Document:

exv10w8

 

Exhibit 10.8

TALEO CORPORATION

DIVESH SISODRAKER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is entered into as of March 8, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Taleo
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) and Divesh Sisodraker (“Executive”).

     1. Duties and Scope of Employment.

          (a) Positions and Duties. As of the Effective Date, Executive will serve as Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Executive will assume and discharge such
responsibilities as are commensurate with such position and as the Chief Executive Officer may
direct from time to time. During Executive’s employment with Company, Executive shall devote
Executive’s full time, skill and attention to Executive’s duties and responsibilities and shall
perform faithfully, diligently and competently. In addition, Executive shall comply with and be
bound by the operating policies, procedures and practices of Company in effect from time to time
during Executive’s employment. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is
referred to herein as the “Employment Term.”

          (b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will devote Executive’s full
business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive
agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, or consulting activity for any
direct or indirect remuneration (including membership on a board of directors) without the prior
approval of the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that Executive may, without the
approval of the Chief Executive Officer, serve in any capacity with any civic, educational, or
charitable organization, provided such services do not interfere with Executive’s obligations to
Company.

     2. At-Will Employment. Executive and the Company agree that Executive’s employment
with the Company constitutes “at-will” employment. Executive and the Company acknowledge that this
employment relationship may be terminated at any time, upon written notice to the other party, with
or without good cause or for any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or Executive.
However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending
upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment. Upon the termination of
Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will be entitled to payment of
all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, and other benefits due to Executive
through Executive’s termination date under any Company-provided or paid plans, policies, and
arrangements. Executive agrees to resign from all positions that Executive holds with the Company
immediately following the termination of Executive’s employment if Company so requests.

     3. Compensation.

          (a) Base Salary. As of the Effective Date, the Company will pay Executive an annual
salary of $200,000 USD as compensation for Executive’s services (the “Base Salary”), provided that
Base Salary may be paid in Canadian Dollars, at the conversion rate in effect as of the date
payroll is processed, until Executive is eligible to receive payment in USD. The Base Salary will
be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices (but no less
frequently than once per month) and be subject to the usual, required withholding. Executive’s salary will be subject to annual
review, and adjustments will be made based upon the Company’s standard practices or the discretion
of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

 

          (b) Bonus. Executive’s annual target for the aggregate amount of annual and quarterly
bonuses will be $100,000 USD (“Target Bonus”), provided that Target Bonus may be paid in Canadian
Dollars, at the conversion rate in effect as of the date payroll is processed, until Executive is
eligible to receive payment in USD. Allocation, eligibility and payment of Target Bonus will be
based upon achievement of quarterly and yearly performance goals approved by the Chief Executive
Officer and set forth in an annually and/or quarterly revised Target Bonus Schedule, the first of
which is attached hereto as Schedule A. Executive will have the opportunity to discuss the nature
of such performance goals with the Chief Executive Officer prior to such performance goals being
approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

     4. Employee Benefits. During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to
participate in accordance with the terms of all Company employee benefit plans, policies, and
arrangements that are applicable to other senior executives of the Company, as such plans,
policies, and arrangements may exist from time to time. Executive will be entitled to 4 weeks of
paid annual vacation.

     5. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel and other
expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of the performance of Executive’s duties
hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to
time.

     6. Relocation Reimbursement. Executive will be eligible to receive reasonable
reimbursement for relocation expenses from Vancouver to the San Francisco Bay areas, not to exceed
$30,000. The Company will gross-up taxable relocation expenses in order to pay the appropriate
tax authorities on Executive’s behalf. Should Executive resign without Good Reason (as defined
below) or be terminated for Cause (as defined below) within one year of Executive’s hire date,
Executive hereby agrees to repay a pro-rated portion of all relocation expense reimbursement
payments made by Company to Executive as follows: for each month not employed during the twelve
months period from Executive’s hire date, Executive must repay Taleo 1/12 of all relocation
reimbursement payments made to Executive or on behalf of Executive.

     7. Termination and Severance.

          (a) If Company or a successor corporation terminates Executive’s employment for any reason
other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below) then
Company or the successor corporation will (1) pay prorated bonuses for any partially completed
bonus periods through Executives termination date (at an assumed 100% on-target achievement of
goal), less any applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other lawful
deductions, (2) continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment for a period of 6 months from the date of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment, less any applicable state and federal
required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, and (3) if Executive elects to continue
Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(“COBRA”) following such termination or resignation of Executive’s employment, pay the same portion
of Executive’s monthly premium under COBRA as it pays for active employees until the earliest of
(i) the close of the 6 month period following the termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) the
expiration of Executive’s continuation coverage under COBRA, or (iii) the date when Executive
becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new
employment or self-employment.

          (b) If Company or a successor corporation terminates Executive’s employment for any reason
other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below) and

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either such event takes place within one year following a Change in Control (as defined
below), then Company or the successor corporation will (1) pay prorated bonuses for any partially
completed bonus periods through Executives termination date (at an assumed 100% on-target
achievement of goal), less any applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other
lawful deductions, (2) continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment for a period of 12 months from the date of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment, less any applicable state and federal
required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, (3) pay bonuses (at an assumed 100%
on-target achievement of goal) at the rate in effect at the time of Executive’s resignation or
termination of employment for a period of 12 months from the date of Executive’s resignation or
termination of employment (bonuses will be prorated for any partially completed bonus periods
through the 12 month period from the date of Executive’s resignation or termination of employment),
less any applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, and
(4) if Executive elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) following such termination or resignation of
Executive’s employment, pay the same portion of Executive’s monthly premium under COBRA as it pays
for active employees until the earliest of (i) the close of the 12 month period following the
termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) the expiration of Executive’s continuation coverage
under COBRA, or (iii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health
insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment.

          (c) All benefits set forth in Sections 7(a) and 6(b) are collectively referred to as
“Severance.” Severance payments shall be made by Company on the date such payments would have been
made had Executive’s employment relationship with Company continued (e.g., Severance based on Base
Salary shall be paid twice per month and Severance based on Target Bonuses shall be paid quarterly
or annually as appropriate).

