SYKES ENTERPRISES INC
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED JULY 31, 2000
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>EX-10.30
<SEQUENCE>3
<FILENAME>g67861ex10-30.txt
<DESCRIPTION>EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED JULY 31, 2000
<TEXT>

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.30


[SYKES LOGO]



                             EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


PLEASE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT DESCRIBES THE BASIC LEGAL
AND ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITIES THAT YOU ARE REQUIRED TO OBSERVE AS AN EXECUTIVE
EXPOSED TO HIGHLY SENSITIVE TECHNOLOGY AND STRATEGIC INFORMATION. CONSULT WITH
YOUR LEGAL COUNSEL IF ALL THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE NOT
FULLY UNDERSTOOD BY YOU.


         THIS AGREEMENT is made as of the 31st day of July, 2000, by and
between SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED, a Florida corporation (the "Company"),
and MITCHELL NELSON (the "Executive").


                             W I T N E S S E T H :
                             - - - - - - - - - - -


         WHEREAS, the Company desires to assure itself of the Executive's
continued employment in an executive capacity; and

         WHEREAS, the Executive desires to be employed by the Company on the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements of the parties contained herein, and other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto covenant and agree as follows:

         1.       EMPLOYMENT AND DUTIES. Subject to the tents and conditions of
this Agreement, the Company shall employ the Executive during the Term (as
hereinafter defined) in such management capacities as may be assigned from time
to time by the Company. The Executive accepts such employment and ages to
devote his best efforts and entire business time, skill, labor, and attention
to the performance of such duties. The Executive agrees to promptly provide a
description of any other commercial duties or pursuits engaged in by the
Executive to the Company's Board of Directors. If the Board of Directors
determines in good faith that such activities conflict with the Executive's
performance of his duties hereunder, the Executive shall promptly cease such
activities to the extent as directed by the Board of Directors. It is
acknowledged and agreed that such description shall be made regarding any such
activities in which the Executive owns more than 5% of the ownership of the
organization or which may be in violation of Section 5 hereof and that the
failure of the Executive to provide any such description shall enable the
Company to terminate the Executive for Cause (as provided in Section 6(c)
hereof). The Company agrees to hold any such information provided by the
Executive confidential and not disclose the same to any person other than a
person to whom disclosure is reasonably necessary or appropriate in light of
the circumstances. In addition, the Executive agrees to serve without additional
compensation if elected or appointed to any office or position, including as a
director; of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company,
provided, however, that the Executive shall be entitled to receive such benefits
and additional compensation, if any, that is paid to executive officers of the
Company in connection with such service.

         2.       TERM. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
including, but not limited to, the provisions for termination set forth in
Section 6 hereof the employment of the Executive under this Agreement shall
commence on the effective date hereof and shall continue through and including
the close of business on the date hereof as set forth on Exhibit A attached
hereto and incorporated herein (such term shall herein be defined as the
"Term"). The Executive agrees that some portions of this Agreement, including
Sections 4, 5, and 6 hereof, will remain in force after the termination of
this Agreement.


<PAGE>   2
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



         3.       Compensation.

                  (a)      Base Salary and Bonus. As compensation for the
Executive's services under this Agreement, the Executive shall receive and the
Company shall pay a weekly base salary set forth on Exhibit A. Such base salary
may be increased but not decreased during the Term in the Company's discretion
based upon the Executive's performance and any other factors the Company deems
relevant. Such base salary shall be payable in accordance with the policy then
prevailing for the Company's executives. In addition to such base salary, the
Executive shall be entitled during the Term to a performance bonus set forth
on Exhibit A and to participate in and receive payments from, at the Company's
election, other bonus and other incentive compensation plans, if any, as may be
adopted by the Company.

                  (b)      Payments. All amounts paid pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to withholding or deduction by reason of the Federal
Insurance Contribution Act, federal income tax, state and local income tax, if
any, and comparable laws and regulations.

