Involuntary Termination Without Cause In the event of the Participant’s involuntary Termination by the Company without Cause, the vested portion of the Option shall remain exercisable until the earlier of (i) ninety (90) days from the date of such Termination, and (ii) the expiration of the stated term of the Option pursuant to Section 3(d) hereof.
Involuntary Termination in Connection with a Change in Control Notwithstanding anything contained herein, in the event of an Involuntary Termination prior to a Change in Control, if the Involuntary Termination (1) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect such Change in Control or (2) otherwise arose in connection with or in anticipation of such Change in Control, then the Executive shall, in lieu of the payments described in Section 4 hereof, be entitled to the Post-Change in Control Severance Payment and the additional benefits described in this Section 5 as if such Involuntary Termination had occurred within two (2) years following the Change in Control. The amounts specified in Section 5 that are to be paid under this Section 5(h) shall be reduced by any amount previously paid under Section 4. The amounts to be paid under this Section 5(h) shall be paid within sixty (60) days after the Change in Control Date of such Change in Control.
Constructive Termination The Executive may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder during the Change of Control Severance Period upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events (regardless of whether any other reason, other than Cause, for such termination exists or has occurred, including without limitation other employment), in which case the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided under Section 4(a) hereof:
(i) failure to elect or reelect or otherwise to maintain the Executive in the office or the position, or a substantially equivalent office or position, which the Executive held immediately prior to the Change of Control;
(ii) (A) a material adverse change in the nature or scope of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the position that the Executive held immediately prior to the Change of Control; (B) a reduction in the Executive’s base salary from the rates in effect immediately prior to the Change of Control or a material modification in the scope of the Executive’s right to participate in any bonus program offered to similarly-situated employees; or (C) the termination or denial of the Executive’s rights to Benefits at least as great in the aggregate as are payable thereunder immediately prior to the Change of Control or a reduction in the scope or value thereof other than a general reduction applicable to all similarly-situated employees;
(iii) a change in circumstances following the Change of Control, including, without limitation, a change in the scope of the business or other activities for which the Executive was responsible immediately prior to the Change of Control, which has rendered the Executive unable to carry out any material portion of the authorities, powers, functions, responsibilities or duties attached to the position held by the Executive immediately prior to the Change of Control, which situation is not remedied within 30 calendar days after written notice of such change given by the Executive;
(iv) the liquidation, dissolution, merger, consolidation or reorganization of FTD or transfer of all or substantially all of its business and/or assets, unless the successor or successors (by liquidation, merger, consolidation, reorganization, transfer or otherwise) to which all or substantially all of its business and/or assets have been transferred (directly or by operation of law) shall have assumed all duties and obligations of FTD under this Agreement; or
(v) the Executive is required to have his principal location of work changed to any location that is in excess of 50 miles from the Executive’s principal location of work immediately prior to the Change of Control. For purposes of this Agreement:
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 without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change of Control If during the period commencing three (3) months before and ending twelve (12) months after a Change of Control, (1) Executive terminates his employment with the Company (or any Affiliate) for Good Reason or (2) the Company (or any Affiliate) terminates Executive’s employment for other than Cause, Executive becoming Disabled or Executive’s death, then, subject to Section 4, Executive will receive the following severance from the Company:
Termination Without Cause; Termination for Good Reason Subject to Section 6(b) below, upon termination of the Employee’s employment with the Company by the Company without Cause (as defined in Section 5(f) below) or by the Employee for Good Reason (as defined in Section 5(f) below), other than as a result of death or Disability, the Company shall pay to or provide the Employee the following: (1) any unpaid base salary the Employee has earned through the date of termination, (2) any unpaid annual bonus that the Employee has earned with respect to a year ending prior to such termination, (3) 12 months of the Employee’s then current base salary paid on the Company’s normal payroll dates, (4) the pro-rated portion (based on the number of days in the year completed through the date of termination) of the Employee’s target bonus for the year of termination (paid on the normal date for the payment of the bonus), such amount to be paid only if the Employee has met his pro-rated objective performance targets through the date of termination, (5) an amount equal to the Employee’s target bonus for the year of termination, (6) the costs of COBRA continuation coverage for the Employee and his dependents from the date the Employee’s employment terminates through the earlier of (A) the first anniversary of such termination and (B) the date on which the Employee becomes entitled to health coverage of a similar type from another employer, plus/less (7) any positive/negative accrued vacation days. In addition to the foregoing, upon a termination of the Employee’s employment described in this Section 5(b), any stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance shares, restricted stock, share rights and all other similar types of equity incentives held by the Employee immediately prior to the termination of the Employee’s employment that, but for the termination of the Employee’s employment, would have become vested and, if applicable, exercisable by the first anniversary of the date of his termination of employment, will become immediately vested and, if applicable, exercisable. No amount shall be payable and no benefits shall be provided pursuant to this Section 5(b) until the Employee has executed a release and waiver agreement (substantially in the form attached hereto as Schedule C) releasing and waiving any claims against the Company and in which the Company releases and waives claims against the Employee and if the Employee is serving as a Director of the Company a valid and effective resignation from the Board unless the Employee beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of the Company’s Common Stock.
