General Release of Claims by Executive 1.1 Executive, on behalf of himself or herself and his or her executors, heirs, administrators, representatives and assigns, hereby agrees to release and forever discharge the Company and all predecessors, successors and their respective parent corporations, affiliates, related, and/or subsidiary entities, and all of their past and present investors, directors, shareholders, officers, general or limited partners, employees, attorneys, agents and representatives, and the employee benefit plans in which Executive is or has been a participant by virtue of his or her employment with or service to the Company (collectively, the “Company Releasees”), from any and all claims, debts, demands, accounts, judgments, rights, causes of action, equitable relief, damages, costs, charges, complaints, obligations, promises, agreements, controversies, suits, expenses, compensation, responsibility and liability of every kind and character whatsoever (including attorneys’ fees and costs), whether in law or equity, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, suspected or unsuspected (collectively, “Claims”), that Executive has or may have had against such entities based on any events or circumstances arising or occurring on or prior to the date hereof or on or prior to the date hereof, arising directly or indirectly out of, relating to, or in any other way involving in any manner whatsoever Executive’s employment by or service to the Company or the termination thereof, including any and all claims arising under federal, state, or local laws relating to employment, including without limitation claims of wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, or liability in tort, and claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative agency including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. Section 2000, et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.; the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1866, and the Civil Rights Act of 1991; 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, et seq.; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq. (the “ADEA”); the Equal Pay Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. Section 206(d); regulations of the Office of Federal Contract Compliance, 41 C.F.R. Section 60, et seq.; the Family and Medical Leave Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 2601 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 201 et seq.; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq.; and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, California Government Code Section 12940, et seq. Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, Executive does not release the following claims:
(a) Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law;
(b) Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms of any worker’s compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company;
(c) Claims pursuant to the terms and conditions of the federal law known as COBRA;
(d) Claims for indemnity under the bylaws of the Company, as provided for by Delaware law or under any applicable insurance policy with respect to Executive’s liability as an employee, director or officer of the Company;
(e) Claims based on any right Executive may have to enforce the Company’s executory obligations under the Agreement; and
(f) Claims Executive may have to vested or earned compensation and benefits.
1.2 EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT EXECUTIVE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF AND IS FAMILIAR WITH THE PROVISIONS OF CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS: BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, EXECUTIVE HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES ANY RIGHTS EXECUTIVE MAY HAVE THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR EFFECT.
1.3 Executive acknowledges that this Release was presented to him or her on the date indicated above and that Executive is entitled to have 21 days’ time in which to consider it. Executive further acknowledges that the Company has advised Executive that Executive is waiving his or her rights under the ADEA, and that Executive may obtain advice concerning this Release from an attorney of his or her choice, and Executive has had sufficient time to consider the terms of this Release. Executive represents and acknowledges that if Executive executes this Release before 21 days have elapsed, Executive does so knowingly, voluntarily, and upon the advice and with the approval of Executive’s legal counsel (if any), and that Executive voluntarily waives any remaining consideration period.
1.4 Executive understands that after executing this Release, Executive has the right to revoke it within seven days after his or her execution of it. Executive understands that this Release will not become effective and enforceable unless the seven-day revocation period passes and Executive does not revoke the Release in writing. Executive understands that this Release may not be revoked after the seven-day revocation period has passed. Executive also understands that any revocation of this Release must be made in writing and delivered to the Company at its principal place of business within the seven-day period.
1.5 Executive understands that this Release shall become effective, irrevocable, and binding upon Executive on the eighth day after my execution of it, so long as Executive has not revoked it within the time period and in the manner specified in clause (d) above. Executive further understands that Executive will not be given any severance benefits under the Agreement until the effective date of this Release.
Release by Executive (a) Except for any obligations or covenants of the Company pursuant to this Agreement and as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, Executive, for himself/herself and his/her heirs, executors, administrators, assigns, successors and agents (collectively, the “Executive’s Affiliates”) hereby fully and without limitation releases and forever discharges the Company and its Related Entities, and each of their respective agents, representatives, stockholders, owners, officers, directors, employees, consultants, attorneys, auditors, accountants, investigators, affiliates, successors and assigns (collectively, the “Company Releasees”), both individually and collectively, from any and all waivable rights, claims, demands, liabilities, actions, causes of action, damages, losses, costs, expenses and compensation, of whatever nature whatsoever, known or unknown, fixed or contingent, which Executive or any of Executive’s Affiliates has or may have or may claim to have against the Company Releasees by reason of any matter, cause, or thing whatsoever, from the beginning of time to the Effective Date (“Claims”), arising out of, based upon, or relating to his/her employment or the termination of his/her employment with the Company and its Related Entities and/or his/her service as an officer of any of the Company Releasees, any agreement or compensation arrangement between Executive and any of the Company Releasees, to the maximum extent permitted by law.