                  (c)      Other Benefits. The Executive shall be reimbursed by
the Company for all reasonable and customary travel and other business expenses
incurred by the Executive in the performance of the Executive's duties
hereunder in accordance with the Company's standard policy regarding expense
verification practices. The Executive shall be entitled to that number of weeks
paid vacation per year that is available to other executive officers of the
Company in accordance with the Company's standard policy regarding vacations and
such other fringe benefits as may be set forth on Exhibit A and shall be
eligible to participate in such pension, life insurance, health insurance,
disability insurance, and other executive benefits plans, if any, which the
Company may from time to time make available to its executive officers
generally.

         4.       Confidential Information.

                  (a)      The Executive has acquired and will acquire
information and knowledge respecting the intimate and confidential affairs of
the Company, including, without limitation, confidential information with
respect to the Company's technical data, research and development projects,
methods, products, software, financial data, business plans, financial plans,
customer lists, business methodology, processes, production methods and
techniques, promotional materials and information, and other similar matters
treated by the Company as confidential (the "Confidential Information").
Accordingly, the Executive covenants and agrees that during the Executive's
employment by the Company (whether during the Term hereof or otherwise) and
thereafter, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the
Company, disclose to any person, other than a person to whom disclosure is
reasonably necessary or appropriate in connection with the performance by the
Executive of the Executive's duties hereunder, any Confidential Information
obtained by the Executive while in the employ of the Company.

                  (b)      The Executive agrees that all memoranda; notes;
records; papers or other documents; computer disks; computer, video or audio
tapes; CD-ROMs; all other media and all copies thereof relating to the Company's
operations or business, some of which may be prepared by the Executive; and all
objects associated therewith in any way obtained by the Executive shall be the
Company's property. This shall include, but is not limited to, documents;
computer disks; computer, video and audio tapes; CD-ROMs; all other media and
objects concerning any technical data, methods, products, software, research and
development projects, financial data, financial plans, business plans, customer
lists, contracts, price lists, manuals, mailing lists, advertising materials;
and all other materials and records of any kind that may be in the Executive's
possession or under the Executive's control. The Executive shall not, except for
the Company's use, copy or duplicate any of the aforementioned documents or
objects, nor remove them from the Company's facilities, nor use any information
concerning them except for the Company's benefit, either during the Executives
employment or thereafter. The Executive covenants and agrees that the Executive
will deliver all of the aforementioned documents and objects, if any, that may
be in the Executive's possession to the Company upon termination of the
Executive's employment, or at any other time at the Company's request.

                  (c)      In any action to enforce or challenge these
Confidential Information provisions, the prevailing party is entitled to
recover its attorney's fees and costs.


                                       2
<PAGE>   3
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



         5.       Covenant Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation. Executive
recognizes that the Company is in the business of employing individuals to
provide specialized and technical services to the Company's Clients. The
purpose of these Covenant Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions are to
protect the relationship which exists between the Company and its Client while
Executive is employed and after Executive leaves the employ of the Company. The
consideration for these Covenant Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions
is the Executive's employment with the Company.

                  (a)      Executive acknowledges the following:

                           (1)      The Company expended considerable resources
                  in obtaining contracts with its Clients:

                           (2)      The Company expended considerable resources
                  to recruit and hire employees who could perform services for
                  its Clients;

                           (3)      Through his/her employ with the Company,
                  Executive will develop a substantial relationship with the
                  Company's existing or potential Clients, including, but not
                  limited to, being the sole or primary contact between the
                  Client and the Company,

                           (4)      Executive will be exposed to valuable
                  confidential business information about the Company, its
                  Clients, and the Company's relationship with its Client;

                           (5)      By providing services on behalf of the
                  Company, Executive will develop and enhance the valuable
                  business relationship between the Company and its Client;

                           (6)      The relationship between the Company and
                  its Client depends on the quality and quantity of the
                  services Executive performs;

                           (7)      Through employment with the Company,
                  Executive will increase his/her opportunity to work directly
                  for the Client or for a competitor of the Company, and

                           (8)      The Company will suffer irreparable harm if
                  Executive breaches these Covenant Not-to-Compete and No
                  Solicitation provisions of this Agreement.

