CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
THIS
CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of the ___ day of December, 2007 by and between The Children's Place
Retail Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company") and _________ (the
"Executive").
WHEREAS,
Executive has made or is expected to make a major contribution to the
profitability, growth and financial strength of the Company;
WHEREAS,
the Company considers the continued availability of Executive's services,
managerial skills and business experience to be in the best interest of the
Company and its stockholders and desires to assure the continued services of
Executive on behalf of the Company without the distraction of Executive
occasioned by the possibility of an abrupt change in control of the Company;
and
WHEREAS,
Executive is willing to remain in the employ of the Employer upon the
understanding that the Employer will provide him with income security and health
benefits in accordance with the terms and conditions contained in this
Agreement.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing premises and the mutual covenants
herein contained, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as
follows:
1. Definitions.
Whenever the following terms are used in this Agreement, they shall have the
meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the
contrary:
1.01 "Board"
shall
mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.02 "Base
Salary"
means
Executive's annual rate of base salary in effect on the date of Executive's
termination of employment (or, if higher, on the date of the Change in Control),
determined in each case prior to reduction for any employee-elected salary
reduction contributions made to an Employer-sponsored non-qualified deferred
compensation plan or an Employer-sponsored plan pursuant to Section 401(k)
or
125 of the Internal Revenue Code, and excluding bonuses, overtime, allowances,
commissions, deferred compensation payments and any other extraordinary
remuneration.
1.03 "Bonus"
means
the average of actual annual bonuses payable to Executive with respect to the
three fiscal years preceding the Change in Control or, if Executive was an
employee for less than three full fiscal years preceding the Change in Control,
Executive's target bonus as in effect immediately before the Change in
Control.
1.04 "Cause"
shall
mean the occurrence or existence of any of the following with respect to
Executive: (a) Executive's failure to perform material duties that is not cured
within ten (10) business days after notice to Executive; (b) any conduct, action
or behavior by Executive that has or may reasonably be viewed to have a material
adverse effect on the reputation or interests of the Company or its Affiliates;
(c) Executive's commission of an act involving moral turpitude, dishonesty,
fraud or the engagement in any other willful or intentional misconduct, whether
or not in connection with Executive's employment, or (d) Executive's commission
of an act constituting a felony.
1.05 "Change
in Control"
shall
mean, and shall be deemed to have occurred:
(a)
upon
the
complete liquidation of the Company, other than a liquidation of the Company
into a wholly-owned subsidiary, or the sale to any purchaser of (A) all or
substantially all of the assets of Company or (B) capital stock representing
more than 50% of the stock of Company entitled to vote generally in the election
of directors of Company; or
(b)
upon
the
merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation if, immediately
after such merger or consolidation, less than a majority of the combined voting
power of the then-outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger
or consolidation is held, directly or indirectly, in the aggregate by the
holders immediately prior to such transaction of the outstanding securities
of
the Company; or
(c)
if
there
is a report filed on Schedule 13D or Schedule 14D-1 (or any successor schedule,
form, or report or item therein), each promulgated pursuant to the Exchange
Act,
disclosing that any person (as the term “person” is used in Section 13(d)(3) or
Section 14(d) (2) of the Exchange Act) has become the beneficial owner (as
the
term “beneficial owner” is defined under Rule 13d-3 or any successor rule or
regulation promulgated under the Exchange Act) of securities representing 40%
or
more of the combined voting power of the voting stock of Employer entitled
to
vote generally in the election of directors; or
(d)
if
the
Company files a report or proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Exchange Act disclosing in response to Form 8-K
or
Schedule 14A (or any successor schedule, form, or report or item therein) that
a
change in control of Employer has occurred.
1.06 "Code"
shall
mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
1.07 "Company"
shall
mean The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation and,
after
a Change in Control, any successor or successors thereto.
1.08 "Date
of Termination"
following a Change in Control shall mean the dates, as the case may be, for
the
following events: (a) if Executive's employment is terminated by his death,
the
date of his death, (b) if Executive's employment is terminated due to a
Disability, thirty (30) days after the Notice of Termination is given (provided
that Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his or her duties
on a full-time basis during such period), (c) if Executive's employment is
terminated pursuant to a termination for Cause, the date specified in the Notice
of Termination, and (d) if Executive's employment is terminated for any other
reason, fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Notice of Termination unless
otherwise agreed by Executive and Company.
1.09 "Disability"
shall
mean that, in the Company's reasonable judgment, either (a) Executive has been
unable to perform Executive's duties because of a physical or mental impairment
for 80% or more of the normal working days during six consecutive calendar
months or 50% or more of the normal working days during twelve consecutive
calendar months, or (b) Executive has become totally and permanently incapable
of performing the usual duties of his employment with the Company on account
of
a physical or mental impairment.
1.10 "Effective
Date"
shall
mean the date hereof.
1.11 "Employer"
shall
mean the Company or its subsidiary employing Executive.
1.12 "Exchange
Act"
shall
mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1.13 "Good
Reason"
shall
mean any of the following actions upon or after a Change in Control, without
Executive's express prior written approval, other than due to Executive's
Disability or death: (a) a material diminution in Executive's Base Salary or
Target Bonus opportunity; (b) a material diminution in Executive's title,
authority, duties, or responsibilities; (c) a required relocation of at least
60
miles; (d) a breach of this Agreement with respect to Executive not cured within
ten (10) business days after written notice by Executive to Company; or (e)
a
successor's failure to assume this Agreement.
