Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                           DATED AS OF APRIL 17, 2000

              BETWEEN EDMOND J. ENGLISH AND THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

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<TABLE>
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                                                        INDEX                                                  PAGE
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<C>                                                                                                              <C>
1.  EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT.............................................................................1

2.  SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT...........................................................................................1

3.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.....................................................................................2

4.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL.........................................................................4

5.  BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.....................4

6.  OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS............................................................7

7.  BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL...............................................................................7

8.  AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE...........................................................................7

9.  ASSIGNMENT....................................................................................................9

10.  NOTICES......................................................................................................9

11.  CERTAIN EXPENSES.............................................................................................9

12.  WITHHOLDING..................................................................................................9

13. GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................................9

14. ARBITRATION...................................................................................................9

15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.............................................................................................10

EXHIBIT A CERTAIN DEFINITIONS...................................................................................A-1

EXHIBIT B DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL".....................................................................B-1

EXHIBIT C CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS............................................................................C-1
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                                                               EDMOND J. ENGLISH

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT dated as of April 17, 2000 between EDMOND J. ENGLISH of 10
Stonegate Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748 ("Executive") and The TJX Companies, Inc., a
Delaware corporation whose principal office is in Framingham, Massachusetts
01701.

                                    RECITALS

         The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Company") and Executive intend that
Executive shall serve the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer on
the terms set forth below and, to that end, deem it desirable and appropriate to
enter into this Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         The parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, agree as follows:

         1. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall become
effective as of April 17, 2000 (the "Effective Date"). Executive's employment
shall continue on the terms provided herein until the date of the annual meeting
of stockholders of the Company occurring in 2003 (the "2003 meeting date"),
subject to earlier termination as provided herein (such period of employment
hereinafter called the "Employment Period").

         2.  SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT.

         (a) NATURE OF SERVICES. Executive shall diligently perform the duties
and assume the responsibilities of President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and such additional executive duties and responsibilities as shall from
time to time be assigned to him by the Board.

         (b) EXTENT OF SERVICES. Except for illnesses and vacation periods,
Executive shall devote substantially all his working time and attention and his
best efforts to the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this
Agreement. However, Executive may (i) make any passive investments where he is
not obligated or required to, and shall not in fact, devote any managerial
efforts, (ii) participate in charitable or community activities or in trade or
professional

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organizations, or (iii) subject to Board approval (which approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld or withdrawn), hold directorships in public companies,
except only that the Board shall have the right to limit such services as a
director or such participation whenever the Board shall believe that the time
spent on such activities infringes in any material respect upon the time
required by Executive for the performance of his duties under this Agreement or
is otherwise incompatible with those duties.

         3.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

         (a) BASE SALARY. Executive shall be paid a base salary at the rate
hereinafter specified, such Base Salary to be paid in the same manner and at the
same times as the Company shall pay base salary to other executive employees.
The rate at which Executive's Base Salary shall be paid shall be $800,000 per
year or such other rate (not less than $800,000 per year) as the Board may
determine after Board review not less frequently than annually.

         (b) EXISTING AWARDS UNDER 1986 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (INCLUDING LRPIP).
Reference is made to the following awards previously made to Executive under the
Company's 1986 Stock Incentive Plan (including any successor, the "1986 Plan"),
including awards under the Long Range Performance Incentive Plan:

                  (i) EXISTING OPTIONS: Grant Nos. 86-49, 86-53, 86-55 and
         86-56; and

                  (ii) EXISTING RESTRICTED STOCK: 16,667 shares of Restricted
         Stock awarded in September 1999 and scheduled to vest in accordance
         with the terms of that award in September 2000; and

                  (iii) LRPIP: Awards made prior to the date of this Agreement
         under the terms of LRPIP.

Each of the above-referenced awards shall continue for such period or periods
and in accordance with such terms as are set out in the grant and other
governing documents relating to such awards and shall not be affected by the
terms of this Agreement except as otherwise expressly provided herein. Except
for the 16,667 shares of Restricted Stock referenced at clause (ii) above,
Executive will relinquish the award of Restricted Stock made to him in September
1999, effective as of the date of execution of this Agreement.

         (c) NEW STOCK AWARDS. Consistent with the terms of the 1986 Plan,
Executive will be entitled to awards of stock options under the 1986 Plan at
levels commensurate with his position but not less than 100,000 stock options
annually, beginning in calendar 2000. In addition, the Committee has determined
to award Executive, as a Performance Award under the 1986 Plan and subject to
satisfaction of the performance goals applicable to such award, 125,000 shares
of Restricted Stock (the "New Restricted Stock"). The date of grant of the New
Restricted Stock shall be the date in 2001 on which the Committee certifies that
the performance goals applicable

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to the award have been met. The New Restricted Stock shall be subject to the
following vesting schedule during the Employment Period: 25,000 shares would be
fully vested upon the 2001 date of grant, and one third of the remaining 100,000
shares would vest on September 8 of each of 2001, 2002 and 2003; provided, that
if this Agreement is not renewed or extended and the Employment Period ends on
the 2003 meeting date, the portion of such award that is scheduled to vest on
September 8, 2003 shall vest immediately prior to the end of the Employment
Period. Executive shall be entitled to tender vested shares in satisfaction of
required tax withholding with respect to vesting under the New Restricted Stock
award.

         (d) LRPIP. During the Employment Period, Executive will be eligible to
participate in annual grants under LRPIP. To the extent provided in Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), the terms
of any such award shall be established by the Committee. Subject to the
foregoing, Executive shall be entitled with respect to each award cycle
(beginning with the FYE 2000 to FYE 2002 cycle) to earn up to 55% of his Base
Salary as in effect at the beginning of the cycle if the target established by
the Committee is met and up to 82.50% of such Base Salary if such target is
exceeded, with the payment potential ranging from 0% to 82.50% of Executive's
Base Salary as established by the terms of the award. To the extent the material
terms of LRPIP are required to be approved by stockholders, Executive's
eligibility to receive awards under LRPIP for any cycle to which such
stockholder vote pertains shall be subject to such stockholder approval.

         (e) MIP. During the Employment Period, Executive shall be eligible to
receive annual awards under the Company's Management Incentive Plan ("MIP"). To
the extent provided in Section 162(m) of the Code, the goals, scope and
conditions of any award shall be established annually by the Committee. Subject
to the foregoing, Executive shall be entitled to earn up to 60% of his Base
Salary if the target established by the Committee is met and up to 120% of his
Base Salary if such target is exceeded, with the payment potential ranging from
0% to 120% of Executive's Base Salary as established by the terms of the award.
To the extent the material terms of MIP are required to be approved by
stockholders, Executive's eligibility to receive annual awards under MIP for any
year to which such stockholder vote pertains shall be subject to such
stockholder approval.

         (f) SERP. Except as provided in Exhibit C ("Change of Control
Benefits") and this subsection (f), Executive is entitled to Category B benefits
determined and made payable in accordance with the generally applicable
provisions of the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan; provided,
that Executive shall at all times have a fully vested right to his accrued
benefit, including any future accruals, under SERP based on his actual years of
service.

         (g) QUALIFIED PLANS. Executive shall be entitled during the Employment
Period to participate in the Company's tax-qualified retirement and
profit-sharing plans in accordance with the terms of those plans.

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         (h) POLICIES AND FRINGE BENEFITS. Executive shall be subject to Company
policies applicable to its executives generally and shall be entitled to receive
all such fringe benefits as the Company shall from time to time make available
to other executives generally (subject to the terms of any applicable fringe
benefit plan).

         4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL.

         (a) The Company shall have the right to end Executive's employment at
any time and for any reason, with or without Cause.

         (b) The Employment Period shall terminate when Executive becomes
Disabled. In addition, if by reason of Incapacity Executive is unable to perform
his duties for at least six continuous months, upon written notice by the
Company to Executive the Employment Period will be terminated for Incapacity.

         (c) Whenever the Employment Period shall terminate, Executive shall
resign all offices or other positions he shall hold with the Company and any
affiliated corporations, including any position on the Board.

         5. BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON
EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

         (a) CERTAIN TERMINATIONS PRIOR TO THE 2003 MEETING DATE. If the
Employment Period shall have terminated prior to the 2003 meeting date by reason
of (i) death, Disability or Incapacity of Executive, (ii) termination by the
Company for any reason other than Cause or (iii) termination by Executive in the
event that either (A) Executive shall be removed from or fail to be reelected to
the offices of Chief Executive Officer, a Director and a member of any Executive
Committee of the Board, or (B) Executive is relocated more than 40 miles from
the current corporate headquarters of the Company, in either case without his
prior written consent (a "Constructive Termination"), then all compensation and
benefits for Executive shall be as follows:

                  (i) For the longer of twelve (12) months after such
         termination or until the 2003 meeting date (the "termination period"),
         the Company will pay to Executive or his legal representative continued
         Base Salary at the rate in effect at termination of employment, subject
         to the following:

                           (A) If Executive is eligible for long-term disability
                  compensation benefits under the Company's long-term disability
                  plan or any successor Company long-term disability plan, the
                  amount payable under this clause shall be paid at a rate equal
                  to the excess of (I) the rate of Base Salary in effect at
                  termination of employment, over (II) the long-term disability
                  compensation benefits for which Executive is eligible under
                  such plan.

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                           (B) Payments pursuant to this clause (a)(i) shall be
                  paid for the first twelve months of the termination period
                  without reduction for compensation earned from other
                  employment or self-employment, and shall thereafter be reduced
                  by such compensation received by Executive from other
                  employment or self-employment.

                  (ii) Until the expiration of the termination period as defined
         at (a)(i) above and subject to such minimum coverage-continuation
         requirements as may be required by law, the Company will provide
         (except to the extent that Executive shall obtain the same from another
         employer or from self-employment) such medical and hospital insurance,
         long-term disability insurance and term life insurance for Executive
         and his family, comparable to the insurance provided for executives
         generally, as the Company shall determine, and upon the same terms and
         conditions as the same shall be provided for other Company executives
         generally; provided, however, that in no event shall such benefits or
         the terms and conditions thereof be less favorable to Executive than
         those afforded to him as of the date of termination.

                  (iii) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal
         representative, without offset for compensation earned from other
         employment or self-employment, (A) any amounts to which Executive is
         entitled under MIP for the fiscal year of the Company ended immediately
         prior to Executive's termination of employment, plus (B) any unpaid
         amounts owing with respect to LRPIP cycles in which Executive
         participated and which were completed prior to termination. These
         amounts will be paid at the same time as other awards for such prior
         year or cycle are paid.