(b) Executive specifically and expressly releases any Claims arising out of or based on: the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the National Labor Relations Act and the Equal Pay Act, as the same may be amended from time to time; the California common law on fraud, misrepresentation, negligence, defamation, infliction of emotional distress or other tort, breach of contract or covenant, violation of public policy or wrongful termination; state or federal wage and hour laws, and other provisions of the California Labor Code, to the extent these may be released herein as a matter of law; or any other state or federal law, rule, or regulation dealing with the employment relationship, except those claims which may not be released herein as a matter of law.
(c) Nothing contained in this Section 9 or any other provision of this Agreement shall release or waive any right that Executive has to indemnification and/or reimbursement of expenses by the Company and its Related Entities with respect to which Executive may be eligible as provided in California Labor Code section 2802, the Company’s and its Related Entities’ Certificates of Incorporation, Bylaws and any applicable directors and officers, errors & omissions, umbrella or general liability insurance policies, any indemnification agreements, including the Employment Agreement; or any other applicable source, nor prevent Executive from cooperating in an investigation of the Company by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”).
Release of Unknown Claims Employee expressly waives and relinquishes all rights and benefits afforded by any statute (including, but not limited to, Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California and analogous laws of other states), which limits the effect of a release with respect to unknown claims. Employee does so understanding and acknowledging the significance of the release of unknown claims and the waiver of statutory protection against a release of unknown claims (including, but not limited to, Section 1542). Section 1542 of the Civil Code of the State of California states as follows: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR OR RELEASING PARTY DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE AND THAT, IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER, WOULD HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR OR RELEASED PARTY.” Thus, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 1542 or of any similar statute, and for the purpose of implementing a full and complete release and discharge of the Company Releasees, Employee expressly acknowledges that this Agreement is intended to include in its effect, without limitation, all Claims which are known and all Claims which Employee does not know or suspect to exist in Employee’s favor at the time of execution of this Agreement and that this Agreement contemplates the extinguishment of all such Claims. Employee acknowledges that he/she might hereafter discover facts different from, or in addition to, those Employee now knows or believes to be true with respect to a Claim or Claims released herein, and they expressly agree to assume the risk of possible discovery of additional or different facts, and agree that this Agreement shall be and remain effective, in all respects, regardless of such additional or different discovered facts.
Release by Employee As a material inducement to NPS to enter into this Agreement and in consideration for the payment of the amount set forth in this Agreement, you, for yourself and for all persons claiming by, through, or under you, hereby absolutely, irrevocably, completely and unconditionally release and discharge NPS and each of NPS's subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers, employees, representatives, attorneys and all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with any of them ("Releasees") of and from any and all claims, demands, charges, grievances, damages, debts, liabilities, accounts, costs, attorney's fees, expenses, liens, future rights, and causes of action of every kind and nature whatsoever based on or in any way arising out of events or omissions occurring prior to the effective date of this Agreement ("Claims"). The Claims from which you are releasing Releasees herein include, without limitation, breach of implied or express contract, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, libel, slander, wrongful discharge or termination, infliction of emotional distress, discrimination and any other claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Utah Antidiscrimination Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN Act), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and all other laws prohibiting age, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, color, disability and other forms of discrimination, claims growing out of any legal restrictions on NPS's right to terminate its employees, and all other claims arising in any way out of your employment relationship with NPS or the termination of that relationship, whether now known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, including future rights, based upon or in any way arising out of events or omissions occurring prior to the effective date of this Agreement. You specifically waive any and all claims for back pay, front pay, or any other form of compensation, except as set forth herein. You hereby waive any right to recover damages, costs, attorneys' fees, and any other relief in any proceeding or action brought against NPS by any other party, including without limitation the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Utah Antidiscrimination and Labor Division, the New Jersey Division of Civil Rights, or other administrative agency asserting any claim, charge, demand, grievance, or cause of action related to your employment relationship with NPS or the termination of that relationship. You are not waiving your rights, if any, to unemployment insurance benefits or workers' compensation benefits. You further do not waive any rights you may have under the terms of NPS's pension or other NPS employee benefit plans. You also do not waive any claims or rights under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act which may arise from events occurring after the date of this Agreement.
