Document:

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                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.3

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Employment Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
by and between Veritas DGC Inc., a Delaware corporation (hereinafter referred to
as "Employer"), and Thierry Pilenko, an individual currently resident in Paris,
France (hereinafter referred to as "Employee"), effective as of January 26, 2004
(the "Effective Date").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, attendant to Employee's employment by Employer, Employer and
Employee wish for there to be a complete understanding and agreement between
Employer and Employee with respect to, among other terms, Employee's duties and
responsibilities to Employer; the compensation and benefits owed to Employee;
the fiduciary duties owed by Employee to Employer; Employee's obligation to
avoid conflicts of interest, disclose pertinent information to Employer, and
refrain from using or disclosing Employer's information; and the term of
Employee's employment;

         WHEREAS, Employer considers the establishment and maintenance of a
sound and vital management to be essential to protecting and enhancing its best
interests and the best interests of its stockholders;

         WHEREAS, Employer recognizes that, because Employer is a publicly held
company and as is the case with many such companies, the possibility of a change
in control may exist and that such possibility, and the uncertainty and
questions which it may raise among management, may result in the departure or
distraction of management personnel to the detriment of Employer and its
stockholders;

         WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of Employer (the "Board") has
determined that appropriate steps should be taken to reinforce and encourage the
continued attention and dedication of members of Employer's management,
including Employee, to their assigned duties without distraction in the face of
the potentially disturbing circumstances arising from the possibility of a
change in control of Employer;

         WHEREAS, Employer recognizes that Employee could suffer adverse
financial and professional consequences if a change in control of Employer were
to occur;

         WHEREAS, Employer and Employee wish to enter into this Agreement to,
among other things, protect Employee if a change in control of Employer occurs,
thereby encouraging Employee to remain in the employ of Employer and not to be
distracted from the performance of his duties to Employer by the possibility of
a change in control of Employer;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Employer and Employee agree as
follows:

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Section 1. General Duties of Employer and Employee.

                  (a)      Commencing on the Commencement Date (as defined in
Section 4) Employer agrees to employ Employee and Employee agrees to accept
employment by Employer and to serve Employer in an executive capacity as its
Chairman & Chief Executive Officer on the terms and conditions stated in this
Agreement. At the Commencement Date, Employee will report to the Board. The
powers, duties and responsibilities of Employee as Chairman & Chief Executive
Officer include those duties that are the usual and customary powers, duties and
responsibilities of such office, including those powers, duties and
responsibilities specified in Employer's Bylaws, and such other and further
duties appropriate to such position as may from time to time be assigned to
Employee by the Board or by any committee of the Board authorized to make such
assignments.

                  (b)      While employed hereunder, Employee will devote
substantially all reasonable and necessary time, efforts, skills and attention
for the benefit of and with his primary attention to the affairs of Employer in
order that he may faithfully perform his duties and obligations. The preceding
sentence will not, however, be deemed to restrict Employee from attending to
matters or engaging in activities not directly related to the business of
Employer, provided that (i) such activities or matters are reasonable in scope
and time commitment and not otherwise in violation of this Agreement, and (ii)
Employee will not become a director of any corporation or other entity
(excluding charitable or other non-profit organizations) without prior written
disclosure to, and consent of, Employer.

                  (c)      Employer's headquarters is currently located at 10300
Town Park, Houston, Texas (the "Employer's Headquarters").

                  (d)      Employee agrees and acknowledges that during the term
of this Agreement, he owes a fiduciary duty of loyalty, fidelity and allegiance
to act at all times in the performance of his duties in the best interests of
Employer and to do no act knowingly and intentionally in the performance of his
duties which would injure Employer's business, its interests or its reputation.

Section 2. Compensation and Benefits.

                  (a)      Employer will pay to Employee for the period
beginning on the Commencement Date and throughout the term of this Agreement, a
base salary at the rate of $450,000 per annum (such base salary as increased by
the Compensation Committee of the Board as hereinafter provided is referred to
herein as the "Base Salary"). The Compensation Committee of the Board will
review the Base Salary from time to time and, during the term of this Agreement,
may increase, but may not decrease, the Base Salary. The Base Salary will be
paid to Employee in equal installments every two weeks or on such other schedule
as Employer may establish from time to time for its management personnel.

                  (b)      Employer will pay to Employee a one-time Sign-On
Bonus in the amount of $75,000 as soon as practicable following the Commencement
Date.

                  (c)      During each fiscal year during the term of this
Agreement, Employee will be eligible to participate in that year's Veritas DGC
Inc. Key Contributor Incentive Plan (the

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"Key Contributor Plan") or other replacement incentive or bonus plan Employer
establishes for its key executives. Employee's "Target Payout" for incentive
bonus compensation under the Key Contributor Plan will be 75% of Base Salary
and, provided that the individual Employee objectives and company objectives are
met as required by the plan, Employee will be eligible to earn up to 150% of his
Base Salary as incentive bonus compensation under the Key Contributor Plan.

                  (d)      On the Commencement Date, Employee will be granted
options to purchase 120,000 shares of Employer's common stock, $.01 par value
("Common Stock") pursuant to the Veritas DGC Inc. Share Incentive Plan (or other
replacement equity compensation plan Employer establishes for its key
executives) ("Share Incentive Plan"). This initial grant (the "Initial Grant")
will vest in one-third increments on each of the first, second and third
anniversaries of the Commencement Date (as defined in Section 4). The options
granted pursuant to the Initial Grant shall be exercisable for five years from
the Commencement Date, provided they have vested prior to their exercise and
provided further that the five-year period may be shorter in the event
Employee's employment is terminated prior to exercise. The exercise price for
each share of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to the Initial Grant shall
be the closing price for a share of Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
on the last trading day prior to the Commencement Date. All other terms of the
Initial Grant shall be as provided in the Share Incentive Plan and any grant
agreement entered into by Employee and Employer pursuant thereto. Employee will
be eligible for such additional option grants to purchase shares of Common Stock
pursuant to the terms of the Share Incentive Plan as the Compensation Committee
may, in its discretion, award from time to time.

                  (e)      From and after the Commencement Date and during the
term of this Agreement, Employee will be entitled to paid vacation of not less
than four (4) weeks each year. Vacation may be taken by Employee at the time and
for such periods as may be mutually agreed upon between Employer and Employee.

                  (f)      From and after the Commencement Date and during the
term of this Agreement, Employee will be reimbursed in accordance with
Employer's normal expense reimbursement policy for all of the actual and
reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him in the performance of his services
and duties hereunder, including, but not limited to, travel and entertainment
expenses. Employee will furnish Employer with all invoices and vouchers
reflecting amounts for which Employee seeks Employer's reimbursement under this
or any other paragraph of this Agreement.

                  (g)      From and after the Commencement Date and during the
term of this Agreement, Employee will be entitled to participate in all
insurance and retirement plans, incentive compensation plans (at a level
appropriate to his position) and such other benefit plans or programs as may be
in effect from time to time for the key management employees of Employer
including, without limitation, those related to savings and thrift, retirement,
employee stock purchase, nonqualified deferred compensation, welfare, medical,
dental, disability, salary continuance, accidental death, travel accident, life
insurance, incentive bonus, membership in business and professional
organizations, and reimbursement of business and entertainment expenses.

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                  (h)      From and after the Commencement Date and during the
term of this Agreement, Employee will be reimbursed for the cost of his
membership in a recreational/?social/?sports club in an amount not to exceed
$6,000 each year. Employee will also be reimbursed for the cost of his
initiation fee and monthly membership dues for a business luncheon club approved
by the Compensation Committee of the Board.

                  (i)      Employee will be reimbursed for the expense of
leasing a vehicle in an amount not to exceed $1,000 per month and for up to 24
months' duration.

                  (j)      Employer will, at its expense, provide counsel to
Employee in applying for an H-1B visa and a green card and shall bear all costs
in connection with applying for and obtaining an H-1B visa on Employee's behalf
and applying for and obtaining green card status for Employee and his family.

                  (k)      Employee will be provided additional compensation
equal to one month's Base Salary in order to defray Employee's start up living
expenses in the United States. Employer will reimburse Executive for the cost of
moving all reasonable household goods, using the most cost efficient method.
Employee will also be reimbursed the reasonable cost of temporary corporate
housing (up to two bedroom, fully furnished) that may be required in connection
with his relocation to the United States for a period of no more than six
months. Employee will also be reimbursed for the cost of economy class roundtrip
airfare from Paris, France to Houston, Texas for himself, his wife and children,
for the purpose of traveling to Houston to locate a house and schools. Employee
will also be reimbursed the normal closing costs associated with the purchase of
a home in the metropolitan Houston, Texas area.

                  (l)      All Base Salary, bonus and other payments made or
benefits provided by Employer to Employee pursuant to this Agreement will be
subject to such payroll and withholding deductions as may be required by law and
other deductions applied generally to employees of Employer for insurance and
other employee benefit plans in which Employee participates. Employee will be
reimbursed for the reasonable costs of preparation of his United States federal
income tax return and his French income tax return for the first two years
following the Effective Date.

                  (m)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, this
Agreement shall terminate if, within 120 days after the Effective Date, Employee
does not obtain an H-1B visa or otherwise obtain permission to work legally in
the United States for the Employer. In the event of such termination, (i)
Employer shall pay Employee within 120 days after the Effective Date a lump sum
payment of 145,000 Euros to compensate him for his attempted performance of this
Agreement; (ii) Employer shall reimburse Employee for his reasonable out of
pocket expenses incurred in connection with his attempted performance of this
Agreement (including but not limited to any travel and/or moving expenses); and
(iii) Employee shall continue to be bound by Sections 3(b) and 3(c) hereof and
the Employee Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement executed
pursuant to Section 3(d). The payments thus made by Employer to Employee shall
be in complete satisfaction of any obligation whatsoever Employer may then have
to Employee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, and for the
avoidance of doubt, in the event of the termination of this Agreement prior to
the Commencement Date for failure to obtain the required permission to work in
the United States, Employee will not be

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entitled to any compensation or benefits under Sections 2(a)-(l) of this
Agreement nor will he be entitled to any severance or other benefits under
Section 6 of this Agreement.

Section 3. Fiduciary Duty; Confidentiality.

                  (a)      In keeping with Employee's fiduciary duties to
Employer, Employee agrees that he will not knowingly take any action that would
create a conflict of interest with Employer, or upon discovery thereof, allow
such a conflict to continue. In the event that Employee discovers that such a
conflict exists, Employee agrees that he will disclose to the Board any facts
which might involve a conflict of interest that has not been approved by the
Board.

                  (b)      As part of Employee's fiduciary duties to Employer,
Employee agrees to protect and safeguard Employer's information, ideas,
concepts, improvements, discoveries, and inventions and any proprietary,
confidential and other information relating to Employer or its business to the
extent such information is in his possession or under his control (collectively,
"Confidential Information") and, except as may be required by Employer, Employee
will not knowingly, either during his employment by Employer or thereafter,
directly or indirectly, use for his own benefit or for the benefit of another,
or disclose to another, any Confidential Information, except (i) with the prior
written consent of Employer; (ii) in the course of the proper performance of
Employee's duties under this Agreement; (iii) for information that becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of the unauthorized
disclosure by Employee; (iv) for information that becomes available to Employee
on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than Employer or its affiliated
companies who is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Employer; or (v) as
may be required by any applicable law, rule, regulation, order, or legal
process.

                  (c)      Upon termination of his employment with Employer (or,
if applicable, upon the expiration of 120 days from the Effective Date without
Employee's having obtained an H-1B visa), Employee will immediately deliver to
Employer all documents in Employee's possession or under his control which
embody any of Employer's Confidential Information.

                  (d)      In addition to the foregoing provisions of this
Section 3, and effective as of the Commencement Date, Employee agrees to enter
into an Employee Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement with
Employer, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A.

Section 4. Term.

         Provided that Employee has then obtained an H-1B visa or otherwise
obtained permission to work legally in the United States for the Employer,
Employee's employment with Employer will commence on March 15, 2004 or such
other date as Employer and Employee may mutually agree. In the event Employee
has not obtained permission to work legally in the United States for the
Employer by March 15, 2004, the commencement of Employee's employment with
Employer shall automatically be postponed from day to day for a period of up to
120 days after the Effective Date. (The date Employee's employment commences in
accordance with this Section 4 is referred to herein as the "Commencement
Date"). Employee's employment will continue from the Commencement Date until
terminated in accordance with Section 5.

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Section 5. Termination of Employment.

                  (a)      Employee's employment with Employer hereunder will
terminate upon the first to occur of the following:

                           (1)      The death or "Disability" (as defined in
                  Section 5(b) hereof) of Employee;

                           (2)      Employer terminates such employment for
                  "Cause" (as defined in Section 5(c) hereof);

                           (3)      Employee terminates such employment for
                  "Good Reason" (as defined in Section 5(d) hereof);

                           (4)      Employer terminates such employment for any
                  reason other than Cause or for no reason at all; or

                           (5)      Employee terminates such employment for any
                  reason other than Good Reason or for no reason at all.

                  (b)      As used in this Agreement, "Disability" means
permanent and total disability (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or any successor
provision) which has existed for at least 180 consecutive days.

                  (c)      As used in this Agreement, "Cause" means:

                           (1)      the willful and continued failure by
                  Employee to make good faith efforts to substantially perform
                  his material obligations under this Agreement (other than any
                  such failure resulting from his Disability) after a demand for
                  substantial performance has been delivered to him by the Board
                  which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board
                  believes Employee has not substantially performed such
                  provisions and Employee has failed to remedy the situation
                  within ten (10) days after such demand;

                           (2)      Employee's (i) willfully engaging in
                  misconduct involving the business or property of Employer or
                  Employee's duties hereunder, which misconduct is materially
                  and demonstrably injurious to the property or business of
                  Employer, including without limitation, fraud,
                  misappropriation of funds or other property of Employer; (ii)
                  gross negligence with regard to a material matter involving
                  the business or property of Employer or Employee's duties
                  hereunder; or (iii) conviction of a felony or any crime of
                  moral turpitude; or

                           (3)      Employee's material breach of this Agreement
                  which breach has not been remedied by Employee within ten (10)
                  days after receipt by Employee of written notice from Employer
                  that he is in material breach of the Agreement, specifying the
                  particulars of such breach.

