Termination of Employment Following a Change in Control Subject to Section 11(a) hereunder, the Executive shall be entitled to the Change in Control Severance Benefits (as defined in Section 4(c) below) set forth in this Section 4, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3 of this Agreement, if there has been a Change in Control and the Executive has incurred a Termination of Employment. The severance benefit provided under this Section 4 is in lieu of cash severance payments offered under the Company's documented severance policy, if any.
(a) For purposes of Section 4 of the Agreement, "Termination of Employment" shall be defined as:
(i) The Executive's involuntary termination by the Company for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause; or
(ii) The Executive's termination for "Good Reason," defined as the occurrence of any of the following events without the Executive's written consent, if the Executive terminates employment within one (1) year following the occurrence of such event:
(A) Any reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control; provided that the fact that the Company is no longer a publicly traded company or the Executive no longer has duties and responsibilities associated exclusively with a publicly traded company, such as Securities and Exchange Commission or stock exchange reporting responsibilities or investor or analyst relations responsibilities, shall not be deemed to be a reassignment of the Executive to substantial duties materially inconsistent with the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities and status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control or a substantial diminution in the Executive's position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company from his position, duties, responsibilities or status with the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control;
(B) Any reduction in the Executive's base salary or targeted incentive bonus or commissions in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, or failure by the Company to continue any bonus, stock or other incentive plans in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable award opportunities/benefits), or any removal of the Executive from participation in such aforementioned plans;
(C) The discontinuance or reduction in benefits to the Executive under any qualified or nonqualified retirement or welfare plan maintained by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits), or the discontinuance of any fringe benefits or other perquisites that the Executive received immediately prior to the Change in Control (without the implementation of comparable successor plans that provide comparable benefits);
(D) Required relocation of the Executive's principal place of employment more than 50 miles from the Executive's place of employment prior to the Change in Control; or
(E) The Company's breach of any provision in this Agreement, provided that the Company has not cured such breach within 10 days following written notice by the Executive to the Company of such breach.
(b) The Executive who believes the Executive is entitled to a Termination of Employment for Good Reason, as defined in Section 4 above, may apply in writing to the Company for confirmation of such entitlement prior to the Executive's actual separation from employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section 15 hereof. The submission of such a request by the Executive shall not constitute "Cause" for the Company to terminate the Executive as defined under Section 2(a) hereof. If the Executive's request for a Good Reason Termination of Employment is denied under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in paragraphs (b) and (c) of Section 15 hereof, then the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim within 90 days after the claim is submitted to arbitration pursuant to Section 15(d).
(c) Upon satisfaction of the requirements set forth in Sections 4 or 11(a) hereof and with respect to any one or more Changes in Control that may occur during the term of this Agreement, upon the Executive's execution of a release (in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A), the Executive shall be entitled to (the "Change in Control Severance Benefits"):
(i) A cash severance benefit equal to one times the Executive's current annual base salary, as in effect at the time of the Change in Control;
(ii) A prorated portion of the Executive's target bonus for the year of termination, based on the number of days worked in the year of termination;
(iii) Subject to Section 6, continuation of Company-provided health (including vision and dental, if provided by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control) and welfare benefits (including executive life insurance coverage, if provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control) for one year, on the terms (or comparable terms) provided by the Company to the Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control. Health benefits shall be provided through continued coverage under the Company's group health plan, if allowed under the terms of such plan, or by the reimbursement of COBRA continuation coverage premiums paid by the Executive, as determined by the Company; provided, however, if the health plan is self-insured by the Company, then the determination shall be made by the Executive. Any continuation of group health plan coverage under this paragraph shall run concurrently with the period of required COBRA continuation coverage under the Code. If COBRA continuation coverage is not available, the Company shall reimburse the Executive for premiums for comparable coverage, provided, however, that the reimbursement shall not exceed the greater of (i) two times the annual premium paid by the Company for such coverage at the date of termination or (ii) two times the amount of the COBRA premium under the Company's group health plan for coverage comparable to that elected by the Executive, (A) at the time of the Change of Control or (B) at the time of the required payment, whichever is greater. Welfare benefits (other than health benefits) shall be continued only to the extent permitted under the terms of such plans;
(iv) Continuation of the Executive's then current car benefit for one year in accordance with the Company car policy in effect at the time of termination.
(v) Continued coverage, during the six (6) years following the Executive's termination for his actions or omissions as an officer and, if applicable, director of the Company prior to the date of termination of his employment, under any directors and officers liability insurance policy maintained by the Company (or, if the Company does not maintain such a policy, by its affiliates) for its former directors and officers or, at the Company's election, for the current directors and officers. If the Company or its affiliates does not otherwise maintain such a policy, then the Company shall be required to provide the Executive with such a policy, to the extent available. The policy dollar coverage limits of any such policy shall be not less than the policy limit under any Company policy in place within the one (1) year prior to the Executive's termination of employment (the "Existing Policy") or, if less, the policy dollar coverage limit that can be purchased by the Company for all of its current and former directors and officers at an annual premium equal to two times the Company's annual premium for the Existing Policy.
