Document:

Executive Employment Agreement

 EXHIBIT 10.7 
 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT 
 This employment agreement (the
“Agreement”), by and between Hudson Highland Group, Inc. (the “Company”) and Don Bielinski (the “Executive”), is amended and restated effective October 29, 2007. 
 WHEREAS, the Company wishes to continue to employ the Executive and the Executive wishes to continue to be employed in accordance with the terms and
conditions set forth below. 
 NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the conditions and mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, the
parties agree as follows: 
 1. Defined Terms. 
 (a) Affiliate. The term “Affiliate” means each entity that is required to be included in the Company’s controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Code Section 414(b), or that is
under common control with the Company within the meaning of Code Section 414(c); provided that the phrase “at least 50 percent” shall be used in place of the phrase “ at least 80 percent” each place it appears therein
or in the regulations thereunder. 
 (b) Code. The term “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, including any
amendments thereto or successor tax codes thereof. 
 (c) Separation from Service. The term “Separation from
Service” means an Executive’s termination of employment from the Company and its Affiliates, or if the Executive continues to provide services following his or her termination of employment, such later date as is considered a separation
from service, within the meaning of Code Section 409A, from the Company and its Affiliates. Specifically, if Executive continues to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate in a capacity other than as an employee, such shift in status is
not automatically a Separation from Service. The Executive will be presumed to have terminated employment from the Company and its Affiliates when the level of bona fide services provided by the Executive (whether as an employee or independent
contractor) to the Company and its Affiliates permanently decreases to a level of twenty percent (20%) or less of the level of services rendered by such individual, on average, during the immediately preceding 36 months (or such lesser period
of service). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive takes a leave of absence for purposes of military leave, sick leave or other bona fide leave of absence, the Executive will not be deemed to have incurred a Separation from Service for the
first six (6) months of the leave of absence, or if longer, for so long as the Executive’s right to reemployment is provided either by statute or by contract; provided that if the leave of absence is due to a medically determinable
physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or last for a continuous period of not less than six (6) months, where such impairment causes the Executive to be unable to perform the duties of his or her position of
employment or any substantially similar position of employment, the leave may be extended for up to twenty-nine (29) months without causing a Termination of Employment. 
  

 1 

 2. Employment. The Company will employ the Executive and the Executive accepts employment as
Senior Vice President, Chairman—Hudson Asia Pacific and Chairman – Hudson Talent Management. The Executive will perform duties normally associated with such position and/or other duties as may be assigned from time to time during the Term
as defined in Section 2 below. The Executive shall perform such duties in a manner consistent with applicable laws and regulations and any code of ethics, compliance manual, employee handbook or other policies and procedures adopted by the
Company from time to time and subject to any written directives issued by the Company from time to time. The Executive must acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Ethics Policy and confirm that the Executive will comply with the Policy. Failure
to confirm compliance annually with the Company’s Ethics Policy will justify termination for cause unless, at the sole discretion of the Board, non-compliance is deemed non-material. 
 3. Term of Employment. The Executive’s employment under this Agreement will commence on the date hereof and will continue for a period of one
(1) year thereafter, subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 7 (the “Term”). This Agreement and the Term will be automatically renewed and extended for periods of one (1) year unless the Company or the
Executive provides written notice no less than thirty (30) days prior to the expiration of the then-current Term of its or the Executive’s desire not to renew this Agreement. 
 4. Scope of Responsibilities and Duties. The Executive agrees to devote the Executive’s full business time, attention, efforts and energies
in performance of the Executive’s duties and responsibilities hereunder. While employed by the Company, the Executive may not engage in any employment other than for the Company, in any conflicting business activities, or have any financial
interest, directly or indirectly, in any business competing with the Company or otherwise engaged in the business of the Company or its affiliates. The foregoing does not prevent the Executive from passively investing in publicly traded securities;
provided such investments do not require services on the part of the Executive which would in any way impair the performance of the Executive’s duties pursuant to this Agreement. The foregoing does not prohibit Executive from continuing to
serve on the board of any not-for-profit or for-profit entities upon which the Executive served immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, so long as none of the entities is engaged in businesses in direct competition with the Company.

 5. Compensation and Benefits. The Company will provide the Executive with the following compensation and benefits during the Term:

 (a) The Company will pay the Executive a salary of $275,000 on an annualized basis, payable in accordance with the payroll
practices of the Company in effect from time to time, and less such taxes and other deductions required by applicable law or authorized by the Executive (the “Base Salary”). 
 (b) The Executive will be entitled to accrue paid vacation at the rate of the greater of (i) four (4) weeks per year, or
(ii) the vacation allowance as provided under the Company’s vacation plan that applies to similarly situated employees working at the office location at which the Executive is based. In addition, the Company will provide the Executive with
other benefits of employment offered, from time to time to similarly situated employees at the office location at which the Executive is based. 
  

 2 

 (c) The Executive will receive an annual bonus (with a target bonus of 66.667% of base
salary) as provided under the Company’s Senior Management Bonus Plan as is in effect from time to time. 
 6. Additional
Agreements. This Agreement and the Executive’s employment hereunder is contingent upon the Executive’s execution of the General Release and Waiver, which is attached as Attachment A and forms a part of this Agreement. The
Executive’s employment hereunder is further contingent upon the Executive’s simultaneous execution of the Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation and Work Product Assignment Agreement and Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate Claims, which is attached
as Attachment B and forms a part of this Agreement. 
 7. Representations and Warranties. The Executive represents and warrants as
follows: 
 (a) All information, oral and written (including, but not limited to information contained on the Executive’s
resume), provided by the Executive during the recruiting and employment process is accurate and true to the best of the Executive’s knowledge, and such information does not include any misleading or untrue statement or omit to state any fact
necessary to make the information provided not misleading. 
 (b) The Executive has never been the subject of any
investigation or subject to any disciplinary action by any governmental agency, industry self-regulatory body or other employer. 
 (c) The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement by the Executive and the Executive’s employment hereunder are not in violation of: 
 (i) the terms, including any non-competition, non-disclosure, non-solicitation or confidentiality provisions, of any written or oral
agreement, arrangement or understanding to which the Executive is a party or by which the Executive is bound; or 
 (ii) any
United States federal or state statute, rule, regulation, or other law, or any judgment, decree or order applicable or binding upon the Executive. 
 8. Termination. This Agreement and the Executive’s employment may be terminated prior to the expiration of the Term as follows: 
 (a) Death. If the Executive dies during the Term, this Agreement shall automatically terminate and the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive or the Executive’s estate, except to pay the
Executive’s estate that portion of the Base Salary earned through the date on which the Executive’s death occurs. 
 (b) Disability. If the Executive is unable to perform the Executive’s essential job duties and responsibilities due to mental or physical disability for a total of twelve (12) weeks, whether consecutive or not, during any
rolling twelve (12) month period, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment and this Agreement upon five (5)

  

