Change in Control Period “Change in Control Period” means the period of time beginning three (3) months prior to and ending twelve (12) months following a Change in Control.
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.
Termination of Employment Period The Agreement Term shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:
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.
Employment Termination Date The Employment Termination Date shall be as follows: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive’s death, the date of Executive’s death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (the “Employment Termination Date”).
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 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:
Change of Control Period “Change of Control Period” means the period beginning on the date three (3) months prior to, and ending on the date that is twelve (12) months following, a Change of Control.
Change in Control Termination (a) Notwithstanding any other provision contained herein, if the Executive’s employment hereunder is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason or by the Company on account of its failure to renew the Agreement in accordance with Sections 1 and 5, or without Cause (other than on account of the Executive’s death or Disability), in each case within twenty-four (24) months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Amounts and, subject to the Executive’s compliance with Section 6, Section 7, Section 8 and Section 9 of this Agreement, and his execution of a Release which becomes effective within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date, the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:
(i) a lump sum payment equal to two (2) times the sum of the Executive’s Base Salary and Target Bonus for the year in which the Termination Date occurs (or if greater, the year immediately preceding the year in which the Change in Control occurs), which shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date: provided that, if the Release Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year; and,
(ii) a lump sum payment equal to the Executive’s Target Bonus for the fiscal year in which the Termination Date (as determined in accordance with Section 5.6) occurs (or if greater, the year in which the Change in Control occurs), which shall be paid within thirty (30) days following the Termination Date; provided that, if the Release Execution Period begins in one taxable year and ends in another taxable year, payment shall not be made until the beginning of the second taxable year.
(b) Notwithstanding the terms of any equity incentive plan or award agreements, as applicable:
(i) all outstanding unvested stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to the Executive during the Employment Term shall become fully vested and exercisable for the remainder of their full term;
(ii) all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options or stock appreciation rights that are not intended to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall become fully vested and the restrictions thereon shall lapse; provided that, any delays in the settlement or payment of such awards that are set forth in the applicable award agreement and that are required under Section 409A shall remain in effect; and,
(iii) all outstanding equity-based compensation awards other than stock options and stock appreciation rights that are intended to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code shall remain outstanding and shall vest or be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the applicable award agreements, if the applicable performance goals are satisfied.
(c) For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following after the Effective Date:
Employee Termination A) Regular employees other than those serving a probationary period, shall give twenty-eight (28) calendar days written notice of termination to a representative designated by the Employer with the authority to accept such written notice.
B) In addition to the twenty-eight (28) calendar day notice, regular employees in positions above the level of general staff nurse shall inform the Employer of their intention to terminate as soon in advance as possible.
C) The period of notice as set forth in (A) above must be for time scheduled to be worked and must not include accrued vacation, unless such vacation has been previously scheduled and approved in accordance with Article 45.03 -