(d) Subject to Section 11(a) hereof, the Executive's cash severance benefit under Section 4(c)(i) and (ii) shall be paid in a lump sum cash payment within ten (10) days following the Executive's Termination of Employment, as defined in Section 4. Any payment made later than 10 days following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof) for whatever reason, shall include interest at the prime rate plus two percent, which shall begin accruing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof). For purposes of this Section 4, "prime rate" shall be determined by reference to the prime rate established by Comerica Bank (or its successor), in effect from time to time commencing on the 10th day following the Executive's Termination of Employment (or applicable due date under Section 11(a) hereof).
(e) Section 4 of this Agreement shall terminate upon the first of the following events to occur:
(i) Three years from the date hereof if a Change in Control has not occurred within such three-year period;
(ii) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company prior to a Change in Control, provided, however, if there is a Change in Control within six months after the termination of the Executive's employment with the Company, other than a termination due to the Executive's death or Disability, an involuntary termination by the Company for Cause or a termination of employment by the Executive, then the Agreement shall not be deemed to have terminated and the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Change in Control Severance Benefits provided in Section 4, less any Regular Severance Benefits the Executive has been paid under Section 3, in lieu of the severance benefits the Executive is entitled to under Section 3;
(iii) The expiration of two years following a Change in Control;
(iv) Termination of the Executive's employment with the Company following a Change in Control due to the Executive's death or Disability;
(v) Termination of the Executive's employment by the Company for Cause following a Change in Control; or
(vi) Termination of employment by the Executive for other than Good Reason following the date of a Change in Control. Unless Section 4 of this Agreement has first terminated under clauses (ii) through (vi) hereof, commencing on the third anniversary of the date of this Agreement, and on each one-year anniversary thereafter, Section 4 of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year, unless at least 180 days prior to any such anniversary, the Company notifies the Executive in writing that it shall not extend the term of Section 4 of this Agreement.
Benefits Upon Termination of Employment If the Executive is entitled to benefits pursuant to this Section 2, the Company agrees to pay or provide to the Executive as severance payment, the following:
(i) A single lump sum payment, payable in cash within five days of the Termination Date (or if later, the Change of Control Date), equal to the sum of:
(A) the accrued portion of any of the Executive's unpaid base salary and vacation through the Termination Date and any unpaid portion of the Executive's bonus for the prior fiscal year; plus
(B) a portion of the Executive's bonus for the fiscal year in progress, prorated based upon the number of days elapsed since the commencement of the fiscal year and calculated assuming that 100% of the target under the bonus plan is achieved; plus
(C) an amount equal to the Executive's Base Compensation times the Compensation Multiplier.
(ii) Continuation, on the same basis as if the Executive continued to be employed by the Company, of Benefits for the Benefit Period commencing on the Termination Date. The Company's obligation hereunder with respect to the foregoing Benefits shall be limited to the extent that the Executive obtains any such benefits pursuant to a subsequent employer's benefit plans, in which case the Company may reduce the coverage of any Benefits it is required to provide the Executive hereunder as long as the aggregate coverages and benefits of the combined benefit plans is no less favorable to the Executive than the Benefits required to be provided hereunder.
(iii) Outplacement services to be provided by an outplacement organization of national repute, which shall include the provision of office space and equipment (including telephone and personal computer) but in no event shall the Company be required to provide such services for a value exceeding 17% of the Executive's Base Compensation.
(iv) Accelerated vesting of all outstanding stock options and of all previously granted restricted stock awards.
(v) Target amounts that would have accrued under the MagneTek Shareholder Return Plan had the applicable period for each such target elapsed, calculated and paid, PRO RATA, for the actual period elapsed.
Payments Upon Termination of Employment (a) If during the Termination Period the employment of the Executive shall terminate, other than by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, then the Company shall pay to the Executive (or the Executive's beneficiary or estate) within 30 days following the Date of Termination, as compensation for services rendered to the Company:
(1) a cash amount equal to the sum of (i) the Executive's full annual base salary from the Company through the Date of Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid, (ii) the Executive's annual bonus in an amount at least equal to the highest annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than 12 full months) bonus paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the Executive by the Company in respect of the three fiscal years of the Company (or such portion thereof during which the Executive performed services for the Company if the Executive shall have been employed by the Company for less than such three fiscal year period) immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs, multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs through the Date of Termination and the denominator of which is 365 or 366, as applicable, and (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any interest and earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid; plus
(2) a lump-sum cash amount (subject to any applicable payroll or other taxes required to be withheld pursuant to Section 5) in an amount equal to (i) the Executive's highest annual base salary from the Company in effect during the 12-month period prior to the Date of Termination, plus (ii) the Executive's highest annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than 12 full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than 12 full months) bonus, paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the Executive by the Company in respect of the five fiscal years of the Company (or such portion thereof during which the Executive performed services for the Company if the Executive shall have been employed by the Company for less than such five fiscal year period) immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Change in Control occurs, provided, that any amount paid pursuant to this Section 3(a)(2) shall be paid in lieu of any other amount of severance relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by the Executive upon termination of employment of the Executive under any severance agreement, plan, policy or arrangement of the Company.