          (d) In addition to Severance, in the event that Company or a successor corporation terminates
Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns
for Good Reason (as defined below) and either such event did not take place within one year
following a Change in Control (as defined below), then Executive will receive immediate vesting
with respect to the number of options that would have vested in accordance with Executive’s
then-current stock option grants had Executive remained employed for an additional 6 months and, if
applicable, the Company’s right of repurchase shall continue to lapse in accordance with
Executive’s then-current restricted stock grants for a period of 6 months from the date of such
termination or resignation of employment. In the event of Executive’s termination of employment as
described in this subsection (d), the Executive’s then vested stock options shall be exercisable
for 3 months after Executive’s date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case
shall any option be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

          (e) In addition to Severance, in the event that Company or a successor corporation terminates
Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns
for Good Reason (as defined below) and either such event takes place within one year following a
Change in Control (as defined below), Executive will receive immediate vesting with respect to all
unvested stock options that are held by Executive and the Company’s right of repurchase shall lapse
entirely with respect to restricted stock grants from the Company to Executive. In the event of
Executive’s termination of employment as described in this subsection (e), the Executive’s then
outstanding stock options shall be exercisable for 3 months after Executive’s date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case shall any option be exercisable after the expiration of
its term.

          (f) For purposes of this Section 7, “Cause” means (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by
Executive in connection with Executive’s employment responsibilities, (ii) Executive’s conviction
of a felony, (iii) any act by Executive that constitutes material misconduct, (iv) repeated
failures to follow the lawful, reasonable instructions of the Chief Executive Officer, or (v) substantial violations
of employment or fiduciary duties, responsibilities or obligations to Company.

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          (g) For purposes of this Section 7, “Good Reason” means (i) without Executive’s consent, a
significant reduction of Executive’s duties, position or responsibilities relative to Executive’s
duties, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, other than a
reduction where Executive are asked to assume substantially similar duties and responsibilities in
a division of a larger entity after a Change in Control; (ii) without Executive’s consent, a
reduction of Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus other than a one-time reduction that does not
exceed twenty percent (20%) and that is also applied to substantially all of Company’s senior
executives; (iii) without Executive’s consent, Executive’s relocation to a facility or a location
greater than 75 miles from San Francisco, California. If Executive does not notify Company in
writing that Executive believes a significant reduction of Executive’s duties, position or
responsibilities has occurred pursuant to this Section 7 within thirty days of the event or
occurrence that Executive believes to have resulted in such a significant reduction, then such
reduction shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement as not constituting Good Reason, as that
terms is used in this Section 7. Disagreement as to the allocation, eligibility and payment of
Target Bonus to be set forth in a Target Bonus Schedule shall not be a basis for Good Reason
resignation.

          (h) For purposes of this Section 7, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of
the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities and such
change in ownership results in a broad management changes at Company; or (ii) the consummation of
the sale or disposition by Company of all or substantially all of Company’s assets; or (iii) the
consummation of a merger or consolidation of Company with any other corporation, other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent
(50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of Company or such surviving
entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

          (i) Notwithstanding the above, Company’s Chief Executive Officer reserves the right to make
reasonable organizational structure changes reasonably commensurate with the position of Chief
Executive Officer. Such changes may include the shifting or reassignment of divisional, geographic
or team responsibilities among members of the executive team. Such changes are within the
reasonable discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and shall not constitute Good Reason, as that
term is used in this Section 7.

          (j) Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment terminates by
reason of death or Disability, then (i) Executive will be entitled to receive benefits only in
accordance with the Company’s then applicable plans, policies, and arrangements, and (ii)
Executive’s outstanding equity awards will terminate in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the applicable award agreement(s).

          (k) Sole Right to Severance. This Agreement is intended to represent Executive’s sole
entitlement to severance payments and benefits in connection with the termination of Executive’s
employment. To the extent Executive receives severance or similar payments and/or benefits under
any other Company plan, program, agreement, policy, practice, or the like, severance payments and
benefits due to Executive under this Agreement will be correspondingly reduced (and vice-versa).

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     8. Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

          (a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any Severance or other
benefit pursuant to Section 7 will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation
agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such agreement
will provide (among other things) that Executive will not disparage the Company, its directors, or
its executive officers, and will contain No-Inducement, No-Solicit and Non-Compete terms consistent
with this Agreement. No Severance will be paid or provided until the separation agreement and
release agreement becomes effective.

          (b) Non-solicitation and other terms. In the event of a termination of Executive’s
employment that otherwise would entitle Executive to the receipt of Severance pursuant to Section
7, Executive agrees that as a condition to receipt of Severance, during the 12-month period
following termination of employment, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner,
sole proprietor, partner, director, founder or otherwise, will (i) not hire, solicit, induce, or
influence any person to modify Executive’s employment or consulting relationship with the Company
(the “No-Inducement”), (ii) not solicit, divert or take away or attempt to solicit, divert or take
away the business of any customer or prospective customer of the Company (the “No-Solicit”), and
(iii) not engage in work in the geographical area, as defined below, for the benefit of any
business, in competition with the Company’s business (“Non-Compete”). If Executive breaches the
No-Inducement, No-Solicit or Non-Compete, all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive
otherwise may be entitled pursuant to Section 7 will cease immediately and shall be repaid to
Company. Executive acknowledges that the time, geographic and scope limitations of my obligations
under this section that are to be reflected in a separation agreement are reasonable, especially in
light of the Company’s desire to protect its Confidential Information and the Severance and other
benefits set forth herein, and that Executive will not be precluded from gainful employment if
Executive is obligated not to compete with the Company during the period and within the
geographical area. In the event the provisions of this section are deemed to exceed the time,
geographic or scope limitations permitted by applicable law, then such provisions shall be reformed
to the maximum time, geographic or scope limitations, as the case may be, then permitted by such
law. The covenants contained in this section shall be construed as a series of separate covenants,
one for each city, town, suburb and state within the geographical area. For purposes of this
Section 8, “geographical area” shall mean (i) all cities, towns and suburbs in Executive’s state or
province or territory of residence, (ii) all other states/provinces of the United States and
Canada, and (iii) all other countries of the world; provided that, the Company currently markets
its products via direct sales within each such country prior to the date of the termination of
Executive’s relationship with the Company.

