Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.15

                Form of Employment Agreement of Germain Lamonde.

This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement"), dated as of May 29, 2000, is
entered into by and between EXFO Electro-Optical Engineering Inc., a corporation
having its principal place of business at 465 Godin Avenue, Vanier, Quebec,
G1M 3G7, Canada (the "Corporation") and Germain Lamonde, an individual with an
address at 4310, Cure-Drolet, Cap Rouge (Qu#bec) G1Y 3H2 (the "Employee").

                               TERMS OF AGREEMENT

In consideration of this Agreement and the continued employment of the Employee
by the Corporation, the parties agree as follows :

1.   EMPLOYMENT

     The Corporation hereby agrees to continue to employ Employee, on
     a full-time basis to continue to act as President and Chief Executive
     Officer of the Corporation and to perform such acts and duties and furnish
     such services to the Corporation in connection with and related to that
     position as is customary for persons with similar positions in like
     companies, as the Corporation's Board of Directors shall from time to time
     reasonably direct. Employee hereby accepts said employment. Employee shall
     use his best and most diligent efforts to promote the interests of the
     Corporation; shall discharge his duties in a highly competent manner; and
     shall devote his full business time and his best business judgement, skill
     and knowledge to the performance of his duties and responsibilities
     hereunder. This Agreement shall not be interpreted to prohibit Employee
     from making passive personal investments or conducting private business
     affairs if such activities do not materially interfere with the services
     required under this Agreement. Employee shall report to the Board of
     Directors of the Corporation.

2.   COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

     2.1  SALARY

          During the term of this Agreement, the Corporation shall pay Employee
          the remuneration indicated in Schedule A. The Employee's remuneration
          may be adjusted in accordance with the Corporation's policies and
          procedures.

     2.2  DISCRETIONARY BONUS

          During the term of this Agreement, the Employee may participate in
          such bonus plan or plans of the Corporation as the Board of Directors
          or its Human Resources Committee may approve for the Employee. Nothing
          contained in this

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          Section 2.2 shall be construed to require the Board of Directors to
          approve a bonus plan or in any way grant to Employee the right to
          receive bonuses not otherwise approved.

     2.3  BENEFITS

          During the term of this Agreement, the Employee shall receive such
          benefits as customarily provided to other officers and employees of
          the Corporation, as applicable. Details of such benefits as of the
          date hereof are set forth in Schedule B of this Agreement.

     2.4  VACATION

          Employee may take the number of weeks of paid vacation during each
          year that is indicated in Schedule A at such times as shall be
          consistent with the Corporation's vacation policies and (in the
          Corporation's judgement) with the Corporation's vacation schedule for
          officers and other employees.

     2.5  EXPENSES

          Pursuant to the Corporation's customary policies in force at the time
          of payment, Employee shall be promptly reimbursed, against
          presentation of vouchers or receipts therefor, for all authorised
          expenses properly incurred by him on the Corporation's behalf in the
          performance of his duties hereunder.

3.   TERMINATION

     3.1  DISABILITY

          If during the term of this Agreement, Employee becomes ill, disabled
          or otherwise incapacitated so as to be unable to perform his usual
          duties (a) for a period in excess of one hundred twenty (180)
          consecutive days and this incapacity has not been remedied within one
          (1) year of the first day of disability, or (b) for more than two
          hundred and seventy (270) days in any consecutive eighteen (18) month
          period and this incapacity has not been remedied within eighteen (18)
          months of the first day of disability, then the Corporation shall have
          the right to terminate this Agreement, subject only to applicable
          laws, on thirty (30) day's notice to Employee. Termination pursuant to
          this Section 3.1 shall not affect any rights Employee may otherwise
          have under any disability insurance policies in effect at the time of
          such termination.

     3.2  DISCHARGE FOR CAUSE

          The Corporation may discharge Employee and terminate his employment
          under this Agreement for cause without further liability to the
          Corporation by the

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          positive vote of 2/3 of the members of the Board of Directors of the
          Corporation except that the Employee, if a Director, shall not be
          entitled to vote thereon. As used in this Section 3.2, "cause" shall
          mean any or all of the following;

          (a)  gross or wilful misconduct of Employee during the course of his
               employment;

          (b)  conviction of any criminal offence involving dishonesty, breach
               of trust or moral turpitude during the term of this Agreement; or

          (c)  Employee's breach of any of the material terms of this Agreement.