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For purposes of this Agreement, no act, or failure to act, on the part of
Employee shall be deemed "willful" or engaged in "willfully" if it was due
primarily to an error in judgment or negligence, but shall be deemed "willful"
or engaged in "willfully" only if done, or omitted to be done, by Employee not
in good faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in
the best interest of Employer. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall not
be deemed to have been terminated as a result of "Cause" hereunder unless and
until there shall have been delivered to Employee a copy of a resolution duly
adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the Board
then in office at a meeting of the Board called and held for such purpose (after
reasonable notice to Employee and an opportunity for Employee, together with his
counsel, to be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion
of the Board of Directors, Employee has committed an act set forth above in this
Section 5(c) and specifying the particulars thereof in detail. Nothing herein
shall limit the right of Employee or his legal representatives to contest the
validity or propriety of any such determination.

                  (d)      As used in this Agreement, "Good Reason" means:

                           (1)      Employer's failure to comply with any of the
                  provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement (including, but not
                  limited to, such a failure resulting from any reduction in the
                  Base Salary) which failure is not remedied within ten (10)
                  days after receipt of written notice from Employee specifying
                  the particulars of such breach;

                           (2)      Employer's breach of any other material
                  provision of this Agreement which is not remedied within ten
                  (10) days after receipt by Employer of written notice from
                  Employee specifying the particulars of such breach;

                           (3)      the assignment to Employee of any duties
                  materially inconsistent with Employee's position (including
                  status, offices, titles, and reporting requirements), duties,
                  functions, responsibilities, or authority as contemplated by
                  Section 1 of this Agreement or other action by Employer that
                  results in a diminution (other than an isolated,
                  inconsequential or insubstantial diminution which is remedied
                  by Employer promptly after receipt of written notice thereof
                  given by Employee) in such title, position, duties, functions,
                  responsibilities or authority; or

                           (4)      the relocation of Employee's principal place
                  of performance of his duties and responsibilities under this
                  Agreement to a location more than one hundred miles (100)
                  miles from Employer's Headquarters;

                           (5)      After a "Change in Control" (as defined in
                  Section 6(f) hereof), (i) Employer's failure to continue in
                  effect any benefit or compensation plan (including, but not
                  limited to, any bonus, incentive, retirement, supplemental
                  executive retirement, savings, profit sharing, pension,
                  performance, stock option, stock purchase, deferred
                  compensation, life insurance, medical, dental, health,
                  hospital, accident or disability plans) in which Employee is
                  participating at the time of such Change in Control (or plans
                  providing to Employee, in the aggregate, substantially similar
                  benefits as the benefits enjoyed by Employee under the

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                  benefit and compensation plans in which Employee is
                  participating at the time of such Change in Control), or (ii)
                  the taking of any action by Employer that would adversely
                  affect Employee's participation in or materially reduce
                  Employee's benefits under any of such plans or deprive
                  Employee of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Employee at
                  the time of such Change in Control;

                           (6)      Any failure by Employer to comply with
                  Section 11(c); or

                           (7)      Any purported termination of Employee's
                  employment by Employer which is not effected pursuant to a
                  Notice of Termination satisfying the requirements of Section
                  5(e) hereof (and for purposes of this Agreement, no such
                  purported termination shall be effective).

                  (e)      Any termination by Employer or Employee of Employee's
employment with Employer shall be communicated by written notice (a "Notice of
Termination") to the other party that shall:

                           (1)      indicate the specific provision of this
                  Agreement relied upon for such termination;

                           (2)      indicate the specific provision of this
                  Agreement pursuant to which Employee is to receive
                  compensation and other benefits as a result of such
                  termination; and

                           (3)      otherwise comply with the provisions of this
                  Section 5(e) and Section 13(a).

If a Notice of Termination states that Employee's employment with Employer has
been terminated as a result of Employee's Disability, the notice shall (i)
specifically describe the basis for the determination of Employee's Disability,
and (ii) state the date of the determination of Employee's Disability, which
date shall be not more than ten (10) days before the date such notice is given.
If the notice is from Employer and states that Employee's employment with
Employer is terminated by Employer as a result of the occurrence of Cause, the
Notice of Termination shall specifically describe the action or inaction of
Employee that Employer believes constitutes Cause and shall be accompanied by a
copy of the resolution satisfying Section 5(c). If the Notice of Termination is
from Employee and states that Employee's employment with Employer is terminated
by Employee as a result of the occurrence of Good Reason, the Notice of
Termination shall specifically describe the action or inaction of Employer that
Employee believes constitutes Good Reason. Any purported termination by Employer
of Employee's employment with Employer shall be ineffective unless such
termination shall have been communicated by Employer to Employee by a Notice of
Termination that meets the requirements of this Section 5(e) and the provisions
of Section 13(a).

                  (f)      As used in this Agreement, "Date of Termination"
means:

                           (1)      if Employee's employment with Employer is
                  terminated for Disability, sixty (60) days after Notice of
                  Termination is received by Employee or any later date
                  specified therein, provided that within such sixty (60) day
                  period

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                  Employee shall not have returned to full-time performance of
                  Employee's duties;

                           (2)      if Employee's employment with Employer is
                  terminated as a result of Employee's death, the date of death
                  of Employee;

                           (3)      if Employee's employment with Employer is
                  terminated for Cause, the date Notice of Termination,
                  accompanied by a copy of the resolution satisfying Section
                  5(c), is received by Employee or any later date specified
                  therein, provided that Employer may, in its discretion,
                  condition Employee's continued employment upon such
                  considerations or requirements as may be reasonable under the
                  circumstances and place a reasonable limitation upon the time
                  within which Employee will comply with such considerations or
                  requirements; or

                           (4)      if Employee's employment with Employer is
                  terminated for any reason other than Employee's Disability,
                  Employee's death, or Cause, or for no reason, the date that is
                  fourteen (14) days after the date of receipt of the Notice of
                  Termination.

Section 6. Effect of Termination.

                  (a)      Upon termination of Employee's employment by Employer
for Cause, or by Employee for no reason or any reason other than Good Reason,
all compensation and benefits will cease upon the Date of Termination other
than: (i) those benefits that are provided by retirement and benefit plans and
programs specifically adopted and approved by Employer for Employee that are
earned and vested by the Date of Termination, (ii) as provided in Section 10,
(iii) Employee's Base Salary through the Date of Termination; (iv) any incentive
compensation due Employee if, under the terms of the relevant incentive
compensation arrangement, such incentive compensation was due and payable to
Employee on or before the Date of Termination; and (v) medical and similar
employee welfare benefits the continuation of which is required by applicable
law or provided by the applicable benefit plan.

                  (b)      Upon termination of Employee's employment due to the
death of Employee or upon termination by Employer due to the Disability of
Employee, all compensation and benefits will cease upon the Date of Termination
other than: (i) those benefits that are provided by retirement and benefit plans
and programs specifically adopted and approved by Employer for Employee that are
earned and vested by the Date of Termination, (ii) as provided in Section 10,
(iii) Employee's Base Salary through the Date of Termination; (iv) any incentive
compensation due Employee if, under the terms of the relevant incentive
compensation arrangement, such incentive compensation was due and payable to
Employee on or before the Date of Termination; and (v) medical and similar
employee welfare benefits the continuation of which is required by applicable
law or provided by the applicable benefit plan.

                  (c)      Except as otherwise provided in Section 6(d), if
Employee's employment with Employer is terminated (i) by Employer for no reason
or for any reason other than Cause, or the death or Disability of Employee, or
(ii) by Employee for Good Reason, the obligations of Employer and Employee under
Sections 1 and 2 will terminate as of the Date of Termination,

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and Employer will pay or provide to Employee the following:

                  (1)      Employee's Base Salary through the Date of
         Termination;

                  (2)      (i)      should the Date of Termination be on a day
                                    which is prior to the first anniversary of
                                    the Commencement Date, Employer shall pay
                                    Employee an amount equal to the incentive
                                    bonus compensation he would have received
                                    under the Key Contributor Plan or other
                                    replacement plan but for the termination of
                                    his employment, which incentive bonus
                                    compensation shall be pro rated through the
                                    Date of Termination and paid at the time
                                    other participants in the Key Contributor
                                    Plan or the relevant incentive plan receive
                                    their payments; or,

                           (ii)     should the Date of Termination be on a day
                                    which is on or after the first anniversary
                                    of the Commencement Date, Employer shall pay
                                    Employee the incentive bonus compensation
                                    due Employee, if any, in accordance with the
                                    terms of the relevant incentive compensation
                                    arrangement;

                  (3)      during the three-year period ending on the third
         anniversary of the Date of Termination, Employer shall pay to Employee
         an aggregate amount (the "Severance Payment") equal to one and one-half
         (1.5) times Employee's Base Salary at the highest annual rate in effect
         on or before the Date of Termination (but prior to giving effect to any
         reduction therein which precipitated such termination), which Severance
         Payment will be paid to Employee in equal installments every two weeks
         during such three-year period; provided, however, that at any time
         during such three-year period Employer may, in its discretion, elect to
         pay to Employee the then remaining balance of the Severance Payment in
         the form of a lump sum cash payment;

                  (4)      should the Date of Termination be on a day which is
         prior to the first anniversary of the Commencement Date, 40,000 of the
         options granted in the Initial Grant shall become fully exercisable,
         regardless of whether or not the vesting conditions set forth in the
         relevant stock option agreement have been satisfied in full, and shall
         be fully exercisable for the period commencing on the Date of
         Termination and ending one day less than three months after the Date of
         Termination; and

                  (5)      if immediately prior to the Date of Termination
         Employee (and, if applicable, his spouse and/or dependents) was covered
         under Employer's group medical, dental, health and hospital plan in
         effect at such time, then Employer shall, at its election, pay or
         provide to Employee one (but not both) of the following:

                           (i)      for one (1) year after the Date of
                                    Termination, and provided

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                                    that Employee has timely elected under the
                                    Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
                                    Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"), to
                                    continue coverage under such plan, Employer
                                    will, at no greater cost or expense to
                                    Employee than was the case immediately prior
                                    to the Date of Termination, maintain such
                                    continued coverage in full force and effect;
                                    or

                           (ii)     pay to Employee a lump sum cash payment (the
                                    "Section 6(c)(4)(ii) Payment") equal to the
                                    sum of:

                                    (A)      an amount equal to (I) twelve (12),
                                             multiplied by (II) the amount of
                                             the applicable monthly COBRA
                                             premium (determined based upon the
                                             applicable COBRA premium rate in
                                             effect immediately after the Date
                                             of Termination) Employee would pay
                                             if Employee elected under COBRA to
                                             maintain coverage identical to the
                                             coverage Employee (and, if
                                             applicable, his spouse and/or
                                             dependents) had under such plan
                                             immediately prior to the Date of
                                             Termination; plus

                                    (B)      an amount equal to the excess of
                                             (I) an amount determined by
                                             dividing (x) the amount determined
                                             under Section 6(c)(4)(ii)(A) above,
                                             by (y) one (1) minus the sum of the
                                             following which shall be determined
                                             for the calendar year that includes
                                             the date of payment of the Section
                                             6(c)(4)(ii) Payment and shall be
                                             expressed as a decimal: (i) the
                                             highest marginal U.S. federal
                                             income tax rate applicable to
                                             individuals for such calendar year,
                                             plus (ii) the highest foreign,
                                             state, provincial and/or local
                                             individual income tax rate or
                                             rates, if any, to which the Section
                                             6(c)(4)(ii) Payment is subject for
                                             such calendar year (which shall be
                                             determined based on the assumption
                                             that Employee pays income tax to
                                             any such foreign, state, provincial
                                             or local jurisdiction at the
                                             highest marginal rate of income tax
                                             imposed by such jurisdiction on
                                             individuals), plus, (iii) the
                                             Hospital (Medicare) Insurance tax
                                             rate under Section 3101(b) of the
                                             Code (or any corresponding
                                             successor statute) for such
                                             calendar year, over (II) the amount
                                             determined under Section
                                             6(c)(4)(ii)(A) above.

Except as otherwise provided above and in Section 10, all other compensation and
benefits will

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

cease upon the Date of Termination other than the following: (i) those benefits
that are provided by retirement and benefit plans and programs specifically
adopted and approved by Employer for Employee that are earned and vested by the
Date of Termination, (ii) any rights Employee or his survivors may have under
any grants of options to purchase Employer's Common Stock or under any grants of
restricted stock of Parent; and (iii) medical and similar employee welfare
benefits the continuation of which is required by applicable law or as provided
by the applicable benefit plan. As a condition to making the payments and
providing the benefits specified in this Section 6(c), Employer will require
that Employee execute a release of all claims Employee may have against Employer
at the time of Employee's termination. Such release will be in substantially the
same form as Exhibit B attached hereto.

