Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason (a) Employee shall not receive any of the benefits pursuant to this Section 5.2 unless he executes a general release in favor of the Company, in a form acceptable to the Company and substantially similar to the form attached hereto as Schedule B (the “Release”) within the consideration period specified therein (the “Release Review Period”) and until the Release becomes effective and can no longer be revoked by Employee under its terms. Employee’s ability to receive benefits pursuant to this Section 5.2 is further conditioned upon his: returning all Company property; complying with his post termination obligations under this Agreement and the Proprietary Information, Inventions and Non-Competition Agreement; and complying with the Release including without limitation any non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions contained therein.
(b) In the event that Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2 by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Company shall pay to Executive as severance twelve months of his annual Base Salary then in effect, together with an additional amount calculated by dividing by 365 the number of days employed in the year of termination and multiplying that number by the amount of the Executive’s previous year’s bonus (if any), such amount to be paid in one lump sum on the date the Release becomes effective, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings, provided, however, that if the Release Review Period begins in one tax year and ends in a later tax year, the payments under this Section 5.2(b) will be made following the date that the Release is effective that occurs in the later tax year . Additionally, if Executive timely elects and remains eligible for continued coverage under COBRA, the Company, as part of this Agreement, will pay that portion of Executive’s COBRA premiums it was paying prior to the Separation Date for twelve (12) months.
(c) In the event Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to Section 4.2, and not for Cause, death or Disability, all unvested equity awards shall become fully vested, all unvested stock options shall become fully vested and exercisable and any ISO’s issued to Executive will automatically convert to a non-qualified options on the 91st day following termination, provided it has not been exercised, subject to the terms of the applicable stock plan and option agreement.
Termination by the Company Without Cause or by the Executive with Good Reason During the Term, if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause as provided in Section 3(d), or the Executive terminates the Executive’s employment for Good Reason as provided in Section 3(e), then the Company shall pay the Executive the Accrued Benefit. In addition, subject to the Executive signing a separation agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Separation Agreement and Release”) and the Separation Agreement and Release becoming fully effective, all within the time frame set forth in the Separation Agreement and Release but in no event more than 60 days after the Date of Termination:
(i) the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to nine months of the Executive’s Base Salary (the “Severance Amount”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive breaches any of the provisions contained in the Restrictive Covenants Agreement, all payments of the Severance Amount shall immediately cease; and
(ii) if the Executive properly elects to receive benefits under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”), nine months of COBRA premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents at the Company’s normal rate of contribution for employees for the Executive’s coverage at the level in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination; provided, however, if the Company determines that it cannot pay such amounts without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), provided that the Executive is enrolled in the Company’s health care programs immediately prior to the Date of Termination, the Company will in lieu thereof provide to the Executive a taxable monthly payment in an amount equal to the portion of the COBRA premiums for the Executive and the Executive’s eligible dependents to continue the Executive’s group health coverage in effect on the Date of Termination at the Company’s normal rate of contribution for employee coverage at the level in effect immediately prior to the Date of Termination for a period of nine months. For the avoidance of doubt, the taxable payments described above may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to, continuation coverage under COBRA; and
(iii) the amounts payable under Section 4(b)(i) and (ii), to the extent taxable, shall be paid out in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s payroll practice over nine months commencing on the first payroll date following the effective date of the Separation Agreement and Release and, in any case, within 60 days after the Date of Termination; provided, however, that if the 60-day period begins in one calendar year and ends in a second calendar year, the Severance Amount to the extent it qualifies as “non-qualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, shall begin to be paid no earlier than the first Company payroll date in the second calendar year and, in any case, by the last day of such 60-day period; provided, further, that the initial payment shall include a catch-up payment to cover amounts retroactive to the day immediately following the Date of Termination. Each payment pursuant to this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).