                  (iv) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal
         representative, without offset for compensation earned from other
         employment or self-employment, an amount in the nature of severance
         equal to the sum of (A) Executive's MIP Target Award, if any, for the
         year of termination, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which
         is three hundred and sixty-five (365) plus the number of days during
         such year prior to termination, and the denominator of which is seven
         hundred and thirty (730), plus (B) with respect to each LRPIP cycle in
         which Executive participated and which had not ended prior to
         termination of employment, 1/36 of an amount equal to Executive's LRPIP
         Target Award for such cycle multiplied by the number of full months in
         such cycle completed prior to termination of employment. The severance
         component described in clause (a)(iv)(A) above will be paid not later
         than MIP awards for the year of termination are paid. The severance
         component described in clause (a)(iv)(B) above, to the extent measured
         by the LRPIP Target Award for any cycle, will be paid not later than
         the date on which LRPIP awards for such cycle are paid or would have
         been paid. In no event shall the severance described in this paragraph
         be treated as paid under MIP or LRPIP.

                  (v) In addition, the Company will pay to Executive or his
         legal representative such vested amounts as shall have been deferred
         for Executive's account (but not

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         received) under GDCP in accordance with its terms plus such amounts, if
         any, as shall then remain credited to Executive's account under ESP.

                  (vi) Executive or his legal representative shall be entitled
         to the benefits described in Sections 3(b)(i) (Existing Options),
         Section 3(c) (New Stock Awards), 3(f) (SERP), and 3(g) (Qualified
         Plans).

                  (vii) If termination occurs by reason of Incapacity or
         Disability, Executive shall be entitled to such compensation, if any,
         as is payable pursuant to the Company's long-term disability plan or
         any successor Company disability plan. If for any period Executive
         receives long-term disability compensation payments under a long-term
         disability plan of the Company as well as payments under (a)(i) above,
         and if the sum of such payments (the "combined salary/disability
         benefit") exceeds the payment for such period to which Executive is
         entitled under (a)(i) above (determined without regard to paragraph (A)
         thereof), he shall promptly pay such excess in reimbursement to the
         Company; provided, that in no event shall application of this sentence
         result in reduction of Executive's combined salary/disability benefit
         below the level of long-term disability compensation payments to which
         Executive is entitled under the long-term disability plan or plans of
         the Company.

         (b) TERMINATIONS ON OR AFTER THE 2003 MEETING DATE. Unless earlier
terminated or except as otherwise mutually agreed by Executive and the Company,
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate on the 2003 meeting
date. Unless the Company in connection with such termination shall offer to
Executive continued service in a position acceptable to Executive and upon
mutually and reasonably agreeable terms, Executive shall be entitled upon such
termination to receive, for the one-year period following such termination,
continuation of Base Salary at the rate in effect at termination of employment
plus medical, dental, life-insurance and disability coverage (but not including
continued participation in the Company's retirement or 401(k) plan(s) or
continued participation in SERP or any other fringe benefit, other than a
Company-provided automobile or automobile allowance) comparable to the benefits
of such type to which he was entitled at time of termination; provided, that to
the extent it is impossible or impracticable to provide any such benefits to
Executive under the Company's then existing employee benefit plans or
arrangements, the Company shall arrange for alternative comparable coverage or,
if such alternative coverage is not available, shall pay to Executive the cost
of such coverage, all as reasonably determined by the Committee. If the Company
in connection with such termination offers to Executive continued service in a
position acceptable to Executive and upon mutually and reasonably agreeable
terms, and Executive declines such service, he shall be treated for all purposes
of this Agreement as having terminated his employment voluntarily (other than
for Valid Reason) on the 2003 meeting date and he shall be entitled only to
those benefits to which he would be entitled under Section 6(a) ("Voluntary
termination of employment"). For purposes of the two preceding sentences,
"service in a position acceptable to Executive" shall mean service as Chief
Executive Officer of the Company or service in such other position, if any, as
may be acceptable to Executive.

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         6.  OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.

                  (a) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If Executive
         terminates his employment voluntarily, Executive or his legal
         representative shall be entitled (in each case in accordance with and
         subject to the terms of the applicable arrangement) to the following:
         such vested amounts as are credited to Executive's account (but not
         received) under GDCP and ESP and any benefits described in Sections
         3(b)(i) (Existing Options), Section 3(c) (New Stock Awards), 3(f)
         (SERP), and 3(g) (Qualified Plans). No other benefits shall be paid
         under this Agreement upon a voluntary termination of employment.

                  (b) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS. If
         the Company should end Executive's employment for Cause, or,
         notwithstanding Section 5 and Section 6(a) above, if Executive should
         violate the protected persons or noncompetition provisions of Section
         8, all compensation and benefits otherwise payable pursuant to this
         Agreement shall cease, other than (x) such vested amounts as are
         credited to Executive's account (but not received) under GDCP and ESP
         in accordance with the terms of those programs; (y) any benefits to
         which Executive may be entitled under SERP (provided, that if Executive
         should end his employment voluntarily, such benefits shall be payable
         only if Executive does not violate the provisions of Section 8), and
         (z) benefits, if any, to which Executive may be entitled under Sections
         3(b)(i) (Existing Options), 3(c) (New Stock Awards), and 3(g)
         (Qualified Plans). The Company does not waive any rights it may have
         for damages or for injunctive relief.

         7. BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control, the determination and
payment of any benefits payable thereafter with respect to Executive shall be
governed exclusively by the provisions of Exhibit C.

         8.  AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE.

         (a) Upon the termination of employment at any time, then for a period
of two years after the termination of the Employment Period, Executive shall not
under any circumstances employ, solicit the employment of, or accept unsolicited
the services of, any "protected person" or recommend the employment of any
"protected person" to any other business organization. A "protected person"
shall be a person known by Executive to be employed by the Company or its
Subsidiaries or to have been employed by Company or its Subsidiaries within six
months prior to the commencement of conversations with such person with respect
to employment.

         As to (i) each "protected person" to whom the foregoing applies, (ii)
each subcategory of "protected person" as defined above, (iii) each limitation
on (A) employment, (B) solicitation and (C) unsolicited acceptance of services,
of each "protected person" and (iv) each month of the period during which the
provisions of this subsection (a) apply to each of the foregoing, the

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provisions set forth in this subsection (a) are deemed to be separate and
independent agreements and in the events of unenforceability of any such
agreement, such unenforceable agreement shall be deemed automatically deleted
from the provisions hereof and such deletion shall not affect the enforceability
of any other provision of this subsection (a) or any other term of this
Agreement.

         (b) During the course of his employment, Executive will have learned
many trade secrets of the Company and will have access to confidential
information and business plans for the Company. Therefore, upon termination of
the Employment Period on the 2003 meeting date or if Executive should end his
employment voluntarily at any time, including by reason of retirement or
disability but not including a voluntary termination for Valid Reason, or if the
Company should end Executive's employment at any time for Cause, then for a
period of two years thereafter, Executive will not engage, either as a
principal, employee, partner, consultant or investor (other than a less-than-1%
stock interest in a corporation), in a business which is a competitor of the
Company. A business shall be deemed a competitor of the Company if and only if
it shall then be so regarded by retailers generally or if it shall operate a
promotional off-price family apparel store within 10 miles of any "then existing
T.J. Maxx or Marshalls store." The term "then existing" in the previous sentence
shall refer to any such store that is, at the time of termination of the
Employment Period, operated by the Company or any wholly-owned subsidiary of the
Company or under lease for operation as aforesaid. Nothing herein shall restrict
the right of Executive to engage in a business that operates a conventional or
full mark-up department store. Executive agrees that if, at any time, pursuant
to action of any court, administrative or governmental body or other arbitral
tribunal, the operation of any part of this paragraph shall be determined to be
unlawful or otherwise unenforceable, then the coverage of this paragraph shall
be deemed to be restricted as to duration, geographical scope or otherwise, to
the extent, and only to the extent, necessary to make this paragraph lawful and
enforceable in the particular jurisdiction in which such determination is made.

         (c) If the Employment Period terminates, Executive agrees (i) to notify
the Company immediately upon his securing employment or becoming self-employed
during any period when Executive's compensation from the Company shall be
subject to reduction or his benefits provided by the Company shall be subject to
termination as provided in Section 6 and (ii) to furnish to the Company written
evidence of his compensation earned from any such employment or self-employment
as the Company shall from time to time request. In addition, upon termination of
the Employment Period for any reason other than the death of Executive,
Executive shall immediately return all written trade secrets, confidential
information and business plans of the Company and shall execute a certificate
certifying that he has returned all such items in his possession or under his
control.

         9. ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company shall enure to
the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
Company. The rights and obligations of Executive are not assignable except only
that payments payable to him after his death shall be made by devise or descent.

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         10. NOTICES. All notices and other communications required hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be given by mailing the same by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. If sent to the
Company the same shall be mailed to the Company at 770 Cochituate Road,
Framingham, Massachusetts 01701, Attention: Chairman of the Executive
Compensation Committee, or other such address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to Executive; and if sent to the Executive, the same shall
be mailed to Executive at 10 Stonegate Road, Hopkinton, MA 01748 or at such
other address as Executive may hereafter designate by notice to the Company.

         11. CERTAIN EXPENSES. The Company shall bear the reasonable fees and
costs of Executive's legal and financial advisors (not to exceed $6,000 in the
aggregate) incurred in negotiating this Agreement.

         12. WITHHOLDING. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments
required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive shall be subject to
the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll
deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant
to any applicable law or regulation.

         13. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

         14. ARBITRATION. In the event that there is any claim or dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and the
parties hereto shall not have resolved such claim or dispute within 60 days
after written notice from one party to the other setting forth the nature of
such claim or dispute, then such claim or dispute shall be settled exclusively
by binding arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association by an
arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto or, in the absence of such
agreement, by an arbitrator selected according to such Rules. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if either the Company or Executive shall request, such
arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators, one selected by
the Company, one selected by Executive and the third selected by agreement of
the first two, or, in the absence of such agreement, in accordance with such
Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by such arbitrator(s) shall be entered
in any Court having jurisdiction thereof upon the application of either party.