     9. Indemnification and Insurance. Executive will be covered under the Company’s
insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided indemnification to the maximum
extent permitted by the Company’s bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and standard form of
Indemnification Agreement, with such insurance coverage and indemnification to be in accordance
with the Company’s standard practices for senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable
than provided to any other Company senior executive officer or director.

     10. Confidential Information.

          (a) Company Information. The Executive will not, at any time, whether during or subsequent to
Executive’s employment hereunder, directly or indirectly, disclose or furnish to any other person,
firm or corporation, or use on behalf of himself/herself or any other person, firm or corporation,
any confidential or proprietary information acquired by the Executive in the course of Executive’s
employment with Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, product
design, product roadmaps, future product plans, contractual details relating to current Company
clients, buying habits of present and prospective clients of Company, pricing and sales policy,
techniques and concepts, the names of customers or prospective customers of Company or of any
person, firm or corporation who or which have or shall have

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treated or dealt with Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies, any other
information acquired by the Executive regarding the methods of conducting the business of Company
and any of its subsidiaries and/or affiliates, any information regarding the company’s methods of
research and development, of obtaining business, of manufacturing, of providing or advertising
products or services, or of obtaining customers, trade secrets and other confidential information
concerning the business operations of Company or any company and/or entity affiliated with Company,
except to the extent that such information is already generally known in the public domain.

          (b) Former Employer Information. Executive agrees, during employment with Company,
not to improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or
concurrent employer or other person or entity and that Executive will not bring onto the premises
of Company any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer,
person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity.

          (c) Third Party Information. Executive recognizes that Company has received and in
the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to
a duty on Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for
certain limited purposes. Executive agrees to hold all such confidential or proprietary
information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation
or to use it except as necessary in carrying out work for the Company consistent with Company’s
agreement with such third party.

          (d) Assignment of Inventions. Executive agrees to promptly make full written
disclosure to Company, will hold in trust for the sole right and benefit of the Company and hereby
assigns to the Company, or its designee, all right, title and interest in and to any and all
inventions, original works of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements, or trade secrets,
whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which Executive may
solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or developed
or reduced to practice, during the period of time Executive is in the employ of Company
(collectively referred to as “Inventions”). Executive further acknowledges that all original works
of authorship which are made by Executive (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and
during the period of Executive’s employment with Company and which are protectible by copyright are
“works made for hire” as that term is defined in the relevant copyright act.

          (e) Inventions Retained and Licensed. Executive has attached hereto, as Schedule B,
a list of all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade
secrets which were made by me prior to my employment with Company (collectively referred to as
“Prior Inventions”), which belong to Executive, which relate to Company’s proposed business,
products or research and development, and which are not assigned to Company hereunder; or, if no
such list is attached, Executive represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. If in the
course of Executive’s employment with Company, Executive incorporates into a Company product,
process or machine a Prior Invention owned by Emoloyee or in which Executive has an interest,
Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual,
worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in
connection with such product, process or machine.

          (f) Maintenance of Records. Executive agrees to keep and maintain adequate and
current written records of all Inventions made by Executive (solely or jointly with others) during
the term of my employment with Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches,
drawings, and any other format that may be specified by Company. The records will be available to
and remain the sole property of Company at all times.

          (g) Patent and Copyright Registrations. Executive agrees to assist Company, or its
designee, at Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure Company’s rights in the Inventions
and any copyrights,

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patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto in any and
all countries, including the disclosure to Company of all pertinent information and data with
respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths, assignments and all
other instruments which Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and obtain such rights
and in order to assign and convey to Company, its successors, assigns, and nominees the sole and
exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any copyrights, patents, mask
work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto. Executive further agrees that
Executive’s obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is in Executive’s power to do
so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the termination of this Agreement. If
Company is unable because of Executive’s mental or physical incapacity or for any other reason to
secure Executive’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any Canadian or foreign
patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works of authorship assigned to
Company as above, then Executive hereby irrevocably designate and appoint Company and its duly
authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, to act for and in
Executive’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully
permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of letters patent or copyright registrations
thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Executive.

          (h) Return of Company Documents. Executive agrees that, at the time of leaving the
employ of Company, Executive will deliver to Company (and will not keep in my possession, recreate
or deliver to anyone else) any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists,
correspondence, specifications, drawings blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other
documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by me pursuant to
Executive’s employment with Company or otherwise belonging to Company, its successors or assigns.

     11. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a)
the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any
successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the
Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means
any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase,
merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or
business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation
payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other
disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

     12. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications called for
hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered
personally, (b) one day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c)
four days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and
addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses
as the parties may later designate in writing:

If to the Company:

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Taleo Corporation

575 Market Street, 8th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

If to Executive:

at
the last residential address known by the Company as provided by Executive in writing.

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     13. Severability. If any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement will continue in full
force and effect without said provision.

     14. Arbitration.

          (a) General. In consideration of Executive’s service to the Company, its promise to
arbitrate all employment related disputes, and Executive’s receipt of the compensation, pay raises,
and other benefits paid to Executive by the Company, at present and in the future, Executive agrees
that any and all controversies, claims, or disputes with anyone (including the Company and any
employee, officer, director, shareholder, or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such
or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the Company
under this Agreement or otherwise or the termination of Executive’s service with the Company,
including any breach of this Agreement, will be subject to binding arbitration under the
Arbitration Rules set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1280 through 1294.2,
including Section 1283.05 (the “Rules”) and pursuant to California law. Disputes which Executive
agrees to arbitrate, and thereby agrees to waive any right to a trial by jury, include any
statutory claims under state or federal law, including, but not limited to, claims under Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the California
Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, claims of harassment, discrimination,
or wrongful termination, and any statutory claims. Executive further understands that this
Agreement to arbitrate also applies to any disputes that the Company may have with Executive.