                  (b)      Executive agrees that:

                           (1)      The relationship between the Company and
                  its Client (developer) and enhanced when the Executive
                  performs services on behalf of the Company) is a legitimate
                  business interest for the Company to protect;

                           (2)      The Company's legitimate business interest
                  is protected by the existence and enforcement of these
                  Covenant Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions;

                           (3)      The business relationship which is created
                  or exists between the Company and its Client, or the goodwill
                  resulting from it, is a business asset of the Company and not
                  the Executive; and

                           (4)      Executive will not seek to take advantage
                  of opportunities which result from his/her employment with
                  the Company and that entering into the Agreement containing
                  Covenant Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions is
                  reasonable to protect the Company's business relationship
                  with its Clients.



                                       3
<PAGE>   4
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



                  (c)      Restrictions on Executive. During the term of this
         Agreement and for a period of time set forth on Exhibit A after the
         termination of this Agreement, for whatever reason, whether such
         termination was by the Company or the Executive, voluntarily or
         involuntarily, and whether with or without cause, Executive agrees
         that he/she shall not, as a principal, employer, stockholder, partner,
         agent, consultant, independent contractor, employee, or in any other
         individual or representative capacity:

                           (1)      Directly or indirectly engage in, continue
                  in, or carry on the business of the Company or any business
                  substantially similar thereto, including owning or
                  controlling any financial interest in any corporation,
                  partnership, firm, or other form of business organization
                  which competes with or is engaged in or carries on any aspect
                  of such business or any business substantially similar
                  thereto;

                           (2)      Consult with, advise, or assist in any way,
                  whether or not for consideration, any corporation,
                  partnership, firm, or other business organization which is
                  now, becomes, or may become a competitor of the Company in
                  any aspect of the Company's business during the Executive's
                  employment with the Company, including, but not limited to,
                  advertising or otherwise endorsing the products of any such
                  competitor or loaning money or rendering any other form of
                  financial assistance to or in any form of transaction whether
                  or not on an arm's length basis with any such competitor;

                           (3)      Provide or attempt to provide or solicit
                  the opportunity to provide or advise others of the
                  opportunity to provide any services of the type Executive
                  performed for the Company or the Company's Clients
                  (regardless of whether and how such services are to be
                  compensated, whether on a salaried, time and materials,
                  contingent compensation, or other basis) to or for the
                  benefit of any Client (i) to which Executive has provided
                  services in any capacity on behalf of the Company, or (ii)
                  to which Executive has been introduced to or about which the
                  Executive has received information through the Company or
                  through any Client from which Executive has performed
                  services in any capacity on behalf of the Company,

                           (4)      Retain or attempt to retain, directly or
                  indirectly, for itself or any other party, the services of
                  any person, including any of the Company's employees, who
                  were providing services to or on behalf of the Company while
                  Executive was employed by the Company and to whom Executive
                  has been introduced or about whom Executive has received
                  information through Employer or through any Client for which
                  Executive has performed services in any capacity on behalf of
                  the Company;

                           (5)      Engage in any practice, the purpose of
                  which is to evade the provisions of this Agreement or to
                  commit any act which is detrimental to the successful
                  continuation of or which adversely affects the business or
                  the Company, provided, however, that the foregoing shall not
                  preclude the Executive's ownership of not more than
                  2% of the equity securities registered under Section 12 of the
                  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; or

                           (6)      For purpose of these Covenant
                  Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions, Client
                  includes any subsidiaries, affiliates, customers, and clients
                  of the Company's Clients. The Executive agrees that the
                  geographic scope of this Covenant Not-to-Compete shall extend
                  to the geographic area where the Company's Clients conduct
                  business at any time during the Term of this Agreement. For
                  purposes of this Agreement, "Clients" means any person or
                  entity to which the Company provides or has provided within a
                  period of one (1) year prior to the Executive's termination
                  of employment labor, materials or services for the
                  furtherance of such entity's or person's business or any
                  person or entity that within such period of one (1) year the
                  Company has pursued or communicated with for the purpose of
                  obtaining business for the Company.

                  (d)      Enforcement. These Covenant Not-to-Compete and No
         Solicitation provisions shall be construed arid enforced under the
         laws of the State of Florida. In the event of any breach of this
         Covenant.



