering a promissory note payable in one or
more installments. The terms of any such promissory note (including the interest
rate and the terms of repayment) shall be established by the Plan Administrator
in its sole discretion. Promissory notes may be authorized with or without
security or collateral. In all events, the maximum credit available to the
Optionee may not exceed the sum of (i) the aggregate option exercise price or
purchase price payable for the purchased shares plus (ii) any Federal, state and
local income and employment tax liability incurred by the Optionee in connection
with the option exercise or share purchase.

          B. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, determine that one
or more such promissory notes shall be subject to forgiveness by the Corporation
in whole or in part upon such terms as the Plan Administrator may deem
appropriate.

     II.  TAX WITHHOLDING

          A. The Corporation's obligation to deliver shares of Common Stock upon
the exercise of options or stock appreciation rights under the Plan shall be
subject to the satisfaction of all applicable Federal, state and local income
and employment tax withholding requirements.

          B. The Plan Administrator may, in its discretion, provide any or all
holders of Non-Statutory Options or unvested shares of Common Stock under the
Plan with the right to use shares of Common Stock in satisfaction of all or part
of the Taxes incurred by such holders in connection with the exercise of their
options or the vesting of their shares. Such right may be provided to any such
holder in either or both of the following formats:

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               (i) Stock Withholding: The election to have the Corporation
withhold, from the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable upon the exercise
of such Non-Statutory Option or the vesting of such shares, a portion of those
shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the Taxes
(not to exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the holder.

               (ii) Stock Delivery: The election to deliver to the Corporation,
at the time the Non-Statutory Option is exercised or the shares vest, one or
more shares of Common Stock previously acquired by such holder (other than in
connection with the option exercise or share vesting triggering the Taxes) with
an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the percentage of the Taxes (not to
exceed one hundred percent (100%)) designated by the holder.

     III. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM OF THE PLAN

          A. The Plan shall become effective on the Plan Effective Date and
options may be granted under the Plan from and after the Plan Effective Date.

          B. The Plan shall terminate upon the EARLIEST of (i) September 15,
2009, (ii) the date on which all shares available for issuance under the Plan
shall have been issued pursuant to the exercise of the options or (iii) the
termination of all outstanding options in connection with a Corporate
Transaction. Upon such Plan termination, all options outstanding on such date
shall thereafter continue to have force and effect in accordance with the
provisions of the documents evidencing such options.

     IV.  AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN

          The Board shall have complete and exclusive power and authority to
amend or modify the Plan in any or all respects. However, no such amendment or
modification shall adversely affect the rights and obligations with respect to
options or stock appreciation rights at the time outstanding under the Plan
unless the Optionee consents to such amendment or modification.

     V.   USE OF PROCEEDS

          Any cash proceeds received by the Corporation from the sale of shares
of Common Stock under the Plan shall be used for general corporate purposes.

     VI.  REGULATORY APPROVALS

          A. The implementation of the Plan, the granting of any option or stock
appreciation right under the Plan and the issuance of any shares of Common Stock
upon the exercise of any option or stock appreciation right shall be subject to
the Corporation's procurement of all approvals and permits required by
regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the options and stock
appreciation rights granted under it and the shares of Common Stock issued
pursuant to it.

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          B. No shares of Common Stock or other assets shall be issued or
delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with
all applicable requirements of Federal and state securities laws, including the
filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the shares
of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements
of any stock exchange (or the Nasdaq National Market, if applicable) on which
Common Stock is then listed for trading.

     VII. NO EMPLOYMENT/SERVICE RIGHTS

          Nothing in the Plan shall confer upon the Optionee any right to
continue in Service for any period of specific duration or interfere with or
otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Corporation (or any Parent or
Subsidiary employing or retaining such person) or of the Optionee, which rights
are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate such person's Service at any
time for any reason, with or without cause.