          (b) Procedure. Executive agrees that any arbitration will be administered by the
American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and that a neutral arbitrator will be selected in a manner
consistent with its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. The arbitration
proceedings will be held in the county of Taleo US headquarters and will allow for discovery
according to the rules set forth in the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes or
California Code of Civil Procedure. Executive agrees that the arbitrator will have the power to
decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment
and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing.
Executive agrees that the arbitrator will issue a written decision on the merits. Executive
understands the Company will pay for any administrative or hearing fees charged by the arbitrator
or AAA except that Executive will pay the first $200.00 of any filing fees associated with any
arbitration Executive initiates. Executive agrees that the arbitrator will administer and conduct
any arbitration in a manner consistent with the Rules and that to the extent that the AAA’s
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes conflict with the Rules, the Rules will
take precedence.

          (c) Remedy. Except as provided by the Rules, arbitration will be the sole, exclusive,
and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company. Accordingly, except as
provided for by the Rules, neither Executive nor the Company will be permitted to pursue court
action regarding claims that are subject to arbitration. Notwithstanding, the arbitrator will not
have the authority to disregard or refuse to enforce any lawful Company policy, and the arbitrator
will not order or require the Company to adopt a policy not otherwise required by law which the
Company has not adopted.

          (d) Availability of Injunctive Relief. In addition to the right under the Rules to
petition the court for provisional relief, Executive agrees that any party also may petition the
court for injunctive relief where either party alleges or claims a violation of this Agreement or
the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, confidential
information, nonsolicitation, noninducement or Labor Code §2870.

          (e) Administrative Relief. Executive understands that this Agreement does not
prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with a local, state, or federal
administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, or the workers’ compensation board. This Agreement does, however, preclude
Executive from pursuing court action regarding any such claim.

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          (f) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive
is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by the Company or
anyone else. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has carefully read this
Agreement and that Executive has asked any questions needed for Executive to understand the terms,
consequences, and binding effect of this Agreement, including that Executive is waiving Executive’s
right to a jury trial. Finally, Executive agrees that Executive has been provided an opportunity
to seek the advice of an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement.

     15. Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any cash
severance payments due to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise will not be paid during
the six-month period following Executive’s termination of employment unless the Company determines,
in its good faith judgment, that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated above would not
cause Executive to incur an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code and any temporary or
final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). If
the payment of any amounts are delayed as a result of the previous sentence, any cash severance
payments due to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise during the first six (6) months
after Executive’s termination will accrue during such six-month period and will become payable in a
lump sum payment on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of the Executive’s
termination. Thereafter, payments will resume in accordance with the applicable schedule set forth
in this Agreement.

     16. Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous
agreements whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the
provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in a writing that specifically references this
Section and is signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto. Executive agrees
to work in good faith with the Company to consider amendments to this Agreement which are necessary
or appropriate to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A
prior to the actual payment to Executive of payments or benefits under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement will be deemed amended, without any consent required
from Executive, to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income
recognition pursuant to Section 409A prior to actual payments under this Agreement to Executive.
The parties agree to cooperate with each other and to take reasonably necessary steps in this
regard.

     17. Waiver of Breach. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this
Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any
other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

     18. Survival. The Company’s and Executive’s responsibilities under Sections 10 and 14
and all other provisions intended by their terms to survive the termination of this Agreement
will survive the termination of this Agreement.

     19. Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

     20. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to
withholding of applicable taxes.

     21. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

     22. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to
discuss this matter with and obtain advice from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient
time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is
knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

     23. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and may be
exchanged by fax or electronically scanned and emailed copies. Each counterpart will have the same
force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of
each of the undersigned.

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     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by a duly authorized officer, as of the day and year written below.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	COMPANY:	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	TALEO CORPORATION	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	     /s/ Michael Gregoire
	 	 	 	Date:
	 	3/8/2006
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name: Michael Gregoire	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	EXECUTIVE:	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	          /s/ Divesh Sisodraker	 	 	 	Date:	 	3/8/2006
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Divesh Sisodraker	 	 	 	 	 	 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO DIVESH SISODRAKER EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

10exv10w9

 

Exhibit 10.9

TALEO CORPORATION

BRADFORD BENSON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This Agreement is entered into as of March 8, 2006 (the “Effective Date”) by and between Taleo
Corporation, a Delaware corporation, (the “Company”) and Bradford Benson (“Executive”).

     1. Duties and Scope of Employment.

          (a) Positions and Duties. As of the Effective Date, Executive will serve as Executive
Vice President, Products and Technology. Executive will assume and discharge such responsibilities
as are commensurate with such position and as the Chief Executive Officer may direct from time to
time. During Executive’s employment with Company, Executive shall devote Executive’s full time,
skill and attention to Executive’s duties and responsibilities and shall perform faithfully,
diligently and competently. In addition, Executive shall comply with and be bound by the operating
policies, procedures and practices of Company in effect from time to time during Executive’s
employment. The period of Executive’s employment under this Agreement is referred to herein as the
“Employment Term.”

          (b) Obligations. During the Employment Term, Executive will devote Executive’s full
business efforts and time to the Company. For the duration of the Employment Term, Executive
agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation, or consulting activity for any
direct or indirect remuneration (including membership on a board of directors) without the prior
approval of the Chief Executive Officer; provided, however, that Executive may, without the
approval of the Chief Executive Officer, serve in any capacity with any civic, educational, or
charitable organization, provided such services do not interfere with Executive’s obligations to
Company.