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 by the Company Without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason Except as provided in Section 6(f) below, upon a termination of Executive’s employment by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason, Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Benefits and, subject to Executive’s execution and non-revocation of the release described in Section 6(g) and Executive’s compliance with Executive’s obligations under Section 8, the following severance payments and benefits (collectively, the “Severance Benefits”):
(i) an amount equal to nine (9) months of Executive’s Base Salary at the rate in effect on the date of termination, payable in substantially equal installments in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices over the nine (9) month period following Executive’s termination date, commencing on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the Release Effective Date (as defined below), provided that the initial payment will include a catch-up payment to cover the period between Executive’s termination date and the date of such first payment and the remaining amounts shall be paid over the remainder of such nine (9) month period;
(ii) provided Executive and his eligible dependents timely and properly elect to continue health care coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), continued participation by Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents in the standard group medical, dental and vision plans of the Company as in effect from time to time, on substantially the same terms and conditions as such benefits are provided to employees during the applicable period, and reimbursement by the Company of the monthly COBRA premium paid by Executive for him and his eligible dependents for nine (9) months or, if earlier, until the date Executive is no longer eligible to receive COBRA continuation coverage; provided, however, in the event the Company determines that such provisions would subject Executive to taxation under Section 105(h) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), or otherwise violate any healthcare law or regulation, then, in lieu of reimbursing Executive, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to the amount Executive would be required to pay for continuation of group health coverage for Executive and his eligible dependents through an election under COBRA for nine (9) months, which amount shall be paid in a lump sum at the same time payments under Section 5(e)(i) commence and is intended to assist Executive with costs of health coverage, which Executive may (but is not required to) obtain through an election to continue health care coverage under COBRA; and
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 by the Company for Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment pursuant to the terms of this Agreement at any time for Cause (as defined below) by giving the Executive written notice of termination. Such termination shall become effective upon the giving of such notice. Upon any such termination for Cause, or in the event the Executive terminates his employment with the Company without Good Reason (as defined in Section 6(c)), then the Executive shall have no right to compensation, or reimbursement under Section 4, or to participate in any Executive benefit programs under Section 5, except as may otherwise be provided for by law, for any period subsequent to the effective date of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean: (i) the Executive is convicted of, or pleads guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony related to the business of the Company; (ii) the Executive, in carrying out his duties hereunder, has acted with gross negligence or intentional misconduct resulting, in any case, in material harm to the Company; (iii) the Executive misappropriates Company funds or otherwise defrauds the Company including a material amount of money or property; (iv) the Executive breaches his fiduciary duty to the Company resulting in material profit to him, directly or indirectly; (v) the Executive materially breaches any agreement with the Company and fails to cure such breach within 10 days of receipt of notice, unless the act is incapable of being cured; (vi) the Executive breaches any provision of Section 8 or Section 9; (vii) the Executive becomes subject to a preliminary or permanent injunction issued by a United States District Court enjoining the Executive from violating any securities law administered or regulated by the SEC; (viii) the Executive becomes subject to a cease and desist order or other order issued by the SEC after an opportunity for a hearing; (ix) the Executive refuses to carry out a resolution adopted by the Company’s Board at a meeting in which the Executive was offered a reasonable opportunity to argue that the resolution should not be adopted; or (x) the Executive abuses alcohol or drugs in a manner that interferes with the successful performance of his duties.
Voluntary Termination by the Executive Without Good Reason If the Executive terminates employment without Good Reason, the Executive shall receive the Base Salary and expense reimbursement to which the Executive is entitled through the date on which termination becomes effective.
Termination of Employment by the Company for Cause (i) Nothing herein shall prevent the Company from terminating Employee’s Employment for Cause (as hereinafter defined). From and after the Date of Termination, Employee shall no longer be entitled to receive Base Salary and Bonus Compensation and the Company shall no longer be required to pay premiums on any life insurance or disability policy for Employee. Any rights and benefits which Employee may have in respect of any other compensation or any employee benefit plans or programs of the Company, whether pursuant to Section 4(c) or otherwise, shall be determined in accordance with the terms of such other compensation arrangements or plans or programs. The term “Cause,” as used herein, shall mean: (A) Employee’s conviction, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony; (B) Employee’s engaging in willful misconduct that is economically injurious to the Company (including, but not limited to, a willful violation of Sections 10 or 11 of this Agreement or the embezzlement of funds or misappropriation of other property of the Company or any subsidiary); or (C) Employee shall breach this Agreement in a material manner or engage in fraudulent conduct as regards the Company which results either in personal enrichment to Employee or material injury to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, under no circumstances shall Employee’s refusal or unwillingness to make any of the certifications required of him as Chief Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to Section 302 or Section 906 of the Sxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, or any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, or any similar requirements of any federal, state, local or foreign governmental authority or agency, or of any national securities exchange or quotation system on which any class or series of the Company’s capital stock is then traded or listed for quotation, constitute or give rise to a basis for termination for “Cause.”