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                                    APPENDIX

          The following definitions shall be in effect under the Plan:

          A.   BOARD shall mean the Corporation's Board of Directors.

          B.   CHANGE IN CONTROL shall mean a change in ownership or control of
the Corporation effected through either of the following transactions:

               (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly
or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Corporation), of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept, or

               (ii) a change in the composition of the Board over a period of
thirty-six (36) consecutive months or less such that a majority of the Board
members ceases, by reason of one or more contested elections for Board
membership, to be comprised of individuals who either (A) have been Board
members continuously since the beginning of such period or (B) have been elected
or nominated for election as Board members during such period by at least a
majority of the Board members described in clause (A) who were still in office
at the time the Board approved such election or nomination.

          C.   CODE shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          D.   COMMON STOCK shall mean the Corporation's common stock.

          E.   CORPORATE TRANSACTION shall mean either of the following
stockholder-approved transactions to which the Corporation is a party:

               (i) a merger or consolidation in which securities possessing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of the Corporation's
outstanding securities are transferred to a person or persons different from the
persons holding those securities immediately prior to such transaction; or

               (ii) the sale, transfer or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the Corporation's assets in complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation.

          F.   CORPORATION shall mean Hyperion Solutions Corporation (formerly
known as Arbor Software Corporation), a Delaware corporation.

          G.   PLAN shall mean the Plan in effect under the Plan.

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          H.   DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER shall mean any judgment, decree or order
(including approval of a property settlement agreement) which provides or
otherwise conveys, pursuant to applicable State domestic relations laws
(including community property laws), marital property rights to any spouse or
former spouse of the Optionee.

          I.   EMPLOYEE shall mean an individual who is in the employ of the
Corporation (or any Parent or Subsidiary), subject to the control and direction
of the employer entity as to both the work to be performed and the manner and
method of performance.

          J.   EXERCISE DATE shall mean the date on which the Corporation shall
have received written notice of the option exercise.

          K.   FAIR MARKET VALUE per share of Common Stock on any relevant date
shall be determined in accordance with the following provisions:

               (i) If the Common Stock is at the time traded on the Nasdaq
National Market, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price per share
of Common Stock on the date in question, as such price is reported by the
National Association of Securities Dealers on the Nasdaq National Market or any
successor system. If there is no closing price for the Common Stock on the date
in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing price on the last
preceding date for which such quotation exists.

               (ii) If the Common Stock is at the time listed on any Stock
Exchange, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price per
share of Common Stock on the date in question on the Stock Exchange determined
by the Plan Administrator to be the primary market for the Common Stock, as such
price is officially quoted in the composite tape of transactions on such
exchange. If there is no closing selling price for the Common Stock on the date
in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be the closing selling price on
the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

          L.   HOSTILE TAKE-OVER shall mean a change in ownership of the
Corporation effected through the following transaction:

               (i) the acquisition, directly or indirectly, by any person or
related group of persons (other than the Corporation or a person that directly
or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the
Corporation) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the
1934 Act) of securities possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total
combined voting power of the Corporation's outstanding securities pursuant to a
tender or exchange offer made directly to the Corporation's stockholders which
the Board does not recommend such stockholders to accept, AND

               (ii) more than fifty percent (50%) of the securities so acquired
are accepted from persons other than Section 16 Insiders.

          M.   INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION shall mean the termination of the Service
of any individual which occurs by reason of:

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               (i) such individual's involuntary dismissal or discharge by the
Corporation for reasons other than Misconduct, or

               (ii) such individual's voluntary resignation following (A) a
change in his or her position with the Corporation which materially reduces his
or her level of responsibility, (B) a reduction in his or her level of
compensation (including base salary, fringe benefits and participation in
corporate-performance based bonus or incentive programs) by more than fifteen
percent (15%) or (C) a relocation of such individual's place of employment by
more than fifty (50) miles, provided and only if such change, reduction or
relocation is effected by the Corporation without the individual's consent.

          N.   MISCONDUCT shall mean the commission of any act of fraud,
embezzlement or dishonesty by the Optionee, any unauthorized use or disclosure
by such person of confidential information or trade secrets of the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary), or any other intentional misconduct by such
person adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Corporation (or any
Parent or Subsidiary) in a material manner. The foregoing definition shall not
be deemed to be inclusive of all the acts or omissions which the Corporation (or
any Parent or Subsidiary) may consider as grounds for the dismissal or discharge
of any Optionee or other person in the Service of the Corporation (or any Parent
or Subsidiary).