 3 

 
days’ written notice to the Executive. For purposes of this Agreement, the Executive will be considered disabled when the Company, with the advice of a
qualified physician, determines that the Executive is physically or mentally incapable (excluding infrequent and temporary absences due to ordinary illness) of performing the Executive’s essential job duties. The Executive shall cooperate with
the Company in obtaining the advice of a qualified physician regarding the Executive’s condition. In the event of termination pursuant to this Section 7(b), the Company will be relieved of all obligations under this Agreement, provided
that the Company will pay to the Executive that portion of the Base Salary under Section 4(a) which has been earned through the date on which such termination occurs. 
 (c) Discharge without Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive and
this Agreement at any time during the Term for any reason, without Cause (as defined in Section 7(e) below) upon thirty (30) days’ written notice to the Executive. If the Company gives notice of non-renewal of employment within the
30-day period as provided in Section 2, it will be treated as a termination without cause. Upon such termination, the Company will have no further liability to the Executive other than to provide the Executive with (i) that portion of the
Base Salary under Section 4(a) earned through the date of the termination, (ii) severance pay in an amount equal to the Executive’s then-current Base Salary, less applicable deductions, for a period of twelve (12) months (the
“Severance Period”) following the Executive’s Separation from Service, and (iii) the Company’s portion of the premium for continued coverage under the Company’s group health and dental insurance plan during the
Severance Period following the Executive’s termination, provided the Executive applies and remains eligible for such continuation coverage under applicable law, and provided further that the Executive authorizes the Company to deduct only the
Executive’s portion of such premiums from the severance payments. It is understood that the period the Company makes such payments will run concurrently with the period of continuation coverage for which the Executive may be eligible under
applicable law. The Executive’s receipt of the severance payments and premium payments by the Company set forth in this paragraph (c) are conditioned upon the Executive executing a comprehensive release and waiver agreement and covenant
not to sue as provided by the Company at the time of termination. Severance payments will be made in equal installments on dates corresponding with the Company’s regular pay dates during the Severance Period. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if
the severance pay that is payable during the first six (6) months following the Executive’s Separation from Service exceeds two times the lesser of (1) the Executive’s annualized compensation paid by the Company for the calendar
year preceding the calendar year in which the Separation from Service occurs (as adjusted for any increase during that year that was expected to continue indefinitely if the Separation from Service had not occurred), or (2) the compensation
limit in effect pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for the calendar year in which the Executive’s Separation from Service occurs, then payment of such excess shall be delayed and paid in a lump sum on the first day of the seventh
(7th) month following the month in which the Separation from Service occurs, and in such event, the payment shall be accompanied by a
payment of interest calculated at the rate of interest announced by the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor thereto) from time to time as the “federal funds rate”, such rate to be determined on the date of the Executive’s
termination of employment, compounded quarterly. 
  

 4 

 (d) Termination for Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s
employment and this Agreement at any time during the Term for Cause as defined below. In such case, this Agreement and the Executive’s employment shall terminate immediately and the Company shall have no further obligation to the Executive,
except that the Company shall pay to the Executive that portion of the Base Salary under Section 4(a) earned through the date on which such termination occurs. 
 (e) Definition of Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, Cause shall be defined as: 
 (i) the willful or negligent failure of the Executive to perform the Executive’s duties and obligations in any material respect
(other than any failure resulting from Executive’s disability), which failure is not cured within fifteen (15) days after receipt of written notice thereof, provided that there shall be no obligation to provide any additional written
notice if the Executive’s failure to perform is repeated and the Executive has previously received one (1) or more written notices; 
 (ii) acts of dishonesty or willful misconduct by the Executive with respect to the Company; 
 (iii) conviction of a felony or violation of any law involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, disloyalty or fraud, or a pleading of guilty or nolo contendere to such charge; 
 (iv) repeated refusal to perform the reasonable and legal instructions of the Executive’s supervisors; or 
 (v) any material breach of this Agreement or Attachment A; or 
 (vi) failure to confirm compliance with the Company’s Ethics Policy after 10 days’ written notice requesting confirmation.

 (f) Resignation. The Executive may voluntarily resign from employment at any time during the Term upon 3
months’ written notice and in compliance with the provisions of Attachment B. In such event, the Company shall be relieved of all its obligations under this Agreement, except that the Company shall pay to the Executive that portion of the Base
Salary under Section 4(a) earned through the date on which such resignation is effective subject to any irrevocable deferral election then in effect. 
 (g) The Executive remains obligated to comply with the Executive’s obligations and duties pursuant to Attachment B despite the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment for any reason.

  

 5 

 (h) During employment and after the termination of this Agreement and the
Executive’s employment for any reason, the Executive agrees to cooperate fully with and at the request of the Company in the defense or prosecution of any legal matter or claim in which the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their past
or present employees, agents, officers, directors, attorneys, successors or assigns, may be or become involved and which arises or arose during the Executive’s employment. The Executive will be reimbursed for any reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred thereby. 
 (i) During and after the termination of this Agreement and the Executive’s employment for
any reason, the Executive and the Company agree that, except as may be required by the lawful order of a court or agency of competent jurisdiction, the Executive and the Company will not take any action or make any statement or disclosure, written
or oral, that is intended or reasonably likely to disparage the other party, and in the case of the Company, any of its affiliates, or any of their past or present employees, officers or directors. 
 9. Change in Control. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement to the contrary: 
 (a) Employment Period. If a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs when the Executive is employed by the Company, the Company
will continue thereafter to employ the Executive during the period commencing on the date of a Change in Control and ending on the first anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”) and thereafter in accordance with Section 2 of
this Agreement, and the Executive will remain in the employ of the Company in accordance with and subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement. 
 (b) Covered Termination. If there is any termination of the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period (subject to Section 8(e)) by the Executive for Good Reason (as defined below), or by the
Company other than by reason of (i) death pursuant to Section 7(a), (ii) disability pursuant to Section 7(b), or (iii) Cause (a “Covered Termination”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive, and the
Company shall promptly pay, that portion of the base salary under Section 4(a) earned through the date of the termination and, in lieu of further base salary for periods following such termination, as liquidated damages and additional severance
pay, the Termination Payment pursuant to Section 8(c). 
 (c) Termination Payment. 
 (i) The “Termination Payment” shall be an amount equal to (A) the
Executive’s annual base salary immediately prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment plus (B) the Executive’s target annual bonus under the Company’s Senior Management Bonus Plan for the year in which the
termination of the Executive’s employment occurs. The Termination Payment shall be paid to the Executive in cash equivalent on the first day of the seventh (7th) month following the month in which the Separation from Service occurs, and in such event, the Termination Payment shall be accompanied by a payment of interest 

  

 6 

 
calculated using the annual rate of interest announced by the Federal Reserve Board (or any successor thereto) from time to time as the “federal funds
rate”, such rate to be determined on the date of the Executive’s termination of employment, compounded quarterly. Such lump sum payment shall not be reduced by any present value or similar factor, and the Executive shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of the Termination Payment by securing other employment or otherwise, nor will such Termination Payment be reduced by reason of the Executive securing other employment or for any other reason. The Termination Payment shall be in
lieu of, and acceptance by the Executive of the Termination Payment shall constitute the Executive’s release of any rights of the Executive to, any other cash severance payments under any Company severance policy, practice or agreement.

