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EXHIBIT 10.15
CONSULTING AGREEMENT
This Agreement ("AGREEMENT") is made effective this 20th day of
October, 1999 between Xxxxxxx Xxxx, hereinafter referred to as "CONSULTANT" and
Staff Builders, Inc., hereinafter referred to as "Staff Builders".
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Consultant is experienced and knowledgeable of accounting
and financial services;
WHEREAS, heretofore Consultant has provided such services to Staff
Builders as well as other entities;
WHEREAS, Staff Builders anticipates that its needs for such services
will continue and believes that Consultant is qualified to perform such services
hereunder; and
WHEREAS, Staff Builders wishes to retain Consultant to provide
accounting and financial services and Consultant agrees to perform consulting
services under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
as hereinafter set forth, the parties agree as follows:
I. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES
A. From the effective date of this Agreement through October 20, 2000,
Consultant agrees to assist Staff Builders in the offices of Staff Builders, to
provide accounting and financial services or other related services to Staff
Builders.
B. Consultant agrees to provide services as requested by the President
of Staff Builders, Inc. and to perform such services in a good and workmanlike
fashion. Consultant further agrees that the services to be rendered by
Consultant pursuant to this Consulting Agreement must be performed solely by
him. All documentation shall be the property of Staff Builders, as well as all
proprietary work developed by Consultant while consulting for Staff Builders.
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C. Staff Builders will supply Consultant at Staff Builders' office,
such working space, equipment, and utilities as may be required for performance
of services pursuant to this Agreement.
D. For his services hereunder, Staff Builders shall pay to Consultant a
monthly consulting fee of $1,000.00.
E. Consultant shall be reimbursed for all necessary and reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses in connection with his consulting services to Staff
Builders, but only if the same have been approved in advance by the President of
Staff Builders and verified in writing at the time of submission for
reimbursement.
F. In all things undertaken by the parties under this Agreement it is
specifically understood and agreed that Consultant is and shall be at all times
during the term of this Agreement, an independent contractor and not the agent
or employee of Staff Builders. Consultant also expressly acknowledges and agrees
that because of his independent status, he will make no application for
participation in any of Staff Builders' current or future benefit plans, unless
he becomes an employee of Staff Builders.
II. CONFLICT OF INTEREST
A. Consultant agrees that Staff Builders and its affiliates' customers,
business connections, customer and supplier lists, pricing, costing, operations,
source code and operating code and employees (collectively, "Confidential
Information") are established at great expense and protected as Confidential
Information and provide Staff Builders with substantial competitive advantage in
conducting its business. Consultant acknowledges that he has or will have access
to and be trusted with secret, confidential and proprietary information of Staff
Builders which will suffer great loss and injury if Consultant would disclose or
use this information. Consultant agrees that so long as he is consulting for
Staff Builders, and thereafter for a period of 2 years, he will not directly or
indirectly, either individually or as an employee, agent, partner, shareholder,
consultant or in any other capacity, use or disclose or cause to be used or
disclosed any such Confidential Information. Consultant further grants to Staff
Builders injunctive relief as well as all other remedies at law or in equity.
B. Consultant is expected to maintain the highest standards of
professional integrity and to avoid situations that could cause embarrassment to
Staff Builders or pose a conflict of interest. Consultant is expected:
1. Not to disclose Confidential Information or proprietary
materials of Staff Builders to any party without Staff
Builders' prior written consent;
2. Not to take action in the performance of this Agreement to
created an unfair, unethical or improper competitive advantage
for himself or anyone other than Staff Builders; and
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3. To use his best efforts in the performance of services
hereunder.
III. ASSIGNMENT
Neither party shall have the right to assign its rights or delegate its
obligations under this Agreement without prior written consent of the other
party; provided however, that such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Consultant acknowledges that his services are personal in nature, based on his
unique and special knowledge.
IV. WAIVER
Any failure by either party to enforce any of the terms or conditions
of this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver of such terms or conditions and
shall not affect or impair such terms or conditions in any way or the right of
either party at any time to avail itself of such remedies as it may have for any
default in the performance of such terms or conditions.
V. CONTRACT CONTAINS ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This written Agreement embodies the entire contract of the parties on
relation to the subject matter and not understandings or agreements of any kind
in relation to it exist between the parties except as herein set forth.
VI. NOTIFICATION TO BE IN WRITING
No change or modification of this Agreement will be valid unless it is
in writing and signed by both Consultant and Staff Builders.
VII. LEGAL PROCESS
In the event that a subpoena or other legal process in any way
concerning information disclosed by Staff Builders to the Consultant is served
upon the Consultant, the Consultant agrees to notify Staff Builders immediately
upon receipt of such subpoena or other legal process and to cooperate with Staff
Builders, at Staff Builders' expense, in any lawful effort by Staff Builders to
contest the legal validity of such a subpoena or other legal process. This
provision shall in no way limit the Consultant's ability to satisfy any
governmentally required disclosure. The obligations set forth in this paragraph,
paragraphs II.A. and II. B.1. shall survive termination of this Agreement.
VIII. LAW GOVERNING
This Agreement will be governed, construed, and interpreted according
to the laws of the State of New York. All litigation brought or held on the
basis of this Agreement shall be brought or held in the appropriate state or
federal court located in Nassau County, New York.
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IN WITNESSETH WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
as of the day and year first herein above written.
XXXXXXX XXXX STAFF BUILDERS, INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxx By: /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx
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Date: October 20, 1999 Date: October 20, 1999
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