     2. At-Will Employment. Executive and the Company agree that Executive’s employment
with the Company constitutes “at-will” employment. Executive and the Company acknowledge that this
employment relationship may be terminated at any time, upon written notice to the other party, with
or without good cause or for any or no cause, at the option either of the Company or Executive.
However, as described in this Agreement, Executive may be entitled to severance benefits depending
upon the circumstances of Executive’s termination of employment. Upon the termination of
Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, Executive will be entitled to payment of
all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, and other benefits due to Executive
through Executive’s termination date under any Company-provided or paid plans, policies, and
arrangements. Executive agrees to resign from all positions that Executive holds with the Company
immediately following the termination of Executive’s employment if Company so requests.

     3. Compensation.

          (a) Base Salary. As of the Effective Date, the Company will pay Executive an annual
salary of $200,000.00 USD as compensation for Executive’s services (the “Base Salary”). The Base
Salary will be paid periodically in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices (but no
less frequently than once per month) and be subject to the usual, required withholding.
Executive’s salary will be subject to annual review, and adjustments will be made based upon the
Company’s standard practices or the discretion of the Company’s Board of Directors.

 

 

          (b) Bonus. Executive’s annual target for the aggregate amount of annual and quarterly
bonuses will be $150,000.00 USD (“Target Bonus”). Allocation, eligibility and payment of Target
Bonus will be based upon achievement of quarterly and yearly performance goals approved by the
Chief Executive Officer and set forth in an annually and/or quarterly revised Target Bonus
Schedule, the first of which is attached hereto as Schedule A. Executive will have the opportunity
to discuss the nature of such performance goals with the Chief Executive Officer prior to such
performance goals being approved by the Chief Executive Officer.

     4. Employee Benefits.During the Employment Term, Executive will be eligible to
participate in accordance with the terms of all Company employee benefit plans, policies, and
arrangements that are applicable to other senior executives of the Company, as such plans,
policies, and arrangements may exist from time to time. Executive will be entitled to 3 weeks of
paid annual vacation.

     5. Expenses. The Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable travel and
other expenses incurred by Executive in the furtherance of the performance of Executive’s duties
hereunder, in accordance with the Company’s expense reimbursement policy as in effect from time to
time.

     6. Termination and Severance.

          (a) If Company or a successor corporation terminates Executive’s employment for any reason
other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below) then
Company or the successor corporation will (1) pay prorated bonuses for any partially completed
bonus periods through Executives termination date (at an assumed 100% on-target achievement of
goal), less any applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other lawful
deductions, (2) continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment for a period of 6 months from the date of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment, less any applicable state and federal
required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, and (3) if Executive elects to continue
Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act
(“COBRA”) following such termination or resignation of Executive’s employment, pay the same portion
of Executive’s monthly premium under COBRA as it pays for active employees until the earliest of
(i) the close of the 6 month period following the termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) the
expiration of Executive’s continuation coverage under COBRA, or (iii) the date when Executive
becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health insurance coverage in connection with new
employment or self-employment.

          (b) If Company or a successor corporation terminates Executive’s employment for any reason
other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns for Good Reason (as defined below) and
either such event takes place within one year following a Change in Control (as defined below),
then Company or the successor corporation will (1) pay prorated bonuses for any partially completed
bonus periods through Executives termination date (at an assumed 100% on-target achievement of
goal), less any applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other lawful
deductions, (2) continue to pay Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect at the time of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment for a period of 12 months from the date of
Executive’s resignation or termination of employment, less any applicable state and federal
required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, (3) pay bonuses (at an assumed 100%
on-target achievement of goal) at the rate in effect at the time of Executive’s resignation or
termination of employment for a period of 12 months from the date of Executive’s resignation or
termination of employment (bonuses will be prorated for any partially completed bonus periods
through the 12 month period from the date of Executive’s resignation or termination of employment),
less any

2

 

applicable state and federal required withholding amounts and other lawful deductions, and (4)
if Executive elects to continue Executive’s health insurance coverage under the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”) following such termination or resignation of
Executive’s employment, pay the same portion of Executive’s monthly premium under COBRA as it pays
for active employees until the earliest of (i) the close of the 12 month period following the
termination of Executive’s employment, (ii) the expiration of Executive’s continuation coverage
under COBRA, or (iii) the date when Executive becomes eligible for substantially equivalent health
insurance coverage in connection with new employment or self-employment.

          (c) All benefits set forth in Sections 6(a) and 6(b) are collectively referred to as
“Severance.” Severance payments shall be made by Company on the date such payments would have been
made had Executive’s employment relationship with Company continued (e.g., Severance based on Base
Salary shall be paid twice per month and Severance based on Target Bonuses shall be paid quarterly
or annually as appropriate).

          (d) In addition to Severance, in the event that Company or a successor corporation terminates
Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns
for Good Reason (as defined below) and either such event did not take place within one year
following a Change in Control (as defined below), then Executive will receive immediate vesting
with respect to the number of options that would have vested in accordance with Executive’s
then-current stock option grants had Executive remained employed for an additional 6 months and, if
applicable, the Company’s right of repurchase shall continue to lapse in accordance with
Executive’s then-current restricted stock grants for a period of 6 months from the date of such
termination or resignation of employment. In the event of Executive’s termination of employment as
described in this subsection (d), the Executive’s then vested stock options shall be exercisable
for 3 months after Executive’s date of termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case
shall any option be exercisable after the expiration of its term.

          (e) In addition to Severance, in the event that Company or a successor corporation terminates
Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause (as defined below) or if Executive resigns
for Good Reason (as defined below) and either such event takes place within one year following a
Change in Control (as defined below), Executive will receive immediate vesting with respect to all
unvested stock options that are held by Executive and the Company’s right of repurchase shall lapse
entirely with respect to restricted stock grants from the Company to Executive. In the event of
Executive’s termination of employment as described in this subsection (e), the Executive’s then
outstanding stock options shall be exercisable for 3 months after Executive’s date of termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no case shall any option be exercisable after the expiration of
its term.

