Term of Employment; Termination
(a) The “Term of Employment” shall commence on the date hereof and shall continue until December 31, 2024; provided, that, should the Executive’s employment by the Company be earlier terminated pursuant to Section 3(b) or by the Executive pursuant to Section 3(c), the Term of Employment shall end on the date of such earlier termination. The Company may extend the Term of Employment by an additional twelve months (“Additional Term”) pursuant to formal action by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors at least 90 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment, unless the Executive notifies the Company of his or her decision to decline any additional term before at least 120 days prior to the scheduled expiration date of the Term of Employment.
(b) Subject to the payments contemplated by Sections 3(f) through 3(i), the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Company:
(i) upon the death of Executive;
(ii) in the event that because of physical or mental disability Executive is unable to perform, and does not perform, in the view of the Company and as certified in writing by a competent medical physician, his or her duties hereunder for a continuous period of three consecutive months or any sixty working days out of any consecutive six month period;
(iii) for Cause (as defined in Section 3(d)) or Material Breach (as defined in Section 3(e));
(iv) upon the continuous poor or unacceptable performance of the Executive’s duties to the Companies (other than due to a physical or mental disability), which has remained uncured for a period of 90 days after delivery of notice by the Company to the Executive of such dissatisfaction with Executive’s performance, which notice shall describe in reasonable detail the areas of dissatisfaction; or
(v) for any other reason or no reason, it being understood that no reason is required. Executive acknowledges that no representations or promises have been made concerning the grounds for termination or the future operation of the Companies’ business, and that nothing contained herein or otherwise stated by or on behalf of any of the Companies modifies or amends the right of the Company to terminate Executive at any time, with or without Material Breach or Cause. Termination shall become effective upon the delivery by the Company to the Executive of notice specifying such termination and the reasons therefor (i.e., Section 3 (b)(i)-(v)), subject to the requirements for advance notice and an opportunity to cure provided in this Agreement, if and to the extent applicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, for purposes of this Agreement, any reference to “termination,” as it relates to a termination of the Executive’s employment, shall refer to a termination of employment which constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”).
(c) Subject to the payments contemplated by Section 3(f) and 3(i), the Term of Employment may be terminated at any time by the Executive:
(i) upon the death of Executive;
(ii) as a result of a material reduction in Executive’s authority, perquisites, position or responsibilities (other than such a reduction in perquisites which affects all of the Company’s senior executives on a substantially equal or proportionate basis), the relocation of the Company’s primary place of business or the relocation of Executive by any of the Companies to another office more than 75 miles from Boston, Massachusetts, or the Company’s willful, material violation of its obligations under this Agreement, in each case, after 60 days’ prior written notice to the Company and its Board of Directors and the Company’s failure thereafter to cure such reduction or violation; or
(iii) as a result of the Company’s willful and material violation of this Agreement, the Amended and Restated 2018 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Incentive Plan”), or any agreement between Executive and any of the Companies pertaining to awards made pursuant to the Incentive Plan or the Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in each case as such agreements or plans may be amended from time to time.
(d) For the purposes of this Section 3, “Cause” shall mean any of the following:
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.
Employment Termination Date The Employment Termination Date shall be as follows: (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by Executive’s death, the date of Executive’s death; (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to any other provision of this Agreement, the date specified in the Notice of Termination (the “Employment Termination Date”).
Employment Period Compensation In consideration of the other provisions of this Agreement, and the Executive’s agreement to execute a Release Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, in the event of his termination under relevant circumstances pursuant to which he would be paid severance benefits, ESC shall provide the Executive with the following payments and benefits, both those set forth in this section and elsewhere in this Agreement:
Employment Termination 12.1 Subject to the terms and conditions of the National Building and Construction Industry Award 2000, it is agreed that it is the company’s prerogative to determine the order of selection of employees for employment or retrenchment subject always to the following:
a) All relevant legislation governing unfair dismissal, discrimination, etc. will be observed;
b) Voluntary terminations will be encouraged as a first step;
c) The seniority of employees – within classifications, experience or skills held – will be considered by the company in selecting employees for retrenchment;
d) The Grievance Procedures set out in Clause 9 of this Agreement will apply in the event of any concerns arising regarding retrenchments.