                  (d)      If (i) a "Change in Control" (as defined in Section
6(f) hereof) shall have occurred, and (ii) within three (3) years after such
Change in Control Employee's employment with Employer is terminated (x) by
Employer for no reason or for any reason other than Cause, or the death or
Disability of Employee, or (y) by Employee for Good Reason, the obligations of
Employer and Employee under Sections 1 and 2 will terminate as of the Date of
Termination, Section 6(c) above shall not apply, and Employer will pay or
provide to Employee:

                           (1)      Employee's Base Salary through the Date of
                  Termination;

                           (2)      incentive compensation due Employee, if any,
                  under the terms of the relevant incentive compensation
                  arrangement;

                           (3)      within thirty (30) days after the Date of
                  Termination, a lump sum cash payment equal to one and one-half
                  (1.5) times the sum of:

                                    (i)      Employee's Base Salary at the
                                             highest annual rate in effect on or
                                             before the Date of Termination (but
                                             prior to giving effect to any
                                             reduction therein which
                                             precipitated such termination),
                                             plus

                                    (ii)     An amount equal to the greatest of:

                                             (A)      the average of the
                                                      incentive bonuses paid to
                                                      Employee for the last
                                                      three (3) full fiscal
                                                      years of Employer ending
                                                      before the Date of
                                                      Termination (or, if
                                                      Employee was not employed
                                                      by Employer hereunder for
                                                      such last three (3) full
                                                      fiscal years, the average
                                                      of the incentive bonuses
                                                      paid to Employee for the
                                                      number of full fiscal
                                                      years of Employer ending
                                                      before the Date of
                                                      Termination during which
                                                      Employee was employed by
                                                      Employer hereunder);

                                             (B)      the incentive bonus paid
                                                      to Employee for the last
                                                      full fiscal year of
                                                      Employer ending before
                                                      the Date of Termination;
                                                      or

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

                                             (C)      an amount equal to
                                                      Employee's Base Salary
                                                      described in Section 6(d)
                                                      (3)(i) multiplied by
                                                      Employee's target
                                                      percentage under the Key
                                                      Contributor Plan or other
                                                      replacement incentive or
                                                      bonus plan of Employer
                                                      for the fiscal year which
                                                      includes the Date of
                                                      Termination;

                           (4)      if immediately prior to the Date of
                  Termination Employee (and, if applicable, his spouse and/or
                  dependents) was covered under Employer's group medical,
                  dental, health and hospital plan in effect at such time, then
                  Employer shall, at its election, pay or provide to Employee
                  one (but not both) of the following:

                                    (i)      for eighteen (18) months after the
                                             Date of Termination, and provided
                                             that Employee has timely elected
                                             under COBRA to continue coverage
                                             under such plan, Employer will, at
                                             no greater cost or expense to
                                             Employee than was the case
                                             immediately prior to the Date of
                                             Termination, maintain such
                                             continued coverage in full force
                                             and effect; or

                                    (ii)     pay to Employee a lump sum cash
                                             payment (the "Section 6(d)(4)(ii)
                                             Payment") equal to the sum of:

                                             (A)      an amount equal to (I)
                                                      eighteen (18), multiplied
                                                      by (II) the amount of the
                                                      applicable monthly COBRA
                                                      premium (determined based
                                                      upon the applicable COBRA
                                                      premium rate in effect
                                                      immediately after the
                                                      Date of Termination)
                                                      Employee would pay if
                                                      Employee elected under
                                                      COBRA to maintain
                                                      coverage identical to the
                                                      coverage Employee (and,
                                                      if applicable, his spouse
                                                      and/or dependents) had
                                                      under such plan
                                                      immediately prior to the
                                                      Date of Termination; plus

                                             (B)      an amount equal to the
                                                      excess of (I) an amount
                                                      determined by dividing
                                                      (x) the amount determined
                                                      under Section 6(d)(4)(ii)
                                                      (A) above, by (y) one (1)
                                                      minus the sum of the
                                                      following which shall be
                                                      determined for the
                                                      calendar year that
                                                      includes the date of
                                                      payment of the Section
                                                      6(d)(4)(ii) Payment and
                                                      shall be expressed as a
                                                      decimal: (i) the highest
                                                      marginal U.S. federal
                                                      income tax rate
                                                      applicable to individuals
                                                      for such calendar year,
                                                      plus (ii) the highest
                                                      foreign, state,
                                                      provincial and/or local
                                                      individual income tax
                                                      rate or rates, if any, to
                                                      which the Section 6(d)(4)
                                                      (ii) Payment is subject
                                                      for such calendar year
                                                      (which shall be
                                                      determined based on

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                                                      the assumption that
                                                      Employee pays income tax
                                                      to any such foreign,
                                                      state, provincial or local
                                                      jurisdiction at the
                                                      highest marginal rate of
                                                      income tax imposed by
                                                      such jurisdiction on
                                                      individuals), plus, (iii)
                                                      the Hospital (Medicare)
                                                      Insurance tax rate under
                                                      Section 3101(b) of the
                                                      Code (or any corresponding
                                                      successor statute) for
                                                      such calendar year, over
                                                      (II) the amount
                                                      determined under Section
                                                     6(d)(4)(ii)(A) above; and

                           (5)      the following shall occur immediately upon
                  the occurrence of such Change in Control:

                                    (i)      each option to acquire Common Stock
                                             or other equity securities of
                                             Employer held by Employee
                                             immediately prior to such Change in
                                             Control shall become fully
                                             exercisable, regardless of whether
                                             or not the vesting conditions set
                                             forth in the relevant stock option
                                             agreement have been satisfied in
                                             full, and shall remain fully
                                             exercisable for the remainder of
                                             the five-year term of such option;
                                             and

                                    (ii)     all restrictions on any restricted
                                             Common Stock or other equity
                                             securities of Employer granted to
                                             Employee prior to such Change in
                                             Control shall be removed and such
                                             Common Stock or other equity
                                             securities shall be freely
                                             transferable (subject to applicable
                                             securities laws), regardless of
                                             whether the conditions set forth in
                                             the relevant restricted stock
                                             agreements have been satisfied in
                                             full.

As a condition to making the payments and providing the benefits specified in
this Section 6(d), Employer will require that Employee execute a release of all
claims Employee may have against Employer at the time of Employee's termination.
Such release will be in substantially the same form as Exhibit B attached
hereto.

                  (e)      Notwithstanding anything contained in this Agreement
to the contrary, if following the commencement of any discussion with a third
person or the initiation of any tender offer that ultimately results in a Change
in Control, (i) Employee's employment with Employer is terminated by Employer
for no reason or for any reason other than Cause, (ii) Employee is removed from
any material duties or position with Employer, or (iii) Employer fails to comply
with any of the provisions of Section 2 of this Agreement, then for all purposes
of this Agreement, such Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on
the date immediately prior to the date of such termination, removal, or failure.

                  (f)      For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control"
shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

                           (1)      the acquisition by any individual, entity or
                  group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of
                  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to
                  time (the "Exchange Act"), or any successor statute) (a
                  "Covered Person") of beneficial ownership (within the meaning
                  of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 25% or
                  more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
                  (the "Outstanding Company Common Stock"), or (ii) the combined
                  voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of
                  Employer entitled to vote generally in the election of
                  directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
                  provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 6(f)(1),
                  the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change in
                  Control: (i) any acquisition directly from Employer, (ii) any
                  acquisition by Employer, (iii) any acquisition by any employee
                  benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
                  Employer or any entity controlled by Employer, or (iv) any
                  acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which
                  complies with Section 6(f)(3)(i), (ii) or (iii); or

                           (2)      individuals who, as of the Effective Date,
                  constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any
                  reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
                  provided, however, that any individual becoming a director
                  subsequent to the Effective Date whose election, or nomination
                  for election by Employer's stockholders, was approved by a
                  vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then comprising
                  the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
                  individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but
                  excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
                  assumption of office occurs as a result of an actual or
                  threatened election contest with respect to the election or
                  removal of directors or other actual or threatened
                  solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a
                  Covered Person other than the Board; or

                           (3)      consummation of (xx) a reorganization,
                  merger, amalgamation, consolidation, sale or other form of
                  business combination of Employer or any subsidiary of
                  Employer, or (yy) a sale, lease, exchange, disposition or
                  other transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of
                  Employer (a "Business Combination"), in each case, unless,
                  following such Business Combination, (i) all or substantially
                  all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial
                  owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
                  and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to
                  such Business Combination beneficially own, directly or
                  indirectly, more than 75% of, respectively, the then
                  outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting
                  power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to
                  vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may
                  be, of the corporation resulting from such Business
                  Combination (including, without limitation, a corporation
                  which as a result of such transaction owns Employer or all or
                  substantially all of Employer's assets either directly or
                  through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same
                  proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such
                  Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock
                  and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be,
                  (ii) no Covered Person (excluding any employee benefit plan
                  (or related trust) of Employer or such corporation resulting
                  from such Business

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

                  Combination) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 25% or
                  more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
                  stock of the corporation resulting from such Business
                  Combination or the combined voting power of the then
                  outstanding voting securities of such corporation, except to
                  the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Business
                  Combination, and (iii) at least a majority of the members of
                  the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such
                  Business Combination, were members of the Incumbent Board at
                  the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
                  action of the Board of Directors, providing for such Business
                  Combination; or

                           (4)      approval by the stockholders of Employer of
                  a complete liquidation or dissolution of Employer.

Section 7. Excise Tax

                  (a)      Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or
distribution by, or benefit from, Employer or any of its affiliates to or for
the benefit of Employee, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (any such payments,
distributions or benefits being individually referred to herein as a "Payment,"
and any two or more of such payments, distributions or benefits being referred
to herein as "Payments"), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code (such excise tax, together with any interest thereon, any
penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect to such excise
tax, and any interest in respect of such penalties, additions to tax or
additional amounts, being collectively referred herein to as the "Excise Tax"),
then Employee shall be entitled to receive an additional payment or payments
(individually referred to herein as a "Gross-Up Payment" and any two or more of
such additional payments being referred to herein as "Gross-Up Payments") in an
amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes (as defined in Section
7(k)) imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Employee retains an amount of such
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payments.

                  (b)      Subject to the provisions of Section 7(c) through
(i), any determination (individually, a "Determination") required to be made
under this Section 7(b), including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and
the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, shall initially be made, at Employer's
expense, by nationally recognized tax counsel selected by Employer ("Tax
Counsel"). Tax Counsel shall provide detailed supporting legal authorities,
calculations, and documentation both to Employer and Employee within 15 business
days of the termination of Employee's employment, if applicable, or such other
time or times as is reasonably requested by Employer or Employee. If Tax Counsel
makes the initial Determination that no Excise Tax is payable by Employee with
respect to a Payment or Payments, it shall furnish Employee with an opinion
reasonably acceptable to Employee that no Excise Tax will be imposed with
respect to any such Payment or Payments. Employee shall have the right to
dispute any Determination (a "Dispute") within 15 business days after delivery
of Tax Counsel's opinion with respect to such Determination. The Gross-Up
Payment, if any, as determined pursuant to such Determination shall, at
Employer's expense, be paid by Employer to or for the benefit of Employee within
five business days of Employee's receipt of such Determination. The existence of
a Dispute shall not in any way affect Employee's right to receive the Gross-Up
Payment in accordance with such

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

Determination. If there is no Dispute, such Determination shall be binding,
final and conclusive upon Employer and Employee, subject in all respects,
however, to the provisions of Section 7(c) through (i) below. As a result of the
uncertainty in the application of Sections 4999 and 280G of the Code, it is
possible that Gross-Up Payments (or portions thereof) which will not have been
made by Employer should have been made ("Underpayment"), and if upon any
reasonable written request from Employee or Employer to Tax Counsel, or upon Tax
Counsel's own initiative, Tax Counsel, at Employer's expense, thereafter
determines that Employee is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax or any
additional Excise Tax, as the case may be, Tax Counsel shall, at Employer's
expense, determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by Employer to or for the benefit of
Employee.

                  (c)      Employer shall defend, hold harmless, and indemnify
Employee on a fully grossed-up after tax basis from and against any and all
claims, losses, liabilities, obligations, damages, impositions, assessments,
demands, judgments, settlements, costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys', accountants', and experts' fees and expenses) with respect to any
tax liability of Employee resulting from any Final Determination (as defined in
Section 7(j)) that any Payment is subject to the Excise Tax.

                  (d)      If a party hereto receives any written or oral
communication with respect to any question, adjustment, assessment or pending or
threatened audit, examination, investigation or administrative, court or other
proceeding which, if pursued successfully, could result in or give rise to a
claim by Employee against Employer under this Section 7 ("Claim"), including,
but not limited to, a claim for indemnification of Employee by Employer under
Section 7(c), then such party shall promptly notify the other party hereto in
writing of such Claim ("Tax Claim Notice").

                  (e)      If a Claim is asserted against Employee ("Employee
Claim"), Employee shall take or cause to be taken such action in connection with
contesting such Employee Claim as Employer shall reasonably request in writing
from time to time, including the retention of counsel and experts as are
reasonably designated by Employer (it being understood and agreed by the parties
hereto that the terms of any such retention shall expressly provide that
Employer shall be solely responsible for the payment of any and all fees and
disbursements of such counsel and any experts) and the execution of powers of
attorney, provided that:

                           (1)      within 30 calendar days after Employer
                  receives or delivers, as the case may be, the Tax Claim Notice
                  relating to such Employee Claim (or such earlier date that any
                  payment of the taxes claimed is due from Employee, but in no
                  event sooner than five calendar days after Employer receives
                  or delivers such Tax Claim Notice), Employer shall have
                  notified Employee in writing ("Election Notice") that Employer
                  does not dispute its obligations (including, but not limited
                  to, its indemnity obligations) under this Agreement and that
                  Employer elects to contest, and to control the defense or
                  prosecution of, such Employee Claim at Employer's sole risk
                  and sole cost and expense; and

                           (2)      Employer shall have advanced to Employee on
                  an interest-free basis, the total amount of the tax claimed in
                  order for Employee, at Employer's

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

                  request, to pay or cause to be paid the tax claimed, file a
                  claim for refund of such tax and, subject to the provisions of
                  the last sentence of Section 7(g), sue for a refund of such
                  tax if such claim for refund is disallowed by the appropriate
                  taxing authority (it being understood and agreed by the
                  parties hereto that Employer shall only be entitled to sue for
                  a refund and Employer shall not be entitled to initiate any
                  proceeding in, for example, United States Tax Court) and shall
                  indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on a fully grossed-up
                  after tax basis, from any tax imposed with respect to such
                  advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
                  such advance; and

                           (3)      Employer shall reimburse Employee for any
                  and all costs and expenses resulting from any such request by
                  Employer and shall indemnify and hold Employee harmless, on
                  fully grossed-up after-tax basis, from any tax imposed as a
                  result of such reimbursement.