          O.   1934 ACT shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

          P.   NON-STATUTORY OPTION shall mean an option not intended to satisfy
the requirements of Code Section 422.

          Q.   OPTIONEE shall mean any person to whom an option is granted under
the Plan.

          R.   PARENT shall mean any corporation (other than the Corporation) in
an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Corporation, provided each
corporation in the unbroken chain (other than the Corporation) owns, at the time
of the determination, stock possessing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations
in such chain.

          S.   PERMANENT DISABILITY OR PERMANENTLY DISABLED shall mean the
inability of the Optionee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by
reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment expected to
result in death or to be of continuous duration of twelve (12) months or more.

          T.   PLAN shall mean the Corporation's 1999 Stock Option Plan, as set
forth in this document.

          U.   PLAN ADMINISTRATOR shall mean the particular entity, whether the
Primary Committee, the Secondary Committee or the Board, which is authorized to
administer the Plan, to the extent such entity is carrying out its
administrative functions under those programs with respect to the persons under
its jurisdiction.

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          V.   PLAN EFFECTIVE DATE shall mean September 15, 1999.

          W.   PRIMARY COMMITTEE shall mean the committee of two (2) or more
non-employee Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

          X.   QUALIFIED DOMESTIC RELATIONS ORDER shall mean a Domestic
Relations Order that would substantially comply with the requirements of Code
Section 414(p) if the Plan were subject to such section. The Plan Administrator
shall have the sole discretion to determine whether a Domestic Relations Order
is a Qualified Domestic Relations Order.

          Y.   SECONDARY COMMITTEE shall mean a committee of one (1) or more
Board members appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.

          Z.   SERVICE shall mean the provision of services to the Corporation
(or any Parent or Subsidiary) by a person in the capacity of an Employee, a
non-employee member of the board of directors or a consultant or independent
advisor, except to the extent otherwise specifically provided in the documents
evidencing the option grant.

          AA.  STOCK EXCHANGE shall mean either the American Stock Exchange or
the New York Stock Exchange.

          BB.  SUBSIDIARY shall mean any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the
Corporation, provided each corporation (other than the last corporation) in the
unbroken chain owns, at the time of the determination, stock possessing fifty
percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
in one of the other corporations in such chain.

          CC.  TAKE-OVER PRICE shall mean the GREATER of (i) the Fair Market
Value per share of Common Stock on the date the option is surrendered to the
Corporation in connection with a Hostile Take-Over or (ii) the highest reported
price per share of Common Stock paid by the tender offeror in effecting such
Hostile Take-Over. However, if the surrendered option is an Incentive Option,
the Take-Over Price shall not exceed the clause (i) price per share.

          DD.  TAXES shall mean the Federal, state and local income and
employment tax liabilities incurred by the holder of Non-Statutory Options or
unvested shares of Common Stock in connection with the exercise of those options
or the vesting of those shares.

                                      A-4<PAGE>

                               BERNARD CHAUS, INC.
                                  1410 Broadway
                            New York, New York 10018

                                                   November 5, 1999

Ms. Ivy Karkut
137 East 36th Street
Apt. 7G
New York, NY 10016

Dear Ms. Karkut:

     We are pleased to offer you employment with Bernard Chaus, Inc. (the
"Company") commencing November 29, 1999 (the "Commencement Date"; if employment
commences on a day other than November 29, 1999, the Commencement Date shall be
the actual date of commencement), on the terms set forth below:

POSITION:           President (reporting to Chief Executive Officer and Board of
                    Directors). You shall devote all of your business time and
                    attention to the business and affairs of the Company
                    consistent with your position with the Company.

TERM:               November 29, 1999 through November 29, 2002

SALARY:             $800,000 per year from the Commencement Date through June
                    30, 2000; $900,000 per year from July 1, 2000 to June 30,
                    2001; $1,000,000 per year from July 1, 2001 to November
                    29, 2002.