                                       4
<PAGE>   5
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



         Not-to-Compete, the Executive recognizes that the remedies at law will
         be inadequate, and that in addition to any relief at law which may be
         available to the Company for such violation or breach and regardless
         of any other provision contained in this Agreement, the Company shall
         be entitled to equitable remedies (including an injunction) and such
         other relief as a court may grant after considering the intent of this
         Section 5. It is further acknowledged and agreed that the existence of
         any claim or cause of action on the part of the Executive against the
         Company, whether arising from this Agreement or otherwise, shall in no
         way constitute a defense to the enforcement of this Covenant
         Not-to-Compete, and the duration of this Covenant Not-To-Compete shall
         be extended in an amount which equals the time period during which the
         Executive is or has been in violation of this Covenant Not-to-Compete.
         In the event a court of competent jurisdiction determines that the
         provisions of this Covenant Not-to-Compete are excessively broad as to
         duration, geographic scope, prohibited activities or otherwise, the
         parties agree that this covenant shall be reduced or curtailed to the
         extent necessary to render it enforceable.

                  e)       In an action to enforce or challenge these Covenant
         Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions, the prevailing party is
         entitled to recover its attorney's fees and costs.

                  f)       By signing this Agreement, the Executive
         acknowledges that he/she understands the effects of these Covenant
         Not-to-Compete and No Solicitation provisions and agrees to abide by
         them.

         6.       Termination

                  (a)      Death. The Executive's employment hereunder shall
         terminate upon his death.

                  (b)      Disability. If during the Term the Executive becomes
             physically or mentally disabled in accordance with the terms and
         conditions of any disability insurance policy covering the Executive,
         or, if due to such physical or mental disability the Executive becomes
         unable for a period of more than six (6) consecutive months to perform
         his duties hereunder on substantially a full-time basis as determined
         by the Company in its sole reasonable discretion, the Company may, at
         its option, terminate the Executive's employment hereunder upon not
         less than thirty (30) days written notice.

                  (c)      Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's
         employment hereunder for Cause effective immediately upon notice. For
         proposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have "Cause" to
         terminate the Executive's employment hereunder (i) if the Executive
         engages in conduct which has caused or is reasonably likely to cause
         demonstrable and serious injury to Company, (ii) if the Executive
         engages in conduct which could expose the Company to a claim for
         sexual harassment; (iii) if the Executive is convicted of a felony as
         evidenced by a binding and final judgment, order, or decree of a court
         of competent jurisdiction; (iv) for the Executive's neglect of his
         duties hereunder or the Executive's refusal to perform his duties or
         responsibilities hereunder as determined by the Company's Board of
         Directors in good faith; (v) consistent failure to achieve goals
         established by the Board of Directors or their designate; (vi) gross
         incompetence; (vii) for the Executive's violation of this Agreement,
         including, without limitation, Section 5 hereof; (viii) chronic
         absenteeism; (ix) for use of illegal drugs; (x) insobriety by the
         Executive while performing his or her duties hereunder, and (xi) for
         any act of dishonesty or falsification of reports, records, or
         information submitted by the Executive to the Company.

                  (d)      Non-Compete Payment and Liquidated Damages. In the
         event of a termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to
         Section 6 or by the Executive, all payments and Company benefits to
         the Executive hereunder, except the payments (if any) provided below,
         shall immediately cease and terminate. In the event of a termination
         by the Company of the Executive's employment with the Company for any
         reason other than pursuant to Section 6(c), the Company shall pay the
         Executive Liquidated Damages as defined in (e) below for early
         termination of his employment and the Covenant Not-to-Compete set
         forth in Section 5 hereof shall remain in full force and effect
         through the full stated Term of this Agreement; and additionally, from
         the end of the Term of this Agreement through the non-compete period
         stated on Exhibit "A", the Company shall pay the Executive
         Not-to-Compete pay 'in equal biweekly installments ("Non-Compete
         Payment Installments') in the amount set forth on Exhibit A
         ("Non-Compete Payment"). Such Non-




                                       5
<PAGE>   6
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



         Compete Payment, however, shall not be required to be paid by the
         Company if the Company elects, in its sole discretion to release the
         Executive from the Covenant not-to-compete set forth in Section 5
         hereof. Additionally, if the Company commences paying Executive
         Non-Compete Payment Installments and subsequently elects in the
         future, in its sole discretion, to release Executive from the Covenant
         Not-to-Compete and gives notice to Executive, their, at the effective
         date of such notice, Executive shall no longer be subject to the
         Covenant Not-to-Compete, and no further Non-Compete Payment
         Installments shall be due or payable to Executive. If the Company
         terminates the Executive's employment pursuant to Section 6(c) or the
         Executive terminates such employment, time Executive shall not be
         entitled to the Non-Compete Payment, and the Covenant Not-to-Compete
         set forth in Section 5 hereof shall remain in full force and effect.
         Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein contained, the
         Executive shall receive all compensation and other benefits to which
         he was entitled under this Agreement or otherwise as an executive of
         the Company through the termination date.