 (ii) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if any
portion of the Termination Payment or any other payment under this Agreement, or under any other agreement with or plan of the Company (in the aggregate, “Total Payments”), would constitute an “excess parachute payment” as
defined in Section 280G (or any successor provision) of the Code, then the Company shall pay the Executive an additional amount (the “Gross-Up Payment”) such that the net amount retained by the Executive after deduction of any excise
tax imposed under Section 4999 (or any successor provision) of the Code and any interest charges or penalties in respect of the imposition of such excise tax (collectively, the “Excise Tax”) (but not any federal, state or local income
tax, or employment tax) on the Total Payments, and any federal, state and local income tax, employment tax, and excise tax upon the payment provided for by this Section 9(c)(ii), shall be equal to the Total Payments. For purposes of determining
the amount of the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal income tax and employment taxes at the highest marginal rate of federal income and employment taxation in the calendar year in which the Gross-Up Payment is to be made
and state and local income taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation in the state and locality of the Executive’s domicile for income tax purposes on the date the Gross-Up Payment is made, net of the maximum reduction in federal income
taxes that may be obtained from the deduction of such state and local taxes. The Company shall pay the Gross-Up Payment on the first day of the seventh (7th) month following the month in which the Separation from Service occurs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is required to pay the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code prior to the payment date for the
Gross-Up Payment describe hereinabove (such as, for instance, because other payments due to the Executive without regard to this Agreement cause the excise tax to be due), then the Company shall promptly (but in no event later than the end of the
calendar year following the year in which the Executive remits such taxes) reimburse the Executive for the amount of excise taxes paid by the Executive under Section 4999 of the Code, plus an amount equal to the additional taxes imposed on the
Executive due to the Company’s reimbursement of the excise tax and such additional taxes. In such event, the Gross-Up Payment, if any, shall be reduced by such prior payment. 
  

 7 

 Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it shall be determined that the Executive is entitled
to a Gross-Up Payment, but that the Total Payments would not be subject to the Excise Tax if the Total Payments were reduced by an amount that is less than 10% of the Total Payments that would be treated as “parachute payments” under
Section 280G (or any successor provision) of the Code, then the amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement shall be reduced (but not below zero) to the maximum amount that could be paid to the Executive without giving rise to the
Excise Tax (the “Safe Harbor Cap”), and no Gross-Up Payment shall be made to the Executive. For purposes of reducing the Total Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, only amounts payable under this Agreement (and no other Total Payments) shall
be reduced. If the reduction of the amounts payable hereunder would not result in a reduction of the Total Payments to the Safe Harbor Cap, no amounts payable under this Agreement shall be reduced pursuant to this provision. 
 (iii) For purposes of this Agreement, the terms “excess parachute payment” and “parachute payments” shall have the
meanings assigned to them in Section 280G (or any successor provision) of the Code and such “parachute payments” shall be valued as provided therein. Present value for purposes of this Agreement shall be calculated in accordance with
Section 1274(b)(2) (or any successor provision) of the Code. Promptly following a Covered Termination or notice by the Company to the Executive of its belief that there is a payment or benefit due the Executive which will result in an
“excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G of the Code (or any successor provision), the Executive and the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall obtain the opinion (which need not be unqualified) of nationally
recognized tax counsel (“National Tax Counsel”) selected by the Company’s independent auditors and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (which may be regular outside counsel to the Company), which opinion sets forth (A) the
amount of the Base Period Income, (B) the amount and present value of Total Payments, (C) the amount and present value of any excess parachute payments, and (D) the amount of any Gross-Up Payment or the reduction of any Total Payments
to the Safe Harbor Cap, as the case may be. As used in this Agreement, the term “Base Period Income” means an amount equal to the Executive’s “annualized includable compensation for the base period” as defined in
Section 280G(d)(1) (or any successor provision) of the Code. For purposes of such opinion, the value of any noncash benefits or any deferred payment or benefit shall be determined by the Company’s independent auditors in accordance with
the principles of Section 280G(d)(3) and (4) (or any successor provisions) of the Code, which determination shall be evidenced in a certificate of such auditors addressed to the Company and the Executive. The opinion of National Tax
Counsel shall be addressed to the Company and the Executive and shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. If such National Tax Counsel so requests in connection with the opinion required by this Section 8(c)(iii), the Executive and
the Company shall obtain, at the Company’s expense, and the National Tax Counsel may rely on, the advice of a firm of recognized executive compensation consultants as to the reasonableness of any item of compensation to be received by the
Executive solely with respect to its status under Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder. 
  

 8 

 (iv) In the event that upon any audit by the Internal Revenue Service, or by a state or
local taxing authority, of the Total Payments or Gross-Up Payment, a change is finally determined to be required in the amount of taxes paid by the Executive, appropriate adjustments shall be made under this Agreement such that the net amount which
is payable to the Executive after taking into account the provisions of Section 4999 (or any successor provision) of the Code shall reflect the intent of the parties as expressed in this Section 8(c), in the manner determined by the
National Tax Counsel. If the Company owes the Executive an additional payment under this paragraph (iv), such payment shall be made to the Executive promptly following the date the Executive remits the taxes, or if earlier, the date the Internal
Revenue Service assesses such additional taxes, but no later than the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Executive remits the additional taxes. The Executive shall provide written notice to the Company and documentation
substantiating the amount of additional taxes paid or assessed. 
 (v) The Company agrees to bear all costs associated with,
and to indemnify and hold harmless, the National Tax Counsel of and from any and all claims, damages, and expenses resulting from or relating to its determinations pursuant to this Section 8(c), except for claims, damages or expenses resulting
from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such firm. 
 (d) Additional Benefits. If there is a Covered
Termination and the Executive is entitled to the Termination Payment, then (i) until the earlier of the end of the Employment Period or such time as the Executive has obtained new employment and is covered by benefits which in the aggregate are
at least equal in value to the following benefits, the Executive shall continue to be covered, at the expense of the Company, by the same or equivalent health and dental coverage as the Executive was covered by immediately prior to the termination
of the Executive’s employment and such coverage shall count as COBRA continuation coverage, and (ii) the Company shall bear up to $15,000 in the aggregate during the lifetime of the Executive of fees and expenses of consultants and/or
legal or accounting advisors engaged by the Executive to advise the Executive as to matters relating to the computation of benefits due and payable under Section 8(c). 
 (e) Anticipatory Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in Control occurs and if the
Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated (other than a termination due to the Executive’s death or as a result of the Executive’s disability) during the period of 180 days prior to the date on which the Change in
Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise
arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, then for all purposes of this Section 8 such termination of employment shall be deemed a “Covered Termination” and the “Employment Period” shall be deemed
to have begun on the date of such termination. 
  