                  (f)      Subject to the provisions of Section 7(e) hereof,
Employer shall have the right to defend or prosecute, at the sole cost, expense
and risk of Employer, such Employee Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which
proceedings shall be defended or prosecuted diligently by Employer to a Final
Determination; provided, however, that (i) Employer shall not, without
Employee's prior written consent, enter into any compromise or settlement of
such Employee Claim that would adversely affect Employee, (ii) any request from
Employer to Employee regarding any extension of the statute of limitations
relating to assessment, payment, or collection of taxes for the taxable year of
Employee with respect to which the contested issues involved in, and amount of,
Employee Claim relate is limited solely to such contested issues and amount, and
(iii) Employer's control of any contest or proceeding shall be limited to issues
with respect to Employee Claim and Employee shall be entitled to settle or
contest, in his sole and absolute discretion, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. So long as Employer is
diligently defending or prosecuting such Employee Claim, Employee shall provide
or cause to be provided to Employer any information reasonably requested by
Employer that relates to such Employee Claim, and shall otherwise cooperate with
Employer and its representatives in good faith in order to contest effectively
such Employee Claim. Employer shall keep Employee informed of all developments
and events relating to any such Employee Claim (including, without limitation,
providing to Employee copies of all written materials pertaining to any such
Employee Claim), and Employee or his authorized representatives shall be
entitled, at Employee's expense, to participate in all conferences, meetings and
proceedings relating to any such Employee Claim.

                  (g)      If, after actual receipt by Employee of an amount of
a tax claimed (pursuant to an Employee Claim) that has been advanced by Employer
pursuant to Section 7(e)(2) hereof, the extent of the liability of Employer
hereunder with respect to such tax claimed has been established by a Final
Determination, Employee shall promptly pay or cause to be paid to Employer any
refund actually received by, or actually credited to, Employee with respect to
such tax (together with any interest paid or credited thereon by the taxing
authority and any recovery of legal fees from such taxing authority related
thereto), except to the extent that any amounts are then due and payable by
Employer to Employee, whether under the provisions of this Agreement or
otherwise. If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount advanced by Employer
pursuant to Section 7(e)(2), a determination is made by the Internal Revenue
Service

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

or other appropriate taxing authority that Employee shall not be entitled to any
refund with respect to such tax claimed and Employer does not notify Employee in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of any Gross-Up Payments and other payments
required to be paid hereunder.

                  (h)      With respect to any Employee Claim, if Employer fails
to deliver an Election Notice to Employee within the period provided in Section
7(e)(1) hereof or, after delivery of such Election Notice, Employer fails to
comply with the provisions of Section 7(e)(2) and (3) and (f) hereof, then
Employee shall at any time thereafter have the right (but not the obligation),
at his election and in his sole and absolute discretion, to defend or prosecute,
at the sole cost, expense and risk of Employer, such Employee Claim. Employee
shall have full control of such defense or prosecution and such proceedings,
including any settlement or compromise thereof. If requested by Employee,
Employer shall cooperate, and shall cause its Affiliates to cooperate, in good
faith with Employee and his authorized representatives in order to contest
effectively such Employee Claim. Employer may attend, but not participate in or
control, any defense, prosecution, settlement or compromise of any Employee
Claim controlled by Employee pursuant to this Section 7(h) and shall bear its
own costs and expenses with respect thereto. In the case of any Employee Claim
that is defended or prosecuted by Employee, Employee shall, from time to time,
be entitled to current payment, on a fully grossed-up after tax basis, from
Employer with respect to costs and expenses incurred by Employee in connection
with such defense or prosecution.

                  (i)      In the case of any Employee Claim that is defended or
prosecuted to a Final Determination pursuant to the terms of this Section 7(i),
Employer shall pay, on a fully grossed-up after tax basis, to Employee in
immediately available funds the full amount of any taxes arising or resulting
from or incurred in connection with such Employee Claim that have not
theretofore been paid by Employer to Employee, together with the costs and
expenses, on a fully grossed-up after tax basis, incurred in connection
therewith that have not theretofore been paid by Employer to Employee, within
ten calendar days after such Final Determination. In the case of any Employee
Claim not covered by the preceding sentence, Employer shall pay, on a fully
grossed-up after tax basis, to Employee in immediately available funds the full
amount of any taxes arising or resulting from or incurred in connection with
such Employee Claim at least ten calendar days before the date payment of such
taxes is due from Employee, except where payment of such taxes is sooner
required under the provisions of this Section 7(i), in which case payment of
such taxes (and payment, on a fully grossed-up after tax basis, of any costs and
expenses required to be paid under this Section 7(i)) shall be made within the
time and in the manner otherwise provided in this Section 7(i).

                  (j)      For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Final
Determination" shall mean (A) a decision, judgment, decree or other order by a
court or other tribunal with appropriate jurisdiction, which has become final
and non-appealable; (B) a final and binding settlement or compromise with an
administrative agency with appropriate jurisdiction, including, but not limited
to, a closing agreement under Section 7121 of the Code; (C) any disallowance of
a claim for refund or credit in respect to an overpayment of tax unless a suit
is filed on a timely basis; or (D) any final disposition by reason of the
expiration of all applicable statutes of

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

limitations.

For purposes of this Agreement, the terms "tax" and "taxes" mean any and all
taxes of any kind whatsoever (including, but not limited to, any and all Excise
Taxes, income taxes, and employment taxes), together with any interest thereon,
any penalties, additions to tax, or additional amounts with respect to such
taxes and any interest in respect of such penalties, additions to tax, or
additional amounts.

                  (l)      Nothing in this Section is intended to violate the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act and to the extent that any advance or repayment obligation
hereunder would do so, such obligation shall be deemed modified so as to make
the advance a nonrefundable payment to Employee and the repayment obligation
null and void.

Section 8. Expenses of Enforcement.

         Upon demand by Employee made to Employer, Employer shall reimburse
Employee for the reasonable expenses (including attorneys' fees and expenses)
incurred by Employee after a Change in Control in enforcing or seeking to
enforce the payment of any amount or other benefit to which Employee shall have
become entitled under this Agreement as a result of the termination of
Employee's employment with Employer within three (3) years after such Change in
Control, including, but not limited to, those incurred in connection with any
arbitration concerning same initiated pursuant to Section 14 (regardless of the
outcome of such arbitration). To the extent that any such reimbursement would be
subject to the Excise Tax, then Employee shall be entitled to receive Gross-Up
Payments in an amount such that after payment by Employee of all taxes imposed
on such Gross-Up Payments, Employee retains an amount equal to the Excise Tax
imposed upon the reimbursement, and the other provisions of Section 7 hereof
shall also apply to such circumstance unless the context thereof otherwise
indicates.

Section 9. No Obligation to Mitigate; No Rights of Offset.

                  (a)      Employee shall not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment or other benefit required to be paid to Employee pursuant to this
Agreement, whether by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the
amount of any such payment or other benefit be reduced on account of any
compensation earned by Employee as a result of employment by another person.

                  (b)      Employer's obligation to make the payments provided
for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which Employer may have against Employee or others.

Section 10. No Effect on Other Rights.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Employee's future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice of or provided by
Employer or any of its affiliates and for which Employee may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Employee may attain
under any stock option or other agreements that he may hereafter enter into with
Employer or any of its affiliates. Amounts which are vested benefits or which
Employee is

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice of or
provided by, or any other contract or agreement with, Employer or any of its
affiliates at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable or
otherwise provided in accordance with such plan, program, policy or practice or
contract or agreement except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

Section 11. Successors; Binding Agreement.

                  (a)      This Agreement is personal to Employee and without
the prior written consent of Employer shall not be assignable by Employee. This
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Employee's
personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees.

                  (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon Employer and those successors and assigns permitted in accordance
with Section 11(c).

                  (c)      Employer will require any successor (whether direct
or indirect, by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) to
all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of Employer, by agreement
in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Employee, to expressly assume
and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent
that Employer would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken
place. As used in this Agreement, "Employer" shall mean Employer as hereinbefore
defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which
assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by execution and delivery of the
agreement provided for in this Section 11(c) or which otherwise becomes bound by
the terms and provisions of this Agreement by operation of law or otherwise.

Section 12. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; No Hire.

                  (a)      Employee agrees that, effective as of the
Commencement Date and for a period that includes the term of this Agreement and
(i) eighteen (18) months thereafter in the event of a termination of Employee's
employment with Employer described in Section 6(c) or Section 6(d) (such
applicable period being referred to herein as the "Non-Compete Period"),
Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of Employer, directly or
indirectly, anywhere in the world, engage, invest, own any interest, or
participate in, consult with, render services to, or be employed by any
business, person, firm or entity that is in competition with the "Business" (as
defined in Section 12(e)) of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates,
except for the account of Employer and its subsidiaries and affiliates;
provided, however, that (i) during the Non-Compete Period Employee may acquire,
solely as a passive investment, not more than five percent (5%) of the
outstanding shares or other units of any security of any entity subject to the
requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act' and (ii) Employee may
consult with, render services to, or be employed by any business, person, firm
or entity that, solely through a subsidiary or a division, is in competition
with the Business, as long as Employee does not divulge any Confidential
Information to such competing subsidiary or division or use it for the benefit
of such competing subsidiary or division. Employee acknowledges that a remedy at
law for any breach or attempted breach of this covenant not to compete will be
inadequate and further agrees that any breach of this covenant not to compete

                                      -21-

<PAGE>

will result in irreparable harm to Employer, and, accordingly, Employer shall,
in addition to any other remedy that may be available to it, be entitled to
specific performance and temporary and permanent injunctive and other equitable
relief (without proof of actual damage or inadequacy of legal remedy) in case of
any such breach or attempted breach. Employee acknowledges that this covenant
not to compete is being provided as an inducement to Employer to enter into this
Agreement and that this covenant not to compete contains reasonable limitations
as to time, geographical area and scope of activity to be restrained that do not
impose a greater restraint than is necessary to protect the goodwill or other
business interest of Employer. Whenever possible, each provision of this
covenant not to compete shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be effective
and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this covenant not to
compete shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision
of this covenant not to compete shall be prohibited by or invalid under
applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such
prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this
covenant not to compete. If any provision of this covenant not to compete shall,
for any reason, be judged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid
or unenforceable, such judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the
remainder of this covenant not to compete but shall be confined in its operation
to the provision of this covenant not to compete directly involved in the
controversy in which such judgment shall have been rendered. In the event that
the provisions of this covenant not to compete should ever be deemed to exceed
the time or geographic limitations permitted by applicable laws, then such
provision shall be reformed to the maximum time or geographic limitations
permitted by applicable law.

                  (b)      If Employee's employment is terminated under
circumstances described in Section 6(c), then within ten days after Employee
signs the release required pursuant to Section 6(c), the Employer will pay to
Employee an aggregate amount (the "Non-Compete Payment") equal to one and
one-half (1.5) times Employee's Base Salary at the highest annual rate in effect
on or before the Date of Termination (but prior to giving effect to any
reduction therein which precipitated such termination), which Non-Compete
Payment will be paid to Employee in equal installments every two weeks during
such three-year period; provided, however, that at any time during such
three-year period Employer may, in its discretion, elect to pay to Employee the
then remaining balance of the Non-Compete Payment in the form of a lump sum cash
payment. If Employee's employment is terminated under circumstances described in
Section 6(d), then within ten days after Employee signs the release required
pursuant to Section 6(d), Employer will pay Employee a lump sum cash payment
equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the sum of:

                           (i)      Employee's Base Salary at the highest annual
                                    rate in effect on or before the Date of
                                    Termination (but prior to giving effect to
                                    any reduction therein which precipitated
                                    such termination), plus

                           (ii)     An amount equal to the greatest of:

                                    (A)      the average of the incentive
                                             bonuses paid to Employee for the
                                             last three (3) full fiscal years of
                                             Employer ending before the Date of
                                             Termination (or, if Employee was
                                             not employed by Employer hereunder
                                             for such last three (3) full fiscal
                                             years, the average of the incentive
                                             bonuses paid to Employee for the
                                             number of full fiscal years of
                                             Employer

                                      -22-

<PAGE>

                                             ending before the Date of
                                             Termination during which Employee
                                             was employed by Employer
                                             hereunder);

                                    (B)      the incentive bonus paid to
                                             Employee for the last full fiscal
                                             year of Employer ending before the
                                             Date of Termination; or

                                    (C)      an amount equal to Employee's Base
                                             Salary described in Section
                                             6(d)(3)(i) multiplied by Employee's
                                             target percentage under the Key
                                             Contributor Plan or other
                                             replacement incentive or bonus plan
                                             of Employer for the fiscal year
                                             which includes the Date of
                                             Termination.

Employee must execute the release described in Section 6(c) or 6(d), as
applicable, in order to receive the payments described in this Section 12(b).

                  (c)      In addition to the restrictions set forth in Section
12(a), Employee agrees that, during the Non-Compete Period, Employee will not,
either directly or indirectly, (i) make known to any person, firm or entity that
is in competition with the Business of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates the names and addresses of any of the suppliers or customers of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, potential customers of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates upon whom Employer or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates has called upon in the last twelve (12) months or
contacts of Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any other
information pertaining to such persons, or (ii) call on, solicit, or take away,
or attempt to call on, solicit or take away any of the suppliers or customers of
Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether for Employee or for
any other person, firm or entity.

