Termination Benefits Before or More Than 12 Months After a Change in Control Sample Clauses

Open Split View

Download

Share

Cite

Termination Benefits Before or More Than 12 Months After a Change in Control 

Sample 1Sample 2

Save

Copy

Related to Termination Benefits Before or More Than 12 Months After a Change in Control

• Termination After a Change in Control You will receive Severance Benefits under this Agreement if, during the Term of this Agreement and after a Change in Control has occurred, your employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (other than on account of your Disability or death) or you resign for Good Reason.

• Termination After Change in Control Sections 9.2 and 9.3 set out provisions applicable to certain circumstances in which the Term may be terminated after Change in Control.

• Termination After Change of Control In the event that, before the expiration of the TERM and in connection with or within one year of a CHANGE OF CONTROL (as defined hereinafter) of either one of the EMPLOYERS, (A) the employment of the EMPLOYEE is terminated for any reason other than JUST CAUSE before the expiration of the TERM, (B) the present capacity or circumstances in which the EMPLOYEE is employed is changed before the expiration of the TERM, or (C) the EMPLOYEE's responsibilities, authority, compensation or other benefits provided under this AGREEMENT are materially reduced, then the following shall occur: (I) The EMPLOYERS shall promptly pay to the EMPLOYEE or to his beneficiaries, dependents or estate an amount equal to the sum of (1) the amount of compensation to which the EMPLOYEE would be entitled for the remainder of the TERM under this AGREEMENT, plus (2) the difference between (x) the product of three, multiplied by the total compensation paid to the EMPLOYEE for the immediately preceding calendar year as set forth on the Form W-2 of the EMPLOYEE, less (xx) the amount paid to the EMPLOYEE pursuant to clause (1) of this subparagraph (I); (II) The EMPLOYEE, his dependents, beneficiaries and estate shall continue to be covered under all BENEFIT PLANS of the EMPLOYERS at the EMPLOYERS' expense as if the EMPLOYEE were still employed under this AGREEMENT until the earliest of the expiration of the TERM or the date on which the EMPLOYEE is included in another employer's benefit plans as a full-time employee; and (III) The EMPLOYEE shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this AGREEMENT by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall any amounts received from other employment or otherwise by the EMPLOYEE offset in any manner the obligations of the EMPLOYERS thereunder, except as specifically stated in subparagraph (II). In the event that payments pursuant to this subsection (ii) would result in the imposition of a penalty tax pursuant to Section 280G(b)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder (hereinafter collectively referred to as "SECTION 280G"), such payments shall be reduced to the maximum amount which may be paid under SECTION 280G without exceeding such limits.

• 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.

• Qualifying Termination If, prior to Executive’s attainment of age 65, Executive’s employment is involuntarily terminated by the Company without Cause (and other than due to his Disability) or is voluntarily terminated by Executive for Good Reason, in either case only during the period commencing on the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company and ending on the second anniversary of date of the Change in Control (“Protection Period”), then the Company shall pay or provide Executive with: (i) Executive’s Accrued Obligations, payable in accordance with Section 8(a)(i); (ii) Any unpaid annual cash incentive award earned with respect to any fiscal year ending on or preceding the date of termination, payable when awards are paid generally to senior executives for such year; (iii) A pro-rated annual cash incentive for the fiscal year in which such termination occurs, the amount of which shall be based on target performance and a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days elapsed during the performance year through the date of termination and the denominator of which is 365, which pro-rated annual cash incentive award shall be paid when awards are paid generally to senior executives for such year; (iv) A lump sum severance payment in the aggregate amount equal to the product of (A) the sum of (1) Executive’s highest Base Salary during the Protection Period plus (2) his annual target annual cash incentive award multiplied by (B) two (2); provided, unless the Change of Control occurring on or preceding such termination also meets the requirements of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (or any successor provision) thereunder (a “409A Change in Control”), the amount payable to Executive under this subparagraph (iv) shall be paid to Executive in equal semi-monthly payroll installments over a period of twenty-four (24) months, not in a lump sum, to the extent necessary to avoid the application of Section 409A(a)(1)(A) and (B); (v) Subject to Executive’s continued co-payment of premiums, continued participation for two (2) years in the Company’s medical benefits plan which covers Executive and his eligible dependents upon the same terms and conditions (except for the requirements of Executive’s continued employment) in effect for active employees of the Company. In the event Executive obtains other employment that offers substantially similar or more favorable medical benefits, such continuation of coverage by the Company under this subsection shall immediately cease. The continuation of health benefits under this subsection shall reduce the period of coverage and count against Executive’s right to healthcare continuation benefits under COBRA; and (vi) Payments falling under Section 10(b)iv shall, if to be paid in a lump sum pursuant to such section, be paid within ten (10) business days after the Executive’s termination of employment. Provided, to the extent applicable under Section 409A as a “deferral of compensation,” and not as a “short-term deferral” under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), the payments and benefits payable to Executive under this Section 10(b) shall be subject to the Safe Harbor and Postponement provided at Section 8(c)(iv).

• Covered Termination “Covered Termination” shall mean Executive’s Constructive Termination or the termination of Executive’s employment by the Company other than for Cause.