 9 

 (f) Expenses and Interest. If, after a Change in Control of the Company,
(i) a dispute arises with respect to the enforcement of the Executive’s rights under this Agreement or (ii) any legal or arbitration proceeding shall be brought to enforce or interpret any provision contained herein or to recover
damages for breach hereof, in either case so long as the Executive is not acting in bad faith, then the Company shall reimburse the Executive for any reasonable attorneys’ fees and necessary costs and disbursements incurred by the Executive
during his or her lifetime as a result of the dispute, legal or arbitration proceeding (“Expenses”), and prejudgment interest on any money judgment or arbitration award obtained by the Executive calculated at the rate of interest announced
by The Bank of New York, from time to time at its prime or base lending rate from the date that payments to him or her should have been made under this Agreement. Within ten days after the Executive’s written request therefor, the Company shall
pay to the Executive, or such other person or entity as the Executive may designate in writing to the Company, the Executive’s reasonable Expenses in advance of the final disposition or conclusion of any such dispute, legal or arbitration
proceeding. Any reimbursements provided hereunder shall be made promptly (but not later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the legal fees or expenses were incurred by the Executive) following the receipt by
the Company of a written notice from the Executive requesting such reimbursement, accompanied by documentation substantiating the amount of such fees and expenses. 
 (g) Definition of Change in Control. For purposes hereof, a “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur on the first to
occur of any one of the following events: (a) the consummation of a consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization involving the Company, unless such consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization is a “Non-Control
Transaction” (as defined below); (b) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all, or substantially all, of the
assets of the Company (in one transaction or a series of related transactions within any period of 24 consecutive months), other than a sale or disposition by the Company of all, or substantially all, of the Company’s assets to an entity at
least 75% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale; (c) any person (as such
term is used in Section 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (other than (1) the Company, (2) any subsidiary of the Company, (3) a trustee or other fiduciary
holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Company or any subsidiary or (4) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of stock in the Company) is or becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the securities
beneficially owned by such person any securities acquired directly from the Company after the date hereof pursuant to express authorization by the Board that refers to this exception) 

  

 10 

 
representing more than 20% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock or the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting
securities; or (d) the following individuals cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the number of directors then serving: individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the entire Board of Directors of the Company (the
“Board”) and any new director (other than a director whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest) whose appointment or election by the Board or nomination for election by the
Company’s stockholders was approved or recommended by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors on the date hereof or whose appointment, election or nomination for election was previously so
approved or recommended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if there is consummated any transaction or series of integrated transactions immediately following which the record holders of
the Common Stock immediately prior to such transaction or series of transactions continue to have substantially the same proportionate ownership in an entity that owns all or substantially all of the assets or voting securities of the Company
immediately following such transaction or series of transactions. A “Non-Control Transaction” shall mean a consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization of the Company where (a) the stockholders of the Company immediately
before such consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the
corporation resulting from such consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization (the “Surviving Corporation”); (b) the individuals who were members of the Board immediately prior to the execution of the agreement providing for
such consolidation, merger, share exchange or reorganization constitute at least 50% of the members of the board of directors of the Surviving Corporation; and (c) no person (other than (1) the Company, (2) any subsidiary of the
Company or (3) any employee benefit plan (or any trust forming a part thereof) maintained by the Company, the Surviving Corporation or any subsidiary) is or becomes the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not
including in the securities beneficially owned by such person any securities acquired directly from the Company after the date hereof pursuant to express authorization by the Board that refers to this exception) representing more than 20% of the
then outstanding shares of the common stock of the Surviving Corporation or the combined voting power of the Surviving Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities. 
 (h) Good Reason. The Executive shall have “Good Reason” for termination of employment in connection with a Change in
Control of the Company in the event of: 
 (i) any breach of this Agreement by the Company, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith that the Company remedies promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive; 
 (ii) any reduction in the Executive’s base salary, percentage of base salary available as incentive compensation or bonus opportunity or benefits, in each case relative to those most favorable to the Executive in
effect at any time during the 180-day period prior to the Change in Control; 
  

 11 

 (iii) the removal of the Executive from, or any failure to reelect or reappoint the
Executive to, any of the positions held with the Company on the date of the Change in Control or any other positions with the Company to which the Executive shall thereafter be elected, appointed or assigned, except in the event that such removal or
failure to reelect or reappoint relates to the termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment for Cause or by reason of disability pursuant to Section 7(b); 
 (iv) a good faith determination by the Executive that there has been a material adverse change, without the Executive’s written
consent, in the Executive’s working conditions or status with the Company relative to the most favorable working conditions or status in effect during the 180-day period prior to the Change in Control, including but not limited to (A) a
significant change in the nature or scope of the Executive’s authority, powers, functions, duties or responsibilities, or (B) a significant reduction in the level of support services, staff, secretarial and other assistance, office space
and accoutrements, but in each case excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent event not occurring in bad faith that the Company remedies within ten (10) days after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;

 (v) the relocation of the Executive’s principal place of employment to a location more than 50 miles from the
Executive’s principal place of employment on the date 180 days prior to the Change in Control; or 
 (vi) the Company
requires the Executive to travel on Company business 20% in excess of the average number of days per month the Executive was required to travel during the 180-day period prior to the Change in Control. 
 (i) Upon a Change in Control, the Company (or its successor) shall transfer to an irrevocable rabbi trust (to the extent not prohibited by
Code Section 409A) an amount in cash, determined on an undiscounted basis, which will be sufficient to fund the Company’s obligations under Section 9(c). 
 10. Severability. Whenever possible, each portion, provision or section of this Agreement will be interpreted in such a way as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any portion, provision or
section of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other portions, provisions or sections. Rather, this Agreement will be reformed, construed
and enforced as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable portion, provision or section had never been contained herein. 
 11. Complete
Agreement. This Agreement, including Attachment A and B, contains the complete agreement and understanding between the parties and supersedes and preempts any prior understanding, agreement or representation by or between the parties, written or
oral. 
  

 12 

 12. Additional Rights and Causes of Action. This Agreement, including Attachment A, is in addition
to and does not in any way waive or detract from any rights or causes of action the Company may have relating to Confidential Information or other protectable information or interests under statutory or common law or under any other agreement.

 13. Governing Law. Notwithstanding principles of conflicts of law of any jurisdiction to the contrary, all terms and provisions to
this Agreement are to be construed and governed by the laws of the State of New York without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction in which the Executive resides or performs any duties hereunder or where any violation of this Agreement
occurs. 
 14. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Company and its
successors and assigns. The Executive may not assign the Executive’s rights or delegate the Executive’s obligations hereunder. 
 15. Waivers. The waiver by either the Executive or the Company of a breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by the breaching party.