CASH SIGN-ON        $250,000 payable in cash within thirty (30) days of the
BONUS:              Commencement Date.

RESTRICTED STOCK:   Common stock of the Company ("Common Stock") valued
                    at $250,000 (valued based on the closing price of the
                    Common Stock on the Commencement Date (the "Commencement
                    Date Price")), subject to forfeiture if you cease to be
                    employed by the Company (except by reason of a termination
                    by the Company without cause) on or prior to July 1, 2000.
                    Such forfeiture restrictions shall be lifted on July 1,
                    2000.

ANNUAL BONUS:       For each fiscal year of the Company during the term, if
                    profit goals established by the Board of Directors for such
                    year are achieved, 2 1/2 % of net income of Company as
                    determined in accordance with Company's audited financial
                    statements. Your minimum bonus for fiscal year ending June
                    30, 2000 shall be $250,000. Each annual bonus shall be
                    payable within thirty (30) days of completion of the audit
                    if you were employed at the end of the applicable fiscal
                    year.

<PAGE>
Ms. Ivy Karkut
November 5, 1999
Page 2

BOARD MEMBERSHIP:   You will be nominated to serve as a member of the Board of
                    Directors during each year of the term of this Agreement.
                    You will be deemed to have resigned if your employment is
                    terminated for any reason.

TRAVEL:             You will be expected to travel to key accounts of the
                    Company throughout the United States. You may travel first
                    class at your discretion.

AUTOMOBILE
ALLOWANCE:          $2,000 per month.

BENEFITS:           Participant in the Company's 401(k) plan. Health insurance,
                    including family coverage (with a deductible not to exceed
                    $1,000 per plan year). Dental coverage up to $5,000 per plan
                    year (self-insured; no deductible). Eye care up to $2,500
                    per plan year (self-insured; no deductible). Term life
                    insurance equal to two (2) times base salary, subject to
                    your being in good health and not rated an insurance risk
                    based upon any past medical history at the time the
                    insurance is obtained. Long-term disability coverage equal
                    to 60% of salary, up to a maximum of $10,000 a month.
                    Coverage under the Company's directors and officers
                    liability insurance policy and other policies available to
                    executive officers of the Company generally, including the
                    Executive Medical Plan which covers your deductibles,
                    premiums, co-payments and most other amounts not covered
                    under the basic health insurance plan with current plan
                    limits up to $10,000 per occurrence and $100,000 annually,
                    per person.

VACATION:           Four weeks paid vacation, not to be taken more than two
                    weeks at a time and not to be carried over from year to year

OPTIONS:            Options for 675,000 shares (approximately 2 1/2% of the
                    outstanding shares) of Common Stock at an exercise price
                    equal to the Commencement Date Price; options to vest in
                    equal annual increments of 25% a year over four years. The
                    option grant (to the extent an amendment of the Company's
                    Stock Option Plan is required to increase the number of
                    shares available for grant thereunder) shall be subject to
                    shareholder approval. In the event your employment is
                    terminated without cause, any options which would have
                    vested at the anniversary of the Commencement Date next
                    following the date of termination shall vest immediately,
                    any unvested options shall be forfeited and you shall have
                    thirty (30) days from the termination date to exercise
                    vested options. In the event of termination for any other
                    reason, other than a change in control, all unvested options
                    shall be forfeited and you shall have thirty

<PAGE>
Ms. Ivy Karkut
November 5, 1999
Page 3

                    (30) days from the termination date to exercise vested
                    options. All options shall vest immediately upon a change in
                    control. Your options shall otherwise be subject to the
                    terms of the Company's Stock Option Plan.