     3.3  TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE

          Upon thirty (30) days prior written notice, the Corporation may
          terminate this Agreement without cause by a positive vote of 2/3 of
          the members of the Board of Directors of the Corporation except that
          the Employee, if a Director, shall not be entitled to vote thereon.
          The Corporation shall incur no liability in this regard except that it
          shall continue to pay Employee the remuneration in accordance with the
          terms of Schedule A at his then current rate for a twenty-four (24)
          month period after termination if termination shall occur prior to the
          events mentioned in Section 3.4. In addition, any outstanding stock
          options that have not vested in accordance with their terms, will
          become fully vested and shall be exercised by Employee within a period
          of twelve (12) months from the time of such termination or shall be
          automatically terminated immediately following such twelve (12) month
          period.

     3.4  TERMINATION FOLLOWING MERGER OR ACQUISITION

          If the Corporation merges or consolidates with another corporation, if
          substantially all of the assets of the Corporation are sold, or if a
          majority of the outstanding stock of the Corporation is acquired by
          another person and Employee's employment is subsequently terminated by
          the Corporation or surviving entity other than for cause as described
          in 3.2, Employee shall be entitled to 24 months' remuneration plus
          health benefits.

          In addition to the foregoing, any outstanding stock options (including
          substituted stock options of the acquiring or surviving corporation in
          such merger or acquisition) which have not vested in accordance with
          their terms will become fully vested and shall be exercised by
          Employee within a period of twelve (12) months from the time of such
          termination or shall be automatically terminated immediately following
          such twelve (12) month period. For purposes of this Section 3.4,
          Employee shall be entitled to treat a material demotion in title or
          function or a physical relocation of worksite of more than 50 km as
          termination under this Section 3.4, but only if Employee expressly so
          notifies the Corporation and terminates his employment hereunder
          within thirty (30)

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          days of such demotion or relocation. If Employee is offered a
          substantially similar position with the surviving entity and no
          physical relocation (beyond a 50 km radius form Employee's regular
          worksite) is required by such position, Employee's refusal to accept
          such position shall not be treated as subject to this Section 3.4, but
          rather shall be treated as a voluntary termination by Employee under
          Section 3.5.

     3.5  VOLUNTARY TERMINATION BY EMPLOYEE

          In the event of voluntary termination by Employee, Employee shall be
          entitled only to those amounts that have accrued to the date of
          termination in accordance with the terms hereof or are expressly
          payable under the terms of the Corporation applicable benefit plans or
          are required by applicable law. In addition, any outstanding stock
          options that have not vested in accordance with their terms, will
          become fully vested and shall be exercised by Employee within a period
          of twelve (12) months from the time of such termination or shall be
          automatically terminated immediately following such twelve (12) month
          period. The Corporation may, in its sole and absolute discretion,
          confer such other benefits or payments as it determines, but Employee
          shall have no entitlement thereto.

4.   MISCELLANEOUS

     4.1  INSURANCE

          The Corporation hereby represents that it is presently the holder of
          directors and officers insurance in an amount and having a coverage
          that is recommended by its legal advisors and insurance broker as
          adequate taking into account the status of the Corporation, its size
          and the nature of its activities. The Corporation undertakes to ensure
          that such insurance shall remain in force throughout the term of this
          Agreement and in the event such insurance is cancelled, the
          Corporation shall immediately advise the Employee in writing.

     4.2  ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS

          Upon execution of this Agreement, the Employee shall execute and
          deliver to the Corporation, unless previously delivered, an
          Exclusivity, Confidentiality, Assignment of Work Product,
          Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation Agreement.

     4.3  Notices

          Any notice or communication given by any party hereto to the other
          party with regard to this Agreement shall be in writing and personally
          delivered or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested,
          postage prepaid, to the addresses

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          provided above. All notices shall be deemed given when actually
          received. Any person entitled to receive notice (or a copy thereof)
          may designate in writing, by notice to the others, such other address
          to which notices to such person shall thereafter be sent.