(ii) The Company shall provide Employee with Notice of Termination stating that it intends to terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause under this Section 8(c) and specifying the particular act or acts on the basis of which the Board intends to terminate Employee’s Employment. Employee shall then be given the opportunity, within 15 days of his receipt of such notice, to have a meeting with the Board to discuss such act or acts (other than with respect to an action described in Sections 8(c)(i)(A) or (B) above as to which the Board may immediately terminate Employee’s Employment for Cause). Other than with respect to an action described in Sections 8(c)(i)(A) or (B) above, Employee shall be given seven days after his meeting with the Board to take reasonable steps to cease or correct the performance (or nonperformance) giving rise to such Notice of Termination. In the event the Board determines that Employee has failed within such seven-day period to take reasonable steps to cease or correct such performance (or nonperformance), Employee shall be given the opportunity, within 10 days of his receipt of written notice to such effect, to have a meeting with the Board to discuss such determination. Following that meeting, if the Board believes that Employee has failed to take reasonable steps to cease or correct his performance (or nonperformance) as above described, the Board may thereupon terminate the Employment of Employee for Cause.
Termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive Without Good Reason If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment for Cause or the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, the Executive shall have no rights or claims against the Company except to receive the payments and benefits described in Section 6(a).
Termination by Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason If Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by Executive for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to Executive (A) his Base Salary and accrued vacation pay through the Date of Termination, as soon as practicable following the Date of Termination, and (B) a payment equal to two times Executive's current base scheduled annual salary and two times the average total additional compensation (i.e., bonus, pension, 401(k) Company contributions, medical benefits and car allowance) for the two (2) preceding fiscal years of the Company ending prior to termination within seven (7) calendar days following the Date of Termination; provided, however, if the Executive has previously given a notice not to extend the Employment Period pursuant to Section 2, the payment referred to in this subsection (i) shall not be made;
(ii) the Company shall maintain in full force and effect, for the continued benefit of Executive, his spouse and his dependents for a period of three (3) years following the Date of Termination the medical, hospitalization, dental, disability and life insurance programs in which Executive, his spouse and his dependents were participating immediately prior to the Date of Termination at the level in effect and upon substantially the same terms and conditions (including without limitation contributions required by Executive for such benefits) as existed immediately prior to the Date of Termination; provided, that if Executive, his spouse or his dependents cannot continue to participate in the Company programs providing such benefits, the Company shall arrange to provide Executive, his spouse and his dependents with the economic equivalent of such benefits which they otherwise would have been entitled to receive under such plans and programs ("Continued Benefits"), provided, that such Continued Benefits shall terminate on the date or dates Executive receives substantially equivalent coverage and benefits, without waiting period or pre-existing condition limitations, under the plans and programs of a subsequent employer (such coverage and benefits to be determined on a coverage-by-coverage, or benefit-by-benefit, basis); and
(iii) the Company shall reimburse Executive pursuant to Section 5(d) for reasonable expenses incurred, but not paid prior to such termination of employment;
(iv) Executive shall be entitled to any other rights, compensation and/or benefits as may be due to Executive in accordance with the terms and provisions of any agreements, plans or programs of the Company;
(v) all stock options and other pension or employment benefits granted to Executive prior to the Date of Termination shall fully vest as of the Date of Termination (inclusive of any granted to Executive prior to the Employment Period);
(vi) the Company shall forgive and cancel all loans made by the Company or any Affiliate to Executive, if any, and shall take all actions and execute all documents necessary to evidence the forgiveness and cancellation of such loans; and
(vii) the Company shall eliminate any and all restrictions on Executive's ability either to engage in any activities, directly or indirectly, in competition with the Company (including, without limitation, the restrictions set forth in Section 10(c) of this Agreement but not the restrictions set forth in Sections 10(a) and (b)), or to make any investment in competition with the Company, and shall execute all documents necessary or reasonably requested by Executive to reflect such elimination of restrictions. The foregoing notwithstanding, the total of the severance payments payable under this Section 8(a) shall be reduced to the extent the payment of such amounts would cause Executive's total termination benefits (as determined by Executive's tax advisor) to constitute an "excess" parachute payment under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") and by reason of such excess parachute payment Executive would be subject to an excise tax under Section 4999(a) of the Code, but only if Executive determines that the after-tax value of the termination benefits calculated with the foregoing restriction exceed those calculated without the foregoing restriction.