 16. Withholding. The Company shall be entitled to withhold from amounts to be paid to the Executive hereunder any federal, state or
local withholding or other taxes or charges which it is from time to time required to withhold. The Company shall be entitled to rely on an opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel if any question as to the amount or requirement of any such
withholding shall arise. In addition, if prior to the date of distribution of any amount hereunder, the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) tax imposed under Code Sections 3101, 3121(a) and 3121(v)(2), where applicable, becomes due, a
payment will be made to the Executive from the cash payments otherwise owing hereunder (without regard to the six-month delay if Executive) equal to the amount needed to pay the Executive’s portion of such tax, as well as withholding taxes
resulting therefrom (including the additional taxes attributable to the pyramiding of such distributions and taxes), and any subsequent payment shall be reduced accordingly. 
 17. Interpretation. This Agreement shall be construed and interpreted in a manner that will cause any payment hereunder that is considered
deferred compensation and that is not exempt from Code Section 409A to meet the requirements thereof such that no additional tax will be due under Code Section 409A on such payment. 
 18. Application of Code Section 409A. The Executive acknowledges that to avoid an additional tax on payments that may be payable under this
Agreement and that constitute deferred compensation that is not exempt from Code Section 409A, the Executive must make a reasonable, good faith effort to collect any payment or benefit to which Executive believes he or she is entitled hereunder
no later than ninety (90) days of the latest date upon which the payment could under this Agreement could have been timely paid pursuant to Code Section 409A, and if not paid or provided, take further enforcement measures within 180 days
after such latest date. 
 THE COMPANY AND THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT (A) EACH HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT, (B) EACH
UNDERSTANDS ITS TERMS, (C)

  

 13 

 
ALL UNDERSTANDINGS AND AGREEMENTS BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE EXECUTIVE RELATING TO THE SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE AGREEMENT ARE CONTAINED IN IT, AND
(D) EACH HAS ENTERED INTO THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY AND NOT IN RELIANCE ON ANY PROMISES OR REPRESENTATIONS BY THE OTHER, OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT ITSELF. 
  

 14 

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

							
		 		 	Hudson Highland Group, Inc.
				
	  
	 		 	By:	 	  

	Signature of Executive	 		 		 	Signature of Authorized Representative
				
	  
	 		 	Its:	 	  

	Print Name	 		 		 	Title of Representative

  

 15Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan

 EXHIBIT 10.8 
 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. 
 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN 
 (Effective May 1, 2004, as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 2008) 
  

 Table of Contents 
  

					
	 	  	 	  	Page
	Article 1.	  	Introduction	  	1
			
	Article 2.	  	Definitions	  	1
			
	Article 3.	  	Eligibility	  	3
			
	Article 4.	  	Elective Deferrals	  	3
			
	Article 5.	  	Matching Contributions	  	5
			
	Article 6.	  	Profit Sharing Contributions	  	5
			
	Article 7.	  	Deemed Investment Earnings	  	6
			
	Article 8.	  	Establishment of Trust	  	7
			
	Article 9.	  	Vesting and Distributions	  	7
			
	Article 10.	  	Administration of the Plan	  	8
			
	Article 11.	  	Amendment and Termination	  	9
			
	Article 12.	  	General Provisions	  	9

  

 i 

 HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC. 
 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN 
 Article 1. Introduction 
 1.1. Title. The title of this Plan shall be the “Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan.” The Plan as
amended and restated herein shall be effective as of January 1, 2008. 
 1.2. Purpose. This Plan shall constitute an unfunded
nonqualified deferred compensation arrangement established for the purpose of providing deferred compensation to a select group of management or highly compensated employees (as defined for purposes of Title I of ERISA) of the Employers
participating in the Plan, and to allow nonemployee directors of the Company to defer the receipt of some or all of their compensation for service on the Board. The Plan is maintained and administered for the benefit of selected employees of the
Employers, including those whose benefits under the Savings Plan are restricted by certain limitations of the Code, and nonemployee directors of the Company. 
 Article 2. Definitions 
 “Account” means the Elective Deferrals Account, the Matching Contributions Account and/or
the Profit Sharing Account maintained on behalf of a Participant. 
 “Beneficiary” means the Participant’s beneficiary
designated pursuant to Section 9.5. 
 “Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors. 
 “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. 
 “Committee” means the Committee consisting of the Executive Vice-President, Chief Administrative Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, or such other officers of the Company as shall be
designated by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan. 
 “Company” means Hudson Highland Group, Inc., a Delaware
corporation. 
 “Director” means a member of the Board, other than a member who is an officer or employee of an Employer.

 “Effective Date” means May 1, 2004. 
 “Elective Deferrals” means the contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 4.1 or 4.2 of this Plan. 
 “Elective Deferrals Account” means the account maintained on behalf of each Participant which will represent the amount of Elective Deferrals made on behalf of such Participant pursuant to Section 4.1
or 4.2 of the Plan and the amount of deemed investment earnings and losses on such Participant’s Elective Deferrals. 

 “Eligible Employee” means an employee of an Employer who is eligible to participate in the Plan
pursuant to Section 3.1. 
 “Employer” means the Company and each of its affiliates that with the consent of the Committee
participates in the Plan. 
 “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended. 
 “Matching Contributions” means the contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 5.1 of this Plan. 
 “Matching Contributions Account” means the account maintained on behalf of each Participant which will represent the amount of the Matching
Contributions made on behalf of such Participant pursuant to Section 5.1 of the Plan and the amount of the deemed investment earnings and losses on such Participant’s Matching Contributions. 
 “Participant” means any Eligible Employee or Director who is participating in the Plan pursuant to Article 3. 
 “Permitted Investment” means such fund or type of investment as may be approved by the Committee from time to time for purposes of this Plan.

 “Plan” means this “Hudson Highland Group, Inc. Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan,” as amended from time to time.

 “Plan Year” means the calendar year. 
 “Profit Sharing Contributions” means the contributions made on behalf of a Participant pursuant to Section 6.1 of the Plan. 
 “Profit Sharing Contributions Account” means the account maintained on behalf of each Participant which will represent the amount of the Profit Sharing Contributions made on behalf of such Participant
pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Plan and the amount of the deemed investment earnings and losses on such Participant’s Profit Sharing Contributions. 
 “Savings Plan” means the Hudson Highland Group, Inc. 401(k) Savings Plan, as amended from time to time. 
 “Separation from Service” means a Participant’s separation from service with all Employers, within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. 
 “Unforeseeable Emergency” means (i) a severe financial hardship to a Participant resulting from an illness or accident of the Participant, or the spouse or a dependent (as defined in Section 152(a)
of the Code) of the Participant, (ii) the loss of a Participant’s property due to casualty or (iii) such other similar extraordinary and unforeseeable circumstances arising as a result of events beyond the control of the Participant,
within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. 
  