     4.4  ENTIRE AGREEMENT

          This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties in
          respect of its subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements and
          understandings between the parties with respect to such subject
          matter, provided, however that nothing in this Agreement shall affect
          the Employee's obligations under the Exclusivity, Confidentiality,
          Assignment Of Work Product, Non-Competition And Non-Solicitation
          Agreement signed by the Employee.

     4.5  AMENDMENT WAIVER

          This Agreement may not be amended, supplemented, cancelled or
          discharged, except by written instrument executed by the party
          affected thereby. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising,
          any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver
          thereof. No waiver of any breach of any provision of this Agreement
          shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or succeeding breach
          of the same or any other provision.

     4.6  BINDING EFFECT, ASSIGNMENT

          Employee's rights or obligations under this Agreement may not be
          assigned by Employee. The rights and obligations set forth in this
          Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of the Corporation and
          its successors and assigns. The Corporation will require any successor
          (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or
          otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets
          of the Corporation to assume expressly and agree to perform this
          Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the
          Corporation would be required to perform it as if no such event had
          taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Corporation" shall mean the
          Corporation as herein before defined any successor to its business
          and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this
          Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.

     4.7  HEADINGS

          The headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes
          only and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation of this
          Agreement.

     4.8  GOVERNING LAW, INTERPRETATION

          This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed for
          all purposes by the laws applicable in the province of Quebec.
          Service of process

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          in any dispute shall be effective (a) upon the Corporation, if service
          is made on any officer of the Corporation other than the Employee; (b)
          upon the Employee, if served at Employee's residence last known to the
          Corporation with an information copy to the Employee at any other
          residence, or care of a subsequent employer, of which the Corporation
          may be aware.

     4.9  FURTHER ASSURANCES

          Each of the parties agrees to execute, acknowledge, deliver and
          perform, or cause to be executed, acknowledged, delivered and
          performed at any time, or from time to time, as the case may be, all
          such further acts, deeds, assignments, transfers, conveyances, powers
          of attorney and assurances as may be necessary or proper to carry out
          the provisions or intent of this Agreement.

     4.10 LANGUAGE

          This Agreement has been written in English at the express request of
          the parties.  Cette entente a ete redigee en anglais a demande
          expresse des parties.

     4.11 SEVERABILITY

          If any one or more of the terms, provisions, covenants or restrictions
          of this Agreement shall be determined by a court of competent
          jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of
          the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement
          shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected,
          impaired or invalidated.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement.

EXFO ELECTRO-OPTICAL
ENGINEERING INC.

BY: ________________________      _________________________
     Authorized Signatory            GERMAIN LAMONDE

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                                   SCHEDULE A
                                       TO
                      GERMAIN LAMONDE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                           REMUNERATION AND VACATION

1.   REMUNERATION

     (i)       Salary from date of Employment Agreement to August 31, 2000:
               $275,000 per annum (no variable portion applicable during this
               period).

     (ii)      Remuneration from September 1, 2000 to August 31, 2001: Base
               salary of $275,000 per annum, plus a variable portion of
               remuneration which is $137,500 per annum upon attainment by the
               Corporation of 100% of the Health Indicator established by the
               Board of Directors of the Corporation for that financial year.
               In the event the Corporation: (a) does not fully attain, or (b)
               exceeds, the Health Indicator for the year in question, the
               variable portion of the remuneration shall be paid in the same
               proportion as the attainment of the Health Indicator up to a
               maximum of 150%. The variable portion shall be paid within sixty
               (60) days of the end of each of the Corporation's financial years
               commencing with the financial year ending August 31, 2001.

               In the event the Employee's employment is terminated by the
               Corporation with cause or the Employee voluntarily terminates his
               employment, the variable portion of the remuneration shall be
               payable on a proportionate basis for the financial year during
               which the employment terminated for such reasons.

     (iii)     Participation in the Corporation's Stock Option Plan: Upon
               adoption by the Corporation of its draft Stock Option Plan, the
               Employee shall be granted 30,000 options in accordance with the
               terms of the Stock Option Plan and subject to vesting conditions
               that extend over 4 years, up to a maximum of 5 years, and that
               are tied to the Corporation's Health Indicator (full details will
               be available at the granting of the options).

     (iv)      The first review of remuneration shall occur on or about
               September 1, 2001 and on or about every September 1 thereafter.