TERMINATION
BENEFITS:           In the event your employment is terminated by the Company
                    without cause, other than due to your death or disability
                    and other than following a change in control, you shall be
                    paid, in full satisfaction of your rights against the
                    Company for termination of your employment, non-competition
                    payments equal to two years' base salary, payable in
                    twenty-four monthly installments, if such termination occurs
                    in the first twelve months of the term, and twelve months'
                    base salary, payable in twelve monthly installments, if such
                    termination occurs during the remainder of the term. As
                    further non-competition payments, your automobile allowance
                    and medical insurance will also remain in effect during the
                    period of monthly installments of non-competition payments
                    that are made to you. The foregoing payments shall terminate
                    immediately upon your acceptance of a position as employee
                    (including self-employment) or consultant with another
                    entity, and you agree to provide immediate notice to the
                    Company of your acceptance of any such position. In the
                    event your employment is terminated due to cause, your death
                    or a disability which prevents you from performing your
                    duties for three consecutive months or 180 days within any
                    two year period, you shall be paid only through the date of
                    termination.

CAUSE               Conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a
                    felony; gross negligence or willful misconduct in performing
                    your duties resulting in material harm to the Company or
                    material diminution in the value of the Common Stock;
                    failure to comply with this Agreement in any material
                    respect or failure to carry out responsibilities assigned by
                    management or the Board of Directors after, in either case,
                    notice of such failure and a 30 day cure period; commission
                    of fraud, theft against or embezzlement from the Company.

CHANGE IN CONTROL:  The Company shall be merged or consolidated with an
                    unaffiliated entity resulting in a change in a majority of
                    the Board of Directors or the Company shall have sold
                    substantially all of its assets to an unaffiliated entity;
                    the acquisition by any person or group of beneficial
                    ownership (as such terms are defined under Regulation 13D of
                    the rules and regulations adopted under the Securities
                    Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of more than 50% of the
                    Company's then outstanding common stock resulting in a
                    change in a majority of the Board of Directors.

<PAGE>
Ms. Ivy Karkut
November 5, 1999
Page 4

CHANGE IN CONTROL
BENEFIT:            All options accelerated upon a change in control and, in the
                    event your employment is terminated without cause (other
                    than due to death or disability) by the Company during the
                    term of this Agreement following a change in control, you
                    shall also be entitled, in lieu of the termination benefits
                    set forth above, to a lump sum payment equal to two year's
                    base salary.

NON-COMPETITION:    You agree not to compete with the business of the Company
                    directly or indirectly, whether as principal, manager,
                    agent, employee, consultant, investor, advisor or
                    representative, during the term of your employment and for a
                    period equal to the period of payment of termination or
                    change in control benefits; if your employment is terminated
                    for cause, the non-competition period shall be two years
                    from such termination. The foregoing will not prohibit a
                    passive investment by you in a public company not exceeding
                    2% of any class of equity securities of such company.

NON-SOLICITATION
PERIOD:             You agree that, for one year after the termination of your
                    employment, you will not solicit or hire any persons who
                    were employed or acting as a consultant to the Company
                    during the one year period prior to the termination of
                    your employment.

CONFIDENTIALITY:    You agree that you will, during and after the end of the
                    term of your employment, keep confidential all non-public
                    information concerning the Company or its business, except
                    in the business of and for the benefit of the Company, and
                    you will not, directly or indirectly, use for your own
                    account any of such information.

REMEDIES:           As you can understand, since we have to be protected, the
                    Company will be entitled, in addition to other remedies,
                    to obtain an injunction against any potential or actual
                    violations of your non-competition, non-solicitation or
                    confidentiality agreements.

WITHHOLDING TAXES:  All compensation hereunder shall be subject to applicable
                    withholding taxes.

GOVERNING LAW:      New York

REPRESENTATION:     You represent that your execution of this letter and your
                    performance of your obligations hereunder will not violate
                    the terms of any agreement,

<PAGE>
Ms. Ivy Karkut
November 5, 1999
Page 5

                    arrangement, or understanding, order or decree to which you
                    are a party or by which you are bound.

     Please indicate your acceptance of the terms of this offer letter by your
signature below. Once signed by both parties, this offer letter shall be binding
on both parties. We look forward to your joining the Company.

                                             Sincerely,

                                             Bernard Chaus, Inc.

                                             By: _________________________
                                                    Josephine Chaus
                                                    Chief Executive Officer

Accepted and Agreed to
as of the date set forth above:

_______________________
Ivy Karkut

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