                  (d)      Regardless of the reason for any termination of
Employee's employment, effective as of the Commencement Date and for a period
that includes the term of this Agreement and twelve (12) months thereafter,
Employee will not, either on his own account or for any other person, firm,
partnership, corporation, or other entity (i) solicit any employee of Employer
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment; or (ii)
induce or attempt to induce any such employee to breach her or his employment
agreement with Employer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

                  (e)      As used in this Agreement, "Business" means the
business of acquiring, processing and/or interpreting geophysical data and/or
producing and/or conducting geophysical surveys for third parties, including,
but not limited to, (x) engaging in the business of conducting surface seismic
acquisition and/or surface seismic data processing and/or interpretation for the
purpose of providing and/or interpreting seismic images of the subsurface of the
earth for third parties, and (y) providing the following services to third
parties: (i) all forms of surface land, marine, ocean bottom cable and
transition zone seismic data acquisition; (ii) all forms of surface seismic data
processing, including the processing of two, three and/or four dimensional
vertical seismic profiling; (iii) recording of data from wellbore seismic arrays
performed during simultaneous acquisition of surface two, three and/or four
dimensional data; (iv) trenched in, buried near surface or seabed permanent
array installation and acquisition; (v) surface seismic acquisition, processing,
interpretation and/or sales, in each case, of multiclient surveys; (vi)

                                      -23-

<PAGE>

maintenance of surface seismic data processing centers, including licensing and
support of surface seismic processing software; (viii) research and development
programs for any of the items described in this Section 12(e) and
seismically-assisted reservoir solutions, including software relating thereto;
(ix) surface seismic data management services; (x) interpretation activities
related to or in support of acquisition and processing activities described in
this Section 12(e); (xi) borehole seismic acquisition and installation and
acquisition of data from wellbore seismic arrays; and (xii) commercial
seismically-assisted reservoir solutions.

Section 13. Miscellaneous.

                  (a)      All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder or necessary or convenient in connection herewith will be in
writing and will be delivered by hand or by registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested to the addresses set forth below in this Section 13(a):

                  If to Employer, to:

                           Veritas DGC Inc.
                           10300 Town Park
                           Houston, Texas 77072
                           Attention: Secretary

                  If to Employee, to:

                           Thierry Pilenko
                           91, rue du Cherche Midi
                           75006 Paris, France

or to such other names or addresses as Employer or Employee, as the case may be,
designate by notice to the other party hereto in the manner specified in this
Section.

                  (b)      This Agreement (including the Exhibits attached
hereto) supersedes, replaces and merges all previous agreements, term sheets,
and discussions relating to the same or similar subject matters between Employee
and Employer (including any such agreements or discussions between Employee and
any past or present subsidiary or affiliate of Employer) and constitutes the
entire agreement between Employee and Employer with respect to the subject
matter of this Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified in any respect by
any verbal statement, representation or agreement made by any employee, officer,
or representative of Employer or by any written agreement unless signed by an
officer of Employer who is expressly authorized by the Board to execute such
document.

                  (c)      If any provision of this Agreement or application
thereof to anyone or under any circumstances should be determined to be invalid
or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other
provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without
the invalid or unenforceable provision or application. In addition, if any
provision of this Agreement is held by an arbitration panel or a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, unreasonable, unduly
restrictive or overly broad, the parties intend that

                                      -24-

<PAGE>

such arbitration panel or court modify said provision so as to render it valid,
enforceable, reasonable and not unduly restrictive or overly broad.

                  (d)      The internal laws of the State of Texas will govern
the interpretation, validity, enforcement and effect of this Agreement without
regard to the place of execution or the place for performance thereof.

Section 14. Arbitration.

                  (a)      Employer and Employee agree to submit to final and
binding arbitration any and all disputes or disagreements concerning the
interpretation or application of this Agreement. Any such dispute or
disagreement will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National
Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA Rules"). Arbitration will take place in Houston, Texas,
unless the parties mutually agree to a different location. Within 30 calendar
days of the initiation of arbitration hereunder, each party will designate an
arbitrator. The appointed arbitrators will then appoint a third arbitrator.
Employee and Employer agree that the decision of the arbitrators will be final
and binding on both parties. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment
upon the award rendered by the arbitrators. In the event the arbitration is
decided in whole or in part in favor of Employee, Employer will reimburse
Employee for his reasonable costs and expenses of the arbitration (including
reasonable attorneys' fees); provided, however, that Employer shall reimburse
Employee in accordance with Section 8 for the reasonable expenses (including
attorneys' fees and expenses) incurred by Employee in enforcing or seeking to
enforce in any arbitration the payment of any amount or other benefit described
in Section 8 regardless of the outcome of such arbitration. Regardless of the
outcome of any arbitration, Employer will pay all fees and expenses of the
arbitrators and all of Employer's costs of such arbitration.

                  (b)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 14(a),
Employer may, if it so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent
jurisdiction for injunctive relief to enforce Employee's obligations under
Sections 3 or 12 hereof and/or the Employee Confidentiality and Intellectual
Property Agreement between Employee and Employer (entered into pursuant to
Section 3(d) hereof).

                         [SIGNATURES ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound,
have executed this Agreement as to be effective as of the Effective Date.

                                    EMPLOYER:

                                    VERITAS DGC INC.

                                    By: ________________________________________
                                             James R. Gibbs
                                             Director

                                    EMPLOYEE:

                                    ____________________________________________
                                               Thierry Pilenko

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
                                 [VERITAS LOGO]
                                     VERITAS
                             GEOPHYSICAL INTEGRITY

                            EMPLOYEE CONFIDENTIALITY

                                       AND

                         INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT

As part of the consideration for my employment or continued employment with
Veritas DGC Inc. or any company affiliated with Veritas (collectively referred
to as "Veritas"), I agree to the following:

1.       CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. I understand that during my employment with
         Veritas, I will have access to Confidential Information that belongs to
         Veritas. Some examples of the types of Confidential Information I may
         receive include:

         (a).     Customer lists, customer requirements, customer contracts and
                  service agreements, customer profitability and other financial
                  information;

         (b).     Business plans, pricing and marketing techniques and
                  strategies, product information, business software and
                  computer programs, costing methodologies and allocation
                  modeling, and methods of business operation or procedure;

         (c).     Suppliers, business associates, business connections and
                  opportunities and information concerning the financial status
                  and private affairs of Veritas; and

         (d).     Trade secrets, inventions, improvements, developments,
                  technical data, test results, designs, and materials for which
                  Veritas may or may not have obtained patent, copyright or
                  trademark protection.

         I may receive Confidential Information in writing, orally, or
electronically.

2.       CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT. I agree to hold all Confidential Information
         in confidence during and following my employment. I will not divulge it
         to anyone without the express written authorization of the Company. I
         further agree that if my employment ceases, I will not take any
         Confidential Information with me or disclose it to anyone not
         authorized by the Company. To the extent that any provision of this
         Section 2 conflicts with my Employment Agreement dated effective
         January 26, 2004, the terms of my Employment

                                   EXHIBIT A

CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT

                                                                          PAGE 1

<PAGE>

         Agreement shall control.

3.       ASSIGNMENT OF INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. I assign to Veritas all
         inventions, novel ideas (including ideas relating to new products, new
         services, or new methods of doing business), improvements or
         discoveries which I conceive or make, either alone or with others: (a)
         with the use of Veritas' time, materials, or facilities; or (b)
         resulting from or suggested by my work for Veritas; or (c) in any way
         related to any business Veritas is engaged in or plans to engage in.
         All such inventions, improvements, and developments will automatically
         become the property of Veritas immediately as I make them or conceive
         them. I agree to assign to Veritas the rights to such inventions,
         improvements and developments at any time Veritas requests, even after
         my employment terminates.

4.       EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. At any time Veritas requests, either during my
         employment or after termination, and without charge to Veritas, but at
         its expense, I agree to execute, acknowledge, and deliver all
         additional papers (including applications for patents and assignments
         of patents) and to perform such other lawful acts as Veritas may deem
         reasonably necessary to obtain or maintain patents for such inventions
         in any country and to vest title to such inventions in Veritas.

5.       This Agreement may not be modified, released, discharged, abandoned or
         terminated, except as agreed in writing between Veritas and the
         undersigned employee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been signed and delivered this ________
day of ____________________, 20___.

______________________________________      ___________________________________
WITNESS                                     EMPLOYEE SIGNATURE

______________________________________      ___________________________________
PRINTED NAME                                PRINTED NAME

CONFIDENTIALITY AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY AGREEMENT

                                                                          PAGE 2

<PAGE>

                       AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

         This Agreement, entered into as of the date written by Employee's
signature below, is by and between Veritas DGC Inc. ("Veritas"), a Delaware
corporation, and _______________ ("Employee"). (As used in this Agreement, the
term "Veritas" includes Veritas DGC Inc., and all of its subsidiary and
affiliated companies).

         Veritas and Employee agree as follows:

         Section 1. Within 5 business days after the Separation Date, as defined
in Section 3 below, and whether or not Employee executes and returns this
Agreement, Veritas will pay Employee the following amounts:

         -        Employee's regular base salary prorated through the Separation
                  Date;

         -        Employee's incentive bonus, if any is due;

         -        Employee's vacation pay accrued as of the Separation Date; and

         -        any expense reimbursement owed to Employee under Veritas
                  policy.

All of the above amounts will be REDUCED by applicable taxes and withholding.

         Section 2. [Insert, if applicable in accordance with Section 6(c)(2)(i)
of the Employment Agreement: Veritas shall pay Employee an amount equal to the
incentive bonus compensation which would have been due him but for the
termination of his employment, which incentive compensation shall be pro rated
through the Date of Termination. Such payment or payments shall be made to
Employee at the time other participants in the Key Contributor Plan or the
relevant incentive plan receive their payments.]

         [Insert Option A or Option B, whichever is applicable:

         [Option A: In accordance with Section 6(c) of the Employment Agreement
between Employer and Employee dated January 26, 2004 (the "Employment
Agreement"), during the

                                    EXHIBIT B

<PAGE>

three-year period ending on the third anniversary of the Separation Date,
Employer shall pay to Employee an aggregate amount (the "Severance Payment")
equal to one and one-half (1.5) times Employee's Base Salary (as defined in the
Employment Agreement) at the highest annual rate in effect on or before the
Separation Date (but prior to giving effect to any reduction therein which
precipitated such termination), which Severance Payment will be paid to Employee
in equal installments every two weeks during such three-year period; provided,
however, that at any time during such three-year period Employer may, in its
discretion, elect to pay to Employee the then remaining balance of the Severance
Payment in the form of a lump sum cash payment. Further, in accordance with
Section 12(b) of the Employment Agreement, Employer will also pay employee an
amount equal to the Severance Payment, payable in the same method described
above, in respect of his agreements pursuant to Section 12 of the Employment
Agreement. All amounts so paid will be REDUCED by applicable taxes and
withholding.

         In addition, Employer will pay or provide for Employee's medical,
dental, health, and hospital coverage for one year or pay Employee a lump cash
payment in lieu of such coverage, in accordance with Section 6(c)(4) of the
Employment Agreement].

         [Option B: In accordance with Section 6(d) of the Employment Agreement
between Employer and Employee dated January 26, 2004 (the "Employment
Agreement"), within 30 calendar days after the Effective Date, as defined in
Section 15 below, Veritas will pay to Employee a lump sum (the "Severance
Payment") equal to one and one-half (1.5) times Employee's Base Salary (as
defined in the Employment Agreement) at the highest annual rate in effect on or
before the Separation Date (but prior to giving effect to any reduction therein
which precipitated such termination) plus (y) the payment relating to Employee's
incentive bonus provided for in Section 6(d)(3) of the Employment Agreement.
Further, in accordance with

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

Section 12(b) of the Employment Agreement, Employer will also pay employee an
amount equal to the Severance Payment, payable in the same method described
above, in respect of his agreements pursuant to Section 12 of the Employment
Agreement. All amounts so paid will be REDUCED by applicable taxes and
withholding.

         In addition, Employer will pay or provide for Employee's medical,
dental, health, and hospital coverage for eighteen months or pay Employee a lump
cash payment in lieu of such coverage, in accordance with Section 6(d)(4) of the
Employment Agreement].

         Section 3. Employee's termination from employment will be effective at
the close of business on the Separation Date. The SEPARATION DATE as used in
this Agreement means _________.

         Section 4. Employee agrees to release Veritas DGC Inc., all of its
subsidiary and affiliated companies and parent companies, partnerships, and each
of their respective present and former directors, officers, employees, agents,
managers, advisors, representatives, partners, predecessors and successors in
such capacity, and all employee benefit plans sponsored by any of them (the
"Released Parties") from any and all claims he has or may have against the
Release Parties, individually and collectively, as of the date he signs this
Agreement. The claims he is releasing include (but are not limited to) all of
the following:

         -        any claims under any equity compensation, bonus or incentive
                  plans;

         -        any claims for tortious action or inaction of any sort
                  ("tortious action or inaction" means, among other things,
                  claims for such things as negligence, fraud, libel, or
                  slander);

         -        any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment
                  Act of 1967 as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq.) (the
                  Age Discrimination in Employment Act

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                  of 1967 prohibits, in general, discrimination against
                  employees on the basis of age);

         -        any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
                  1964 as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 2000e, et seq.), or the
                  Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (Texas Labor Code Section
                  21.001, et seq.) (both of these statutes, in general, prohibit
                  discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion,
                  national origin or gender);

         -        any claims arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act
                  of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq.) (the
                  Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits, in general,
                  discrimination in employment on the basis of an employee's or
                  applicant's disability);

         -        any claims arising under Texas Labor Code Sections 451.001, et
                  seq. for retaliation or discrimination in connection with a
                  claim for workers' compensation benefits; and,

         -        any claims for breach of contract, wrongful discharge,
                  promissory estoppel, violation of public policy, constructive
                  discharge, retaliation, or conspiracy;

         -        any claims relating to Employee's employment or termination of
                  his employment including any and all claims for damages,
                  costs, salary, wages, termination pay, severance pay, vacation
                  pay, bonuses, commissions, expenses, allowances, insurance, or
                  any other benefit arising out of Employee's employment with
                  Veritas, with the exception of those benefits specifically
                  excluded below in this Section 4;

         -        any claims arising under any other local, state, federal or
                  foreign law, regulation

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  or ordinance;

         -        any and all rights, benefits or claims Employee may have under
                  any employment, severance or retention agreement with or
                  incentive compensation plan, bonus plan, stock option plan,
                  retention plan, or severance plan or policy of Veritas or to
                  any ownership interest in Veritas;

         -        any other claim of any kind whatsoever, whether or not
                  expressly set forth in this Agreement;

         -        any claims for costs, fees or other expenses (including
                  attorneys' fees) in connection with the claims described
                  above.

