Separation from Employment You will, upon separation from employment with the Company and its subsidiaries for any reason (such as termination, resignation, death or disability) (each, a “Separation”), receive such salary and other benefits as have accrued as of the date and time of Separation, and as may otherwise be required by law, as well as such Salary, bonuses and benefits as may be due and owing under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, in the event that the Company determines in good faith that your Separation is not considered a “separation from service” under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) because (a) you have not separated but have changed status to a part time employee, consultant or independent contractor performing more than 20% of the average level of bona fide services (whether as an employee, consultant or independent contractor) you performed over the immediately preceding 36-month period, or (b) you are continuing employment with another entity that is considered a single entity with the Company (“Employer Group”) under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), any Severance Benefits to which you may be entitled under other provisions of this Agreement shall begin immediately when your status changes such that the Company determines that you have “separated from service” under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h). For this purpose, service performed as an employee or as an independent contractor is counted, except that service as a member of the board of directors of a member of the Employer Group is not counted unless termination benefits under this Agreement are aggregated for purposes of Section 409A of the Code with benefits under any other Employer Group plan or agreement in which you also participate as a director. Notwithstanding any provisions of this Agreement to the contrary, if you are a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and determined pursuant to procedures adopted by the Company) at the time of your separation from service and if any portion of the payments or benefits to be received by you upon separation from service would be considered deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, amounts that would otherwise be payable pursuant to this Agreement during the six-month period immediately following your separation from service shall instead be paid or made available, with interest at the Wall Street Journal prime rate as of the date of separation from service, on the earlier of (i) the first business day of the seventh month following the date of your separation from service or (ii) your death.
Resignation of Employment The Executive confirms his/her resignation of his/her employment and of his/her position as an officer of the Company effective (the “Resignation Date”). The parties hereby acknowledge and agree that the Executive’s resignation of employment constitutes a “separation from service” from the Company within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (a “Separation from Service”). As of the Resignation Date, the Employment Agreement shall automatically terminate and be of no further force and effect, and neither the Company nor the Executive shall have any further obligations thereunder, except as expressly provided herein. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be obligated to Executive for severance payments and continuation of benefits as contemplated by Section 7 of the Employment Agreement and as set forth in Section 3 below.
Separation from Service A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment unless such termination also constitutes a “Separation from Service” within the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment,” “separation from service” or like terms shall mean Separation from Service.
Resignation from Positions Upon termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall, as may be requested by the Company, resign from any position he then holds as an officer, director or fiduciary of the Company or any Company-related entity. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Executive shall execute and deliver to the Company any letters, documents and other instruments necessary or appropriate to effect such resignation.
Voluntary Termination of Employment If during the Employment Term, Executive terminates his employment under circumstances other than those specified elsewhere in this Section 8, Executive shall be entitled to the payments and benefits specified in Section 8(a).
Involuntary Termination of Employment If the Executive does not exercise his withdrawal rights pursuant to Subsection 2.2, and the Executive's employment with the Bank is involuntarily terminated for any reason, including a termination due to disability of the Executive but excluding termination for Cause, or termination following a Change in Control within thirty-six (36) months of such Change in Control, within thirty (30) days of such involuntary termination of employment, the Bank shall be required to make an immediate lump sum Contribution to the Executive's Retirement Income Trust Fund in an amount equal to: (i) the full Contribution required for the Plan Year in which such involuntary termination occurs, if not yet made, plus (ii) the present value (computed using a discount rate equal to the Interest Factor) of all remaining Contributions to the Retirement Income Trust Fund; provided however, that, if necessary, an additional amount shall be contributed to the Retirement Income Trust Fund which is sufficient to provide the Executive with after tax benefits (assuming a constant tax rate equal to the rate in effect as of the date of the Executive's termination) beginning at his Benefit Age, equal in amount to that benefit which would have been payable to the Executive if no secular trust had been implemented and the benefit obligation had been accrued under APB Opinion No. 12, as amended by FAS 106.
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.
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:
Termination of Employment Severance Your immediate supervisor or the Company's Board of Directors may terminate your employment, with or without cause, at any time by giving you written notice of your termination, such termination of employment to be effective on the date specified in the notice. You also may terminate your employment with the Company at any time. The effective date of termination (the "Effective Date") shall be the last day of your employment with the Company, as specified in a notice by you, or if you are terminated by the Company, the date that is specified by the Company in its notice to you. The following subsections set forth your rights to severance in the event of the termination of your employment in certain circumstances by either the Company or you. Section 5 also sets forth certain restrictions on your activities if your employment with the Company is terminated, whether by the Company or you. That section shall survive any termination of this Agreement or your employment with the Company.
Exercise After Termination of Employment (A) Except as the COMMITTEE may at any time provide, if the employment of PARTICIPANT with the COMPANY and the subsidiaries and affiliates of the COMPANY is terminated for any reason other than death or “total disability” (as defined below), the AWARD may be exercised (to the extent that PARTICIPANT was entitled to do so on the date of the termination of PARTICIPANT’s employment) at any time within three months after such termination of employment, subject to the provisions of Section 2(C) of this AGREEMENT, and shall then expire. To the extent PARTICIPANT was not entitled to exercise the AWARD on the date of termination of PARTICIPANT’s employment, such portion of the AWARD shall expire on the date of such termination.
(B) If PARTICIPANT becomes totally disabled, the AWARD shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full, and the AWARD may be exercised at any time during the first twelve (12) months that PARTICIPANT receives benefits under the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Long Term Disability Plan, or any successor plan or program, subject to the provisions of Section 2(C) of this AGREEMENT, and shall then expire.
(C) If PARTICIPANT dies while employed by the COMPANY or one of the subsidiaries or affiliates of the COMPANY, the AWARD shall become immediately vested and exercisable in full by PARTICIPANT’s estate or by the person who acquires the right to exercise the AWARD upon PARTICIPANT’s death by bequest or inheritance. The AWARD may be exercised at any time within one year after the date of PARTICIPANT’s death, or such other period as the COMMITTEE may at any time provide, subject to the provisions of Section 2(C) of this AGREEMENT, and shall then expire.
(D) For purposes of this AGREEMENT, “total disability” shall have the definition set forth in the Abercrombie & Fitch Co. Long Term Disability Plan, which definition is incorporated herein by reference.