 2 

 “Valuation Date” means each day on which the Nasdaq National Market or the New York Stock
Exchange is open. 
 Article 3. Eligibility 
 3.1. Eligible Employees. Each employee of an Employer shall be eligible to participate in the Plan for a Plan Year if, as of a date designated by the Committee, such employee: 
  

	 	(i)	is eligible to participate in the Savings Plan, 

  

	 	(ii)	is employed by an Employer in one of the following positions: (A) a Vice President or more senior position in the Corporate division of the Company or (B) a Regional
Vice-President, Vice President (Staff) or more senior position in the Hudson-division of the Company, and 

  

	 	(iii)	is notified by the Committee in writing of such employee’s eligibility to participate in the Plan; 

 provided, however, that only those employees of an Employer who are in a select group of management or are highly compensated (within the meaning of Title I of ERISA) may be designated as eligible to participate in
this Plan. 
 3.2. Directors. Each Director shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. 
 Article 4. Elective Deferrals 
 4.1. Elective
Deferral Election—Eligible Employees. Prior to the first day of each Plan Year, each Eligible Employee shall be permitted to elect, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee, that Elective Deferrals be credited to
his or her Elective Deferrals Account in any one or more of the following amounts: (i) a whole percentage, not in excess of 25%, of such Participant’s base pay for such Plan Year, including base salary and advance draws on commissions,
(ii) a whole percentage, not in excess of 100%, of such Participant’s annual bonus payable with respect to such Plan Year and (iii) a whole percentage, not in excess of 100%, of such Participant’s commissions payable with respect
to such Plan Year (other than advance draws on commissions). In order to participate in the Plan for any subsequent Plan Year, an Eligible Employee must submit a new election within the designated election period occurring prior to the Plan Year for
which the election is to be effective. In no event shall an election under the Plan apply to compensation payable for employment prior to the date on which such election is received by the Committee. Each Participant’s compensation shall be
reduced by the amount of all Elective Deferrals made on his or her behalf. Subject to any applicable requirements and restrictions under the Code, the Committee also may permit each Participant to elect, in accordance with rules and procedures
established by the Committee, that any amount required to be distributed to such Participant from the Savings Plan in order to satisfy the nondiscrimination requirements of Section 401(k)(3) or 401(m)(2) of the Code shall instead be distributed
to the Company and an amount equal to the amount so distributed shall be credited to such Participant’s Elective Deferrals Account hereunder. 
  

 3 

 4.2. Elective Deferral Election—Directors. Prior to the first day of each Plan Year, each
Director shall be permitted to elect, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee, that Elective Deferrals be credited to his or her Elective Deferrals Account in a whole percentage, not in excess of 100%, of the cash
retainer fees and meeting attendance fees payable to such Director for service during such Plan Year as a member of the Board or a committee of the Board. In order to participate in the Plan for any subsequent Plan Year, a Director must submit a new
election within the designated election period occurring prior to the Plan Year for which the election is to be effective. In no event shall an election under the Plan apply to compensation payable for service prior to the date on which such
election is received by the Committee. Each Director’s compensation shall be reduced by the amount of all Elective Deferrals made on his or her behalf. 
 4.3. Suspension of Deferral Election. A Participant may elect to cancel all future Elective Deferrals for a Plan Year upon a demonstration to the satisfaction of the Committee that the continuation of such
Elective Deferrals for the remainder of the Plan Year would cause such Participant to suffer an Unforeseeable Emergency, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. A Participant who is permitted to cancel Elective Deferrals during a Plan
Year shall not be permitted to resume Elective Deferrals under the Plan prior to the first day of the following Plan Year. No other changes may be made during a Plan Year to the percentage or amount of compensation subject to a Participant’s
Elective Deferral election. 
 4.4. Elective Deferrals Account. The Committee shall establish and maintain an Elective Deferrals
Account for each Participant who elects Elective Deferrals under this Article 4. The Participant’s Elective Deferrals Account shall be a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company and shall reflect the amount of the Elective Deferrals
credited hereunder on behalf of the Participant. The Company shall credit Elective Deferrals to a Participant’s Elective Deferral Account within a reasonable period following the date on which the Participant’s compensation is reduced by
the amount of such Elective Deferral. The amount of any deemed investment earnings and losses on the amounts reflected in a Participant’s Elective Deferrals Account shall be credited or charged to his or her Elective Deferrals Account in
accordance with Article 7. 
 4.5. Transfer of Elective Deferrals to Savings
Plan. Prior to the first day of each Plan Year, each Eligible Employee who elects to participate in the Plan shall be permitted to elect, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee, that as of a date not later than two
and one-half (2 1/2) months after the end of such Plan Year, such Participant’s Elective Deferrals Account be reduced
by an amount equal to the Maximum Permissible Contribution, as defined below, and that an amount equal to the Maximum Permissible Contribution be either (i) distributed to the Participant in cash or (ii) deferred as an Elective Deferral
under the Savings Plan. For purposes of this Section 4.5, a Participant’s “Maximum Permissible Contribution” with respect to a Plan Year shall be an amount equal to the lesser of: 
  

	 	(a)	the maximum amount of Elective Deferrals which the Participant could elect for such Plan Year pursuant to the terms of the Savings Plan within the limits imposed under 402(g),
401(k)(3), 401(m)(2) and 401(a)(17) of the Code; and 

  

 4 

	 	(b)	the aggregate Elective Deferrals which the Participant elected under this Plan for such Plan Year. 

 A Participant’s election pursuant to this Section 4.5 with respect to a Plan Year shall be irrevocable. Directors shall not be eligible to make an election pursuant to this Section 4.5 with respect to
Elective Deferrals made pursuant to Section 4.2. 
 Article 5. Matching Contributions 
 5.1. Matching Contributions. For each Plan Year, a Matching Contribution shall be credited to the Matching Contributions Account of each Eligible
Employee who is a Participant in an amount equal to the excess of: 
  

	 	(a)	the amount of the Matching Contribution that would have been made on behalf of the Participant under the Savings Plan for such Plan Year with respect to the Elective Deferrals made
pursuant to Section 4.1 hereof, including Elective Deferrals which the Participant elects to defer under the Savings Plan but excluding Elective Deferrals which the Participant elects to receive in cash, in either case pursuant to
Section 4.5 of this Plan, determined as though all such Elective Deferrals had been made under the Savings Plan (i) without regard to the limits imposed under the Savings Plan to enable the Savings Plan to satisfy the nondiscrimination
requirements of sections 401(k)(3) and 401(m)(2) of the Code, but (ii) subject to the limits under sections 401(a)(17), 402(g) and 415 of the Code, over  

  

	 	(b)	the amount of the Matching Contribution actually made for the Participant under the Savings Plan for such Plan Year. 

 Elective Deferrals on behalf of Directors pursuant to Section 4.2 shall not be eligible for Matching Contributions hereunder. 
 5.2. Matching Contributions Account. The Committee shall establish and maintain a Matching Contributions Account for each Participant who is
entitled to receive Matching Contributions under this Article 5. The Participant’s Matching Contributions Account shall be a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company and shall reflect the amount of the Matching Contributions credited
hereunder on behalf of the Participant. The Company shall credit a Matching Contribution to a Participant’s Matching Contributions Account within a reasonable period following the end of the Plan Year for which such contribution is made. The
amount of any deemed investment earnings and losses on the amounts reflected in a Participant’s Matching Contributions Account shall be credited or charged to his or her Matching Contributions Account in accordance with Article 7. 