     (v)       The Corporation shall provide the Employee with an automobile
               responding to the requirements of the Employee's position in the
               Corporation.

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2.   VACATION

     Four (4) weeks of paid vacation annually from the date hereof onwards.

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                                   SCHEDULE B
                                       TO
                      GERMAIN LAMONDE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                                    BENEFITS

The description below is a summary of the Corporation's present benefit package.
It is expected that this package will evolve in the future.

1.   The Corporation offers to management a long-term disability plan that
     covers two-thirds of salary for life. The Corporation pays the premium,
     thus this income would be taxable.

2.   Management is covered by collective insurance that is paid by the
     Corporation in the following proportions: 40%, 60%, 80% and 100% in years
     1, 2, 3 and 4 respectively. This insurance covers vision correction,
     chiropractor, etc. but excludes dental coverage. It also includes life
     insurance.

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                                                                  Exhibit 10.15

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 30, 2000, by and between
LEXENT INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and SIDNEY A. SAYOVITZ
(the "Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS the Company desires to induce the Employee to enter into
employment with the Company for the period provided in this Agreement, and the
Employee is willing to accept such employment with the Company on a full-time
basis, all in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises hereof and
the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto hereby covenant and
agree as follows:

         1.  Employment.

         (a)      The Company hereby agrees to employ the Employee, and the
     Employee hereby agrees to accept such employment with the Company,
     commencing on April 17, 2000 (the "Commencement Date") and continuing for
     the period set forth in Section 2 hereof, all upon the terms and
     conditions hereinafter set forth.

         (b)      The Employee affirms and represents that as of the
     commencement of his employment by the Company on the Commencement Date, he
     will be under no obligation to any former employer or other party which is
     in any way inconsistent with, or which imposes any restriction upon, the
     Employee's acceptance of employment hereunder with the Company, the
     employment of the Employee by the Company, or the Employee's undertakings
     under this Agreement.

         2. Term of Employment. Unless earlier terminated as provided in this
Agreement, the term of the Employee's employment under this Agreement shall be
for a period beginning on the Commencement Date and ending on April 17, 2004.
The period from the Commencement Date until April 17, 2004, or, in the event
that the Employee's employment hereunder is earlier terminated as provided
herein, such shorter period, is hereinafter called the "Employment Term"(the
"Employment Term").

         3. Duties. The Employee shall be employed as Senior Vice President -
General Counsel of the Company, shall faithfully perform and discharge such
duties as inhere in the

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position of Senior Vice President of the Company as may be specified in the
By-laws of the Company with respect to such position, and shall also perform
and discharge such other duties and responsibilities consistent with such
position as the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors")
shall from time to time determine. The Employee shall report to the President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. The Employee shall perform his
duties principally at offices of the Company in New York City, New York, with
such travel to such other locations from time to time as the President and
Chief Executive Officer may reasonably prescribe. Except as may otherwise be
approved in advance by the Board of Directors, and except during vacation
periods and reasonable periods of absence due to sickness, personal injury or
other disability, the Employee shall devote his full business time throughout
the Employment Term to the services required of him hereunder. The Employee
shall render his business services exclusively to the Company and its
subsidiaries during the Employment Term and shall use his best efforts,
judgment and energy to improve and advance the business and interests of the
Company and its subsidiaries in a manner consistent with the duties of his
position.

         4.  Compensation.

         (a)      Salary. As compensation for the performance by the Employee
     of the services to be performed by the Employee hereunder during the
     Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Employee a base salary at the
     annual rate of Two Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($225,000)
     (said amount, together with any increases thereto, being hereinafter
     referred to as "Salary"). The Employee's salary shall increase from time
     to time as determined by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion.
     Any Salary payable hereunder shall be paid in regular intervals in
     accordance with the Company's payroll practices from time to time in
     effect.

         (b)      Bonus. The Employee shall be eligible to receive bonus
     compensation from the Company in respect of each fiscal year (or portion
     thereof) occurring during the Employment Term in an amount targeted at 40%
     of his Salary (pro rated for any portion of a fiscal year occurring during
     the Employment Term) if the Company achieves the target performance
     objectives established by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
     Directors (the "Compensation Committee") with respect to such fiscal year.
     The Employee shall also be eligible to receive additional bonus
     compensation from the Company in respect of each fiscal year (or portion
     thereof) occurring during the Employment Term for exceptional performance
     as may be determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole discretion.