                  (e)      The Liquidated Damages amount, if due as provided
         above, shall be equal to the weekly amount stated on Exhibit A times
         the number of weeks remaining between the early termination date and
         the end of Term as stated on Exhibit A ("Liquidated Damages"). This
         amount shall be paid biweekly in equal installments over such period.

          7.       Ownership of Executive Developments

                  (a)      Existing Proprietary Rights. The following patents,
         patent applications, copyrights, trade secrets, and trademarks are the
         only intangible interests and properties that the Executive owns, or
         has any claim in, at the time of execution of this Agreement: NONE

                  (b)      Ownership of Work Product.

                  (1)      To the maximum extent permitted by law, Company shall
         own all Work Product (as defined in  paragraph (5)). All Work Product
         shall be considered work made for hire by the Executive.

                  (2)      If any of the Work Product may not, by operation of
         law, be considered work made for hire by the Executive for Company, or
         if ownership of all right, title, and interest of the intellectual
         property rights therein shall not otherwise vest exclusively in
         Company, the Executive agrees to assign, and upon creation thereof
         automatically assign, without further consideration and without the
         necessity for the execution of further instruments or documents, the
         ownership of all trade secrets, U.S. and international copyrights,
         patentable inventions, and all intellectual property rights therein to
         Company, its successors, and assigns to the maximum extent permitted
         by law.

                  (3)      Company and its successors and assigns shall have
         the right to obtain and hold in its or their own name patents,
         copyrights, registrations, and any other protection available in the
         foregoing.

                  (4)      The Executive agrees to perform upon the reasonable
         request of Company, during or after his employment, such further acts
         as may be necessary or desirable to transfer, perfect, and defend
         Company's ownership of the Work Product. When requested, the Executive
         will:

                           (i)      execute, acknowledge, and deliver any
                                    requested affidavits and documents of
                                    assignment and conveyance;

                           (ii)     obtain and aid in the enforcement of
                                    copyrights, and, if applicable, patents
                                    with respect to the Work product in any
                                    countries;

                           (iii)    provide testimony in connection with any
                                    proceeding affecting the right, title, or
                                    interest of Company in any Work Product;
                                    and


                                       6
<PAGE>   7
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



                           (iv)     perform any other acts deemed necessary or
                                    desirable to carry out, the purposes of
                                    this Agreement.


                  Company shall reimburse all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Executive at Company's request in connection with the
foregoing, including (unless the Executive is otherwise being compensated at
the time) a reasonable per diem or hourly fee for services rendered following
termination of the Executive's employment.

         (5)      For purposes hereof "Work Product" shall mean all
intellectual property, including all trade secrets, U.S. and international
copyrights, patentable inventions, patents, patent applications, discoveries,
concepts, techniques, improvements, works of authorship, and all intellectual
property rights therein that relate to the business and interests of the
Company and its predecessors, successors, affiliates, subsidiaries, and parent
and that the Executive conceives, develops, or delivers to Company at any time
during the term the Executive's employment or for three (3) months after its
expiration or termination for any reason. Work Product shall also include all
intellectual property rights, including all trade secrets, U.S. and
international copyrights, patentable inventions, patents, patent applications,
discoveries, concepts, techniques, improvements, works of authorship, and all
intellectual property rights therein that relate to the business and interests
of Company, its predecessors, successors, affiliates, subsidiaries, and part
and that is now contained in any of the products or systems, including
development and support systems, of Company to the extent the Executive
conceived, developed, contributed to, or delivered such Work Product prior to
the date of this Agreement while the Executive was engaged as an independent
contractor or an Executive of Company, its predecessors, subsidiaries,
affiliates, or parent.