(b) For a period of eighteen months commencing on the Date of Termination, the Company shall continue to keep in full force and effect all policies of medical, accident, disability and life insurance with respect to the Executive and his dependents with the same level of coverage, upon the same terms and otherwise to the same extent as such policies shall have been in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination and the Company shall pay all costs of the continuation of such insurance coverage.
(c) For a period of twelve months commencing on the Date of Termination, the Executive shall receive outplacement assistance services from an outplacement agency selected by the Executive and the Company shall pay all costs of such services; provided that such costs shall not exceed $15,000 in the aggregate.
(d) If during the Termination Period the employment of the Executive shall terminate by reason of a Nonqualifying Termination, then the Company shall pay to the Executive within 30 days following the Date of Termination, a cash amount equal to the sum of:
(1) the Executive's full annual base salary from the Company through the Date of Termination, to the extent not theretofore paid, and
(2) any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any interest and earnings thereon) and any accrued vacation pay, in each case to the extent not theretofore paid.
Termination of Employment Following Change in Control (a) If a Change in Control (as defined in Section 5(b) of this Agreement) shall occur and, thereafter, if at any time during the term of this Agreement there shall be:
(i) any involuntary termination of Executive’s employment (other than for the reasons set forth in Section 3(c) of this Agreement;
(ii) any reduction in Executive’s title, responsibilities, including reporting responsibilities, or authority, including such title, responsibilities or authority as such may be increased from time to time during the term of this Agreement;
(iii) the assignment to Executive of duties inconsistent with Executive’s office on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time after the Change in Control;
(iv) any reassignment of Executive to a location greater than fifty (50) miles from the location of Executive’s office on the date of the Change in Control;
(v) any significant reduction in Executive’s compensation as provided in Section 4 in effect on the date of the Change in Control or as the same may be increased from time to time after the Change in Control;
(vi) any failure to provide Executive with benefits at least as favorable as those enjoyed by Executive under any of Corporation or Bank’s retirement or pension, life insurance, medical, health and accident, disability or other employee plans in which Executive participated at the time of the Change in Control, or the taking of any action that would materially reduce any of such benefits in effect at the time of the Change in Control;
(vii) any requirement that Executive travel in performance of his duties on behalf of Corporation or Bank for a significantly greater period of time during any year than was required of Executive during the year preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurred; or
(viii) any sustained pattern of interruption or disruption of Executive for matters substantially unrelated to Executive’s discharge of Executive’s duties on behalf of Corporation and Bank; then, at the option of Executive, exercisable by Executive within ninety (90) days of the Change in Control and occurrence of any of the foregoing events, Executive may resign from employment with Corporation and Bank (or, if involuntarily terminated, give notice of intention to collect benefits under this Agreement) by delivering a notice in writing (the “Notice of Termination”) to Corporation and Bank and the provisions of Section 6 of this Agreement shall apply. In addition, notwithstanding the payments to Executive contemplated by Section 6, if Executive is requested by the Corporation, Bank, or a successor thereto to remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank following the Date of Change of Control, Executive expressly agrees, subject to the condition set forth below, to remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank for not less than six months following the Date of Change of Control. The Corporation, Bank, or successor to the Corporation or Bank shall have the right to request Executive remain in the employ of the Corporation, Bank, or a successor to the Corporation or Bank for a period of less than six months following the Date of Change of Control. Executive agrees to remain an employee of the Corporation, Bank or successor to the Corporation or Bank pursuant to their request conditioned upon Executive being compensated in the same amount and on the same terms as he was compensated immediately prior to the Date of Change of Control, including participation in all employee benefit plans to which he would otherwise be entitled.