          (f) For purposes of this Section 6, “Cause” means (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by
Executive in connection with Executive’s employment responsibilities, (ii) Executive’s conviction
of a felony, (iii) any act by Executive that constitutes material misconduct, (iv) repeated
failures to follow the lawful, reasonable instructions of the Chief Executive Officer, or (v)
substantial violations of employment or fiduciary duties, responsibilities or obligations to
Company.

          (g) For purposes of this Section 6, “Good Reason” means (i) without Executive’s consent, a
significant reduction of Executive’s duties, position or responsibilities relative to Executive’s
duties, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, other than a
reduction where Executive are asked to assume substantially similar duties and responsibilities in
a division of a larger entity after a Change in Control; (ii) without Executive’s consent, a
reduction of Executive’s Base Salary or Target Bonus other than a one-time reduction that does not
exceed twenty percent (20%) and that is also applied to substantially all of Company’s senior
executives; (iii) without Executive’s consent, Executive’s relocation to a facility or a location
greater than 75 miles from San Francisco, California. If Executive does not notify Company in

3

 

writing that Executive believes a significant reduction of Executive’s duties, position or
responsibilities has occurred pursuant to this Section 6 within thirty days of the event or
occurrence that Executive believes to have resulted in such a significant reduction, then such
reduction shall be deemed for purposes of this Agreement as not constituting Good Reason, as that
terms is used in this Section 6. Disagreement as to the allocation, eligibility and payment of
Target Bonus to be set forth in a Target Bonus Schedule shall not be a basis for Good Reason
resignation.

          (h) For purposes of this Section 6, “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the
following events: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act),
directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of
the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities and such
change in ownership results in a broad management changes at Company; or (ii) the consummation of
the sale or disposition by Company of all or substantially all of Company’s assets; or (iii) the
consummation of a merger or consolidation of Company with any other corporation, other than a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of Company outstanding
immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being
converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent
(50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of Company or such surviving
entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.

          (i) Notwithstanding the above, Company’s Chief Executive Officer reserves the right to make
reasonable organizational structure changes reasonably commensurate with the position of Chief
Executive Officer. Such changes may include the shifting or reassignment of divisional, geographic
or team responsibilities among members of the executive team. Such changes are within the
reasonable discretion of the Chief Executive Officer and shall not constitute Good Reason, as that
term is used in this Section 6.

          (j) Termination due to Death or Disability. If Executive’s employment terminates by
reason of death or Disability, then (i) Executive will be entitled to receive benefits only in
accordance with the Company’s then applicable plans, policies, and arrangements, and (ii)
Executive’s outstanding equity awards will terminate in accordance with the terms and conditions of
the applicable award agreement(s).

          (k) Sole Right to Severance. This Agreement is intended to represent Executive’s sole
entitlement to severance payments and benefits in connection with the termination of Executive’s
employment. To the extent Executive receives severance or similar payments and/or benefits under
any other Company plan, program, agreement, policy, practice, or the like, severance payments and
benefits due to Executive under this Agreement will be correspondingly reduced (and vice-versa).

     7. Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

          (a) Separation Agreement and Release of Claims. The receipt of any Severance or other
benefit pursuant to Section 6 will be subject to Executive signing and not revoking a separation
agreement and release of claims in a form reasonably acceptable to the Company. Such agreement
will provide (among other things) that Executive will not disparage the Company, its directors, or
its executive officers, and will contain No-Inducement, No-Solicit and Non-Compete terms consistent
with this Agreement. No Severance will be paid or provided until the separation agreement and
release agreement becomes effective.

          (b) Non-solicitation and other terms. In the event of a termination of Executive’s
employment that otherwise would entitle Executive to the receipt of Severance pursuant to Section
6, Executive agrees that as a condition to receipt of Severance, during the 12-month period
following termination of employment, Executive, directly or indirectly, whether as employee, owner,
sole proprietor, partner, director, founder or otherwise, will (i) not hire, solicit, induce, or
influence any person to modify

4

 

Executive’s employment or consulting relationship with the Company (the “No-Inducement”),
(ii) not solicit, divert or take away or attempt to solicit, divert or take away the business of
any customer or prospective customer of the Company (the “No-Solicit”), and (iii) not engage in
work in the geographical area, as defined below, for the benefit of any business, in competition
with the Company’s business (“Non-Compete”). If Executive breaches the No-Inducement, No-Solicit
or Non-Compete, all continuing payments and benefits to which Executive otherwise may be entitled
pursuant to Section 6 will cease immediately and shall be repaid to Company. Executive
acknowledges that the time, geographic and scope limitations of my obligations under this section
that are to be reflected in a separation agreement are reasonable, especially in light of the
Company’s desire to protect its Confidential Information and the Severance and other benefits set
forth herein, and that Executive will not be precluded from gainful employment if Executive is
obligated not to compete with the Company during the period and within the geographical area. In
the event the provisions of this section are deemed to exceed the time, geographic or scope
limitations permitted by applicable law, then such provisions shall be reformed to the maximum
time, geographic or scope limitations, as the case may be, then permitted by such law. The
covenants contained in this section shall be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for
each city, town, suburb and state within the geographical area. For purposes of this Section 7,
“geographical area” shall mean (i) all cities, towns and suburbs in Executive’s state or province
or territory of residence, (ii) all other states/provinces of the United States and Canada, and
(iii) all other countries of the world; provided that, the Company currently markets its products
via direct sales within each such country prior to the date of the termination of Executive’s
relationship with the Company.

     8. Indemnification and Insurance. Executive will be covered under the Company’s
insurance policies and, subject to applicable law, will be provided indemnification to the maximum
extent permitted by the Company’s bylaws, Certificate of Incorporation, and standard form of
Indemnification Agreement, with such insurance coverage and indemnification to be in accordance
with the Company’s standard practices for senior executive officers but on terms no less favorable
than provided to any other Company senior executive officer or director.

