EX-10.4E 5 a2187916zex-10_4e.htm EXHIBIT 10.4E
QuickLinks -- Click here to rapidly navigate through this document


Exhibit 10.4e

FORM OF
ZALE CORPORATION
2003 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
TIME-VESTING RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
PLAN AGREEMENT



Participant

 


Issue Date

 


Number of Units

 


Employee ID

Grant   Zale Corporation (the "Company"), on behalf of Zale Delaware, Inc. ("Zale Delaware"), its wholly-owned subsidiary, has granted to the Participant named above, as of the Issue Date, the above number of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan Agreement and in the Zale Corporation 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan").

Issue Date

 

The Issue Date for the Restricted Stock Units granted to the Participant pursuant to this Plan Agreement shall be the date set forth above.

Vesting Date(s)

 

The Restricted Stock Units issued pursuant to this Plan Agreement shall vest                                    (each, a "Vesting Date").

Consequences of Vesting

 

Upon each Vesting Date, the Participant shall be entitled to receive one share of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), for each Restricted Stock Unit that vested on such Vesting Date or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in lieu thereof, the Company shall pay to the Participant the Fair Market Value of such number of shares of Common Stock. Unless the Committee has elected to make a cash payment upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units reasonably promptly after the Vesting Date, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Participant a certificate evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable to the Participant upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock Units, free of any restrictive legend other than restrictions on transfer as a result of applicable securities laws.

No Dividends or Voting Rights

 

The Participant shall not be entitled to receive dividend payments with respect to the Restricted Stock Units and shall have no voting rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units.

Restrictions on Transfer

 

No transfer of the Participant's rights with respect to the Restricted Stock Units, whether voluntary or involuntary, by operation of law or otherwise, shall be permitted. Immediately upon any attempt to transfer such rights, such Restricted Stock Units, and all of the rights related thereto, shall be forfeited by the Participant.

Termination   In the event of the termination of a Participant's employment with Zale Delaware, Inc., the Restricted Stock Units granted to the Participant which have not vested as of the date of such termination shall be void and of no further effect.


Recoupment Policy


 


Any amounts received by Participant pursuant to the Restricted Stock Units granted in this Plan Agreement are subject to recoupment by the Company pursuant to any policy the Company may have in place from time to time that provides for the recoupment of compensation that was paid as a result of a misstatement of the Company's financial results that involved negligence, fraud or other misconduct.

No Section 83(b) Elections

 

The Participant shall not file with the Internal Revenue Service an election under Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (i.e., an election to include in gross income in the year of issuance of the Restricted Stock Units the amounts specified in such Section 83(b)).

Misc.

 

Upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, all outstanding Restricted Stock Units which have not theretofore vested shall immediately vest.

 

 

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the Plan.


 


 


Zale Corporation


 


 



Authorized Officer


 


 


I hereby agree to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Plan Agreement and the Plan.


 


 



Participant



QuickLinks