• 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:

• Prior to a Change in Control Termination by Executive for Good Reason; Termination by the Company Other Than for Poor Performance, Cause or Disability. If, prior to a Change in Control and during the Executive’s Employment Period, the Company terminates Executive’s employment other than for Poor Performance, Cause or Disability, or Executive terminates employment for Good Reason within a period of 90 days after the occurrence of the event giving rise to Good Reason, then (and with respect to the payments and benefits described in clauses (ii) through (vii) below, only if Executive executes a Release in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto (the “Release”)): (i) the Company will pay to Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the sum of (A) Executive’s Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid, and (B) any accrued vacation pay to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the amounts described in clauses (A) and (B) will be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”); and (ii) for the longer of six months or until Executive becomes employed with a subsequent employer, but in no event to exceed the lesser of (A) 18 months from the Date of Termination or (B) the remaining term of Executive’s Employment Period (the “Normal Severance Period”), the Company will continue to pay Executive an amount equal to his monthly Base Salary, payable in equal monthly or more frequent installments as are customary under the Company’s payroll practices from time to time; provided, however, that the Company’s obligation to make or continue such payments will cease if Executive violates any of the Restrictive Covenants (as defined in Section 13(b) of this Agreement) and fails to remedy such violation to the satisfaction of the Board within 10 days of notice of such violation; and (iii) during the Normal Severance Period, if and to the extent Executive timely elects COBRA continuation coverage, the Company will pay for the full premium amount of such COBRA continuation coverage and will impute taxable income to the Executive equal to the full premium amount; provided, however that the Company’s obligation to provide such benefits will cease if Executive violates any of the Restrictive Covenants (as defined in Section 13(b) of this Agreement) and fails to remedy such violation to the satisfaction of the Board within 10 days of notice of such violation; provided further, that to the extent Executive continues COBRA continuation coverage beyond his Normal Severance Period, Executive will be responsible for paying the full cost of the COBRA continuation coverage in accordance with the procedures of the Company generally applicable to all qualified beneficiaries receiving COBRA continuation coverage; and (iv) not later than 30 days after the Date of Termination, Executive will be paid a bonus for the year in which the Date of Termination occurs in a lump sum cash amount equal to 100% of his Bonus Opportunity (prorated through the Date of Termination) adjusted up or down by reference to his year-to-date performance at the Date of Termination in relation to the prior established performance objectives under Executive’s bonus plan for such year; provided, however that the bonus payment described in this Section 8(b)(iv) will be reduced by the amount (if any) of the Bonus Opportunity that Executive had previously elected to receive in the form of restricted stock of the Company; and (v) all grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and similar Company stock-based awards (“Restricted Stock”) held by Executive as of the Date of Termination will become immediately vested as of the Date of Termination; and (vi) all of Executive’s options to acquire Common Stock of the Company, stock appreciation rights in Common Stock of the Company and similar Company stock-based awards (“Options”) that would have become vested (by lapse of time) within the 24-month period following the Date of Termination had Executive remained employed during such period will become immediately vested as of the Date of Termination; and (vii) notwithstanding the provisions of the applicable Option agreement, all of Executive’s vested but unexercised Options as of the Date of Termination (including those with accelerated vesting pursuant to Section 8(b)(vi) above) will remain exercisable through the earlier of (A) the original expiration date of the Option, or (B) the 90th day following the end of the Normal Severance Period; and (viii) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company will timely pay or provide to Executive his Other Benefits.

• Effective Date of Benefit Termination Medical, dental and life coverage termination will take effect on the first of the month following the loss of eligible employee or dependent status. Disability benefit coverage terminations will take effect on the day following loss of eligible employee status.

• Compensation After Termination a. If (i) the Company terminates Employee’s employment during the Employment Period pursuant to Section 4.1.a, 4.1.b, or 4.1.c hereof, (ii) either party terminates this Agreement pursuant to Article 2 hereof or (iii) Employee voluntarily terminates this Agreement pursuant to Section 4.1.d hereof, then the Employment Agreement and Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate and the Company shall have no further obligations hereunder or otherwise with respect to Employee’s employment from and after the termination or expiration date, except that the Company shall pay Employee’s Base Salary accrued through the date of termination or expiration and shall provide such benefits as are required by applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company terminates Employee pursuant to Section 4.1.a or 4.1.b, the Company will pay to Employee a pro rata share of any incentive compensation earned by Employee during the year in which such termination occurs, such incentive compensation to be determined and payable in the same manner and at the same time as it would have been had Employee’s employment not been terminated pursuant to Section 4.1.a or 4.1.b. b. If the Company terminates the Employee’s employment pursuant to Section 4.1.d hereof, then the Company shall have no further obligations hereunder or otherwise with respect to Employee’s employment from and after the termination date, except that, subject to receiving a signed separation agreement and general release of claims from Employee substantially in the form set out in attached Exhibit 1 to this Agreement, modified as necessary so as to be fully enforceable under current applicable law, Company shall pay Employee’s Base Salary through the end of the then current Employment Period and shall provide benefits as are required by applicable law. However, any payments under this Section 4.2.b. payable after termination of employment may be delayed as may be required by Section 7.12 hereof. Provided, however, if the termination of Employee’s employment results in compensation and benefits being provided to Employee pursuant to the Severance Agreement of even date herewith, Employee shall receive no compensation under this Section 4.2, except for Base Salary and benefits accrued through the date of termination or as are otherwise required by applicable law.