Article 6. Profit Sharing Contributions 
 6.1.
Profit Sharing Contributions. For any one or more Plan Years, a Profit Sharing Contribution may be credited to the Profit Sharing Contributions Accounts maintained for the benefit of any one or more Participants, in such amount, if any, as the
Board shall determine in its sole discretion. Such amount may, but need not, be an amount equal to the excess of (i) the 

  

 5 

 
amount of the Profit Sharing Contributions, if any, that would have been allocated to the Participant’s account under the Savings Plan for such Plan
Year without regard to either or both of the limitations of sections 401(a)(17) and 415 of the Code over (ii) the amount of the Profit Sharing Contributions actually allocated to the Participant’s account under the Savings Plan for such
Plan Year. 
 6.2. Profit Sharing Contributions Account. The Committee shall establish and maintain a Profit Sharing Contributions
Account for each Participant who is entitled to receive Profit Sharing Contributions under this Article 6. The Participant’s Profit Sharing Contributions Account shall be a bookkeeping account maintained by the Company and shall reflect the
amount of the Profit Sharing Contributions credited hereunder on behalf of the Participant. The Company shall credit a Profit Sharing Contribution to a Participant’s Profit Sharing Contributions Account within a reasonable period following the
end of the Plan Year for which such contribution is made. The amount of any deemed investment earnings and losses on the amounts reflected in a Participant’s Profit Sharing Contributions Account shall be credited or charged to his or her Profit
Sharing Contributions Account in accordance with Article 7. 
 Article 7. Deemed Investment Earnings 
 7.1. Permitted Investments. Each Participant may designate from time to time, in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee,
that all or a portion of his or her Accounts be deemed to be invested in one or more Permitted Investments. 
 7.2. Receipts. Each
Participant’s Accounts shall be deemed to receive all interest, dividends, earnings and other property which would have been received with respect to a Permitted Investment deemed to be held in such Accounts if the Company actually owned such
Permitted Investment. Cash deemed received with respect to a Permitted Investment shall be credited to the Accounts as of the date it would have been available for reinvestment if the Company actually owned the Permitted Investment. 
 7.3. Elections. All elections to be made by a Participant pursuant to this Article 7 shall be made only by such Participant; provided, that if
such Participant dies before his or her entire Account balance is distributed pursuant to the terms of the Plan, or if the Committee determines that such Participant is legally incompetent or otherwise incapable of managing his or her own affairs,
the Committee shall have the authority to itself make the elections pursuant to this Section 7.3 on behalf of such Participant, or designate such Participant’s designated Beneficiary, legal representative or some near relative of such
Participant to make the elections pursuant to this Section 7.3 on behalf of such Participant. 
 7.4. Actual Investment Not
Required. The Company need not actually make any Permitted Investment. If the Company should from time to time make any investment similar to a Permitted Investment, such investment shall be solely for the Company’s own account and the
Participant shall have no right, title or interest therein. Accordingly, each Participant is solely an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to any amount distributable to the Participant under the Plan. 
  

 6 

 Article 8. Establishment of Trust 
 8.1. Establishment of Trust. The Company may, in its sole discretion, establish a grantor trust (as described in section 671 of the Code) for the purpose of accumulating assets to provide for the obligations
hereunder. The assets and income of such trust shall be subject to the claims of the general creditors of the Company. The establishment of such a trust shall not affect the Company’s liability to pay benefits hereunder except that any such
liability shall be offset by any payments actually made to a Participant under such a trust. In the event such a trust is established, the amount to be contributed thereto shall be determined by the Company and the investment of such assets shall be
made in accordance with the trust document. 
 8.2. Status of Trust. Participants shall have no direct or secured claim in any asset
of the trust or in specific assets of the Company and will have the status of general unsecured creditors of the Company for any amounts due under this Plan. 
 Article 9. Vesting and Distributions 
 9.1. Vesting of Elective Deferrals Account. Each Participant shall at all times
have a one hundred percent (100%) vested and nonforfeitable interest in his or her Elective Deferrals Account. 
 9.2. Vesting of
Matching Contributions Account and Profit Sharing Account. Except as otherwise specified by the Board with respect to a Profit Sharing Contribution, each Participant shall become vested in his or her Matching Contributions Account and Profit
Sharing Contributions Account at the same time and to the same extent as the Participant shall become vested in his or her Matching Contributions and Profit Sharing Contributions accounts under the Savings Plan. The unvested portion of a
Participant’s Matching Contributions Account and Profit Sharing Account shall be immediately forfeited upon such Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason, and shall not thereafter be reallocated to the Accounts of any other
Participants. 
 9.3. Timing of Distributions. Upon a Participant’s Separation from Service for any reason, including death,
retirement, total and permanent disability, resignation or dismissal, the balance in the Participant’s Elective Deferral Account and the vested balance in the Participant’s Matching Contributions Account and Profit Sharing Account
(determined as of the Valuation Date on or immediately preceding the date on which the distribution is processed) shall be paid or begin to be paid to the Participant (or, in the event of the Participant’s death, to his or her Beneficiary) six
months after the last day of the Plan Year in which the Participant’s employment or service terminates. 
 9.4. Form of
Distribution. The vested balance of a Participant’s Account shall be paid in the form of a lump sum cash payment unless the Participant submits an election to receive such payment in annual cash installments over a period elected by the
Participant, which period shall be not less than two years nor more than five years in duration. Such election shall be submitted in accordance with procedures established by the Committee, and shall be effective only if submitted prior to
the later of (i) the date on which the Participant makes his or her initial Elective Deferral Election under the Plan or (ii) January 1, 2006. A Participant may change such 

  