         5.  Other Benefits; Options.

         (a)      General.  During the Employment Term, the Employee shall:

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                  (i)      be eligible to participate in employee fringe
     benefits and pension and/or profit sharing plans that may be provided by
     the Company for its senior executive employees in accordance with the
     provisions of such plans, as the same may be in effect from time to time;

                  (ii)     be eligible to participate in any medical and health
     plans or other employee welfare benefit plans that may be provided by the
     Company for its senior executive employees in accordance with the
     provisions of any such plans, as the same may be in effect from time to
     time;

                  (iii)    be entitled to the number of paid vacation days in
     each calendar year determined by the Company from time to time for its
     senior executive officers, provided that such number of paid vacation days
     in each calendar year shall not be less than fifteen (15) work days (three
     calendar weeks); the Employee shall also be entitled to all paid holidays
     given by the Company to its senior executive officers;

                  (iv)     be entitled to sick leave, sick pay and disability
     benefits in accordance with any Company policy that may be applicable to
     senior executive employees from time to time; and

                  (v)      be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable and
     necessary out-of-pocket business expenses incurred by the Employee in the
     performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's
     normal policies from time to time in effect.

         (b)      Grant of Initial Options. In connection with the execution
     and delivery of this Agreement by the Employee, the Company is granting to
     the Employee options ("Initial Options") to purchase 250,000 shares of
     Company Common Stock, $.001 par value ("Common Stock"), at a purchase
     price equal to the price per share of Common Stock sold in the Company's
     upcoming initial public offering or, in the event no such public offering
     occurs prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, $10.00 per
     share, of which options to purchase 25% of such shares of Common Stock
     shall vest on the first anniversary of the Commencement Date and options
     to purchase the remaining shares of Common Stock will vest in thirty-six
     equal increments over the thirty-six month period beginning on the first
     anniversary of the Commencement Date. All terms and conditions, including
     those referred to herein, shall be provided in Stock Option Agreements of
     even date herewith between the Company and the Employee.

         (c)      Grant of Subsequent Options. In connection with his continued
     employment by the Company, on the first anniversary of the Commencement
     Date, and on each of the subsequent anniversaries thereof during the
     Employment Term, the Company agrees to grant the Employee options
     ("Subsequent Options") to purchase shares of Common Stock at a purchase
     price equal to the fair market value of the

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     Common Stock on the date of grant in accordance with any Company policy
     that may be applicable for senior executive employees from time to time.
     Each grant of these Subsequent Options shall be pursuant to specific terms
     set forth in a stock option agreement between the Company and the
     Employee.

         6. Confidential Information. The Employee hereby covenants, agrees and
acknowledges as follows:

         (a)      The Employee has and will have access to and will participate
     in the development of or be acquainted with confidential or proprietary
     information and trade secrets related to the business of the Company and
     any present or future subsidiaries or affiliates of the Company
     (collectively with the Company, the "Companies"), including but not
     limited to (i) customer lists; related records and compilations of
     information; the identity, lists or descriptions of any new customers,
     referral sources or organizations; financial statements; cost reports or
     other financial information; contract proposals or bidding information;
     business plans; training and operations methods and manuals; personnel
     records; software programs; reports and correspondence; and management
     systems, policies or procedures, including related forms and manuals; (ii)
     information pertaining to future developments such as future marketing or
     acquisition plans or ideas, and potential new business locations and (iii)
     all other tangible and intangible property, which are used in the business
     and operations of the Companies but not made public. The information and
     trade secrets relating to the business of the Companies described
     hereinabove in this paragraph (a) are hereinafter referred to collectively
     as the "Confidential Information", provided that the term Confidential
     Information shall not include any information (A) that is or becomes
     generally publicly available (other than as a result of violation of this
     Agreement by the Employee), (B) that the Employee receives on a
     nonconfidential basis from a source (other than the Companies or their
     representatives) that is not known by him to be bound by an obligation of
     secrecy or confidentiality to any of the Companies or (C) that was in the
     possession of the Employee prior to disclosure by the Companies.