Employment Status Termination Following Change in Control (a) No benefits shall be payable under this Agreement unless there has been a Change in Control of the Company during the Term. You acknowledge that this Agreement does not constitute a contract of employment or impose on the Company any obligation to retain you as an employee. You may terminate your employment at any time, with or without Good Reason. If your employment with the Company terminates for any reason and subsequently a Change in Control shall have occurred, you shall not be entitled to any benefits hereunder.
(b) Any termination of your employment by the Company or by you following a Change in Control of the Company during the Term shall be communicated by written notice of termination that indicates the specific provision in this Agreement relied upon and sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of your employment under the provision so indicated ("Notice of Termination"). A Notice of Termination shall be delivered to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 6.
Involuntary Termination “Involuntary Termination” shall mean (i) without the Employee’s express written consent, the significant reduction of the Employee’s duties or responsibilities relative to the Employee’s duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction; provided, however, that a reduction in duties or responsibilities solely by virtue of the Company being acquired and made part of a larger entity (as, for example, when the Chief Financial Officer of Company remains as such following a Change of Control and is not made the Chief Financial Officer of the acquiring corporation) shall not constitute an “Involuntary Termination”; (ii) without the Employee’s express written consent, a substantial reduction, without good business reasons, of the facilities and perquisites (including office space and location) available to the Employee immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) without the Employee’s express written consent, a material reduction by the Company in the Base Compensation or Target Incentive of the Employee as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the ineligibility of the Employee to continue to participate in any long-term incentive plan of the Company; (iv) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the Employee is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the Employee’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (v) the relocation of the Employee to a facility or a location more than 50 miles from the Employee’s then present location, without the Employee’s express written consent; (vi) any purported termination of the Employee by the Company which is not effected for death or Disability or for Cause; or (vii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this agreement by any successors contemplated in Section 10 below.
Involuntary Termination for Cause If the Employee's employment is terminated for Cause, then the Employee shall not be entitled to receive severance payments. The Employee's benefits will be terminated under the Company's then existing benefit plans and policies in accordance with such plans and policies in effect on the date of termination.
Termination for Cause; Voluntary Termination (a) The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder at any time for Cause upon written notice to the Executive. The Executive may voluntarily terminate his employment hereunder at any time without Good Reason upon sixty (60) days prior written notice to the Company; provided, however, the Company reserves the right, upon written notice to the Executive, to accept the Executive’s notice of resignation and to accelerate such notice and make the Executive’s resignation effective immediately, or on such other date prior to Executive’s intended last day of work as the Company deems appropriate. It is understood and agreed that the Company’s election to accelerate Executive’s notice of resignation shall not be deemed a termination by the Company without Cause for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise or constitute Good Reason (as defined in Section 4.1) for purposes of Section 4.1 of this Agreement or otherwise.
(b) If the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2(a), the Executive shall, in full discharge of all of the Company’s obligations to the Executive, be entitled to receive, and the Company’s sole obligation under this Agreement or otherwise shall be to pay or provide to the Executive, the following (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”):
(i) the Executive’s earned, but unpaid, Base Salary through the final date of the Executive’s employment by the Company (the “Termination Date”), payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices;
(ii) the Executive’s accrued, but unused, vacation (in accordance with the Company’s policies);
(iii) expenses reimbursable under Section 3.2 above incurred on or prior to the Termination Date but not yet reimbursed; and
(iv) any amounts or benefits that are vested amounts or vested benefits or that the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice (with the exception of those, if any, relating to severance) on the Termination Date, in accordance with such plan, program, policy, or practice.