         The release contained in this Section 4 WILL NOT affect any of the
         following:

         -        Any rights or claims that may arise after the date of
                  Employee's signature below;

         -        Employee's rights or benefits under Veritas' 401(k) retirement
                  savings plan, Veritas' Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or any
                  pension or retirement plan in which Employee is a participant
                  on the Separation Date (Employee's rights and benefits will be
                  determined by the applicable plan documents);

         -        Employee's right to elect continued health and/or dental
                  benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 ("COBRA");

         -        Employee's right to exercise any options to purchase Veritas
                  DGC Inc. common stock in accordance with the terms of the
                  applicable stock option grant, including any terms of the
                  grant modified by Section 6(c)(4) or Section 6(d)(5) of the
                  Employment Agreement;

         -        Employee's rights under any restricted stock agreement between
                  Employee and Veritas DGC Inc. under the terms of which
                  Employee has been granted Veritas

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                  DGC Inc. restricted stock, including any terms of the grant
                  modified by Section 6(d)(5) of the Employment Agreement;

         -        Employee's rights under any other plan or agreement between
                  Employee and Veritas DGC Inc. under the terms of which
                  Employee has been granted any other equity interest in Veritas
                  DGC Inc. or equity-based interest such as stock appreciation
                  rights;

         -        Employee's rights under that one certain Indemnity Agreement
                  between Veritas and Employee dated __________, 2004, or any
                  other indemnity arrangement between Veritas and Employee;

         -        Employee's rights under any director's and officer's policies
                  of insurance issued to Veritas, including any replacement
                  policies or renewals;

         -        Employee's right to claim and receive reimbursement for or
                  indemnity from excise taxes in accordance with Section 7 of
                  the Employment Agreement;

         -        Any other benefit to which Employee may be entitled under any
                  other health or benefit plan in accordance with the applicable
                  plan documents; or

         -        Employee's rights under any workers' compensation statute; the
                  Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. Appx. Section 688, as amended; general
                  maritime law or similar laws; and any other right Employee may
                  have with respect to bodily injury incurred in the course and
                  scope of employment.

         Section 5. Veritas and Employee agree that this Agreement is a binding
contract. The purpose of the Agreement is to compromise doubtful or disputed
claims, avoid litigation, and buy peace. Employee agrees that although Veritas
is making payment to Employee in exchange for a release of claims, Veritas does
not admit any wrongdoing of any kind.

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

         Section 6. Employee agrees to assist Veritas in defending any legal
proceedings against Veritas arising out of matters which occurred on or prior to
the Separation Date. Veritas agrees to reimburse Employee for his time and
expense or costs he may incur in that regard.

         Section 7. Employee confirms that after the Effective Date he remains
subject to and agrees to comply with:

         -        those obligations of confidentiality contained in Section 3(b)
                  and 3(c) of the Employment Agreement;

         -        the provisions relating to non-competition with Employer and
                  non-solicitation of Employer's employees contained in Section
                  12 of the Employment Agreement;

         -        the provisions relating to solicitation or hiring of
                  Employer's employees contained in Section 12 of the Employment
                  Agreement; and

         -        the terms of the Employee Confidentiality and Intellectual
                  Property Agreement with Employer which Employee signed
                  effective ____________, 2004.

         Section 8. This Agreement has been delivered to Employee on
_____________.

         -        Employee will have 21 calendar days from ___________ or until
                  the close of business on ___________ to decide whether to sign
                  and return this Agreement and be bound by its terms. In the
                  event Employee has not signed and returned this Agreement to
                  Veritas on or before __________, this Agreement will become
                  null and void.

         -        Veritas and Employee agree that if they agree to change the
                  terms of this Agreement in any manner after it is delivered to
                  Employee, even if the changes are material, the 21-day period
                  specified in the previous paragraph will not restart or be
                  extended.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

         -        After signing this Agreement, Employee will have the right to
                  revoke the Agreement for a period of 7 calendar days after
                  signing it by notifying Veritas in writing that Employee
                  revokes the Agreement. In the event Employee revokes the
                  Agreement, it will become null and void.

         -        Employer will provide the benefits described in Section 2
                  above only beginning after the expiration of the revocation
                  period described above (assuming Employee has not timely
                  revoked this Agreement).

         Section 9. Employee acknowledges that he has read this Agreement and
has had reasonable opportunity consider it and consult with an attorney about
it. Employee acknowledges that the only promises made to him to sign this
Agreement are those stated in this Agreement. He understands that, except for
the exceptions set out in Section 4 above, this Agreement will have the effect
of waiving any claim he may pursue against the Released Parties.

         Section 10. Employee acknowledges that he makes this Agreement
knowingly and voluntarily and that he agrees to each of its terms. Employee
understands that by signing this Agreement, he will become entitled to receive
payments and other benefits to which he is not otherwise entitled.

         Section 11. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between
Veritas and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         Section 12. This Agreement will benefit and be binding upon Veritas and
its successors and assigns and Employee and his successors and legal
representatives. Employee will not assign or attempt to assign any of his rights
under this Agreement.

         Section 13. If a court determines that any provision of this Agreement
is invalid, the other provisions will remain in effect.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

         Section 14. This Agreement will be governed by, construed under, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, not including,
however, its conflicts of law rules that might otherwise refer to the law of
another forum or jurisdiction.

         Section 15. This Agreement will become effective and enforceable only
after a period of 7 days has expired following Employee's execution and delivery
of this Agreement to Veritas (this date is referred to in this Agreement as the
"EFFECTIVE DATE"), assuming Employee has not timely revoked this Agreement.

                   THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION IN
                      ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SECTION

         Section 16. Employer and Employee agree to submit to final and binding
arbitration any and all disputes or disagreements concerning the interpretation
or application of this Agreement. Any such dispute or disagreement will be
resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution
of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA
Rules"). Arbitration will take place in Houston, Texas, unless the parties
mutually agree to a different location. Within 30 calendar days of the
initiation of arbitration hereunder, each party will designate an arbitrator.
The appointed arbitrators will then appoint a third arbitrator. Employee and
Employer agree that the decision of the arbitrators will be final and binding on
both parties. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators. In the event the arbitration is decided in whole or
in part in favor of Employee, Employer will reimburse Employee for his
reasonable costs and expenses of the arbitration (including reasonable
attorneys' fees). Regardless of the outcome of any arbitration, Employer will
pay all fees and expenses of the arbitrators and all of Employer's costs of such
arbitration.

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

         Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous paragraph, Employer may,
if it so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for
injunctive relief to enforce Employee's obligations under Section 7 of this
Agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective
as of the Effective Date.

                                        VERITAS:

                                        VERITAS DGC INC.
                                        and subsidiary and affiliated companies

                                        By: ________________________________

                               NOTICE TO EMPLOYEE

BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT, YOU MAY BE GIVING UP IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU ARE
ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING AND RETURNING THIS DOCUMENT
TO VERITAS.

                                                     EMPLOYEE:

                                                     THIERRY PILENKO
                                                     ___________________________

                                                     Date:______________________

STATE OF _________________        Section
COUNTY OF _______________         Section

    Subscribed and sworn to before me, this _____ day of ____________, 20__.

                                             NOTARY PUBLIC in and for

                                             The State of_______________________

                                             My Commission Expires:_____________

                                      -10-<PAGE>

                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.4
                              RETIREMENT AGREEMENT

         This Retirement Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered into
by and between Veritas DGC Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Veritas"), and David
B. Robson, an individual currently resident in Calgary, Alberta ("Robson"),
effective as of January 1, 2004 (the "Effective Date").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, Robson has served as an employee and a director of Veritas and
its predecessors for a number of years, most recently as a director and as
chairman & chief executive officer;

         WHEREAS, Robson has notified the Board of Directors of Veritas (the
"Board") that he intends to retire;

         WHEREAS, the Board and Robson have agreed that Robson will continue to
serve Veritas as a director and as chairman & chief executive officer and a
director until the Board appoints a successor chief executive officer (a
"successor chief executive officer") and that successor chief executive officer
actually commences his employment at Veritas;

         WHEREAS, attendant to Robson's retirement, Veritas and Robson wish for
there to be a complete understanding and agreement between Veritas and Robson
with respect to the compensation and benefits to be provided Robson upon his
retirement and, in the case of certain health insurance, after his retirement;
and,

         WHEREAS, Veritas and Robson have previously entered into that certain
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective as of December 1, 2003 (the
"Prior Employment Agreement");

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained
herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, Veritas and Robson agree as
follows:

Section 1. General Duties of Veritas and Robson.

                  (a)      Robson has indicated that he intends to retire as a
director and as chairman and chief executive officer of Veritas at such time as
a successor chief executive officer actually commences his employment at
Veritas. It is both parties' intention that the Board appoint a successor chief
executive officer as soon as is reasonably possible. Until the date when the
successor chief executive officer actually commences his employment at Veritas,
Veritas agrees to continue to employ Robson and Robson agrees to continue to
serve Veritas as its chairman & chief executive officer reporting to the Board.
The powers, duties and responsibilities of Robson as chairman and chief
executive officer include those duties that are the usual and customary powers,
duties and responsibilities of such office, including those powers, duties and
responsibilities specified in Veritas's Bylaws, and such other and further
duties appropriate to

<PAGE>

such position as may from time to time be assigned to Robson by the Board or by
any committee of the Board authorized to make such assignments.

                  (b)      On that date when a successor chief executive officer
actually commences his employment at Veritas, Robson will retire as chairman and
chief executive officer and as a director of Veritas.

Section 2. Compensation and Benefits.

                  (a)      For the period beginning on the Effective Date and
ending on the Date of Termination:

                           (1)      Veritas will pay Robson a base salary of
         $450,000 per annum (the "CEO's Salary"). The CEO's Salary will be paid
         to Robson in equal installments every two weeks or on such other
         schedule as Veritas may establish from time to time for its management
         personnel.

                           (2)      Robson will be eligible to participate in
         the Key Contributor Incentive Compensation Plan or other replacement
         incentive or bonus plan Employer establishes for its key executives,
         subject to all of the terms and conditions of such plan.

                           (3)      Robson will be entitled to receive options
         ("Options") to purchase the same number of shares of Veritas common
         stock as are granted to continuing non-employee directors of Veritas on
         the same date, at the same price and on the same terms as such Options
         are granted to such continuing non-employee directors.

                           (4)      Robson will be entitled to paid vacation of
         not less than four (4) weeks each year. Vacation may be taken by Robson
         at the time and for such periods as may be mutually agreed upon between
         Veritas and Robson.

                           (5)      Robson will be reimbursed in accordance with
         Veritas's expense reimbursement policy as in effect on January 1, 2004
         for all of the actual and reasonable costs and expenses incurred by him
         in the performance of his services and duties hereunder, including, but
         not limited to, travel and entertainment expenses. Notwithstanding any
         provision in Veritas's expense reimbursement policy to the contrary,
         Robson will also be reimbursed for first-class airline travel in the
         performance of his services and duties. Robson will furnish Veritas
         with all invoices and vouchers reflecting amounts for which Robson
         seeks Veritas's reimbursement.

                           (6)      Robson will be entitled to participate in
         all insurance and retirement plans, and such other benefit plans or
         programs as may be in effect from time to time for the key management
         employees of Veritas (other than incentive compensation plans),
         including, without limitation, those related to savings and thrift,
         retirement, welfare, medical, dental, disability, salary continuance,
         accidental death, travel accident, life insurance, incentive bonus,
         membership in business and professional organizations, and
         reimbursement of business and entertainment expenses.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

                  (b)      The CEO's Salary and any other amount Veritas pays
Robson pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to such payroll and
withholding deductions as may be required by law and such other deductions as
are applied generally to employees of Veritas for insurance and other employee
benefit plans in which Robson participates.

                  (c)      The CEO's Salary and any other cash amounts Veritas
is obligated to pay Robson pursuant to this Agreement are denominated in U.S.
dollars but shall actually be paid to Robson in Canadian dollars converted on
the date of payment.

Section 3. Fiduciary Duty; Confidentiality.

                  (a)      In keeping with Robson's fiduciary duties to Veritas,
Robson agrees that he will not knowingly take any action that would create a
conflict of interest with Veritas, or upon discovery thereof, allow such a
conflict to continue. In the event that Robson discovers that such a conflict
exists, Robson agrees that he will disclose to the Board any facts which might
involve a conflict of interest that has not been approved by the Board.

                  (b)      As part of Robson's fiduciary duties to Veritas,
Robson agrees to protect and safeguard Veritas's information, ideas, concepts,
improvements, discoveries, and inventions and any proprietary, confidential and
other information relating to Veritas or its business (collectively,
"Confidential Information") and, except as may be required by Veritas, Robson
will not knowingly, either during his employment by Veritas or thereafter,
directly or indirectly, use for his own benefit or for the benefit of another,
or disclose to another, any Confidential Information, except (i) with the prior
written consent of Veritas; (ii) in the course of the proper performance of
Robson's duties under this Agreement; (iii) for information that becomes
generally available to the public other than as a result of the unauthorized
disclosure by Robson; (iv) for information that becomes available to Robson on a
nonconfidential basis from a source other than Veritas or its affiliated
companies who is not bound by a duty of confidentiality to Veritas; or (v) as
may be required by any applicable law, rule, regulation or order.