         (b)      The Employee shall not disclose, use or make known for his or
     another's benefit any Confidential Information or use such Confidential
     Information in any way except as is in the best interests of the Companies
     in the performance of the Employee's duties under this Agreement. The
     Employee may disclose Confidential Information when required by a third
     party and applicable law or judicial process, but only after providing
     immediate notice to the Company of any third party's request for such
     information, which notice shall include the Employee's intent to disclose
     any Confidential Information with respect to such request.

         (c)      The Employee acknowledges and agrees that a remedy at law for
     any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of this Section 6 would
     be inadequate and, therefore, agrees that the Companies shall be entitled
     to seek injunctive relief in addition

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     to any other available rights and remedies in case of any such breach or
     threatened breach by the Employee; provided, however, that nothing
     contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Companies from
     pursuing any other rights and remedies available for any such breach or
     threatened breach.

         (d)      The Employee agrees that upon termination of his employment
     with the Company for any reason, the Employee shall forthwith return to
     the Company all Confidential Information in whatever form maintained
     (including, without limitation, computer discs and other electronic
     media).

         (e)      The obligations of the Employee under this Section 6 shall,
     except as otherwise provided herein, survive the termination of the
     Employment Term and the expiration or termination of this Agreement.

         (f)      Without limiting the generality of Section 12 hereof, the
     Employee hereby expressly agrees that the foregoing provisions of this
     Section 6 shall be binding upon the Employee's heirs, successors and legal
     representatives.

         7.  Termination of Employment.

         (a)      The Employee's employment hereunder shall be terminated upon
     the occurrence of any of the following:

                  (i)      death of the Employee;

                  (ii)     the Employee's inability to perform his duties on
     account of disability or incapacity for a period of one hundred eighty
     (180) or more days, whether or not consecutive, within any period of
     twelve (12) consecutive months;

                  (iii)    the Company giving written notice, at any time, to
     the Employee that the Employee's employment is being terminated for
     "Cause" (as defined in (b) below);

                  (iv)     the Company giving written notice, at any time, to
     the Employee that the Employee's employment is being terminated or is not
     being renewed, other than pursuant to clause (i), (ii) or (iii) above
     ("Without Cause"); or

                  (v)      the Employee terminates his employment hereunder for
     any reason whatsoever (whether by reason of retirement, resignation or
     otherwise, "Without Good Reason").

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         (b)      Cause. The following actions, failures and events by or
     affecting the Employee shall constitute "Cause" for termination within the
     meaning of clause (iii) of Section 7 (a) above:

                  (i)      an indictment for or conviction of the Employee of,
     or the entering of a plea of nolo contendere by the Employee with respect
     to, having committed a felony;

                  (ii)     abuse of controlled substances or alcohol or acts of
     dishonesty or moral turpitude by the Employee that are detrimental to one
     or more of the Companies;

                  (iii)    acts or omissions by the Employee that the Employee
     knew were likely to damage the business of one or more of the Companies;

                  (iv)     negligence by the Employee in the performance of, or
     disregard by the Employee of, his material obligations under this
     Agreement or otherwise relating to his employment, which negligence or
     disregard continue unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after
     written notice thereof to the Employee; or

                  (v)      failure by the Employee to obey the reasonable and
     lawful orders and policies of the Board of Directors that are consistent
     with the provisions of this Agreement.

     8.  Payments Upon Termination.

         (a)      Termination Without Cause. In the event that the Employee's
     employment is terminated by the Company Without Cause during the period
     between the Commencement Date and the date six months following the
     Commencement Date (the "Initial Period") or thereafter, then the Company
     shall pay to the Employee, as severance pay or liquidated damages or both,
     monthly payments at the rate per annum of his Salary at the time of such
     termination for a period of:

                  (i) eighteen (18) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the first month of the Initial Period;

                  (ii) seventeen (17) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the second month of the Initial Period;

                  (iii) sixteen (16) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the third month of the Initial Period;

                  (iv) fifteen (15) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the fourth month of the Initial Period;

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<PAGE>   7

                  (v) fourteen (14) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the fifth month of the Initial Period;

                  (vi) thirteen (13) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs in the sixth month of the Initial Period; and

                  (vii) twelve (12) months after such termination if such
         termination occurs after the end of the Initial Period.

