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.
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 Following a Change in Control (a) If the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company or any Subsidiary during the Severance Period, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits provided by Section 4 unless such termination is the result of the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
(i) The Executive's death;
(ii) If the Executive becomes permanently disabled within the meaning of, and begins actually to receive disability benefits pursuant to, the long-term disability plan in effect for, or applicable to, Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control; or
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.
Termination Upon a Change in Control If Executive’s employment with the Employer is subject to a Termination within a Covered Period, then, in addition to Minimum Benefits, the Employer shall provide Executive the following benefits:
(i) On the sixtieth (60th) day following the Termination Date, the Employer shall pay Executive a lump sum payment in an amount equal to the Severance Amount.
(ii) Executive (and Executive’s dependents, as may be applicable) shall be entitled to the benefits provided in Section 4(e).
Change in Control For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" shall mean any of the following events:
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.
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.
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.