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         15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including Exhibits, represents
the entire agreement between the parties relating to the terms of Executive's
employment by the Company and supersedes all prior written or oral agreements
between them.

                                            /s/ Edmond J. English
                                            ------------------------------
                                                 Executive

                                            THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

                                            By /s/ Bernard Cammarata
                                               ---------------------------------

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                                    EXHIBIT A

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         (a) "Base Salary" means, for any period, the amount described in
Section 3(a).

         (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (c) "Committee" means the Executive Compensation Committee of the
Board.

         (d) "Cause" means dishonesty by Executive in the performance of his
duties, conviction of a felony (other than a conviction arising solely under a
statutory provision imposing criminal liability upon Executive on a per se basis
due to the Company offices held by Executive, so long as any act or omission of
Executive with respect to such matter was not taken or omitted in contravention
of any applicable policy or directive of the Board), gross neglect of duties
(other than as a result of Disability or death), or conflict of interest which
conflict shall continue for 30 days after the Company gives written notice to
Executive requesting the cessation of such conflict.

         In respect of any termination during a Standstill Period, Executive
shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause until the later to occur
of (i) the 30th day after notice of termination is given and (ii) the delivery
to Executive of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of
not less than a majority of the Company's directors at a meeting called and held
for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive), and at which Executive
together with his counsel was given an opportunity to be heard, finding that the
Executive was guilty of conduct described in the definition of "Cause" above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail; provided, however, that the
Company may suspend Executive and withhold payment of his Base Salary from the
date that notice of termination is given until the earliest to occur of (A)
termination of Executive for Cause (in which case Executive shall not be
entitled to his Base Salary for such period), (B) a determination by a majority
of the Company's directors that Executive was not guilty of the conduct
described in the definition of "Cause" above (in which case Executive shall be
reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid Base Salary for such period),
or (C) 90 days after notice of termination is given (in which case Executive
shall then be reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid Base Salary for
such period). If Base Salary is withheld and then paid pursuant to clauses (B)
and (C) of the preceding sentence, the amount thereof shall be accompanied by
simple interest, calculated on a daily basis, at a rate per annum equal to the
prime or base lending rate, as in effect at the time, of the Company's principal
commercial bank.

         (e) "Change of Control" has the meaning given it in Exhibit B.

                                      A-1

<PAGE>   14

         (f) "Change of Control Termination" means the termination of
Executive's employment during a Standstill Period (1) by the Company other than
for Cause, or (2) by Executive for good reason, or (3) by reason of death,
Incapacity or Disability.

         For purposes of this definition, termination for "good reason" shall
mean the voluntary termination by Executive of his employment (A) within 120
days after the occurrence without Executive's express written consent of any one
of the events described in clauses (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V) or (VI) below,
provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least 30 days in advance
requesting that the pertinent situation described therein be remedied, and the
situation remains unremedied upon expiration of such 30-day period; (B) within
120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express written consent of the
event described in clause (VII), provided that Executive gives notice to the
Company at least 30 days in advance of his intent to terminate his employment in
respect of such event; or (C) under the circumstances described in clause (VIII)
below, provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least 30 days in
advance:

                  (I)      the assignment to him of any duties inconsistent with
                           his positions, duties, responsibilities, reporting
                           requirements, and status with the Company immediately
                           prior to the Change of Control, or any removal of
                           Executive from or any failure to reelect him to such
                           positions, except in connection with the termination
                           of Executive's employment by the Company for Cause or
                           by Executive other than for good reason, or any other
                           action by the Company which results in a diminishment
                           in such position, authority, duties or
                           responsibilities, other than an insubstantial and
                           inadvertent action which is remedied by the Company
                           promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
                           Executive; or

                  (II)     if Executive's rate of Base Salary for any fiscal
                           year is less than 100 percent of the rate of Base
                           Salary paid to Executive in the completed fiscal year
                           immediately preceding the Change of Control or if
                           Executive's total cash compensation opportunities,
                           including salary and incentives, for any fiscal year
                           are less than 100 percent of the total cash
                           compensation opportunities made available to
                           Executive in the completed fiscal year immediately
                           preceding the Change of Control; or

                  (III)    the failure of the Company to continue in effect any
                           benefits or perquisites, or any pension, life
                           insurance, medical insurance or disability plan in
                           which Executive was participating immediately prior
                           to the Change of Control unless the Company provides
                           Executive with a plan or plans that provide
                           substantially similar benefits, or the taking of any
                           action by the Company that would adversely affect
                           Executive's benefits under any of such plans or
                           deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit
                           enjoyed by Executive immediately prior to the Change
                           of Control; or

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   15

                  (IV)     any purported termination of Executive's employment
                           by the Company for Cause during a Standstill Period
                           which is not effected in compliance with paragraph
                           (d) above; or

                  (V)      any relocation of Executive of more than 40 miles
                           from the place where Executive was located at the
                           time of the Change of Control; or

                  (VI)     any other breach by the Company of any provision of
                           this Agreement; or

                  (VII)    the Company sells or otherwise disposes of, in one
                           transaction or a series of related transactions,
                           assets or earning power aggregating more than 30
                           percent of the assets (taken at asset value as stated
                           on the books of the Company determined in accordance
                           with generally accepted accounting principles
                           consistently applied) or earning power of the Company
                           (on an individual basis) or the Company and its
                           Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) to any other
                           Person or Persons (as those terms are defined in
                           Exhibit B); or

                  (VIII)   The voluntary termination by Executive of his
                           employment at any time within one year after the
                           Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
                           Board may expressly waive the application of this
                           clause (VIII) if it waives the applicability of
                           substantially similar provisions with respect to all
                           persons with whom the Company has a written severance
                           agreement (or may condition its application on any
                           additional requirements or employee agreements which
                           the Board shall in its discretion deem appropriate in
                           the circumstances). The determination of whether to
                           waive or impose conditions on the application of this
                           clause (VIII) shall be within the complete discretion
                           of the Board but shall be made prior to the Change of
                           Control.

         (g) "Date of Termination" means the date on which Executive's
employment terminates.

         (h) "Disability" has the meaning given it in the Company's long-term
disability plan. Executive's employment shall be deemed to be terminated for
Disability on the date on which Executive is entitled to receive long-term
disability compensation pursuant to such long-term disability plan.

         (i) "GDCP" means the Company's General Deferred Compensation Plan, or,
if the General Deferred Compensation Plan is no longer maintained by the
Company, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement the terms of
which are not less favorable to Executive than the terms of the General Deferred
Compensation Plan as in effect on the Effective Date.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   16

         (j)  "ESP" means the Company's Executive Savings Plan.

         (k) "Incapacity" means a disability (other than Disability within the
meaning of (j) above) or other impairment of health that renders Executive
unable to perform his duties to the reasonable satisfaction of the Committee.

         (l) "Standstill Period" means the period commencing on the date of a
Change of Control and continuing until the close of business on the earlier of
the day immediately preceding the 2003 meeting date or the last business day of
the 24th calendar month following such Change of Control.

         (m)   "Stock" means the common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company.

         (n) "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which the Company owns,
directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock.

         (o)  "2000 meeting date" has the meaning set forth in Section 1 of the
Agreement.

         (p) "Valid Reason" means the voluntary termination by Executive of his
employment (A) within 120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express
written consent of any one of the events described in clauses (I), (II), (III),
(IV), or (V) below, provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least
30 days in advance requesting that the pertinent situation described therein be
remedied, and the situation remains unremedied upon expiration of such 30-day
period; or (B) within 120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express
written consent of the event described in clause (VI) below:

                  (I)      the assignment to him of any duties inconsistent with
                           his positions, duties, responsibilities, reporting
                           requirements, and status with the Company immediately
                           prior to such assignment, or a substantive change in
                           Executive's titles or offices as in effect
                           immediately prior to such assignment, or any removal
                           of Executive from or any failure to reelect him to
                           such positions, except in connection with the
                           termination of Executive's employment by the Company
                           for Cause or by Executive other than for Valid
                           Reason, or any other action by the Company which
                           results in a diminishment in such position,
                           authority, duties or responsibilities, other than an
                           insubstantial and inadvertent action which is
                           remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
                           notice thereof given by Executive; or

                  (II)     the failure of the Company to continue in effect any
                           benefits or perquisites, or any pension, life
                           insurance, medical insurance or disability plan in
                           which Executive was participating immediately prior
                           to such failure unless the Company provides Executive
                           with a plan or plans that

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   17

                           provide substantially similar benefits, or the taking
                           of any action by the Company that would adversely
                           affect Executive's benefits under any of such plans
                           or deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit
                           enjoyed by Executive immediately prior to such
                           action, unless the elimination or reduction of any
                           such benefit, perquisite or plan affects all other
                           executives in the same organizational level (it being
                           the Company's burden to establish this fact); or

                  (III)    any purported termination of Executive's employment
                           by the Company for Cause which is not effected in
                           compliance with paragraph (d) above; or

                  (IV)     any relocation of Executive of more than 40 miles
                           from the place where Executive was located at the
                           time of such relocation; or

                  (V)      any other breach by the Company of any provision of
                           this Agreement; or

                  (VI)     the Company sells or otherwise disposes of, in one
                           transaction or a series of related transactions,
                           assets or earning power aggregating more than 30
                           percent of the assets (taken at asset value as stated
                           on the books of the Company determined in accordance
                           with generally accepted accounting principles
                           consistently applied) or earning power of the Company
                           (on an individual basis) or the Company and its
                           Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) to any other
                           Person or Persons (as those terms are defined in
                           Exhibit B).