         (b)      Payments Limited. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
     expressed or implied herein, except as required by applicable law and
     except as set forth in Section 8(a) above, neither the Company nor any of
     its affiliates shall be obligated to make any payments to the Employee or
     on his behalf of whatever kind or nature by reason of the Employee's
     cessation of employment (including, without limitation, by reason of
     termination of the Employee's employment by the Company for Cause, Without
     Cause or otherwise), other than (i) such amounts, if any, of his Salary as
     shall have accrued and remained unpaid as of the date of said cessation
     and (ii) such other amounts, if any, which may be then otherwise payable
     to the Employee pursuant to the terms of the Company's benefits plans or
     pursuant to clause (v) of Section 5(a) above.

         (c)      Interest. No interest shall accrue on or be paid with respect
     to any portion of any payments under this Section 8.

         9.  Non-Assignability.

         (a)      Neither this Agreement nor any right or interest hereunder
     shall be assignable by the Employee or his beneficiaries or legal
     representatives without the Company's prior written consent; provided,
     however, that nothing in this Section 9(a) shall preclude the Employee
     from designating a beneficiary to receive any benefit payable hereunder
     upon his death or incapacity. This Agreement may not be assigned by the
     Company except with the Employee's prior written consent, provided,
     however, that the Company may assign this Agreement to an affiliate of the
     Company with the financial resources to fulfill the Company's obligations
     hereunder.

         (b)      Except as required by law, no right to receive payments under
     this Agreement shall be subject to anticipation, commutation, alienation,
     sale, assignment, encumbrance, charge, pledge, or hypothecation or to
     exclusion, attachment, levy or similar process or to assignment by
     operation of law, and any attempt, voluntary or involuntary, to effect any
     such action shall be null, void and of no effect.

         10.  Restrictive Covenants.

                                       7

<PAGE>   8

         (a)      Competition. During the Employment Term and, in the event the
     Employee's employment is terminated, during the period (the "Applicable
     Continuation Period") following such termination and continuing until (i)
     the last payment is made to the Employee pursuant to Section 8(a) hereof
     or (ii) in the case of a termination of the Employee's employment pursuant
     to Section 7(a)(iii) or (v) hereof, the first anniversary of the date of
     such termination, the Employee will not directly or indirectly (as a
     director, officer, executive employee, manager, consultant, independent
     contractor, advisor or otherwise) engage in competition with, or own any
     interest in, perform any services for, participate in or be connected with
     any business or organization which engages in competition with any of the
     Companies within the meaning of Section 10(d), provided, however, that the
     provisions of this Section 10(a) shall not be deemed to prohibit the
     Employee's ownership of not more than two percent (2%) of the total shares
     of all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly held company, or
     ownership, whether through direct or indirect stock holdings or otherwise,
     of not more than one percent (1%) of any other business.

         (b)      Non-Solicitation. During the Employment Term and during the
     Applicable Continuation Period, the Employee will not directly or
     indirectly induce or attempt to induce any employee of any of the
     Companies to leave the employ of the Company or such subsidiary or
     affiliate, or in any way interfere with the relationship between any of
     the Companies and any employee thereof.

         (c)      Non-Interference. During the Employment Term and during the
     Applicable Continuation Period, the Employee will not directly or
     indirectly hire, engage, send any work to, place orders with, or in any
     manner be associated with any supplier, contractor, subcontractor or other
     business relation of any of the Companies if such action by him would have
     an adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition of any of
     the Companies, or materially interfere with the relationship between any
     such person or entity and any of the Companies.

         (d)      Certain Definitions.

                  (i)      For purposes of this Section 10, a person or entity
     (including, without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be a
     competitor of one or more of the Companies, or a person or entity
     (including, without limitation, the Employee) shall be deemed to be
     engaging in competition with one or more of the Companies, if such person
     or entity conducts, or, to the knowledge of the Employee, plans to
     conduct, the Specified Business (as hereinafter defined) as a significant
     portion of its business in any of the markets served by the Companies or,
     in the case of a person or entity pursuing a business strategy of
     providing telecommunications infrastructure services, anywhere in the
     continental United States.

                                       8

<PAGE>   9

                  (ii)     For purposes of this Agreement, "Specified Business"
     means (A) providing outsourced telecommunications infrastructure services
     to local or long distance telecommunications providers or engaging in any
     business conducted by the Company at the time of termination of the
     Employee's employment with the Company or (B) conducting, operating,
     carrying out or engaging in the business of managing any entity described
     in clause (A).

         (e)      Certain Representations of the Employee. In connection with
     the foregoing provisions of this Section 10, the Employee represents that
     his experience, capabilities and circumstances are such that such
     provisions will not prevent him from earning a livelihood. The Employee
     further agrees that the limitations set forth in this Section 10
     (including, without limitation, time and territorial limitations) are
     reasonable and properly required for the adequate protection of the
     current and future businesses of the Companies. It is understood and
     agreed that the covenants made by the Employee in this Section 10 (and in
     Section 6 hereof) shall survive the expiration or termination of this
     Agreement.

         (f)      Injunctive Relief. The Employee acknowledges and agrees that
     a remedy at law for any breach or threatened breach of the provisions of
     Section 10 hereof would be inadequate and, therefore, agrees that the
     Company and any of its subsidiaries or affiliates shall be entitled to
     seek injunctive relief in addition to any other available rights and
     remedies in cases of any such breach or threatened breach; provided,
     however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting
     the Company or any of its affiliates from pursuing any other rights and
     remedies available for any such breach or threatened breach.

         11. Representations and Warranties. The Employee represents and
warrants that he is not subject to or a party to any agreement, contract,
covenants, order or other restriction which in any way prohibits, restricts or
impairs the Employee's ability to enter into this Agreement and carry out his
duties and obligations hereunder. Each party hereto represents and warrants to
the other that (i) each has the full legal right and power and all authority
and approvals required to enter into, execute and deliver this Agreement and to
perform fully all of his or its obligations hereunder; and (ii) this Agreement
has been duly executed and delivered and constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of each party, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

         12. Binding Effect. Without limiting or diminishing the effect of
Section 9 hereof, this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors, legal
representatives and assigns.

                                       9

<PAGE>   10

         13. Notices. All notices which are required or may be given pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient in
all respects if given in writing and (i) delivered personally, (ii) mailed by
certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid,
(iii) sent via a nationally recognized overnight courier or (iv) sent via
facsimile confirmed in writing to the recipient, if to the Company at the
Company's principal place of business, and if to the Employee, at his home
address most recently filed with the Company, or to such other address or
addresses as either party shall have designated in writing to the other party
hereto, provided, however, that any notice sent by certified or registered mail
shall be deemed delivered on the date of delivery as evidenced by the return
receipt.

         14. Law Governing.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

         15. Severability. The Employee agrees that in the event that any court
of competent jurisdiction shall finally hold that any provision of Section 6 or
10 hereof is void or constitutes an unreasonable restriction against the
Employee, the provisions of such Section 6 or 10 shall not be rendered void but
shall apply with respect to such extent as such court may judicially determine
constitutes a reasonable restriction under the circumstances. If any part of
this Agreement other than Section 6 or 10 is held by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be invalid, illegible or incapable of being enforced in whole
or in part by reason of any rule of law or public policy, such part shall be
deemed to be severed from the remainder of this Agreement for the purpose only
of the particular legal proceedings in question and all other covenants and
provisions of this Agreement shall in every other respect continue in full
force and effect and no covenant or provision shall be deemed dependent upon
any other covenant or provision.

         16. Waiver. Failure to insist upon strict compliance with any of the
terms, covenants or conditions hereof shall not be deemed a waiver of such
term, covenant or condition, nor shall any waiver or relinquishment of any
right or power hereunder at any one or more times be deemed a waiver or
relinquishment of such right or power at any other time or times.

         17. Entire Agreement; Modifications. This Agreement constitutes the
entire and final expression of the agreement of the parties with respect to the
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, oral and written,
between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof. This
Agreement may be modified or amended only by an instrument in writing signed by
both parties hereto.

         18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                             *    *    *    *    *

                                       10

<PAGE>   11

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Employee have duly executed
and delivered this Agreement as of the day and year first above written. LEXENT
INC.

                             By: /s/ ALF T. HANSEN
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                 Name: Alf T. Hansen
                                 Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

                              /s/ SIDNEY A. SAYOVITZ
                              ------------------------------------------------
                                          Sidney A. Sayovitz

                                       11

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