         (6)      The Executive hereby irrevocably assigns to Company forever
all of his right, title, and interest in and to any and all Work Product. The
Executive hereby also irrevocably relinquishes for the benefit of Company and
its assigns any moral rights in the Work Product recognized by applicable law.
Upon Company's request, the Executive shall take such further actions and
execute and deliver such other instruments as the Company deems necessary or
useful to give full and proper effect to or to record such assignment.

         (7)      The Executive hereby irrevocably waives, releases, remises,
and forever discharges the Company and its part, successors, predecessors,
subsidiaries, and affiliates, and their respective officers, directors, and
representatives and all persons, corporations or other entities who might be
claimed to be jointly and severally liable with them (the "Released Parties")
from any and all claims, causes of action, suits, damages, fees, and
liabilities of whatever nature or description, whether known or unknown, actual
or contingent, from the beginning of time to the date of the execution of this
Agreement which the Executive or anyone claiming by, through, or under him
might have or could claim against any of the Released Parties, including ,but
not limited to, claims arising out of or related to the Work Product, the
Executive's employment by any of the Released Parties, or promises regarding
the granting of an equity interest in any of the Released Parties. The
Executive shall take such further actions and shall execute and deliver such
other instrument's as the Company deems necessary or useful to give full and
proper effect to or to record this release.

         (c)      Clearance Procedure for Proprietary Rights Not Claimed by
company. If the Executive, during the Term of employment, ever wishes to create
or develop, on his own time and with his own resources, anything that may be
considered Work Product but to which the Executive believes he should be
entitled to the personal benefit of, the Executive is required to follow the
clearance procedure set forth in this section in order to ensure that Company
has no claim to the proprietary rights that may arise.

                  Before the Executive begins any development work on his own
time, he must give Company advance notice of his plans and supply a description
of the development under consideration. Unless otherwise agreed in a writing
signed by Company prior to its receipt of such description, Company shall have
no obligation of confidentiality with respect to such description. Company will
determine in good faith within thirty (30) days after the Executive fully
disclosed his plans to Company whether the development is claimed by Company.
If Company determines that it


                                       7
<PAGE>   8
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



does not claim such development, the Executive will be notified in writing and
may retain ownership of the development to the extent of what has been
disclosed to Company. The Executive should submit for further clearance any
significant improvement, modification, or adoption that relates to the business
or interests of Company.

                  Clearance under this procedure does not relieve the Executive
of the need to obtain the written consent of the Company before engaging in
business activities or rendering business, commercial, or professional services
for the benefit of anyone other than the Company, as required in Section 1 of
this Agreement.

                  If the Executive is asked to work on any Work Product that is
or potentially might be is conflict with the Executive's intellectual property
created outside the scope of this Agreement, the Executive will promptly notify
the Company in writing of any potential conflict and will not perform any
further work an the Work Product in the area of conflict until notified in
writing by the Company.

         8.       Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other
communications provided for herein shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when hand-delivered, sent by telecopier, facsimile
transmission, or other electronic means of transmitting written documents (as
long as receipt is acknowledges or mailed by United States certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:

                  If to the Executive, to the address set forth on the
                  signature page.

                  If to the Company:  Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated
                                      100 North Tampa Street, Suite 3900
                                      Tampa, Florida 33602
                                      Attention: Sr. VP Human Resources

or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith, except that a notice of change of address shall
be effective only upon receipt.

         9.       ENFORCEMENT, GOVERNING LAW, AND ATTORNEY'S FEES. It is
stipulated that a breach by Executive of the restrictive covenants set forth in
Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement will cause irreparable damage to Company or
its Clients, and that in the event of any breach of those provisions, Company
is entitled to injunctive relief restraining Executive from violating or
continuing a violation of the restrictive covenants as well as other remedies
it may have. Additionally, such covenants shall be enforceable against the
Executive's successors or assigns or by successor assigns.

                  The validity, interpretation, construction, and performance
of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the State of
Florida. Any litigation to enforce this Agreement shall be brought in the state
or federal courts of Hillsborough County, Florida, which is the principal place
of business for Company and which is considered to be the place where this
Agreement is made. Both parties hereby consent to such courts' exercise of
personal jurisdiction over them.