                  (c)      Upon termination of his employment with Veritas,
Robson will immediately deliver to Veritas all documents in Robson's possession
or under his control which embody any of Veritas's Confidential Information.

                  (d)      Robson acknowledges that he has entered into a
Confidentiality and Intellectual Property Agreement with Veritas, effective
October 22, 2001, which agreement remains in effect.

Section 4. Term.

                  Robson's employment with Veritas, having previously commenced,
will continue until terminated in accordance with Section 5.

Section 5. Termination.

                  (a)      Unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section
5(b), Robson's employment will automatically terminate effective with
adjournment of the next annual meeting

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

of Veritas stockholders (the "Effective Time"). Such annual meeting is
tentatively scheduled for December 7, 2004 but will not be formally called by
the Board until September or October 2004.

                  (b)      Robson's employment will terminate prior to the
Effective Time, upon the first to occur of the following:

                           (1)      The successor chief executive officer
         actually commences his employment at Veritas. Robson's employment will
         immediately terminate on that date and time when a successor chief
         executive officer actually commences his employment at Veritas. In the
         event of such termination, Robson will immediately tender his written
         resignation as a director of Veritas.

                           (2)      Robson elects to terminate. At any time on
         or after April 1, 2004, Robson may terminate his employment for any or
         no reason by (i) giving the chairman of the Compensation Committee of
         the Board ten days' written notice that he elects to terminate his
         employment and (ii) tendering his written resignation as a director of
         Veritas effective upon the Date of Termination.

                           (3)      Veritas elects to terminate. At any time on
         or after April 1, 2004, the Board may terminate Robson's employment for
         any or no reason by giving him ten days' written notice of such
         termination. In the event of such termination, Robson agrees to tender
         to the Secretary of Veritas his written resignation as a director of
         Veritas effective upon the Date of Termination.

                           (4)      Robson's death.

                  (c)      As used in this Agreement, "Date of Termination"
means:

                           (1)      If Robson's employment with Veritas is
terminated in accordance with Section 5(a), that date on which the Effective
Time occurs;

                           (2)      If Robson's employment with Veritas is
terminated by Veritas in accordance with Section 5(b)(1), that date when the
successor chief executive officer actually commences his employment at Veritas;

                           (3)      If Robson's employment with Veritas is
terminated by Robson in accordance with Section 5(b)(2), that date which is ten
(10) days after Veritas's receipt of Robson's notice of termination and letter
of resignation as a director;

                           (4)      If Robson's employment with Veritas is
terminated by Veritas in accordance with Section 5(b)(3), that date which is ten
(10) days after Robson's receipt of the Board's written notice of termination;
or

                           (5)      If Robson's employment is terminated as a
result of his death, his date of death.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

Section 6. Effects of Termination.

                  (a)      Upon termination of Robson's employment in accordance
with any provision of Section 5, the obligations of Veritas and Robson under
Sections 1 and 2 will terminate as of the Date of Termination, and Veritas will
thereafter pay or provide to Robson (or to his legal representative, in the case
of his death) the following listed items.

                           (1)      Veritas will pay Robson (or his legal
representative, in the case of his death):

                                    (i)      The CEO's Salary through the Date
                                             of Termination;

                                    (ii)     If the Date of Termination is on or
                                             after the date incentive payments
                                             are made to other executives under
                                             the Key Contributor Plan, any
                                             incentive compensation then due him
                                             under Section 2(a)(2); and

                                    (iii)    During the three-year period ending
                                             on the third anniversary of the
                                             Date of Termination, an aggregate
                                             amount (the "Severance Payment")
                                             equal to three (3) times the CEO's
                                             Salary, which Severance Payment
                                             will be paid to Robson in equal
                                             installments every two weeks during
                                             such three-year period; provided,
                                             however, that at any time during
                                             such three-year period Veritas may,
                                             in its discretion, elect to pay to
                                             Robson the then remaining balance
                                             of the Severance Payment in the
                                             form of a lump sum cash payment.

                           (2)      Veritas will provide, at its expense, to
         Robson and his wife, Val, the following insurance coverage in the U.S.
         and Canada for each of their respective lifetimes, subject to the
         limitations set forth below:

                                    (i)      In the U.S.: group health insurance
                                             (currently including group medical,
                                             hospitalization and prescription
                                             drug benefits) of the same type
                                             Veritas makes available to
                                             executive officers of Veritas
                                             located in the United States; and,

                                    (ii)     In Canada:

                                            (A)  Provincial health care coverage
                                                 for of Robson and his wife, Val
                                                 ,until they reach age 70; and

                                            (B)  Private group health insurance
                                                 of the same type Veritas makes
                                                 available to its key management
                                                 employees located in the
                                                 Province of Alberta, Canada
                                                 (such coverage is currently
                                                 provided by

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                                                 Great Western and includes
                                                 hospitalization and
                                                 prescription drug insurance in
                                                 excess of provincial health
                                                 coverage).

                                    (iii)    The amounts and types of group
                                             insurance coverage Veritas will
                                             provide under Sections 6(a)(2)(i)
                                             and 6(a)(2)(ii) may vary from time
                                             to time and some or all of the
                                             coverage may be modified, reduced
                                             or eliminated at any time -
                                             Veritas's sole obligation is to
                                             provide the same types and amounts
                                             of group health coverage made
                                             available during the period in
                                             question to executive officers of
                                             Veritas in the U.S. with respect to
                                             U.S. insurance coverage and to key
                                             management employees of Veritas in
                                             the province of Alberta, Canada
                                             with respect to Canadian insurance
                                             coverage. Robson acknowledges and
                                             agrees that he and his wife will
                                             provide such information and
                                             complete such forms as Veritas or
                                             its insurance providers may
                                             reasonably request in connection
                                             with such insurance.

                           (3)      Each Option Robson holds that is not vested
         on the Date of Termination will terminate on the Date of Termination.
         Each vested Option Robson holds on the Date of Termination will, except
         in the event of Robson's subsequent death, terminate on the earlier of
         the expiration of the original term of the Option or three years. In
         the event of Robson's death after the Date of Termination all
         outstanding Options he then holds will terminate on the earlier of the
         date of expiration of the term of the Option as specified in the
         relevant Option grant letter or the first anniversary of the date of
         Robson's death.

                           (4)      For a period of nine (9) months following
         the Date of Termination, Veritas will provide Robson with reasonable
         secretarial and administrative assistance to aid him in winding up his
         personal affairs in Houston, moving his personal effects out of his
         Houston residence, and selling that residence. Such Veritas personnel
         will be made available for reasonable amounts of time during Veritas's
         regular business hours and only in Houston.

                  (b)      As a condition to making the payments and providing
the benefits specified in this Section 6, Veritas will require (i) that Robson
(or his legal representative, in the event of his earlier death) execute a
release of all claims Robson may have against Veritas on the Date of Termination
(such release will be in substantially the same form as Exhibit A attached
hereto modified to take into account the actual circumstances); and (ii) in the
case of termination in accordance with Sections 5(b)(1), 5(b)(2) or 5(b)(3),
that Robson execute and deliver to Veritas his written resignation as a director
of Veritas.

Section 7. No Obligation to Mitigate; No Rights of Offset.

                  (a)      Robson shall not be required to mitigate the amount
of any payment or other benefit required to be paid to Robson pursuant to this
Agreement, whether by seeking other

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any such payment or other
benefit be reduced on account of any compensation earned by Robson as a result
of employment by another person.

                  (b)      Veritas's obligation to make the payments provided
for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall
not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other
claim, right or action which Veritas may have against Robson or others.

Section 8. No Effect on Other Rights.

         Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit Robson's continuing or
future participation in any plan, program, policy or practice of or provided by
Veritas or any of its affiliates and for which Robson may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as Robson may have under
any stock option or other agreements with Veritas or any of its affiliates.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which Robson is otherwise entitled to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice of or provided by, or any
other contract or agreement with, Veritas or any of its affiliates at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable or otherwise provided in
accordance with such plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement
except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.

Section 9. Successors; Binding Agreement.

                  (a)      This Agreement is personal to Robson and without the
prior written consent of Veritas shall not be assignable by Robson otherwise
than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure
to the benefit of and be enforceable by Robson's personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees,
devisees and legatees.

                  (b)      This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon Veritas and its successors and assigns.

                  (c)      Veritas will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, amalgamation, consolidation or otherwise) to all
or substantially all of the business and/or assets of Veritas, by agreement in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to Robson, to expressly assume and
agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that
Veritas would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.
As used in this Agreement, "Veritas" shall mean Veritas as hereinbefore defined
and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid.

Section 10. Non-Competition; Non-Solicitation; No Hire.

                  (a)      Robson agrees that during the Non-Compete Period (as
defined below), Robson shall not, without the prior written consent of Veritas,
directly or indirectly, anywhere in the world, engage, invest, own any interest,
or participate in, consult with, render services to, or be employed by any
business, person, firm or entity that is in competition with the "Business" [as
defined in Section 10(d)(1)] of Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates, except for the account of Veritas and its subsidiaries and
affiliates; provided, however, that during the Non-Compete Period Robson may
acquire, solely as a passive investment, not more than five percent

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

(5%) of the outstanding shares or other units of any security of any entity
subject to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Robson
acknowledges that a remedy at law for any breach or attempted breach of this
covenant not to compete will be inadequate and further agrees that any breach of
this covenant not to compete will result in irreparable harm to Veritas, and,
accordingly, Veritas shall, in addition to any other remedy that may be
available to it, be entitled to specific performance and temporary and permanent
injunctive and other equitable relief (without proof of actual damage or
inadequacy of legal remedy) in case of any such breach or attempted breach.
Robson acknowledges that this covenant not to compete is being provided as an
inducement to Veritas to enter into this Agreement and that this covenant not to
compete contains reasonable limitations as to time, geographical area and scope
of activity to be restrained that do not impose a greater restraint than is
necessary to protect the goodwill or other business interest of Veritas.
Whenever possible, each provision of this covenant not to compete shall be
interpreted in such a manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law
but if any provision of this covenant not to compete shall be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision of this covenant not to compete
shall be prohibited by or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remaining provisions of this covenant not to compete. If any
provision of this covenant not to compete shall, for any reason, be judged by
any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, such
judgment shall not affect, impair or invalidate the remainder of this covenant
not to compete but shall be confined in its operation to the provision of this
covenant not to compete directly involved in the controversy in which such
judgment shall have been rendered. In the event that the provisions of this
covenant not to compete should ever be deemed to exceed the time or geographic
limitations permitted by applicable laws, then such provision shall be reformed
to the maximum time or geographic limitations permitted by applicable law.

                  (b)      In addition to the restrictions set forth in Section
10(a), Robson agrees that, effective as of the Effective Date and for a period
that includes the term of this Agreement and one (1) year thereafter, Robson
will not, either directly or indirectly, (i) make known to any person, firm or
entity that is in competition with the Business of Veritas or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates the names and addresses of any of the suppliers or
customers of Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, potential
customers of Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates upon whom Veritas
or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates has called upon in the last twelve (12)
months or contacts of Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates or any
other information pertaining to such persons, or (ii) call on, solicit, or take
away, or attempt to call on, solicit or take away any of the suppliers or
customers of Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, whether for
Robson or for any other person, firm or entity.

                  (c)      Effective as of the Effective Date and for a period
that includes the term of this Agreement and one year (1) year thereafter,
Robson will not, either on his own account or for any other person, firm,
partnership, corporation, or other entity (i) solicit any Key Employee of
Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates to leave such employment; or
(ii) induce or attempt to induce any such Key Employee to breach her or his
employment agreement with Veritas or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

                  (d)      The following definitions apply to this Section 10:

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

                           (1)      "Business" means the business of acquiring,
         processing and/or interpreting geophysical data and/or producing and/or
         conducting geophysical surveys, including, but not limited to, (x) the
         business of surface seismic acquisition and/or surface seismic data
         processing and/or interpretation for the purpose of providing and/or
         interpreting seismic images of the subsurface of the earth, and (y) the
         following activities and services: (i) all forms of surface land,
         marine, ocean bottom cable and transition zone seismic data
         acquisition; (ii) all forms of surface seismic data processing,
         including the processing of two, three and/or four dimensional vertical
         seismic profiling; (iii) recording of data from wellbore seismic arrays
         performed during simultaneous acquisition of surface two, three and/or
         four dimensional data; (iv) trenched in, buried near surface or seabed
         permanent array installation and acquisition; (v) surface seismic
         acquisition, processing, interpretation and/or sales, in each case, of
         multiclient surveys; (vi) maintenance of surface seismic data
         processing centers, including licensing and support of surface seismic
         processing software; (vii) equipment design and manufacture for surface
         seismic acquisition, processing and interpretation; (viii) research and
         development programs for any of the items described in this Section
         10(d)(1) and seismically-assisted reservoir solutions, including
         software relating thereto; (ix) surface seismic data management
         services; (x) interpretation activities related to or in support of
         acquisition and processing activities described in this Section
         10(d)(1); (xi) borehole seismic acquisition and installation and
         acquisition of data from wellbore seismic arrays; (xii) reservoir
         management; (xiii) commercial seismically-assisted reservoir solutions;
         and (xiv) non-seismic data management and non-seismic dynamic reservoir
         characterization and performance prediction.

                           (2)      "Key Employee" means an individual employed
         by Veritas or one of its affiliates who is involved directly in seismic
         acquisition activities, seismic data processing, seismic technology
         development or other research and development.

                           (3)      "Non-Compete Period" means that period of
         time commencing on the Effective Date and continuing for eighteen (18)
         months after the Date of Termination.

Section 11. Miscellaneous.