     9. Confidential Information.

          (a) Company Information. The Executive will not, at any time, whether during or subsequent to
Executive’s employment hereunder, directly or indirectly, disclose or furnish to any other person,
firm or corporation, or use on behalf of himself/herself or any other person, firm or corporation,
any confidential or proprietary information acquired by the Executive in the course of Executive’s
employment with Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, product
design, product roadmaps, future product plans, contractual details relating to current Company
clients, buying habits of present and prospective clients of Company, pricing and sales policy,
techniques and concepts, the names of customers or prospective customers of Company or of any
person, firm or corporation who or which have or shall have treated or dealt with Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliated companies, any other information acquired by the Executive regarding
the methods of conducting the business of Company and any of its subsidiaries and/or affiliates,
any information regarding the company’s methods of research and development, of obtaining business,
of manufacturing, of providing or advertising products or services, or of obtaining customers,
trade secrets and other confidential information concerning the business operations of Company or
any company and/or entity affiliated with Company, except to the extent that such information is
already generally known in the public domain.

          (b) Former Employer Information. Executive agrees, during employment with Company,
not to improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former or
concurrent employer or other person or entity and that Executive will not bring onto the premises
of Company any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer,
person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity.

5

 

          (c) Third Party Information. Executive recognizes that Company has received and in
the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to
a duty on Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for
certain limited purposes. Executive agrees to hold all such confidential or proprietary
information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm or corporation
or to use it except as necessary in carrying out work for the Company consistent with Company’s
agreement with such third party.

          (d) Assignment of Inventions. Executive agrees to promptly make full written
disclosure to Company, will hold in trust for the sole right and benefit of the Company and hereby
assigns to the Company, or its designee, all right, title and interest in and to any and all
inventions, original works of authorship, developments, concepts, improvements, or trade secrets,
whether or not patentable or registrable under copyright or similar laws, which Executive may
solely or jointly conceive or develop or reduce to practice, or cause to be conceived or developed
or reduced to practice, during the period of time Executive is in the employ of Company
(collectively referred to as “Inventions”). Executive further acknowledges that all original works
of authorship which are made by Executive (solely or jointly with others) within the scope of and
during the period of Executive’s employment with Company and which are protectible by copyright are
“works made for hire” as that term is defined in the relevant copyright act.

          (e) Inventions Retained and Licensed. Executive has attached hereto, as Schedule B,
a list of all inventions, original works of authorship, developments, improvements, and trade
secrets which were made by me prior to my employment with Company (collectively referred to as
“Prior Inventions”), which belong to Executive, which relate to Company’s proposed business,
products or research and development, and which are not assigned to Company hereunder; or, if no
such list is attached, Executive represents that there are no such Prior Inventions. If in the
course of Executive’s employment with Company, Executive incorporates into a Company product,
process or machine a Prior Invention owned by Emoloyee or in which Executive has an interest,
Company is hereby granted and shall have a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual,
worldwide license to make, have made, modify, use, and sell such Prior Invention as part of or in
connection with such product, process or machine.

          (f) Maintenance of Records. Executive agrees to keep and maintain adequate and
current written records of all Inventions made by Executive (solely or jointly with others) during
the term of my employment with Company. The records will be in the form of notes, sketches,
drawings, and any other format that may be specified by Company. The records will be available to
and remain the sole property of Company at all times.

          (g) Patent and Copyright Registrations. Executive agrees to assist Company, or its
designee, at Company’s expense, in every proper way to secure Company’s rights in the Inventions
and any copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating
thereto in any and all countries, including the disclosure to Company of all pertinent information
and data with respect thereto, the execution of all applications, specifications, oaths,
assignments and all other instruments which Company shall deem necessary in order to apply for and
obtain such rights and in order to assign and convey to Company, its successors, assigns, and
nominees the sole and exclusive rights, title and interest in and to such Inventions, and any
copyrights, patents, mask work rights or other intellectual property rights relating thereto.
Executive further agrees that Executive’s obligation to execute or cause to be executed, when it is
in Executive’s power to do so, any such instrument or papers shall continue after the termination
of this Agreement. If Company is unable because of Executive’s mental or physical incapacity or
for any other reason to secure Executive’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for
any Canadian or foreign patents or copyright registrations covering Inventions or original works of
authorship assigned to Company as above, then Executive hereby irrevocably designate and appoint
Company and its duly authorized officers and agents as Executive’s agent and attorney in fact, to
act for and in Executive’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and
issuance of letters patent or copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect
as if executed by Executive.

6

 

          (h) Return of Company Documents. Executive agrees that, at the time of leaving the
employ of Company, Executive will deliver to Company (and will not keep in my possession, recreate
or deliver to anyone else) any and all devices, records, data, notes, reports, proposals, lists,
correspondence, specifications, drawings blueprints, sketches, materials, equipment, other
documents or property, or reproductions of any aforementioned items developed by me pursuant to
Executive’s employment with Company or otherwise belonging to Company, its successors or assigns.

     10. Assignment. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a)
the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death and (b) any
successor of the Company. Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the
Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes. For this purpose, “successor” means
any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase,
merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or
business of the Company. None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation
payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of
descent and distribution. Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other
disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

     11. Notices. All notices, requests, demands, and other communications called for
hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed given (a) on the date of delivery if delivered
personally, (b) one day after being sent by a well established commercial overnight service, or (c)
four days after being mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, prepaid and
addressed to the parties or their successors at the following addresses, or at such other addresses
as the parties may later designate in writing:

If to the Company:

Attn: Chief Executive Officer

Taleo Corporation

575 Market Street, 8th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

If to Executive:

at
the last residential address known by the Company as provided by Executive in writing.

     12. Severability. If any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable, or void, this Agreement will continue in full
force and effect without said provision.