                  Except where required, to enforce the restrictive covenants
regarding Not-to-Compete, No Solicitation, and Confidential Information, as
provided in Sections 4 and 5 of this Agreement, Company and the Executive will
each pay their own attorney's fees and costs in the event Company or the
Executive must enforce any of the other rights granted to them, regardless of
the outcome of any action seeking to enforce rights under this Agreement.

         10.      Miscellaneous. No provision of this Agreement may be modified
or waived unless such waiver or modification is agreed to in writing signed by
the parties hereto; provided, however, that the terms of the performance bonus
and fringe benefits set forth or Exhibit A may be amended by the Company in its
discretion without the Executive's consent to the extent provided therein. No
waiver by any party hereto of any breach by any other party hereto shall be
deemed a waiver of any similar or dissimilar term or condition at the same or
at any prior or subsequent


                                       8
<PAGE>   9
                                                                Mitchell Nelson



time. This Agreement is the entire agreement between the parties hereto with
respect to the Executive's employment by the Company and there are no agreements
or representations, oral or otherwise, expressed or implied, with respect to or
related to the employment of the Executive which are not set forth in this
Agreement. Any prior agreement relating to the Executive's employment with the
Company is hereby superseded and void, and is no longer in effect. This
Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its
respective successors and assigns, and the Executive and his heirs, executors,
administrators and legal representatives. Except as expressly set forth herein,
no party shall assign any of his or its rights under this Agreement without the
prior written consent of the other party and any attempted assignment without
such prior written consent shall be null and void and without legal effect. The
parties agree that if any provision of this Agreement shall under any
circumstances be deemed invalid or inoperative, the Agreement shall be construed
with the invalid or inoperative provision deleted and the rights and obligations
of the parties shall be construed and enforced accordingly. This Agreement may
be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an
original but all of which together will constitute but one and the same
instrument. This Agreement has been negotiated and no party shall be considered
as being responsible for such drafting for the purpose of applying any rule
construing ambiguities against the drafter or otherwise.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.

SYKES ENTERPRISES, INCORPORATED           EXECUTIVE



By:  /s/ David L. Grimes                  /s/ Mitchell Nelson
    ------------------------------        -------------------------------------
                                          Mitchell Nelson


                                          Address:
                                                   715 Seagate Drive
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                    Tampa, FL 33602
                                          -------------------------------------


                                       9
<PAGE>   10


                                                                Mitchell Nelson
                                                                Group Executive
                                                          Senior Vice President
                                                             Business Solutions



                       EXHIBIT A TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         This Exhibit A is attached to and made a part of that certain
Employment Agreement dated effective July 31, 2000, entered into by and between
Sykes Enterprises, Incorporated (the "Company") and Mitchell Nelson (the
"Executive"), which Employment Agreement supercedes and replaces that certain
Employment Agreement dated August 27, 1999 entered into by and between the
Company and the Executive.

Term:                            Period of time ending July 30, 2003

Base Salary:                     $3038.46 per week

Performance Bonus:               0% to 50% of annual base salary

Fringe Benefits:                 Standard fringe benefits for executives

Stock Options:                   60,000 options under the Sykes Enterprises,
                                 Incorporated 2000 Stock Option Plan. One third
                                 of the options will vest on each of the first,
                                 second, and third anniversaries of the
                                 effective date of this Agreement.

Covenant Not to Compete:         Twelve (12) months

Non-Compete Payment:             $1,519.23 per week for 52 weeks

Liquidated Damages:              $1,519.23 per week

Directors & Officers Liability:  You will be covered by the Company's Directors
                                 and Officer Liability Policy the same as other
                                 officers of the Company.

         THE COMPANY RESERVES THE RIGHT, AT ITS SOLE DISCRETION, AT SUCH TIME
OR TIMES AS IT ELECTS, TO CHANGE OR ELIMINATE BONUSES OR OTHER BENEFITS.


                                       10
<PAGE>   11
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Exhibit A to the
Employment Agreement as of the 31st day of July, 2000.


SYKES ENTERPRISES,                    EXECUTIVE
INCORPORATED

By: /s/ David L. Grimes                   /s/  Mitchell Nelson
    ------------------------------        -------------------------------------


                                       11
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