                                      A-5
<PAGE>   18

                                    EXHIBIT B

                        DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL"

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (a) there occurs a change of control of the Company of a
         nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
         of the Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or in any
         other filing under the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
         transaction shall be deemed to be a Change of Control (i) if the person
         or each member of a group of persons acquiring control is excluded from
         the definition of the term "Person" hereunder or (ii) unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to such occurrence, if
         Executive or an Executive Related Party is the Person or a member of a
         group constituting the Person acquiring control; or

                  (b) any Person other than the Company, any wholly-owned
         subsidiary of the Company, or any employee benefit plan of the Company
         or such a subsidiary becomes the owner of 20% or more of the Company's
         Common Stock and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the date such Person became a 20% owner are elected as
         directors pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with, or upon the
         request of or nomination by, such Person and constitute at least 1/4 of
         the Company's Board of Directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to the acquisition of such
         20% ownership, such acquisition of ownership shall not constitute a
         Change of Control if Executive or an Executive Related Party is the
         Person or a member of a group constituting the Person acquiring such
         ownership; or

                  (c) there occurs any solicitation or series of solicitations
         of proxies by or on behalf of any Person other than the Company's Board
         of Directors and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the commencement of such solicitation or series of
         solicitations are elected as directors pursuant to an arrangement or
         understanding with, or upon the request of or nomination by, such
         Person and constitute at least 1/4 of the Company's Board of Directors;
         or

                  (d) the Company executes an agreement of acquisition, merger
         or consolidation which contemplates that (i) after the effective date
         provided for in the agreement, all or substantially all of the business
         and/or assets of the Company shall be owned, leased or otherwise
         controlled by another Person and (ii) individuals who are directors of
         the Company when such agreement is executed shall not constitute a
         majority of the board of directors of the survivor or successor entity
         immediately after the effective date provided for in such agreement;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
         no transaction shall constitute a Change of Control if, immediately
         after such transaction, Executive or any Executive Related Party shall
         own equity securities of any

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   19

         surviving corporation ("Surviving Entity") having a fair value as a
         percentage of the fair value of the equity securities of such Surviving
         Entity greater than 125% of the fair value of the equity securities of
         the Company owned by Executive and any Executive Related Party
         immediately prior to such transaction, expressed as a percentage of the
         fair value of all equity securities of the Company immediately prior to
         such transaction (for purposes of this paragraph ownership of equity
         securities shall be determined in the same manner as ownership of
         Common Stock); and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, for purposes of this
         paragraph (d), if such agreement requires as a condition precedent
         approval by the Company's shareholders of the agreement or transaction,
         a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have taken place unless and
         until such approval is secured (but upon any such approval, a Change of
         Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of execution of
         such agreement).

In addition, for purposes of this Exhibit B the following terms have the
meanings set forth below:

         "Common Stock" shall mean the then outstanding Common Stock of the
Company plus, for purposes of determining the stock ownership of any Person, the
number of unissued shares of Common Stock which such Person has the right to
acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time) upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or
options or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Common Stock shall
not include shares of Preferred Stock or convertible debt or options or warrants
to acquire shares of Common Stock (including any shares of Common Stock issued
or issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) to the extent that the
Board of Directors of the Company shall expressly so determine in any future
transaction or transactions.

         A Person shall be deemed to be the "owner" of any Common Stock:

                  (i) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner," as
         such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Exchange Act, as in
         effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (ii) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner" for
         purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules of the
         Commission promulgated thereunder, as in effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (iii) which such Person or any of its affiliates or associates
         (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the Commission
         under the Exchange Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989), has the right
         to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
         the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
         understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
         rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>   20

         "Person" shall have the meaning used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989.

         An "Executive Related Party" shall mean any affiliate or associate of
Executive other than the Company or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The terms "affiliate" and "associate" shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (the term "registrant" in the definition of
"associate" meaning, in this case, the Company).

                                      B-3

<PAGE>   21

                                    EXHIBIT C

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

         C.1. BENEFITS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL TERMINATION.

         (a) The Company shall pay the following to Executive in a lump sum
within 30 days following a Change of Control Termination:

                  (i) an amount equal to (A) two times his Base Salary for one
         year at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination
         or the Change of Control, whichever is higher, plus (B) the accrued and
         unpaid portion of his Base Salary through the Date of Termination,
         subject to the following. If Executive is eligible for long term
         disability compensation benefits under the Company's long-term
         disability plan or any successor Company long-term disability plan, the
         amount payable under (A) shall be reduced by the annual long-term
         disability compensation benefit for which Executive is eligible under
         such plan for the two-year period over which the amount payable under
         (A) is measured. If for any period Executive receives long-term
         disability compensation payments under a long-term disability plan of
         the Company as well as payments under the first sentence of this clause
         (i), and if the sum of such payments (the "combined Change of
         Control/disability benefit") exceeds the payment for such period to
         which Executive is entitled under the first sentence of this clause (i)
         (determined without regard to the second sentence of this clause (i)),
         he shall promptly pay such excess in reimbursement to the Company;
         provided, that in no event shall application of this sentence result in
         reduction of Executive's combined Change of Control/disability benefit
         below the level of long-term disability compensation payments to which
         Executive is entitled under the long-term disability plan or plans of
         the Company.

                  (ii) in lieu of any other benefits under SERP, an amount equal
         to the present value of the payments that Executive would have been
         entitled to receive under SERP as a Category B participant, applying
         the following rules and assumptions:

                           (A) Executive's Primary Social Security Benefit (as
                  that term is defined in SERP) shall mean the annual primary
                  insurance amount to which the Executive is entitled or would,
                  upon application therefor, become entitled at age 65 under the
                  provisions of the Federal Social Security Act as in effect on
                  the Date of Termination assuming that Executive received
                  annual income at the rate of his Base Salary from the Date of
                  Termination until his 65th birth date which would be treated
                  as wages for purposes of the Social Security Act;

                           (B) the monthly benefit under SERP determined using
                  the foregoing criteria shall be multiplied by 12 to determine
                  an annual benefit; and

                                      C-1

<PAGE>   22

                           (C) the present value of such annual benefit shall be
                  determined by multiplying the result in (B) by the appropriate
                  actuarial factor, using the most recently published interest
                  and mortality rates published by the Pension Benefit Guaranty
                  Corporation which are effective for plan terminations
                  occurring on the Date of Termination, using Executive's age to
                  the nearest year determined as of that date. If, as of the
                  Date of Termination, the Executive has previously satisfied
                  the eligibility requirements for Early Retirement under The
                  TJX Companies, Inc. Retirement Plan, then the appropriate
                  factor shall be that based on the most recently published
                  "PBGC Actuarial Value of $1.00 Per Year Deferred to Age 60 and
                  Payable for Life Thereafter -- Healthy Lives," except that if
                  the Executive's age to the nearest year is more than 60, then
                  such higher age shall be substituted for 60. If, as of the
                  Date of Termination, the Executive has not satisfied the
                  eligibility requirements for Early Retirement under The TJX
                  Companies, Inc. Retirement Plan, then the appropriate factor
                  shall be based on the most recently published "PBGC Actuarial
                  Value of $1.00 Per Year Deferred To Age 65 And Payable For
                  Life Thereafter -- Healthy Lives."

                           (D) the benefit determined under (C) above shall be
                  reduced by the value of any portion of Executive's SERP
                  benefit already paid or provided to him in cash or through the
                  transfer of an annuity contract.

         (b) Until the second anniversary of the Date of Termination, the
Company shall maintain in full force and effect for the continued benefit of
Executive and his family all life insurance, medical insurance and disability
plans and programs in which Executive was entitled to participate immediately
prior to the Change of Control, provided that Executive's continued
participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans
and programs. In the event that Executive is ineligible to participate in such
plans or programs, the Company shall arrange upon comparable terms to provide
Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he is entitled to
receive under such plans and programs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company's obligations hereunder with respect to life, medical or disability
coverage or benefits shall be deemed satisfied to the extent (but only to the
extent) of any such coverage or benefits provided by another employer.

         (c) For a period of two years after the Date of Termination, the
Company shall make available to Executive the use of any automobile that was
made available to Executive prior to the Date of Termination, including ordinary
replacement thereof in accordance with the Company's automobile policy in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control (or, in lieu of making such
automobile available, the Company may at its option pay to Executive the present
value of its cost of providing such automobile).

         C.2. INCENTIVE BENEFITS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL. Within 30 days
following a Change of Control, whether or not Executive's employment has
terminated or been terminated, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump
sum, the sum of (i) and (ii), where:

                                      C-2

<PAGE>   23

                  (i) is the sum of (A) the "Target Award" under the Company's
         Management Incentive Plan or any other annual incentive plan which is
         applicable to Executive for the fiscal year in which the Change of
         Control occurs, plus (B) an amount equal to such Target Award prorated
         for the period of active employment during such fiscal year through the
         Change of Control; and

                  (ii) the sum of (A) for Performance Cycles not completed prior
         to the Change of Control, an amount with respect to each such cycle
         equal to the maximum Award under LRPIP specified for Executive for such
         cycle, plus (B) any unpaid amounts owing with respect to cycles
         completed prior to the Change of Control.

         C.3. Payments under Section C.1. and Section C.2. of this Exhibit shall
be made without regard to whether the deductibility of such payments (or any
other payments to or for the benefit of Executive) would be limited or precluded
by Internal Revenue Code Section 280G and without regard to whether such
payments (or any other payments) would subject Executive to the federal excise
tax levied on certain "excess parachute payments" under Internal Revenue Code
Section 4999; provided, that if the total of all payments to or for the benefit
of Executive, after reduction for all federal taxes (including the tax described
in Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, if applicable) with respect to such
payments ("Executive's total after-tax payments"), would be increased by the
limitation or elimination of any payment under Section C.1. or Section C.2.,
amounts payable under Section C.1. and Section C.2. shall be reduced to the
extent, and only to the extent, necessary to maximize Executive's total
after-tax payments. The determination as to whether and to what extent payments
under Section C.1. or Section C.2. are required to be reduced in accordance with
the preceding sentence shall be made at the Company's expense by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC or by such other certified public accounting firm as
the Committee may designate prior to a Change of Control. In the event of any
underpayment or overpayment under Section C.1. or Section C.2., as determined by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (or such other firm as may have been designated in
accordance with the preceding sentence), the amount of such underpayment or
overpayment shall forthwith be paid to Executive or refunded to the Company, as
the case may be, with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

         C.4. OTHER BENEFITS. In addition to the amounts described in Sections
C.1. and C.2., Executive shall be entitled to his benefits, if any, under
Sections 3(b)(i) (Existing Options), 3(c) (New Stock Awards), and 3(g)
(Qualified Plans).

         C.5. NONCOMPETITION; NO MITIGATION OF DAMAGES; ETC.

                  (a) NONCOMPETITION. Upon a Change of Control, any agreement by
         Executive not to engage in competition with the Company subsequent to
         the termination of his employment, whether contained in an employment
         contract or other agreement, shall no longer be effective.

                                      C-3

<PAGE>   24

                  (b) NO DUTY TO MITIGATE DAMAGES. Executive's benefits under
         this Exhibit C shall be considered severance pay in consideration of
         his past service and his continued service from the date of this
         Agreement, and his entitlement thereto shall neither be governed by any
         duty to mitigate his damages by seeking further employment nor offset
         by any compensation which he may receive from future employment.