                  (a)      All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder or necessary or convenient in connection herewith will be in
writing and will be delivered by hand; by overnight courier; by electronic mail;
or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested to the addresses
set forth below in this Section 11(a):

                  If to Veritas, to:

                            Veritas DGC Inc.
                            10300 Town Park
                            Houston, Texas 77072
                            Attention:  Scott Smith
                                        Vice President, Human Resources
                            Email:  scott_smith@veritasdgc.com

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

                  If to Robson, to:

                           Mr. David B. Robson
                           No. 903, 200 La Caille Place S.W. Calgary, Alberta
                           T2P 5E2
                           Email: dave_robson@veritasdgc.com

or to such other names or addresses as Veritas or Robson, as the case may be,
designate by notice to the other party hereto in the manner specified in this
Section.

                  (b)      With the exception of the Indemnity Agreement by and
between Veritas and Robson dated as of March 7, 2000 which is specifically not
superceded or replaced by or merged into this Agreement, this Agreement
(including the Exhibits attached hereto) supersedes, replaces and merges all
previous agreements and discussions relating to the same or similar subject
matters between Robson and Veritas (including any such agreements or discussions
between Robson and any past or present subsidiary or affiliate of Veritas) and
constitutes the entire agreement between Robson and Veritas with respect to the
subject matter of this Agreement. Specifically, this Agreement supercedes and
replaces the Prior Employment Agreement. This Agreement may not be modified in
any respect by any verbal statement, representation or agreement made by any
employee, officer, or representative of Veritas or by any written agreement
unless signed by an officer of Veritas who is expressly authorized by the Board
to execute such document.

                  (c)      If any provision of this Agreement or application
thereof to anyone or under any circumstances should be determined to be invalid
or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability will not affect any other
provisions or applications of this Agreement which can be given effect without
the invalid or unenforceable provision or application. In addition, if any
provision of this Agreement is held by an arbitration panel or a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, unreasonable, unduly
restrictive or overly broad, the parties intend that such arbitration panel or
court modify said provision so as to render it valid, enforceable, reasonable
and not unduly restrictive or overly broad.

                  (d)      The internal laws of the State of Texas will govern
the interpretation, validity, enforcement and effect of this Agreement without
regard to the place of execution or the place for performance thereof.

Section 12. Arbitration.

                  (a)      Veritas and Robson agree to submit to final and
binding arbitration any and all disputes or disagreements concerning the
interpretation or application of this Agreement. Any such dispute or
disagreement will be resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National
Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration
Association (the "AAA Rules"). Arbitration will take place in Houston, Texas,
unless the parties mutually agree to a different location. Within 30 calendar
days of the initiation of arbitration hereunder, each party will designate an
arbitrator. The appointed arbitrators will then appoint a third arbitrator.
Robson and Veritas agree that the decision of the arbitrators will be final and
binding on both parties. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment upon
the award rendered by the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

arbitrators. In the event the arbitration is decided in whole or in part in
favor of Robson, Veritas will reimburse Robson for his reasonable costs and
expenses of the arbitration (including reasonable attorneys' fees). Regardless
of the outcome of any arbitration, Veritas will pay all fees and expenses of the
arbitrators and all of Veritas's costs of such arbitration.

                  (b)      Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12(a),
Veritas may, if it so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent
jurisdiction for injunctive relief to enforce Robson's obligations under
Sections 3(b), 3(c), 3(d) or 10 hereof.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, intending to be legally bound,
have executed this Agreement as to be effective as of the Effective Date.

                                             VERITAS:

                                             VERITAS DGC INC.

                                             By:
                                                 _______________________________
                                                    James R. Gibbs
                                                    Director

                                             ROBSON:
                                             _______________________________

                                                    David B. Robson

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

                       AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS

         This Agreement, entered into as of the date written by Employee's
signature below, is by and between Veritas DGC Inc. ("Veritas"), a Delaware
corporation, and David B. Robson ("Employee"). (As used in this Agreement, the
term "Veritas" includes Veritas DGC Inc. and all of its subsidiary and
affiliated companies).

         Veritas and Employee agree as follows:

         Section 1. Within 5 business days after the Date of Termination, as
defined in Section 3 below, and whether or not Employee executes and returns
this Agreement, Veritas will pay Employee the following amounts:

         -        The CEO's Salary [as defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the
                  Retirement Agreement between Employer and Employee dated
                  effective January 10, 2004, the "Retirement Agreement"]
                  prorated through the Date of Termination;

         -        Employee's vacation pay accrued as of the Date of Termination;
                  and

         -        Any expense reimbursement owed to Employee under Section
                  2(b)(3) of the Retirement Agreement.

All of the above amounts will be REDUCED by applicable taxes and withholding.

         Section 2. In addition, Veritas will:

         -        During the three-year period ending on the third anniversary
                  of the Date of Termination, pay Employee an aggregate amount
                  (the "Severance Payment") equal to three (3) times the CEO's
                  Salary (as defined in Section 2(a)(1) of the Retirement
                  Agreement) which Severance Payment will be paid to Employee in
                  equal installments every two weeks during such three-year
                  period; provided, however, that at any time during such
                  three-year period Veritas may, in its

                                    EXHIBIT A

<PAGE>

                  discretion, elect to pay to Employee the then remaining
                  balance of the Severance Payment in the form of a lump sum
                  cash payment; and

         -        Provide Employee and his wife, Val, for each of their
                  respective lifetimes group health insurance in accordance with
                  Section 6(a)(2) of the Retirement Agreement.

         -        Provide Robson with secretarial and administrative assistance
                  in accordance with Section 6(a)(4) of the Retirement
                  Agreement.

         Section 3. Employee's termination from employment will be effective at
the close of business on the Date of Termination. The DATE OF TERMINATION as
used in this Agreement means _________.

         Section 4. Employee agrees to release Veritas from any claims he has or
may have against Veritas as of the date he signs this Agreement. The claims he
is releasing include all of the following:

         -        any claims under any bonus or incentive plans;

         -        any claims for tortious action or inaction of any sort
                  ("tortious action or inaction" means, among other things,
                  claims for such things as negligence, fraud, libel, or
                  slander);

         -        any claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment
                  Act of 1967 as amended (29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq.) (the
                  Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 prohibits, in
                  general, discrimination against employees on the basis of
                  age);

         -        any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of
                  1964 as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 2000e, et seq.), or the
                  Texas Commission on Human Rights Act (Texas Labor Code Section
                  21.001, et seq.) (both of these statutes, in general, prohibit

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

                  discrimination in employment on the basis of race, religion,
                  national origin or gender);

         -        any claims arising under the Americans with Disabilities Act
                  of 1990, as amended (42 U.S.C. Section 12101, et seq.) (the
                  Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits, in general,
                  discrimination in employment on the basis of an employee's or
                  applicant's disability);

         -        any claims arising under Texas Labor Code Sections 451.001, et
                  seq. for retaliation or discrimination in connection with a
                  claim for workers' compensation benefits; and,

         -        any claims for breach of contract, wrongful discharge,
                  constructive discharge, retaliation, or conspiracy; and

         -        any claims relating to Employee's employment or termination of
                  his employment including any and all claims for damages,
                  costs, salary, wages, termination pay, severance pay, vacation
                  pay, commissions, expenses, allowances, insurance, or any
                  other benefit arising out of Employee's employment with
                  Veritas, with the exception of those benefits specifically
                  excluded below in this Section 4.

         Employee acknowledges that the execution of this Agreement and Release
of All Claims has the effect of precluding the consideration of any complaint by
the Alberta Human Rights Commission pursuant to the Alberta Human Rights,
Citizenship and Multicultualism Act, or any other applicable human rights
legislation.

         The release contained in this Section 4 WILL NOT affect any of the
         following:

         -        Any claim by Employee under this Agreement;

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

         -        Employee's rights or benefits under Veritas's 401(k)
                  retirement savings plan, Veritas's Employee Stock Purchase
                  Plan, or any pension or retirement plan in which Employee is a
                  participant on the Date of Termination (Employee's rights and
                  benefits will be determined by the applicable plan);

         -        Employee's right to elect continued health and/or dental
                  benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 ("COBRA");

         -        Employee's right to exercise any options to purchase Veritas
                  DGC Inc. common stock in accordance with the terms of the
                  applicable stock option grant, as such terms are modified by
                  Section 6(a)(3) of the Retirement Agreement;

         -        Employee's rights to indemnity under that (i) one certain
                  Indemnity Agreement effective March 7, 2000, by and between
                  Employer and Employee, (ii) the certificate of incorporation,
                  bylaws or other organizational documents of Veritas (x) as in
                  effect on December 3, 2003, or (y) as the same may be
                  subsequently changed, but in the case of this clause (y) only
                  to the extent any such changes shall enlarge the rights of a
                  party seeking indemnity;

         -        Any other benefit to which Employee may be entitled under any
                  other health or benefit plan in accordance with the applicable
                  plan documents; or

         -        Employee's rights under any workers' compensation statue; the
                  Jones Act, 46 U.S.C. Appx. Section 688, as amended; general
                  maritime law or similar laws; and any other right Employee may
                  have with respect to bodily injury.

         Section 5. Veritas and Employee agree that this Agreement is a binding
contract. The purpose of the Agreement is to compromise doubtful or disputed
claims, avoid litigation, and

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

buy peace. Employee agrees that although Veritas is making payment to Employee
in exchange for a release of claims, Veritas does not admit any wrongdoing of
any kind.

         Section 6. Employee agrees to assist Veritas in defending any legal
proceedings against Veritas arising out of matters which occurred on or prior to
the Date of Termination. Veritas agrees to reimburse Employee for his time and
expense or costs he may incur in that regard.

         Section 7. Employee confirms that after the Effective Date he remains
subject to and agrees to comply with:

         -        those obligations of confidentiality contained in Section 3(b)
                  and 3(c) of the Retirement Agreement;

         -        the provisions relating to competition with Employer contained
                  in Section 10 of the Retirement Agreement;

         -        the provisions relating to solicitation or hiring of
                  Employer's employees contained in Section 10 of the Retirement
                  Agreement; and

         -        the terms of the Employee Confidentiality and Intellectual
                  Property Agreement with Employer which Employee signed
                  effective October 22, 2001.

         Section 8. This Agreement has been delivered to Employee on
         _____________.

         -        Employee will have 21 calendar days from ___________ or until
                  the close of business on ___________ to decide whether to sign
                  and return this Agreement and be bound by its terms. In the
                  event Employee has not signed and returned this Agreement to
                  Veritas on or before __________, this Agreement will become
                  null and void.

         -        Veritas and Employee agree that if they agree to change the
                  terms of this Agreement in any manner after it is delivered to
                  Employee, even if the changes

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

         are material, the 21-day period specified in the previous paragraph
         will not restart or be extended.

         -        After signing this Agreement, Employee will have the right to
                  revoke the Agreement for a period of 7 calendar days after
                  signing it by (a) notifying Veritas in writing that Employee
                  revokes the Agreement and (b) returning to Veritas any
                  consideration paid Employee under Section 2 above. In the
                  event Employee revokes the Agreement, it will become null and
                  void.

         Section 9. Employee acknowledges that he has read this Agreement. He
understands that, except for the exceptions set out in Section 4 above, this
Agreement will have the effect of waiving any claim he may pursue against
Veritas.

         Section 10. Employee acknowledges that he makes this Agreement
knowingly and voluntarily.

         Section 11. This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between
Veritas and Employee with respect to the subject matter hereof.

         Section 12. This Agreement will benefit and be binding upon Veritas and
its successors and assigns and Employee and his successors and legal
representatives. Employee will not assign or attempt to assign any of his rights
under this Agreement.

         Section 13. If a court determines that any provision of this Agreement
is invalid, the other provisions will remain in effect.

         Section 14. This Agreement will be governed by, construed under, and
enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas, not including,
however, its conflicts of law rules that might otherwise refer to the law of
another forum or jurisdiction.

         Section 15. This Agreement will become effective and enforceable only
after a period of

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

7 days has expired following Employee's execution and delivery of this Agreement
to Veritas (this date is referred to in this Agreement as the "EFFECTIVE DATE").

                   THIS AGREEMENT IS SUBJECT TO ARBITRATION IN
                      ACCORDANCE WITH THE FOLLOWING SECTION

         Section 16. Employer and Employee agree to submit to final and binding
arbitration any and all disputes or disagreements concerning the interpretation
or application of this Agreement. Any such dispute or disagreement will be
resolved by arbitration in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution
of Employment Disputes of the American Arbitration Association (the "AAA
Rules"). Arbitration will take place in Houston, Texas, unless the parties
mutually agree to a different location. Within 30 calendar days of the
initiation of arbitration hereunder, each party will designate an arbitrator.
The appointed arbitrators will then appoint a third arbitrator. Employee and
Employer agree that the decision of the arbitrators will be final and binding on
both parties. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators. In the event the arbitration is decided in whole or
in part in favor of Employee, Employer will reimburse Employee for his
reasonable costs and expenses of the arbitration (including reasonable
attorneys' fees). Regardless of the outcome of any arbitration, Employer will
pay all fees and expenses of the arbitrators and all of Employer's costs of such
arbitration.

         Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous paragraph, Employer may,
if it so chooses, bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction for
injunctive relief to enforce Employee's obligations under Section 7 of this
Agreement.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective
as of the Effective Date.

                                                 VERITAS:

                                                 VERITAS DGC INC.
                                                   and subsidiary and affiliated
                                                   companies

                                                 By:
                                                    ___________________________
                               NOTICE TO EMPLOYEE

BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT, YOU MAY BE GIVING UP IMPORTANT LEGAL RIGHTS. YOU ARE
ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO SIGNING AND RETURNING THIS DOCUMENT
TO VERITAS.

                                                 EMPLOYEE:

                                                 _______________________________

                                                 Date:
                                                      _________________________

                                      -8-

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