Early Termination of the Employment Period Notwithstanding Section 1(b) hereof, the Employment Period shall end upon the earliest to occur of (i) a Termination For Cause, (ii) a Termination Without Cause, (iii) a Voluntary Termination, (iv) a Termination Due to Retirement, (v) a Termination Due to Disability, or (vi) a Termination Due to Death.
Compensation Following Termination of Employment In the event that Executive's employment hereunder is terminated, Executive shall be entitled to the following compensation and benefits upon such termination:
Expiration of Employment Term (i) In the event Executive elects not to extend the Employment Term pursuant to Section 1 and Executive’s employment has not been earlier terminated pursuant to Sections 7(a), (b), (c), or (e), the Employment Term shall expire and Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate as of the end of the day immediately preceding the commencement of a subsequent Renewal Term, and Executive shall be entitled to receive the Accrued Rights. Except as set forth in this Section 7(d)(i) and for any rights to indemnification and claims for liability insurance coverage under officer and director policies, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.
(ii) In the event the Company elects not to extend the Employment Term pursuant to Section 1 and Executive’s employment has not been earlier terminated pursuant to Sections 7(a), (b), (c), or (e), the Employment Term shall expire and Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate as of the end of the day immediately preceding the commencement of a subsequent Renewal Term, and Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and benefits applicable to a termination of Executive’s employment without Cause pursuant to Section 7(c) or Section 7(e), as applicable. Except as set forth in this Section 7(d)(ii) and for any rights to indemnification and claims for liability insurance coverage under officer and director policies, Executive shall have no further rights to any compensation or any other benefits under this Agreement.
Severance Compensation upon Termination of Employment 4.1 If the Executive’s employment with the Corporation or the Partnership shall be terminated (a) by the Corporation or Partnership other than for Cause or pursuant to Sections 3.6 or 3.7, or (b) by the Executive for Good Reason, then the Corporation and the Partnership shall:
(i) pay to the Executive as severance pay, within five days after termination, a lump sum payment equal to 250% of the sum of the Executive’s annual salary at the rate applicable on the date of termination and the average of the Executive’s annual bonus for the preceding two full fiscal years;
(ii) arrange to provide Executive, for a 12 month period (or such shorter period as Executive may elect), with disability, accident and health insurance substantially similar to those insurance benefits which Executive is receiving immediately prior to the date of termination to the extent obtainable upon reasonable terms; provided, however, if it is not so obtainable the Corporation shall pay to the Executive in cash the annual amount paid by the Corporation or the Partnership for such benefits during the previous year of the Executive’s employment. Benefits otherwise receivable by Executive pursuant to this Section 4.1(ii) shall be reduced to the extent comparable benefits are actually received by the Executive during such 12 month period following his termination (or such shorter period elected by the Executive), and any such benefits actually received by Executive shall be reported by the Executive to the Corporation; and
(iii) any options granted to Executive to acquire common stock of the Corporation, any restricted shares of common stock of the Corporation issued to the Executive and any other awards granted to the Executive under any employee benefit plan that have not vested shall immediately vest on said termination.
(a) The Executive shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor, except to the extent provided in Section 4.1 above, shall the amount of any payment provided for under this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned by the Executive as a result of employment by another employer or by insurance benefits after the date of termination, or otherwise.
(b) The provisions of this Agreement, and any payment provided for hereunder, shall not reduce any amounts otherwise payable, or in any way diminish the Executive’s existing rights, or rights which would accrue solely as a result of the passage of time, under any benefit plan of the Corporation or Partnership, or other contract, plan or arrangement.
Termination of Employment Period The Agreement Term shall terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following:
