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                                                                   Exhibit 10.17

                               DAVOX CORPORATION

                      CHAIRMAN & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

                          SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - 2000

DAVOX Corporation ("DAVOX") will provide to you the following terms and
condition of salary and benefits continuation:

   (1.) DAVOX shall provide medical benefits continuation, at Davox's cost and
        salary continuation at a rate equal to your base salary in effect at the
        time of a qualifying termination, as set forth in subclause 2, or at a
        rate based on the combined value of base salary plus bonus earned in the
        prior year, whichever is greater. Salary continuation shall continue for
        a period of (12) months or until such time as you assume new employment,
        whichever comes first. In addition, you will receive medical coverage at
        Devox's cost, as may be in effect at the time of the qualifying
        termination, commencing upon the date of termination, for a period of
        twelve (12) months or until such time as you assume new employment,
        whichever comes first;

   (2.) DAVOX shall provide continuation of salary and benefits as set forth in
        subclause (1) in the event your employment is terminated for the
        following reasons: (a) economic layoff; (b) downsizing or merger, which
        results in the elimination of your position as Chairman of the Board and
        Chief Executive Officer; or (c) reorganization or merger of Davox which
        would require you to relocate.

Following the effective data of termination, as set forth in writing and
furnished to you by DAVOX, your employment with DAVOX shall cease and you shall
not hold yourself as an employee, agent, or representative of DAVOX.

Continuation of salary and benefits shall further be subject to your compliance
with any then existing company policies and such other terms as may be in effect
between you and DAVOX pertaining to the disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information.

DAVOX has final authority to determine all questions of eligibility to receive
benefits under this arrangement and to interpret and construe the terms of this
arrangement.

Approval:

            /s/ Alphonse M. Lucchese                       3/1/00
            ---------------------------------------        -----------
            Chairman & Chief Executive Officer             Date

            /s/ Michael Kaufman                            2/29/00
            ---------------------------------------        -----------
            Michael Kaufman                                Date

            /s/ Scott Asen                                 3/1/00
            ---------------------------------------        -----------
            Scott Asen                                     Date<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.18

                               DAVOX CORPORATION

            SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FINANCE & CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

                  SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - EFFECTIVE MAY 4, 1999

DAVOX Corporation ("DAVOX") will provide to you the following terms and
condition of salary and benefits continuation;

(1.)   DAVOX shall provide a continuation of your base salary and medical
       benefits at DAVOX's cost, as may be in effect at the time of a qualifying
       terminations as set forth in subclause 2 commencing upon the date of
       termination, for a period of twelve (12) months or until such time as you
       assume new employment, whichever comes first.

(2.)   DAVOX shall provide continuation of salary and benefits as set forth in
       subclause (1) in the event your employment is terminated for reasons
       other than for cause.

Following the effective date of termination, as set forth in writing and
furnished to you by DAVOX, your employment with DAVOX shall cease and you shall
not hold yourself as an employee, agent or representative of DAVOX.

Continuation of salary and benefits shall further be subject to your compliance
with any then existing company policies and such other terms as may be in effect
between you and DAVOX pertaining to the disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information.

This agreement shall supercede any previous or written agreements pertaining to
severance.

DAVOX has final authority to determine all questions of eligibility to receive
benefits under this arrangement and to interpret and construe the terms of this
arrangement.

       Approvals:

       /s/ Alphonse M. Lucchese                                          6/8/99
       ---------------------------------------                           -------
       Chairman & Chief Executive Officer                                Date

       /s/ John J. Connolly                                               6/8/99
       -------------------------------------------------------            ------
       Senior Vice President Finance & Chief Financial Officer            Date<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.19

                               DAVOX CORPORATION

             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT NORTH AMERICAN SALES OPERATIONS

                          SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - 2000

DAVOX Corporation ("DAVOX") will provide to you the following terms and
condition of salary and benefits continuation:

     (1.)  DAVOX shall provide a continuation of your base salary and medical
           benefits at DAVOX's cost, as may be in effect at the time of a
           qualifying termination as set forth in subclause 2, commencing upon
           the date of termination, for a period of six (6) months or until such
           time as you assume new employment, whichever comes first;

     (2.)  DAVOX shall provide continuation of salary and benefits as set forth
           in subclause (1) in the event your employment is terminated for the
           following reasons: (a) economic layoff; (b) downsizing of the North
           American Sales Operations organization which results in the
           elimination of your position as Senior Vice President North American
           Sales Operations; or (c) reorganization of the North American Sales
           Operations organization which would require you to relocate.

Following the effective date of termination, as set forth in writing and
furnished to you by DAVOX, your employment with DAVOX shall cease and you shall
not hold yourself as an employee, agent, or representative of DAVOX.

Continuation of salary and benefits shall further be subject to your compliance
with any then existing company policies and such other terms as may be in effect
between you and DAVOX pertaining to the disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information.

DAVOX has final authority to determine all questions of eligibility to receive
benefits under this arrangement and to interpret and construe the terms of this
arrangement.

Approval

        /s/ Alphonse M. Lucchese                               3/1/00
        --------------------------------------                 ---------------
        Chairman & Chief Executive Officer                     Date

        /s/ Joseph R. Coleman                                      3/1/99
        --------------------------------------                 ---------------
        Senior Vice President North American Sales Operations  Date<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.20

                               DAVOX CORPORATION

              SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS & CUSTOMER SERVICE

                          SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - 2000

DAVOX Corporation ("DAVOX") will provide to you the following terms and
condition of salary benefits continuation:

  (1.)   DAVOX shall provide a continuation of your base salary and medical
         benefits at DAVOX's cost, as may be in effect at the time of a
         qualifying termination as set forth in subclause 2, commencing upon the
         date of termination, for a period of six (6) months or until such time
         as you assume new employment, whichever comes first;

  (2.)   DAVOX shall provide continuation of salary and benefits as set forth in
         subclause (1) in the event your employment is terminated for the
         following reasons: (a) economic layoff; (b) downsizing of the
         Operations or Customer Service organization which results in the
         elimination of your position as Senior Vice President Operations &
         Customer Service, or (c) reorganization of the Operations or Customer
         Service organization which would require you to relocate.

Following the effective date of termination, as set forth in writing and
furnished to you by DAVOX, your employment with DAVOX shall cease and you shall
not hold yourself as an employee, agent or representative of DAVOX.

Continuation of salary and benefits shall further be subject to your compliance
with any then existing company policies and such other terms as may be in effect
between you and DAVOX pertaining to the disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information.

DAVOX has final authority to determine all questions of eligibility to receive
benefits under this arrangement and to interpret and construe the terms of this
arrangement.

Approval:

            /s/ Alphonse M. Lucchese                                3/1/00
            ---------------------------------------------           --------
            Chairman & Chief Executive Officer                      Date

            /s/ Mark Donovan                                        2/28/00
            ---------------------------------------------------     --------
            Senior Vice President Operations & Customer Service<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.21
                               DAVOX CORPORATION

                SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS

                          SEVERANCE AGREEMENT - 2000

DAVOX Corporation ("DAVOX") will provide to you the following terms and
condition of salary and benefits continuation:

    (1.)  DAVOX shall provide a continuation of your base salary and medical
          benefits at DAVOX'S cost, as may be in effect at the time of a
          qualifying termination as set forth in subclause 2, commencing upon
          the date of termination, for a period of six (6) months or until such
          time as you assume new employment, whichever comes first;

    (2.)  DAVOX shall provide continuation of salary and benefits as set forth
          in subclause (1) in the event your employment is terminated for the
          following reasons: (a) economic layoff; (b) downsizing of the
          International Sales organization which results in the elimination of
          your position as Senior Vice President International Operations; or
          (c) reorganization of the International Sales organization which would
          require you to relocate.

Following the effective date of termination, as set forth in writing and
furnished to you by DAVOX, your employment with DAVOX shall cease and you shall
not hold yourself as an employee, agent, or representative of DAVOX.

Continuation of salary and benefits shall further be subject to your compliance
with any existing company policies and such other terms as may be in effect
between you and DAVOX pertaining to the disclosure of confidential or
proprietary information.

DAVOX has final authority to determine all questions of eligibility to receive
benefits under this arrangement and to interpret and construe the terms of this
arrangement.

Approval:

          /s/ Alphonse M. Lucchese                         3/1/00
          ------------------------------------------       ------------
          Chairman & Chief Executive Officer               Date

          /s/ Douglas W. Smith                             01-03-00
          ------------------------------------------       ------------
          Senior Vice President International Sales        Date

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