(b) As used in this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following:
Compensation Following Termination of Employment In the event that Executive's employment hereunder is terminated, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation and benefits upon such termination:
Compensation Upon Termination of Employment If the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated, in accordance with the provisions of Article III hereof, and except for any other rights or benefits specifically provided for herein to be effective following the Executive’s period of employment, the Company will provide compensation and benefits to the Executive only as follows:
Termination of Employment; Change in Control (i) For purposes of the grant hereunder, any transfer of employment by the Optionee among the Corporation and the Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment. Except as set forth below in this Section 4(c)(i), if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation shall terminate for any reason, (a) the Option (to the extent then vested) may be exercised at any time within ninety (90) days after such termination (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (b) the Option, to the extent not then vested, shall immediately expire upon such termination. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) if the Optionee's employment with the Corporation is terminated for Cause (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option, whether or not then vested, shall be automatically terminated as of the date of such termination of employment, (b) if the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall remain exercisable for three years from the date of such termination of employment (but not beyond the Term of the Option) and (c) if the Optionee dies or becomes Disabled (A) while employed by the Corporation or (B) within 90 days after the termination of his or her employment (other than a termination described in clause (a) or (b) of this sentence), the Option may be exercised at any time within one year after the Optionee's death or Disability (but not beyond the Term of the Option).
(ii) If the Optionee's employment terminates by reason of death, Disability, Retirement, the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Company other than for Cause, or the termination of the Optionee's employment by the Optionee for Good Reason, the Option shall become fully and immediately vested and exercisable. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the last Section hereof), the Option shall immediately become fully vested and exercisable.
Termination of Employment Change of Control (a) For purposes of the grant hereunder, any transfer of employment by the Grantee among the Company and its Subsidiaries shall not be considered a termination of employment. Any change in employment that does not constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations (or any successor provision) shall not be considered a termination of employment. Any change in employment that does constitute a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations (or any successor provision) shall be considered a termination of employment.
(b) If the Grantee dies or terminates employment due to Disability (as defined in the last Section hereof), all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee within 30 days of the date of such termination; provided, however, that if the Grantee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) as of the date of such termination, all RSUs shall immediately vest but shall not be converted into shares of Common Stock and distributed to the Grantee until the earlier of (i) the date which is six months after the date of the Grantee’s termination of employment and (ii) the date of the Grantee’s death. If the Grantee’s employment with the Company terminates due to the Grantee’s Retirement (as defined in the last Section hereof), all RSUs shall continue to vest (and be converted into an equivalent number of shares of Common Stock that will be distributed to the Grantee) in accordance with Section 3 above. If the Grantee dies during the three year period immediately following the Retirement of the Grantee, then all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee’s personal representative within 30 days of the date of such death.
(c) Subject to Section 4(d), if the Grantee’s employment terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Retirement, the Grantee shall forfeit all RSUs.
(d) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein or in the Plan, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the last Section hereof) or of the termination of this Agreement within twelve months of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company that is taxed under Section 331 of the Code, all RSUs shall immediately vest, be converted into shares of Common Stock and be distributed to the Grantee within 30 days of the date of such event or (in the event of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company) as soon as administratively practicable thereafter.
Severance Compensation upon Termination of Employment 4.1 If the Executive’s employment with the Corporation or the Partnership shall be terminated (a) by the Corporation or Partnership other than for Cause or pursuant to Sections 3.6 or 3.7, or (b) by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Corporation and the Partnership shall:
(i) pay to the Executive as severance pay, within five days after termination, a lump sum payment equal to 250% of the sum of the Executive’s annual salary at the rate applicable on the date of termination and the average of the Executive’s annual bonus for the preceding two full fiscal years;
(ii) arrange to provide Executive, for a 12 month period (or such shorter period as Executive may elect), with disability, accident and health insurance substantially similar to those insurance benefits which Executive is receiving immediately prior to the date of termination to the extent obtainable upon reasonable terms; provided, however, if it is not so obtainable the Corporation shall pay to the Executive in cash the annual amount paid by the Corporation or the Partnership for such benefits during the previous year of the Executive’s employment. Benefits otherwise receivable by Executive pursuant to this Section 4.1(ii) shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by the Executive during such 12 month period following his termination (or such shorter period elected by the Executive), and any such benefits actually received by Executive shall be reported by the Executive to the Corporation; and
(iii) any options granted to Executive to acquire common stock of the Corporation, any restricted shares of common stock of the Corporation issued to the Executive and any other awards granted to the Executive under any employee benefit plan that have not vested shall immediately vest on said termination.
(a) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor, except to the extent provided in Section 4.1 above, shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by insurance benefits after the date of termination, or otherwise.
(b) The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish the Executive’s existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any benefit plan of the Corporation or Partnership, or other contract, plan or arrangement.
Termination Following a Change in Control (a) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company or any Subsidiary during the Severance Period, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided by Section 4 unless such termination is the result of the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
(i) The Executive's death;
(ii) If the Executive becomes permanently disabled within the meaning of, and begins actually to receive disability benefits pursuant to, the long-term disability plan in effect for, or applicable to, Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control; or