                  (c) LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all legal
         fees and expenses, including but not limited to counsel fees,
         stenographer fees, printing costs, etc. reasonably incurred by
         Executive in contesting or disputing that the termination of his
         employment during a Standstill Period is for Cause or other than for
         good reason (as defined in the definition of Change of Control
         Termination) or obtaining any right or benefit to which Executive is
         entitled under this Agreement following a Change of Control. Any amount
         payable under this Agreement that is not paid when due shall accrue
         interest at the prime rate as from time to time in effect at
         BankBoston, N.A. until paid in full.

                  (d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. During a Standstill Period,
         Executive's employment may be terminated by the Company only upon 30
         days' written notice to Executive.

                                      C-4<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.2

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

                           DATED AS OF APRIL 17, 2000

              BETWEEN BERNARD CAMMARATA AND THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

<PAGE>   2

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        INDEX                                                  PAGE
                                                        -----                                                  ----

<S>                                                                                                              <C>
1.  EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT.............................................................................1

2.  SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT...........................................................................................1

3.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.....................................................................................2

4.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL.........................................................................4

5.  BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.....................4

6.  OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS............................................................6

7.  BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL...............................................................................7

8.  AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE...........................................................................7

9.  ASSIGNMENT....................................................................................................8

10.  NOTICES......................................................................................................9

11.  WITHHOLDING..................................................................................................9

12. GOVERNING LAW.................................................................................................9

13. ARBITRATION...................................................................................................9

14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.............................................................................................10

EXHIBIT A CERTAIN DEFINITIONS...................................................................................A-1

EXHIBIT B DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL".....................................................................B-1

EXHIBIT C CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS............................................................................C-1
</TABLE>

                                       -i-

<PAGE>   3

                                                               BERNARD CAMMARATA

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         AGREEMENT dated as of April 17, 2000 between BERNARD CAMMARATA of 73
Captain Miles Lane, Concord, Massachusetts 01742 ("Executive") and The TJX
Companies, Inc., a Delaware corporation whose principal office is in Framingham,
Massachusetts 01701.

                                    RECITALS

         Executive has been employed by The TJX Companies, Inc. (the "Company")
as its Chief Executive Officer and in other executive capacities, most recently
pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of January 26, 1997 (the "Prior
Agreement"). The Company and Executive intend that Executive shall relinquish
the position of Chief Executive Officer but continue to serve the Company as
Chairman of the Board on the terms set forth below and, to that end, deem it
desirable and appropriate to enter into this Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         The parties hereto, in consideration of the mutual agreements
hereinafter contained, agree as follows:

         1. EFFECTIVE DATE; TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall become
effective as of April 17, 2000 (the "Effective Date") and, as of that date,
shall supersede the Prior Agreement. Executive's employment as Chairman of the
Board shall continue on the terms provided herein until the date of the annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company occurring in 2003 (the "2003 meeting
date"), subject to earlier termination as provided herein (such period of
employment hereinafter called the "Employment Period").

         2.  SCOPE OF EMPLOYMENT.

         (a) NATURE OF SERVICES. During the term hereof, Executive shall
diligently perform the duties and assume the responsibilities of Chairman of the
Board and such additional executive duties and responsibilities (other than
those of the Chief Executive Officer of the Company) as shall from time to time
be assigned to him by the Board. In any matter in which the Board

<PAGE>   4

deliberates or takes action with respect to this Agreement, Executive, if then a
member of the Board, shall recuse himself.

         (b) EXTENT OF SERVICES. Executive shall devote such time and efforts as
are reasonably necessary to the proper performance of his duties hereunder, it
being understood that such duties are not expected to require Executive's
full-time attention and that Executive may, during the Employment Period,
participate in other activities (including, without limitation, charitable or
community activities, activities in trade or professional organizations, service
on other boards or similar bodies, and investments in other enterprises),
provided that such other activities (i) would be permitted under Section 8 if
engaged in by Executive during the three-year period following a voluntary
termination of employment (during the Employment Period) other than for Valid
Reason, and (ii) are not otherwise inconsistent with Executive's position,
duties and responsibilities hereunder.

         3.  COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.

         (a) BASE SALARY. Executive shall be paid a Base Salary at the rate of
$400,000 per year, such Base Salary to be paid in the same manner and at the
same times as the Company shall pay base salary to other executive employees.

         (b) EXISTING AWARDS UNDER 1986 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN (INCLUDING LRPIP).
Reference is made to the following awards previously made to Executive under the
Company's 1986 Stock Incentive Plan (including any successor, the "1986 Plan"),
including awards under the Long Range Performance Incentive Plan:

                  (i) AWARDS UNDER PRIOR AGREEMENT: The Deferred Stock awards
         referred to at Section 3(c)(i), Section 3(c)(ii) and Exhibits A and B
         of the Prior Agreement; the stock option awards referred to at Section
         3(c)(iii) of the Prior Agreement -- specifically, Grant Nos. 86-50 and
         86-51; and the Special Deferral Account referred to at Section 9 of the
         Prior Agreement.

                  (ii) OTHER EXISTING OPTIONS: The following stock option awards
         (which are in addition to the awards described at Section 3(c)(iii) of
         the Prior Agreement) outstanding as of the Effective Date: Grant Nos.
         86-46, 86-53, 86-55 and 86-56; and

                  (iii) LRPIP: Awards made prior to the date of this Agreement
         under the terms of LRPIP.

Each of the above-referenced awards shall continue for such period or periods
and in accordance with such terms as are set out in the grant and other
governing documents relating to such awards (including for this purpose the
Prior Agreement insofar as they relate to any such awards), and shall not be
affected by the terms of this Agreement except as otherwise expressly provided
herein.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   5

         (c) CONTINUED PARTICIPATION IN CERTAIN BENEFITS. During the Employment
Period, Executive shall continue to be eligible to participate in the employee
benefit and fringe benefit plans and programs in effect on the date hereof and
made available to executives of the Company generally (including, without
limitation, GDCP and ESP), in each case in accordance with the terms of such
plans or programs as in effect from time to time, subject to the following:

                  (i) Executive shall not be entitled to participate in any
         awards under LRPIP or under the Company's Management Incentive Plan
         ("MIP") for periods or cycles commencing on or after January 30, 2000.
         For the avoidance of doubt, nothing in this clause (i) shall be
         construed as limiting Executive's entitlement to his bonus earned under
         MIP for the Company's fiscal year ended January 29, 2000, to amounts
         earned under the LRPIP cycle ended January 29, 2000, or to any amounts
         that Executive may earn in the future under LRPIP awards for cycles
         commencing prior to January 30, 2000.

                  (ii) Except as provided at Section 3(b) and Section 3(c)(i)
         above, Executive shall not be entitled to participate in any awards
         under the 1986 Plan.

                  (iii) Executive shall not be entitled to any employer credits
         under ESP.

                  (iv) Except as provided under the agreement described at
         Section 3(c)(v) below, Executive shall have no rights to benefits under
         the Company's Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan ("SERP").

                  (v) The parties hereto acknowledge that the Company and
         Executive are parties to an agreement dated October 28, 1999 pursuant
         to which the Company has agreed, inter alia, to pay premiums under
         certain life insurance arrangements specified therein (the "October
         1999 Agreement") and Executive has agreed to relinquish his rights
         under SERP except as provided in the October 1999 Agreement. Solely for
         purposes of Paragraph 3 of the October 1999 Agreement, the Effective
         Date of this Agreement shall be deemed the date of Executive's
         "retirement". Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as affecting
         Executive's right and obligation to receive from the Company or to pay
         to the Company, as the case may be, the amount, if any, described in
         Paragraph 3 of the October 1999 Agreement.

Except as provided at Section 3(c)(v) above, Executive's entitlement to
benefits, if any, under those Company employee and fringe benefit plans and
programs in which he participates will be determined in accordance with the
terms of the applicable plan or program.

         4.  TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT; IN GENERAL.

         (a) The Company shall have the right to end Executive's employment at
any time and for any reason, with or without Cause.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   6

         (b) The Employment Period shall terminate when Executive becomes
Disabled. In addition, if by reason of Incapacity Executive is unable to perform
his duties for at least six continuous months, upon written notice by the
Company to Executive the Employment Period will be terminated for Incapacity.

         (c) The Employment Period shall terminate if Executive shall fail to be
nominated to serve, or shall fail to be elected to serve, as a member of the
Board.

         (d) Whenever the Employment Period shall terminate, Executive shall
resign all offices or other positions he shall hold with the Company and any
affiliated corporations, including all positions on the Board.

         5. BENEFITS UPON NON-VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT OR UPON
EXPIRATION OF THE AGREEMENT.

         (a) CERTAIN TERMINATIONS PRIOR TO THE 2003 MEETING DATE. If the
Employment Period shall have terminated prior to the 2003 meeting date by reason
of (i) death, Disability or Incapacity of Executive, (ii) termination by the
Company for any reason other than Cause or (iii) termination by Executive in the
event that either (A) Executive shall be removed from or fail to be reelected as
a Director or as Chairman, or (B) Executive is relocated more than 40 miles from
the current corporate headquarters of the Company, in either case without his
prior written consent (a "Constructive Termination"), then all compensation and
benefits for Executive shall be as follows:

                  (i) For the longer of twelve (12) months after such
         termination or until the 2003 meeting date (the "termination period"),
         the Company will pay to Executive or his legal representative continued
         Base Salary at the rate in effect at termination of employment, subject
         to the following:

                           (A) If Executive is eligible for long-term disability
                  compensation benefits under the Company's long-term disability
                  plan or any successor Company long-term disability plan, the
                  amount payable under this clause shall be paid at a rate equal
                  to the excess of (I) the rate of Base Salary in effect at
                  termination of employment, over (II) the long-term disability
                  compensation benefits for which Executive is eligible under
                  such plan.

                           (B) Payments pursuant to this clause (a)(i) shall be
                  paid for the first twelve months of the termination period
                  without reduction for compensation earned from other
                  employment or self-employment, and shall thereafter be reduced
                  by such compensation received by Executive from other
                  employment or self-employment.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   7

                  (ii) Until the expiration of the termination period as defined
         at (a)(i) above and subject to such minimum coverage-continuation
         requirements as may be required by law, the Company will provide
         (except to the extent that Executive shall obtain the same from another
         employer or from self-employment) such medical and hospital insurance,
         long-term disability insurance and term life insurance for Executive
         and his family, comparable to the insurance provided for executives
         generally, as the Company shall determine, and upon the same terms and
         conditions as the same shall be provided for other Company executives
         generally; provided, however, that in no event shall such benefits or
         the terms and conditions thereof be less favorable to Executive than
         those afforded to him as of the date of termination.

                  (iii) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal
         representative, without offset for compensation earned from other
         employment or self-employment, any unpaid amounts owing with respect to
         LRPIP cycles in which Executive participated and which were completed
         prior to termination. These amounts will be paid at the same time as
         other awards for such prior year or cycle are paid.

                  (iv) The Company will pay to Executive or his legal
         representative, without offset for compensation earned from other
         employment or self-employment, an amount with respect to each LRPIP
         cycle in which Executive participated and which had not ended prior to
         termination of employment equal to 1/36 of Executive's LRPIP Target
         Award for such cycle multiplied by the number of full months in such
         cycle completed prior to termination of employment. The amount
         described in the immediately preceding sentence will be paid not later
         than the date on which LRPIP awards for such cycle are paid or would
         have been paid.

                  (v) In addition, the Company will pay to Executive or his
         legal representative such vested amounts as shall have been deferred
         for Executive's account (but not received) under GDCP in accordance
         with its terms plus such amounts, if any, as shall then remain credited
         to Executive's account under ESP.

                  (vi) Executive or his legal representative shall be entitled
         to the benefits described in Sections 3(b)(i) (Awards Under Prior
         Agreement) and 3(b)(ii) (Other Existing Options) and to his benefits
         under the Company's tax qualified Retirement Plan and
         Savings/Profit-Sharing Plan (such qualified-plan benefits being
         hereinafter referred to as Executive's "Qualified-Plan Benefits"). The
         October 1999 Agreement shall also continue to be binding on the Company
         in accordance with its terms.

                  (vii) If termination occurs by reason of Incapacity or
         Disability, Executive shall be entitled to such compensation, if any,
         as is payable pursuant to the Company's long-term disability plan or
         any successor Company disability plan. If for any period Executive
         receives long-term disability compensation payments under a long-term
         disability plan of the Company as well as payments under (a)(i) above,
         and if the sum of

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   8

         such payments (the "combined salary/disability benefit") exceeds the
         payment for such period to which Executive is entitled under (a)(i)
         above (determined without regard to paragraph (A) thereof), he shall
         promptly pay such excess in reimbursement to the Company; provided,
         that in no event shall application of this sentence result in reduction
         of Executive's combined salary/disability benefit below the level of
         long-term disability compensation payments to which Executive is
         entitled under the long-term disability plan or plans of the Company.

         (b) TERMINATIONS ON OR AFTER THE 2003 MEETING DATE. Unless earlier
terminated or except as otherwise mutually agreed by Executive and the Company,
Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate on the 2003 meeting
date. Unless the Company in connection with such termination shall offer to
Executive continued service in a position acceptable to Executive and upon
mutually and reasonably agreeable terms, Executive shall be entitled upon such
termination to receive, for the period beginning on such termination and ending
on the date of the annual meeting of stockholders occurring in 2004,
continuation of Base Salary at the rate in effect at termination of employment
plus medical, dental, life-insurance and disability coverage (but not including
continued participation in the Company's retirement or 401(k) plan(s) or
continued participation in any other employee or fringe benefit plan or program,
other than a Company-provided automobile or automobile allowance) comparable to
the benefits of such type to which he was entitled at time of termination;
provided, that to the extent it is impossible or impracticable to provide any
such benefits to Executive under the Company's then existing employee benefit
plans or arrangements, the Company shall arrange for alternative comparable
coverage or, if such alternative coverage is not available, shall pay to
Executive the cost of such coverage, all as reasonably determined by the
Committee. If the Company in connection with such termination offers to
Executive continued service in a position acceptable to Executive and upon
mutually and reasonably agreeable terms, and Executive declines such service, he
shall be treated for all purposes of this Agreement as having terminated his
employment voluntarily on the 2003 meeting date and he shall be entitled only to
those benefits to which he would be entitled under Section 6(a) ("Voluntary
termination of employment"). For purposes of the two preceding sentences,
"service in a position acceptable to Executive" shall mean service as Chairman
or service in such other position, if any, as may be acceptable to Executive.

         6.  OTHER TERMINATION; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS.

                  (a) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. If Executive
         terminates his employment voluntarily, Executive or his legal
         representative shall be entitled (in each case in accordance with and
         subject to the terms of the applicable arrangement) to the following:
         (i) such vested amounts as are credited to Executive's account (but not
         received) under GDCP and ESP; (ii) any benefits described at Sections
         3(b)(i) (Awards Under Prior Agreement) and 3(b)(ii) (Other Existing
         Options), and (iii) Executive's Qualified-Plan Benefits. The October
         1999 Agreement shall also continue to be binding on the Company in
         accordance with its terms. No other benefits shall be paid under this
         Agreement upon a voluntary termination of employment.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   9

                  (b) TERMINATION FOR CAUSE; VIOLATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS. If
         the Company should end Executive's employment for Cause, or,
         notwithstanding Section 5 and Section 6(a) above, if Executive should
         violate the protected persons or noncompetition provisions of Section
         8, all compensation and benefits otherwise payable pursuant to this
         Agreement shall cease, other than the benefits described at (a) above.
         The Company does not waive any rights it may have for damages or for
         injunctive relief.

         7. BENEFITS UPON CHANGE IN CONTROL. Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Agreement, in the event of a Change of Control, the determination and
payment of any benefits payable thereafter with respect to Executive shall be
governed exclusively by the provisions of Exhibit C.

         8.  AGREEMENT NOT TO SOLICIT OR COMPETE.

         (a) Upon the termination of employment at any time, then for a period
of two years after the termination of the Employment Period, Executive shall not
under any circumstances employ, solicit the employment of, or accept unsolicited
the services of, any "protected person" or recommend the employment of any
"protected person" to any other business organization. A "protected person"
shall be a person known by Executive to be employed by the Company or its
Subsidiaries or to have been employed by Company or its Subsidiaries within six
months prior to the commencement of conversations with such person with respect
to employment.

         As to (i) each "protected person" to whom the foregoing applies, (ii)
each subcategory of "protected person" as defined above, (iii) each limitation
on (A) employment, (B) solicitation and (C) unsolicited acceptance of services,
of each "protected person" and (iv) each month of the period during which the
provisions of this subsection (a) apply to each of the foregoing, the provisions
set forth in this subsection (a) are deemed to be separate and independent
agreements and in the events of unenforceability of any such agreement, such
unenforceable agreement shall be deemed automatically deleted from the
provisions hereof and such deletion shall not affect the enforceability of any
other provision of this subsection (a) or any other term of this Agreement.

         Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 8(a), upon
automatic termination of the Employment Period on the 2003 meeting date, or if
Executive should end his employment voluntarily at any time, including by reason
of retirement or disability but not including a voluntary termination for Valid
Reason, or if the Company should end Executive's employment at any time for
Cause, then the restrictions of this Section 8(a) shall apply for three (3)
years thereafter rather than for the two years referenced in the first paragraph
hereof.

         (b) During the course of his employment, Executive will have learned
many trade secrets of the Company and will have access to confidential
information and business plans for the Company. Therefore, upon termination of
the Employment Period on the 2003 meeting date or if Executive should earlier
end his employment voluntarily at any time, including by reason of

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   10

retirement or disability but not including a voluntary termination for Valid
Reason, or if the Company should end Executive's employment at any time for
Cause, then for a period of three (3) years thereafter, Executive will not
engage, either as a principal, employee, partner, consultant or investor (other
than a less-than-1% stock interest in a corporation), in a business which is a
competitor of the Company. A business shall be deemed a competitor of the
Company if and only if it shall then be so regarded by retailers generally or if
it shall operate a promotional off-price family apparel store within 10 miles of
any "then existing T.J. Maxx or Marshalls store." The term "then existing" in
the previous sentence shall refer to any such store that is, at the time of
termination of the Employment Period, operated by the Company or any
wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company or under lease for operation as
aforesaid. Nothing herein shall restrict the right of Executive to engage in a
business that operates a conventional or full mark-up department store.
Executive agrees that if, at any time, pursuant to action of any court,
administrative or governmental body or other arbitral tribunal, the operation of
any part of this paragraph shall be determined to be unlawful or otherwise
unenforceable, then the coverage of this paragraph shall be deemed to be
restricted as to duration, geographical scope or otherwise, to the extent, and
only to the extent, necessary to make this paragraph lawful and enforceable in
the particular jurisdiction in which such determination is made.

         (c) If the Employment Period terminates, Executive agrees (i) to notify
the Company immediately upon his securing employment or becoming self-employed
during any period when Executive's compensation from the Company shall be
subject to reduction or his benefits provided by the Company shall be subject to
termination as provided in Section 6 and (ii) to furnish to the Company written
evidence of his compensation earned from any such employment or self-employment
as the Company shall from time to time request. In addition, upon termination of
the Employment Period for any reason other than the death of Executive,
Executive shall immediately return all written trade secrets, confidential
information and business plans of the Company and shall execute a certificate
certifying that he has returned all such items in his possession or under his
control.

         9. ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company shall enure to
the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the
Company. The rights and obligations of Executive are not assignable except only
that payments payable to him after his death shall be made by devise or descent.

         10. NOTICES. All notices and other communications required hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be given by mailing the same by certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid. If sent to the
Company the same shall be mailed to the Company at 770 Cochituate Road,
Framingham, Massachusetts 01701, Attention: Chairman of the Executive
Compensation Committee, or other such address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to Executive; and if sent to the Executive, the same shall
be mailed to Executive at 73 Captain Miles Lane, Concord, Massachusetts 01742 or
at such other address as Executive may hereafter designate by notice to the
Company.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   11

         11. WITHHOLDING. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments
required to be made by the Company hereunder to Executive shall be subject to
the withholding of such amounts, if any, relating to tax and other payroll
deductions as the Company may reasonably determine it should withhold pursuant
to any applicable law or regulation.

         12. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement and the rights and obligations of the
parties hereunder shall be governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts.

