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 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 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 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 for Cause or Resignation without Good Reason If, during the Term of this Agreement, Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or Executive resigns his employment hereunder without Good Reason, the Company shall pay Executive the Termination Amounts, less standard deductions and withholdings. The Company shall thereafter have no further obligations to Executive under this Agreement, except as otherwise provided by law.
Termination Without Cause by the Company During the term of this Agreement and at times following the Company’s successfully consummating its first equity financing of $10 million or more in gross proceeds following the Effective Date (the “First Financing”), if the Company terminates the Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Paragraph 4(d) of this Agreement (a “Termination without Cause”), under circumstances that constitute a Involuntary Separation from Service with the Company (as defined for purposes of §409A of the Internal Revenue Code), the Company shall pay the Executive that ratable amount of Annual Compensation which the Executive would earn in 12 months based on Executive’s then-current salary and target bonus level (the “Severance Period”). Executive shall continue to participate in all other benefit plans during the Severance Period, except to the extent prohibited by law or any applicable employee benefit plan. All Stock Options granted to Executive which have vested prior to the final day of Executive’s employment under this Agreement (the “Termination Date”) shall remain vested and exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement. The Company will continue to vest Stock Options and stock awards during the Severance Period in accordance with the following vesting schedule:
(1) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the first year of the term of this Agreement, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement; and
(2) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the second year of the term of this Agreement, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the two (2) calendar quarters after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement; and
(3) If a Termination without Cause occurs during the third year of the term of this Agreement or thereafter, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the calendar quarter within which the Termination without Cause occurs shall vest and become exercisable on the Termination Date for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement and, in addition, all unvested Stock Options that would have vested during the three (3) calendar quarters after the occurrence of the Termination without Cause also shall vest and become exercisable for the exercise period set forth in Executive’s Option Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(d), if Executive receives a Termination without Cause prior to the First Financing, Executive shall receive no severance. Payment of the Executive’s separation pay benefit under this Section 5(d), if any, shall be made as follows:
(i) Payment of the separation pay benefit shall commence as of the 30th day after the Executive’s Separation from Service, and shall continue in monthly installments thereafter until all 6 payments are made.
(ii) In the event the value of the separation pay benefit shall exceed two times the lesser of the Executive’s annualized compensation or the maximum amount that may be taken into account for qualified plan purposes (in each case, as determined in accordance with Treas. Reg. §1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)), the excess shall not be paid as provided in (i), above, but instead shall be paid in 6 equal monthly installments commencing as of the first of the month after the date that is six months after the Executive’s Separation from Service date.
(iii) In no event shall payments be accelerated, nor shall the Executive be eligible to defer payments to a later date.
Termination Without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason If the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company (other than for Cause, Disability or death) or the Executive resigns for Good Reason during the Term, then the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits, subject to compliance, where applicable, with the requirements in Section 4.4 below regarding release of claims, the Company shall:
(a) pay to the Executive in a lump sum (i) any unpaid base salary of the Executive, (ii) any accrued but unused and unpaid vacation pay of the Executive, (iii) any earned and unpaid bonuses of the Executive, and (iv) the amount of any unpaid compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest or earnings thereon) (provided that this clause (iv) shall not cause accelerated payment of amounts subject to Section 409A (as defined below) if not provided for under the terms by which such amounts were or are deferred), in each case of clauses (i) through (iv) through the Date of Termination (collectively, the “Accrued Obligations”);
(b) continue to provide to the Executive in accordance with the Company’s ordinary payroll practices, the Executive’s base salary for a period of time after the Date of Termination equal to 12 months (the “Severance Period”), with payments beginning as provided in 4.4 below;
(c) if and while the Executive and his or her family qualifies for and elects to participate in continuation health coverage under Section 4980B of the Code (“COBRA”), the Company will continue to pay the share of the premium for such coverage that it pays for active and similarly-situated employees who receive the same type of coverage until the earlier of (i) the end of the Severance Period or (ii) the date the Executive’s COBRA continuation coverage expires, unless the Company’s providing payments for COBRA will violate the nondiscrimination requirements of applicable law, in which case this benefit will not apply; and
(d) to the extent not previously paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive following the Executive’s termination of employment under any plan, program, policy, practice, contract or agreement of the Company (collectively, the “Other Benefits”).
Termination by the Executive Without Good Reason The Executive may terminate his employment on his own initiative for any reason upon 30 days’ prior written notice to the Company; provided, however, that during such notice period, the Executive shall reasonably cooperate with the Company (at no cost to the Executive) in minimizing the effects of such termination on the Company Group. Such termination shall have the same consequences as a termination for Cause under Section 6.2.
Termination by the Employee for Good Reason The Employee shall have the right to terminate for “Good Reason” upon thirty (30) days’ prior written notice. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean (i) the Company’s material breach of its obligations under this Agreement, including, without limitation, its obligation to pay salary to the Employee, (ii) a material and adverse diminution in the Employee’s job duties, responsibilities or authority, (iii) a change in the location where the Employee is required to perform his duties and responsibilities which exceeds fifty (50) miles from the location specified in Section 5 hereof, or (iv) a material reduction in the Employee’s base salary, it being intended that an individual or aggregate reduction of more than 10% from the Employee’s prior base salary level shall be considered material for purposes of this Agreement. Employee may not resign Employee’s employment for Good Reason unless (A) Employee gives the Company written notice of his objection to any event set forth above within 30 days following such event, (B) such event is not corrected, in all material respects, by the Company within 30 days following its receipt of such notice, and (C) Employee resigns his employment with the Company not more than 30 days following the expiration of the 30-day correction period described in the foregoing subclause (B). In the event of a termination pursuant to this Section, in addition to any other payments or benefits to which the Employee may be entitled under the Company’s benefit plans then in effect, the Company shall pay to the Employee, (i) his base salary through the date of termination, and (ii) provided that the Employee executes within 21 days after termination of employment and does not revoke a general release of claims against the Company and its affiliates, equityholders officers, directors, agents and employees as to employment, benefits and compensation related claims, in a form acceptable to the Company, an amount equal to one times (1.0x) the sum of Employee’s (a) base salary as of the date of termination and (b) Bonus Amount, payable in a single lump sum within 30 days after the date of termination. In the event a severance payment is made under this Section 7.E., the Company will pay to Employee a monthly payment on the first payroll date of each month equal to the COBRA cost of continued health and dental coverage under health and dental plans of the Company pursuant to Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code, less the amount that Employee would be required to contribute for health and dental coverage if Employee were an active employee, for a period of twelve (12) months from the termination date; provided, however, that this obligation shall cease at the end of the Benefits Period. These payments will commence on the Company’s first payroll date after the termination date and will continue until the end of the Benefit Period. For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of a termination under this Section 7.E., the Employee shall not be entitled to any other payments under this Agreement except for the Accrued Obligations or as set forth in the immediately preceding sentence.