     13. Arbitration.

          (a) General. In consideration of Executive’s service to the Company, its promise to
arbitrate all employment related disputes, and Executive’s receipt of the compensation, pay raises,
and other benefits paid to Executive by the Company, at present and in the future, Executive agrees
that any and all controversies, claims, or disputes with anyone (including the Company and any
employee, officer, director, shareholder, or benefit plan of the Company in their capacity as such
or otherwise) arising out of, relating to, or resulting from Executive’s service to the Company
under this Agreement or otherwise or the termination of Executive’s service with the Company,
including any breach of this Agreement, will be subject to binding arbitration under the
Arbitration Rules set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1280 through

7

 

1294.2, including Section 1283.05 (the “Rules”) and pursuant to California law. Disputes
which Executive agrees to arbitrate, and thereby agrees to waive any right to a trial by jury,
include any statutory claims under state or federal law, including, but not limited to, claims
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the
California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the California Labor Code, claims of harassment,
discrimination, or wrongful termination, and any statutory claims. Executive further understands
that this Agreement to arbitrate also applies to any disputes that the Company may have with
Executive.

          (b) Procedure. Executive agrees that any arbitration will be administered by the
American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and that a neutral arbitrator will be selected in a manner
consistent with its National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes. The arbitration
proceedings will be held in the county of Taleo US headquarters and will allow for discovery
according to the rules set forth in the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes or
California Code of Civil Procedure. Executive agrees that the arbitrator will have the power to
decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary judgment
and/or adjudication and motions to dismiss and demurrers, prior to any arbitration hearing.
Executive agrees that the arbitrator will issue a written decision on the merits. Executive
understands the Company will pay for any administrative or hearing fees charged by the arbitrator
or AAA except that Executive will pay the first $200.00 of any filing fees associated with any
arbitration Executive initiates. Executive agrees that the arbitrator will administer and conduct
any arbitration in a manner consistent with the Rules and that to the extent that the AAA’s
National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes conflict with the Rules, the Rules will
take precedence.

          (c) Remedy. Except as provided by the Rules, arbitration will be the sole, exclusive,
and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company. Accordingly, except as
provided for by the Rules, neither Executive nor the Company will be permitted to pursue court
action regarding claims that are subject to arbitration. Notwithstanding, the arbitrator will not
have the authority to disregard or refuse to enforce any lawful Company policy, and the arbitrator
will not order or require the Company to adopt a policy not otherwise required by law which the
Company has not adopted.

          (d) Availability of Injunctive Relief. In addition to the right under the Rules to
petition the court for provisional relief, Executive agrees that any party also may petition the
court for injunctive relief where either party alleges or claims a violation of this Agreement or
the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement regarding trade secrets, confidential
information, nonsolicitation, noninducement or Labor Code §2870.

          (e) Administrative Relief. Executive understands that this Agreement does not
prohibit Executive from pursuing an administrative claim with a local, state, or federal
administrative body such as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, or the workers’ compensation board. This Agreement does, however, preclude
Executive from pursuing court action regarding any such claim.

          (f) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Executive acknowledges and agrees that Executive
is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence by the Company or
anyone else. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that Executive has carefully read this
Agreement and that Executive has asked any questions needed for Executive to understand the terms,
consequences, and binding effect of this Agreement, including that Executive is waiving Executive’s
right to a jury trial. Finally, Executive agrees that Executive has been provided an opportunity
to seek the advice of an attorney of Executive’s choice before signing this Agreement.

8

 

     14. Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, any cash
severance payments due to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise will not be paid during
the six-month period following Executive’s termination of employment unless the Company determines,
in its good faith judgment, that paying such amounts at the time or times indicated above would not
cause Executive to incur an additional tax under Section 409A of the Code and any temporary or
final Treasury Regulations and Internal Revenue Service guidance thereunder (“Section 409A”). If
the payment of any amounts are delayed as a result of the previous sentence, any cash severance
payments due to Executive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise during the first six (6) months
after Executive’s termination will accrue during such six-month period and will become payable in a
lump sum payment on the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of the Executive’s
termination. Thereafter, payments will resume in accordance with the applicable schedule set forth
in this Agreement.

     15. Integration. This Agreement represents the entire agreement and understanding
between the parties as to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous
agreements whether written or oral. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any of the
provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in a writing that specifically references this
Section and is signed by duly authorized representatives of the parties hereto. Executive agrees
to work in good faith with the Company to consider amendments to this Agreement which are necessary
or appropriate to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A
prior to the actual payment to Executive of payments or benefits under this Agreement.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement will be deemed amended, without any consent required
from Executive, to the extent necessary to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income
recognition pursuant to Section 409A prior to actual payments under this Agreement to Executive.
The parties agree to cooperate with each other and to take reasonably necessary steps in this
regard.

     16. Waiver of Breach. The waiver of a breach of any term or provision of this
Agreement, which must be in writing, will not operate as or be construed to be a waiver of any
other previous or subsequent breach of this Agreement.

     17. Survival. The Company’s and Executive’s responsibilities under Sections 9 and 13
and all other provisions intended by their terms to survive the termination of this Agreement will
survive the termination of this Agreement.

     18. Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

     19. Tax Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to
withholding of applicable taxes.

     20. Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
California (with the exception of its conflict of laws provisions).

     21. Acknowledgment. Executive acknowledges that Executive has had the opportunity to
discuss this matter with and obtain advice from Executive’s private attorney, has had sufficient
time to, and has carefully read and fully understands all the provisions of this Agreement, and is
knowingly and voluntarily entering into this Agreement.

     22. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and may be
exchanged by fax or electronically scanned and emailed copies. Each counterpart will have the same
force and effect as an original and will constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of
each of the undersigned.

9

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by a duly authorized officer, as of the day and year written below.

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	COMPANY:	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	TALEO CORPORATION	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	By:

	 	     /s/ Michael Gregoire
	 	 	 	Date:
	 	3/8/2006
	 

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Name: Michael Gregoire	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Title: President and Chief Executive Officer	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	EXECUTIVE:	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	          /s/ Brad Benson	 	 	 	Date:	 	3/8/2006
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	Brad Benson	 	 	 	 	 	 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO BRADFORD BENSON EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT]

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