         13. ARBITRATION. In the event that there is any claim or dispute
arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, and the
parties hereto shall not have resolved such claim or dispute within 60 days
after written notice from one party to the other setting forth the nature of
such claim or dispute, then such claim or dispute shall be settled exclusively
by binding arbitration in Boston, Massachusetts in accordance with the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association by an
arbitrator mutually agreed upon by the parties hereto or, in the absence of such
agreement, by an arbitrator selected according to such Rules. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, if either the Company or Executive shall request, such
arbitration shall be conducted by a panel of three arbitrators, one selected by
the Company, one selected by Executive and the third selected by agreement of
the first two, or, in the absence of such agreement, in accordance with such
Rules. Judgment upon the award rendered by such arbitrator(s) shall be entered
in any Court having jurisdiction thereof upon the application of either party.

         14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, including Exhibits, represents
the entire agreement between the parties relating to the terms of Executive's
employment by the Company and supersedes all prior written or oral agreements
between them.

                                            /s/ Bernard Cammarata
                                            ------------------------------
                                                 Executive

                                            THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.

                                            By /s/ Edmond J. English
                                              ----------------------------------

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   12

                                    EXHIBIT A

                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

         In this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following
meanings:

         (a) "Base Salary" means, for any period, the amount described in
Section 3(a).

         (b) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (c) "Committee" means the Executive Compensation Committee of the
Board.

         (d) "Cause" means dishonesty by Executive in the performance of his
duties, conviction of a felony (other than a conviction arising solely under a
statutory provision imposing criminal liability upon Executive on a per se basis
due to the Company offices held by Executive, so long as any act or omission of
Executive with respect to such matter was not taken or omitted in contravention
of any applicable policy or directive of the Board), gross neglect of duties
(other than as a result of Disability or death), or conflict of interest which
conflict shall continue for 30 days after the Company gives written notice to
Executive requesting the cessation of such conflict.

         In respect of any termination during a Standstill Period, Executive
shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause until the later to occur
of (i) the 30th day after notice of termination is given and (ii) the delivery
to Executive of a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of
not less than a majority of the Company's directors at a meeting called and held
for that purpose (after reasonable notice to Executive), and at which Executive
together with his counsel was given an opportunity to be heard, finding that the
Executive was guilty of conduct described in the definition of "Cause" above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail; provided, however, that the
Company may suspend Executive and withhold payment of his Base Salary from the
date that notice of termination is given until the earliest to occur of (A)
termination of Executive for Cause (in which case Executive shall not be
entitled to his Base Salary for such period), (B) a determination by a majority
of the Company's directors that Executive was not guilty of the conduct
described in the definition of "Cause" above (in which case Executive shall be
reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid Base Salary for such period),
or (C) 90 days after notice of termination is given (in which case Executive
shall then be reinstated and paid any of his previously unpaid Base Salary for
such period). If Base Salary is withheld and then paid pursuant to clauses (B)
and (C) of the preceding sentence, the amount thereof shall be accompanied by
simple interest, calculated on a daily basis, at a rate per annum equal to the
prime or base lending rate, as in effect at the time, of the Company's principal
commercial bank.

         (e) "Change of Control" has the meaning given it in Exhibit B.

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   13

         (f) "Change of Control Termination" means the termination of
Executive's employment during a Standstill Period (1) by the Company other than
for Cause, or (2) by Executive for good reason, or (3) by reason of death,
Incapacity or Disability.

         For purposes of this definition, termination for "good reason" shall
mean the voluntary termination by Executive of his employment (A) within 120
days after the occurrence without Executive's express written consent of any one
of the events described in clauses (I), (II), (III), (IV), (V) or (VI) below,
provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least 30 days in advance
requesting that the pertinent situation described therein be remedied, and the
situation remains unremedied upon expiration of such 30-day period; (B) within
120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express written consent of the
event described in clause (VII), provided that Executive gives notice to the
Company at least 30 days in advance of his intent to terminate his employment in
respect of such event; or (C) under the circumstances described in clause (VIII)
below, provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least 30 days in
advance:

                  (I)      the assignment to him of any duties inconsistent with
                           his positions, duties, responsibilities, reporting
                           requirements, and status with the Company immediately
                           prior to the Change of Control, or any removal of
                           Executive from or any failure to reelect him to such
                           positions, except in connection with the termination
                           of Executive's employment by the Company for Cause or
                           by Executive other than for good reason, or any other
                           action by the Company which results in a diminishment
                           in such position, authority, duties or
                           responsibilities, other than an insubstantial and
                           inadvertent action which is remedied by the Company
                           promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
                           Executive; or

                  (II)     if Executive's rate of Base Salary for any fiscal
                           year is less than 100 percent of the rate of Base
                           Salary paid to Executive in the completed fiscal year
                           immediately preceding the Change of Control or if
                           Executive's total cash compensation opportunities,
                           including salary and incentives, for any fiscal year
                           are less than 100 percent of the total cash
                           compensation opportunities made available to
                           Executive in the completed fiscal year immediately
                           preceding the Change of Control; or

                  (III)    the failure of the Company to continue in effect any
                           benefits or perquisites, or any pension, life
                           insurance, medical insurance or disability plan in
                           which Executive was participating immediately prior
                           to the Change of Control unless the Company provides
                           Executive with a plan or plans that provide
                           substantially similar benefits, or the taking of any
                           action by the Company that would adversely affect
                           Executive's benefits under any of such plans or
                           deprive Executive of any material fringe benefit
                           enjoyed by Executive immediately prior to the Change
                           of Control; or

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   14

                  (IV)     any purported termination of Executive's employment
                           by the Company for Cause during a Standstill Period
                           which is not effected in compliance with paragraph
                           (d) above; or

                  (V)      any relocation of Executive of more than 40 miles
                           from the place where Executive was located at the
                           time of the Change of Control; or

                  (VI)     any other breach by the Company of any provision of
                           this Agreement; or

                  (VII)    the Company sells or otherwise disposes of, in one
                           transaction or a series of related transactions,
                           assets or earning power aggregating more than 30
                           percent of the assets (taken at asset value as stated
                           on the books of the Company determined in accordance
                           with generally accepted accounting principles
                           consistently applied) or earning power of the Company
                           (on an individual basis) or the Company and its
                           Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) to any other
                           Person or Persons (as those terms are defined in
                           Exhibit B); or

                  (VIII)   The voluntary termination by Executive of his
                           employment at any time within one year after the
                           Change of Control. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
                           Board may expressly waive the application of this
                           clause (VIII) if it waives the applicability of
                           substantially similar provisions with respect to all
                           persons with whom the Company has a written severance
                           agreement (or may condition its application on any
                           additional requirements or employee agreements which
                           the Board shall in its discretion deem appropriate in
                           the circumstances). The determination of whether to
                           waive or impose conditions on the application of this
                           clause (VIII) shall be within the complete discretion
                           of the Board but shall be made prior to the Change of
                           Control.

         (g) "Date of Termination" means the date on which Executive's
employment terminates.

         (h) "Disability" has the meaning given it in the Company's long-term
disability plan. Executive's employment shall be deemed to be terminated for
Disability on the date on which Executive is entitled to receive long-term
disability compensation pursuant to such long-term disability plan.

         (i)  "ESP" means the Company's Executive Savings Plan.

         (j) "GDCP" means the Company's General Deferred Compensation Plan, or,
if the General Deferred Compensation Plan is no longer maintained by the
Company, a nonqualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement the terms of
which are not less favorable to Executive than the terms of the General Deferred
Compensation Plan as in effect on the Effective Date.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   15

         (k) "Incapacity" means a disability (other than Disability within the
meaning of (h) above) or other impairment of health that renders Executive
unable to perform his duties to the reasonable satisfaction of the Committee.

         (l) "Standstill Period" means the period commencing on the date of a
Change of Control and continuing until the close of business on the earlier of
the 2003 meeting date or the last business day of the 24th calendar month
following such Change of Control.

         (m)  "Stock" means the common stock, $1.00 par value, of the Company.

         (n) "Subsidiary" means any corporation in which the Company owns,
directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more of the total combined voting power of
all classes of stock.

         (o) "Valid Reason" means the voluntary termination by Executive of his
employment (A) within 120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express
written consent of any one of the events described in clauses (I), (II), (III),
(IV), or (V) below, provided that Executive gives notice to the Company at least
30 days in advance requesting that the pertinent situation described therein be
remedied, and the situation remains unremedied upon expiration of such 30-day
period; or (B) within 120 days after the occurrence without Executive's express
written consent of the event described in clause (VI) below:

                  (I)      the assignment to him of any duties inconsistent with
                           his positions, duties, responsibilities, reporting
                           requirements, and status with the Company immediately
                           prior to such assignment, or a substantive change in
                           Executive's titles or offices as in effect
                           immediately prior to such assignment, or any removal
                           of Executive from or any failure to reelect him to
                           such positions, except in connection with the
                           termination of Executive's employment by the Company
                           for Cause or by Executive other than for Valid
                           Reason, or any other action by the Company which
                           results in a diminishment in such position,
                           authority, duties or responsibilities, other than an
                           insubstantial and inadvertent action which is
                           remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of
                           notice thereof given by Executive; or

                  (II)     the failure of the Company to continue in effect any
                           benefits or perquisites, or any pension, life
                           insurance, medical insurance or disability plan in
                           which Executive was participating immediately prior
                           to such failure unless the Company provides Executive
                           with a plan or plans that provide substantially
                           similar benefits, or the taking of any action by the
                           Company that would adversely affect Executive's
                           benefits under any of such plans or deprive Executive
                           of any material fringe benefit enjoyed by Executive
                           immediately prior to such action, unless the
                           elimination or reduction of any such benefit,
                           perquisite or plan affects all other

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   16

                           executives in the same organizational level (it being
                           the Company's burden to establish this fact); or

                  (III)    any purported termination of Executive's employment
                           by the Company for Cause which is not effected in
                           compliance with paragraph (d) above; or

                  (IV)     any relocation of Executive of more than 40 miles
                           from the place where Executive was located at the
                           time of such relocation; or

                  (V)      any other breach by the Company of any provision of
                           this Agreement; or

                  (VI)     the Company sells or otherwise disposes of, in one
                           transaction or a series of related transactions,
                           assets or earning power aggregating more than 30
                           percent of the assets (taken at asset value as stated
                           on the books of the Company determined in accordance
                           with generally accepted accounting principles
                           consistently applied) or earning power of the Company
                           (on an individual basis) or the Company and its
                           Subsidiaries (on a consolidated basis) to any other
                           Person or Persons (as those terms are defined in
                           Exhibit B).