General Release of Claims Employee knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges the Company from any and all claims, rights, causes of action, demands, fees costs, expenses, including attorneys’ fees, and liabilities of any kind whatsoever, whether known or unknown, against the Company, that Employee has, has ever had or may have as of the date of execution of this Agreement and General Release, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of: ● The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; ● The Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990; ● The National Labor Relations Act, as amended; ● Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; ● The Civil Rights Act of 1991; ● Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code, as amended; ● The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; ● The Immigration Reform and Control Act, as amended; ● The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; ● The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, as amended; ● The Occupational Safety and Health Act, as amended; ● The Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; ● All other federal, state or local civil or human rights laws, whistleblower laws, or any other local, state or federal law, regulations and ordinances; ● All public policy, contract, tort, or common laws; and ● All allegations for costs, fees, and other expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in these matters. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the sole matters to which the Agreement and General Release do not apply are: (i) Employee’s rights of indemnification and directors and officers liability insurance coverage to which the Executive was entitled immediately prior to __________ __, 20__ with regard to the Executive’s service as an officer and director of the Company (including, without limitation, under Article 15 of the Severance Agreement); (ii) Employee’s rights under any tax-qualified pension plan or claims for accrued vested benefits under any other employee benefit plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Company or under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended; (iii) Employee’s rights under Article 7 or Article 11 of the Severance Agreement, as the case may be; and (iv) Employee’s rights as a stockholder of the Company.
Release of Releasees
(1) Upon the Effective Date, and in consideration of payment of the Settlement Amount, and for other valuable consideration set forth in the Settlement Agreement, the Releasors forever and absolutely release the Releasees from the Released Claims that any of them, whether directly, indirectly, derivatively, or in any other capacity, ever had, now have, or hereafter can, shall, or may have.
Representations by Executive Executive warrants that Executive is legally competent to execute this Agreement and that Executive has not relied on any statements or explanations made by the Company or its attorneys. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been afforded the opportunity to be advised by legal counsel regarding the terms of this Agreement, including the Release. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been offered at least 21 days to consider this Agreement. After being so advised, and without coercion of any kind, Executive freely, knowingly, and voluntarily enters into this Agreement. Executive acknowledges that Executive may revoke this Agreement within seven days after Executive has signed this Agreement and acknowledges understanding that this Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until seven days after Executive has signed this Agreement (the “Effective Date”), as evidenced by the date set forth below Executive’s signature on the signature page hereto. Any revocation must be in writing and directed to [_______________]. If sent by mail, any revocation must be postmarked within the seven-day period described above and sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
Release of Claims Executive agrees that the foregoing consideration represents settlement in full of all outstanding obligations owed to Executive by the Company. Executive, on behalf of Executive, and Executive’s respective heirs, family members, executors and assigns, hereby fully and forever releases the Company and its past, present and future officers, agents, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, affiliates, divisions, subsidiaries, parents, predecessor and successor corporations, and assigns, from, and agrees not to xxx or otherwise institute or cause to be instituted any legal or administrative proceedings concerning any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that Executive may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and including the Effective Date of this Agreement including, without limitation,
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Executive’s employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Executive’s right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the Company, including, without limitation, any claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of duty under applicable state corporate law, and securities fraud under any state or federal law;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith and fair dealing, both express and implied; promissory estoppel; negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage; unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault; battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion;
(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code section 201, et seq. and section 970, et seq. and all amendments to each such Act as well as the regulations issued under each such Act;
(e) any and all claims for violation of the federal, or any state, constitution;
(f) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
(g) any and all claims for attorneys’ fees and costs. Executive agrees that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters released. This release does not extend to any severance obligations due Executive under the Management Retention Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement waives Executive’s rights to indemnification or any payments under any fiduciary insurance policy, if any, provided by any act or agreement of the Company, state or federal law or policy of insurance.