 7 

 
payment election on or before December 31, 2007 in accordance with procedures established by the Committee and applicable transition relief under
Section 409A of the Code, provided that no such change shall affect the payment of any amount that otherwise would be payable in 2007. The Participant’s Account shall continue to be credited with earnings or losses pursuant to Article 7
until the balance of such Account has been paid in full. If a Participant dies before the vested balance of such Participant’s Account has been distributed to the Participant in full, the remaining vested balance of such Account shall be
distributed to the Participant’s Beneficiary in a single lump sum cash payment as soon as administratively practicable after the end of the Plan Year in which the Participant’s death occurs. 
 9.5. Designation of Beneficiaries. Each Participant may name any one or more Beneficiaries (who may be named concurrently, contingently or
successively) to whom the Participant’s Accounts under the Plan are to be paid if the Participant dies before such Accounts are fully distributed. Each such Beneficiary designation will revoke all prior designations by the Participant, shall
not require the consent of any previously named Beneficiary, and will be effective only when filed with the Committee during the Participant’s lifetime. If a Participant fails to designate a Beneficiary before his or her death, as provided
above, or if the Beneficiary designated by a Participant dies before the date of the Participant’s death or before payment of the Participant’s Accounts, the Committee, in its discretion, may pay the Participant’s Accounts (a) to
the surviving spouse of such deceased Participant, if any, or (b) if there shall be no surviving spouse, the surviving children of such deceased Participant, if any, in equal shares, or (c) if there shall be no surviving spouse or
children, to the executors or administrators of the estate of such deceased Participant, or (d) if no executor or administrator shall have been appointed for the estate of such deceased Participant within six months from the date of the
Participant’s death, to the person or persons who would be entitled under the intestate succession laws of the state of the Participant’s domicile to receive the Participant’s personal estate. 
 Article 10. Administration of the Plan 
 The Plan
shall be administered by the Committee. The duties and authority of the Committee under the Plan shall include (a) the interpretation of the provisions of the Plan, (b) the adoption of any rules and regulations which may become necessary
or advisable in the operation of the Plan, (c) the making of such determinations as may be permitted or required pursuant to the Plan, and (d) the taking of such other actions as may be required for the proper administration of the Plan in
accordance with its terms. Any decision of the Committee with respect to any matter within the authority of the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the Company and each Participant, former Participant, designated Beneficiary, and
each person claiming under or through any Participant or designated Beneficiary. Any action taken by the Committee with respect to any one or more Participants shall not be binding on the Committee as to any action to be taken with respect to any
other Participant. A member of the Committee may be a Participant, but no member of the Committee may participate in any decision directly affecting his or her rights or the computation of his or her benefits under the Plan. Each determination
required or permitted under the Plan shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The members of the Committee may allocate their responsibilities and may designate any other person or committee, including employees of the
Company, to carry out any of their responsibilities with respect to administration of the Plan. The claims procedure applicable to claims and appeals of denied claims under the Savings Plan shall apply to any claims for benefits under the Plan and
appeals of any such denied claims. 
  

 8 

 Article 11. Amendment and Termination 
 11.1. Amendment. The Company shall have the right to amend the Plan from time to time, except that no amendment shall reduce the amount credited to
a Participant’s Account without the consent of such Participant or, if the Participant is deceased, his or her Beneficiary. Any Plan amendment shall be adopted by action of the Compensation Committee of the Board; provided, however, that the
Company’s Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, shall, and hereby is, also authorized to amend the Plan, but only to the extent that such amendment: (i) is required or deemed advisable as the result of legislation or
regulation; (ii) concerns solely routine ministerial or administrative matters; or (iii) is not routine, ministerial or administrative but does not materially increase any cost to the Employers. 
 11.2. Plan Termination. The Plan may be terminated at any time by action of the Compensation Committee of the Board in its sole discretion. Upon a
termination of the Plan, all Accounts shall be paid to Participants and Beneficiaries pursuant to the terms of the Plan and the Participant elections thereunder; provided, however, that if the Plan is terminated in connection with a Change in
Control Event, within the meaning of, and to the extent permitted under, regulations or other guidance promulgated under section 409A of the Code, the Compensation Committee, as constituted immediately prior to such Change in Control Event, may
elect, in its sole discretion, to pay out all Accounts to Participants and Beneficiaries within 12 months after the occurrence of such Change in Control Event. In no event shall the amount credited to a Participant’s Account be reduced as a
result of a Plan termination without the consent of the Participant or, if the Participant is deceased, his or her Beneficiary. 
 Article 12. General
Provisions 
 12.1. Non-Alienation of Benefits. A Participant’s rights to the amounts credited to his or her Accounts under
the Plan shall not be salable, transferable, pledgeable or otherwise assignable, in whole or in part, by the voluntary or involuntary acts of any person, or by operation of law, and shall not be liable or taken for any obligation of such person. Any
such attempted grant, transfer, pledge or assignment shall be null and void and without any legal effect. 
 12.2. Withholding for
Taxes. Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, the Employers shall withhold from any distribution made under the Plan such amount or amounts as may be required for purposes of complying with the tax withholding
provisions of the Code or any applicable State law for purposes of paying any tax attributable to any amounts distributable or creditable under the Plan. The Company may reduce a Participant’s Account to reflect employment taxes payable with
respect to deferred compensation prior to termination of employment. 
 12.3. Immunity of Committee Members. The members of the
Committee may rely upon any information, report or opinion supplied to them by any officer of the Company or any legal counsel, independent public accountant or actuary, and shall be fully protected in relying 

  

 9 

 
upon any such information, report or opinion. No member of the Committee shall have any liability to the Company or any Participant, former Participant,
designated Beneficiary, person claiming under or through any Participant or designated Beneficiary or other person interested or concerned in connection with any decision made by such member of the Committee pursuant to the Plan which was based upon
any such information, report or opinion if such member of the Committee relied thereon in good faith. 
 12.4. Plan Not to Affect
Employment or Director Relationship. Neither the adoption of the Plan nor its operation shall in any way affect the right and power of any Employer to dismiss or otherwise terminate the employment or change the terms of the employment or amount
of compensation of any Participant at any time, for any reason or without cause, or entitle any Director to continued service on the Board. By accepting any payment under this Plan, each Participant, former Participant, designated Beneficiary and
each person claiming under or through such person, shall be conclusively bound by any action or decision taken or made under the Plan by the Committee. 
 12.5. Compliance With Section 409A of Code. This Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of section 409A of the Code, and shall be interpreted and construed accordingly. The Company’s Executive
Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer shall have the discretion and authority to amend this Plan at any time to satisfy any requirements of section 409A of the Code or guidance provided by the U.S. Treasury Department to the extent applicable
to the Plan. 
 12.6. Notices. Any notice required to be given by the Company or the Committee hereunder shall be in writing and shall
be delivered in person or by U.S. mail, interoffice mail, express courier service or electronic mail, to the address set forth in the records of the Company. 
 12.7. Number; Headings. Wherever any words are used herein in the singular form they shall be construed as though they were also used in the plural form in all cases where they would so apply. Headings of
sections and subsections of the Plan are inserted for convenience of reference and are not part of the Plan and are not to be considered in the construction thereof. 
 12.8. Controlling Law. The Plan shall be construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, to the extent not preempted by any applicable federal law. 
 12.9. Successors. The Plan is binding on all persons entitled to benefits hereunder and their respective heirs and legal representatives, on the
Committee and its successor and on the Company and its successors, whether by way of merger, consolidation, purchase or otherwise. 
 12.10. Severability. If any provision of the Plan shall be held illegal or invalid for any reason, such illegality or invalidity shall not affect the remaining provisions of the Plan, and the Plan shall be enforced as if the invalid
provisions had never been set forth therein. 
  

 10 

 IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Hudson Highland Group, Inc. has caused this Plan, as amended and restated
herein, to be adopted by its duly authorized officer this 29th day of October 2007. 
  

			
	HUDSON HIGHLAND GROUP, INC.
		
	By:	 	  

  

 11

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00138-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00138-of-00352.parquet"}]]