                                      A-5
<PAGE>   17

                                    EXHIBIT B

                        DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL"

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (a) there occurs a change of control of the Company of a
         nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
         of the Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or in any
         other filing under the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that no
         transaction shall be deemed to be a Change of Control (i) if the person
         or each member of a group of persons acquiring control is excluded from
         the definition of the term "Person" hereunder or (ii) unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to such occurrence, if
         Executive or an Executive Related Party is the Person or a member of a
         group constituting the Person acquiring control; or

                  (b) any Person other than the Company, any wholly-owned
         subsidiary of the Company, or any employee benefit plan of the Company
         or such a subsidiary becomes the owner of 20% or more of the Company's
         Common Stock and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the date such Person became a 20% owner are elected as
         directors pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with, or upon the
         request of or nomination by, such Person and constitute at least 1/4 of
         the Company's Board of Directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to the acquisition of such
         20% ownership, such acquisition of ownership shall not constitute a
         Change of Control if Executive or an Executive Related Party is the
         Person or a member of a group constituting the Person acquiring such
         ownership; or

                  (c) there occurs any solicitation or series of solicitations
         of proxies by or on behalf of any Person other than the Company's Board
         of Directors and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the commencement of such solicitation or series of
         solicitations are elected as directors pursuant to an arrangement or
         understanding with, or upon the request of or nomination by, such
         Person and constitute at least 1/4 of the Company's Board of Directors;
         or

                  (d) the Company executes an agreement of acquisition, merger
         or consolidation which contemplates that (i) after the effective date
         provided for in the agreement, all or substantially all of the business
         and/or assets of the Company shall be owned, leased or otherwise
         controlled by another Person and (ii) individuals who are directors of
         the Company when such agreement is executed shall not constitute a
         majority of the board of directors of the survivor or successor entity
         immediately after the effective date provided for in such agreement;
         PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
         no transaction shall constitute a Change of Control if, immediately
         after such transaction, Executive or any Executive Related Party shall
         own equity securities of any

                                      B-1
<PAGE>   18

         surviving corporation ("Surviving Entity") having a fair value as a
         percentage of the fair value of the equity securities of such Surviving
         Entity greater than 125% of the fair value of the equity securities of
         the Company owned by Executive and any Executive Related Party
         immediately prior to such transaction, expressed as a percentage of the
         fair value of all equity securities of the Company immediately prior to
         such transaction (for purposes of this paragraph ownership of equity
         securities shall be determined in the same manner as ownership of
         Common Stock); and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that, for purposes of this
         paragraph (d), if such agreement requires as a condition precedent
         approval by the Company's shareholders of the agreement or transaction,
         a Change of Control shall not be deemed to have taken place unless and
         until such approval is secured (but upon any such approval, a Change of
         Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the date of execution of
         such agreement).

In addition, for purposes of this Exhibit B the following terms have the
meanings set forth below:

         "Common Stock" shall mean the then outstanding Common Stock of the
Company plus, for purposes of determining the stock ownership of any Person, the
number of unissued shares of Common Stock which such Person has the right to
acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time) upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or
options or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Common Stock shall
not include shares of Preferred Stock or convertible debt or options or warrants
to acquire shares of Common Stock (including any shares of Common Stock issued
or issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) to the extent that the
Board of Directors of the Company shall expressly so determine in any future
transaction or transactions.

         A Person shall be deemed to be the "owner" of any Common Stock:

                  (i) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner," as
         such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Exchange Act, as in
         effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (ii) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner" for
         purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules of the
         Commission promulgated thereunder, as in effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (iii) which such Person or any of its affiliates or associates
         (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the Commission
         under the Exchange Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989), has the right
         to acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
         the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
         understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
         rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

                                      B-2
<PAGE>   19

         "Person" shall have the meaning used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989.

         An "Executive Related Party" shall mean any affiliate or associate of
Executive other than the Company or a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company.
The terms "affiliate" and "associate" shall have the meanings ascribed thereto
in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act (the term "registrant" in the definition of
"associate" meaning, in this case, the Company).

                                      B-3
<PAGE>   20

                                    EXHIBIT C

                           CHANGE OF CONTROL BENEFITS

         C.1. BENEFITS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL TERMINATION.

         (a) The Company shall pay to Executive, in a lump sum within 30 days
following a Change of Control Termination, an amount equal to (A) two times his
Base Salary for one year at the rate in effect immediately prior to the Date of
Termination or the Change of Control, whichever is higher, plus (B) the accrued
and unpaid portion of his Base Salary through the Date of Termination, subject
to the following. If Executive is eligible for long term disability compensation
benefits under the Company's long-term disability plan or any successor Company
long-term disability plan, the amount payable under (A) shall be reduced by the
annual long-term disability compensation benefit for which Executive is eligible
under such plan for the two-year period over which the amount payable under (A)
is measured. If for any period Executive receives long-term disability
compensation payments under a long-term disability plan of the Company as well
as payments under the first sentence of this clause (i), and if the sum of such
payments (the "combined Change of Control/disability benefit") exceeds the
payment for such period to which Executive is entitled under the first sentence
of this clause (i) (determined without regard to the second sentence of this
clause (i)), he shall promptly pay such excess in reimbursement to the Company;
provided, that in no event shall application of this sentence result in
reduction of Executive's combined Change of Control/disability benefit below the
level of long-term disability compensation payments to which Executive is
entitled under the long-term disability plan or plans of the Company.

         (b) Until the second anniversary of the Date of Termination, the
Company shall maintain in full force and effect for the continued benefit of
Executive and his family all life insurance, medical insurance and disability
plans and programs in which Executive was entitled to participate immediately
prior to the Change of Control, provided that Executive's continued
participation is possible under the general terms and provisions of such plans
and programs. In the event that Executive is ineligible to participate in such
plans or programs, the Company shall arrange upon comparable terms to provide
Executive with benefits substantially similar to those which he is entitled to
receive under such plans and programs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Company's obligations hereunder with respect to life, medical or disability
coverage or benefits shall be deemed satisfied to the extent (but only to the
extent) of any such coverage or benefits provided by another employer.

         (c) For a period of two years after the Date of Termination, the
Company shall make available to Executive the use of any automobile that was
made available to Executive prior to the Date of Termination, including ordinary
replacement thereof in accordance with the Company's automobile policy in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control (or, in lieu of making such
automobile available, the Company may at its option pay to Executive the present
value of its cost of providing such automobile).

                                      C-1
<PAGE>   21

         C.2. INCENTIVE BENEFITS UPON A CHANGE OF CONTROL. Within 30 days
following a Change of Control, whether or not Executive's employment has
terminated or been terminated, the Company shall pay to the Executive, in a lump
sum, (A) for each Performance Cycle (if any) under LRPIP not completed prior to
the Change of Control, an amount equal to the maximum Award under LRPIP
specified for Executive for such cycle plus (B) any unpaid amounts owing with
respect to cycles completed prior to the Change of Control.

         C.3. Payments under Section C.1. and Section C.2. of this Exhibit shall
be made without regard to whether the deductibility of such payments (or any
other payments to or for the benefit of Executive) would be limited or precluded
by Internal Revenue Code Section 280G and without regard to whether such
payments (or any other payments) would subject Executive to the federal excise
tax levied on certain "excess parachute payments" under Internal Revenue Code
Section 4999; provided, that if the total of all payments to or for the benefit
of Executive, after reduction for all federal taxes (including the tax described
in Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, if applicable) with respect to such
payments ("Executive's total after-tax payments"), would be increased by the
limitation or elimination of any payment under Section C.1. or Section C.2.,
amounts payable under Section C.1. and Section C.2. shall be reduced to the
extent, and only to the extent, necessary to maximize Executive's total
after-tax payments. The determination as to whether and to what extent payments
under Section C.1. or Section C.2. are required to be reduced in accordance with
the preceding sentence shall be made at the Company's expense by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC or by such other certified public accounting firm as
the Committee may designate prior to a Change of Control. In the event of any
underpayment or overpayment under Section C.1. or Section C.2., as determined by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (or such other firm as may have been designated in
accordance with the preceding sentence), the amount of such underpayment or
overpayment shall forthwith be paid to Executive or refunded to the Company, as
the case may be, with interest at the applicable Federal rate provided for in
Section 7872(f)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

         C.4. OTHER BENEFITS. In addition to the amounts described in Sections
C.1. and C.2., Executive shall be entitled to the benefits, if any, described at
Sections 3(b)(i) (Awards Under Prior Agreement) and 3(b)(ii) (Other Existing
Options) and to his Qualified-Plan Benefits. The October 1999 Agreement shall
also continue to be binding on the Company in accordance with its terms.

         C.5. NONCOMPETITION; NO MITIGATION OF DAMAGES; ETC.

                  (a) NONCOMPETITION. Upon a Change of Control, any agreement by
         Executive not to engage in competition with the Company subsequent to
         the termination of his employment, whether contained in an employment
         contract or other agreement, shall no longer be effective.

                  (b) NO DUTY TO MITIGATE DAMAGES. Executive's benefits under
         this Exhibit C shall be considered severance pay in consideration of
         his past service and his continued service

                                      C-2

<PAGE>   22

         from the date of this Agreement, and his entitlement thereto shall
         neither be governed by any duty to mitigate his damages by seeking
         further employment nor offset by any compensation which he may receive
         from future employment.

                  (c) LEGAL FEES AND EXPENSES. The Company shall pay all legal
         fees and expenses, including but not limited to counsel fees,
         stenographer fees, printing costs, etc. reasonably incurred by
         Executive in contesting or disputing that the termination of his
         employment during a Standstill Period is for Cause or other than for
         good reason (as defined in the definition of Change of Control
         Termination) or obtaining any right or benefit to which Executive is
         entitled under this Agreement following a Change of Control. Any amount
         payable under this Agreement that is not paid when due shall accrue
         interest at the prime rate as from time to time in effect at the
         BankBoston, N.A., until paid in full.

                  (d) NOTICE OF TERMINATION. During a Standstill Period,
         executive's employment may be terminated by the Company only upon 30
         days' written notice to Executive.

                                      C-3

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