Waiver and Release of Claims In consideration of, and subject to, the payment to be made to me by ____________ (the “Employer”) of the "Severance Payment" and the “Prorated Target Bonus Amount” (in each case as defined in the Severance Agreement, dated as of _________, entered into between me and the Company (the "Agreement")), I hereby waive any claims I may have for employment or re-employment by the Employer or any parent or subsidiary of the Employer after the date hereof, and I further agree to and do release and forever discharge the Employer and any parent or subsidiary of the Employer, and their respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, insurers, employees and agents from any and all claims and causes of action, known or unknown, arising out of or relating to my employment with the Employer or any parent or subsidiary of the Employer, or the termination thereof, including, but not limited to, wrongful discharge, breach of contract, tort, fraud, the Civil Rights Acts, Age Discrimination in Employment Act as amended by the Older Workers’ Benefits Protection Act, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, Americans with Disabilities Act, or any other federal, state or local legislation or common law relating to employment or discrimination in employment or otherwise; provided however, that no claim that I may have against the Employer in any capacity other than as an Employer shall be waived pursuant to this Waiver and Release. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision hereof, nothing in this Waiver and Release of Claims shall adversely affect (i) my rights to ongoing Severance Benefits under the terms of the Agreement; (ii) my rights to benefits (other than severance payments or benefits) under plans, programs and arrangements of the Employer or any parent or subsidiary of the Employer; (iii) my rights to indemnification under any indemnification agreement, applicable law or the certificates of incorporation or bylaws of the Employer or any parent or subsidiary of the Employer, (iv) my rights under any director's and officers' liability insurance policy covering me, (v) my workers compensation rights, or (vi) my unemployment insurance rights. I acknowledge that I have signed this Waiver and Release of Claims voluntarily, knowingly, of my own free will and without reservation or duress, and that no promises or representations have been made to me by any person to induce me to do so other than the promise of payment set forth in the first paragraph above and the Employer’s acknowledgment of my rights reserved under the second paragraph above. I understand that this release will be deemed to be an application for benefits under the Agreement and that my entitlement thereto shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Agreement and any applicable plan. I expressly hereby consent to such terms and conditions. I acknowledge that (i) I am waiving any rights or claims I might have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“ADEA”); (ii) I have received consideration beyond that to which I was previously entitled; (iii) I have been given forty-five (45) days to review and consider this Waiver and Release of Claims (unless I have signed a written waiver of such review and consideration period); (iv) I have had the opportunity to consult with an attorney or other advisor of my choice and have been advised by the Company to do so if I choose; and (vi) I have been separately furnished a written schedule of all persons, listed by job title and age, within the affected decisional unit who were selected and not selected for the benefits extended by this Agreement, as may be required by the ADEA. I may revoke this Waiver and Release of Claims seven days or less after its execution by providing written notice to the Employer. I acknowledge that it is my intention and the intention of the Employer in executing this Waiver and Release of Claims that the same shall be effective as a bar to each and every claim, demand and cause of action hereinabove specified. In furtherance of this intention, I hereby expressly waive any and all rights and benefits conferred upon me by the provisions of SECTION 1542 OF THE CALIFORNIA CIVIL CODE, to the extent applicable to me, and expressly I consent that this Waiver and Release of Claims shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and provisions, including as well those related to unknown and unsuspected claims, demands and causes of action, if any, as well as those relating to any other claims, demands and causes of action hereinabove specified. SECTION 1542 provides: "A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR." I acknowledge that I may hereafter discover claims or facts in addition to or different from those which I now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of this Waiver and Release of Claims and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this Waiver and Release of Claims, may have materially affected this settlement. Finally, I acknowledge that I have read this Waiver and Release of Claims and understand all of its terms. ____________ (the “Old Employer”) and ______________ (the “Executive”) have entered into a Severance Agreement dated ______________ (the “Agreement”). The Executive is transferring employment from the Old Employer to ____________ (the “New Employer”), effective ________. The fourth bullet of the Agreement provides that, if the Executive transfers to the Company or an Affiliate, the Old Employer shall assign the Agreement to the Company or Affiliate. To order to carry out the provisions of the fourth bullet of the Agreement –
Covenants by Executive 5.1 As of the Effective Date, Executive is a party to the Proprietary Information and Additional Covenants Agreement between Executive and Forge (the “PICA”). Subject to § 5.9 below, Executive shall comply with all applicable terms and conditions of the PICA throughout the Term hereof, and hereby agrees to execute and comply with any amendments to or updated versions of the PICA that Forge may require of its officers and employees from time to time. Future amendments or updated versions will be automatically incorporated into this Employment Agreement upon execution thereof and will revise or replace the previous PICA, each such amended or new version of the PICA subject to § 5.9 below, and all references to “PICA” in this Employment Agreement will be interpreted as referring to the then-current version of the PICA executed by the Executive; provided, however, references to “PICA” in § 4.2(c)(4) shall refer to the PICA in effect on the date hereof or any subsequent form of the PICA which Executive explicitly agrees to incorporate into § 4.2(c)(4). Capitalized terms used in this § 5 but not defined in this Employment Agreement will have the meaning provided in the PICA. If there is a conflict between this § 5 and the PICA, this § 5 will control but only with respect to the conflicting provisions and to the extent necessary to resolve the conflict.
5.2 Except as otherwise set forth below, Executive will be subject to a “Restricted Period” beginning on the effective date of the termination or expiration of this Employment Agreement and continuing for 18 months thereafter (or, in the case of Section 5.5, for a period of 12 months thereafter). For purposes of §§ 5.3-5.5 below, Forge expressly includes its successors and assigns, direct and indirect subsidiaries, or any other entity or person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by, or is under common control with, Forge. For the avoidance of doubt, the Restricted Period shall not apply for purposes of §§ 5.4‑5.5, below, if Executive resigns other than for Good Reason (excluding, however, terminations where the Board concludes that grounds for Cause exists).