1.14 "Notice
of Termination"
shall
mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision
in
this Agreement relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts
and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's
employment under the provision so indicated.
1.15 "Release"
shall
mean a release to be signed by Executive in such form as the Company shall
reasonably determine, which shall, to the extent permitted by law, waive all
claims and actions against the Employer and its affiliates and such other
related parties and entities as the Company chooses to include in the release
except for claims and actions for benefits provided under the terms of this
Agreement (which Release is not revoked by Executive).
1.16 "Termination
of Employment"
shall
mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between Executive and the
Employer is terminated for any reason, voluntarily or involuntarily, with or
without Cause, including, without limitation, a termination by reason of
resignation, discharge (with or without Cause), Disability, death or retirement,
but excluding terminations where there is a simultaneous re-employment by the
Company or a subsidiary of the Company.
2. Term.
This
Agreement shall terminate, except to the extent that any obligation of the
Company hereunder remains unpaid as of such time, upon the earliest of: (a)
the
Effective Date if a Change in Control of the Company has not occurred prior
to
such date; (b) the Termination of Employment of Executive with the Employer
based on Death, Disability, or Cause or by Executive other than for Good Reason;
or (c) two (2) years from the date of a Change in Control of the Company.
Notwithstanding clause (a) hereof, on each anniversary of the Effective Date,
the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended for one additional
year, unless not less than ninety (90) days prior to such anniversary the
Company notifies Executive in writing that it does not wish to extend the term
of the Agreement.
3. Termination
of Employment of Executive.
3.01 Payment
of Severance Benefits Upon Change in Control.
In the
event of a Change in Control of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to
the
severance benefits set forth in Section
4
if
Executive executes a Release, and only if during the term of this
Agreement:
(a) Executive's
employment by the Employer is terminated by the Employer without
Cause;
(b) Executive
terminates his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason and complies
with the procedures set forth in Section
3.02;
(c) Executive's
employment by the Employer is terminated by the Employer prior to the Change
in
Control and such termination arose in connection with or in anticipation of
the
Change in Control (for purposes of this Agreement, meaning that at the time
of
such termination the Company had entered into an agreement, the consummation
of
which would result in a Change in Control, or any person had publicly announced
its intent to take or consider actions that would constitute a Change in
Control, and in each case such Change in Control is consummated, or the Board
adopts a resolution to the effect that a potential Change in Control for
purposes of this Agreement has occurred); or
(d) Executive
terminates his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason prior to
the
Change in Control, the event constituting Good Reason arose in connection with
or in anticipation of the Change in Control and Executive complies with the
procedures set forth in Section
3.02.
3.02 Good
Reason.
(a) Notwithstanding
anything contained in any employment agreement between Executive and the
Employer to the contrary, during the term of this Agreement Executive may
terminate his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason as set forth
in Section
3.01(b)
or
(d)
and be
entitled to the benefits set forth in Section
4,
provided
that
Executive gives written notice to the Company of his or her election to
terminate his or her employment for such reason within 180 days after the time
he or she becomes aware of the existence of facts or circumstances constituting
Good Reason or if later, within ten (10) days of the time the claim is resolved
pursuant to Section
3.02(b).
(b) If
Executive believes that he or she is entitled to terminate his or her employment
with the Employer for Good Reason, he or she may apply in writing to the Company
for confirmation of such entitlement prior to Executive's actual separation
from
employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section
8.
The
submission of such a request by Executive shall not constitute "Cause" for
the
Company to terminate Executive's employment and Executive shall continue to
receive all compensation and benefits he or she was receiving at the time of
such submission throughout the resolution of the matter pursuant to the
procedures set forth in Section
8.
If
Executive's request for a termination of employment for Good Reason is denied
under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in Sections
8.02
and
8.03,
then
the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim within ninety
(90)
days after the claim is submitted to binding arbitration pursuant to
Section
8.04.
3.03 Disability.
In the
event of a Disability of Executive, the Company may terminate this Agreement
provided that the Company shall have provided Executive a Notice of Termination
and Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of
Executive's duties within thirty (30) days of such Notice of
Termination.
3.04 Cause.
The
Employer may terminate the employment of Executive for Cause. Executive shall
not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall
have been delivered to Executive a Notice of Termination and a certified copy
of
a resolution of the Board adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
a
majority of the entire membership of the Board (other than Executive if he
or
she is a member of the Board at such time) at a meeting called and held for
that
purpose and at which Executive was given an opportunity to be heard, finding
that Executive was guilty of conduct constituting Cause based on reasonable
evidence, specifying the particulars thereof in detail. For purposes of this
Section
3.04,
no act
or failure to act on Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless
done
or omitted to be done by him or her not in good faith and without reasonable
belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interest of the
Company.
3.05 Notice
of Termination.
Any
termination of Executive's employment by the Employer or by Executive (other
than termination based on Executive's death) following a Change in Control
shall
be communicated by the terminating party in a Notice of Termination to the
other
party hereto.
4. Compensation
and Benefits Upon Termination of Employment.
4.01 Severance
Benefits.
If
Executive shall be terminated from employment with the Employer or shall
terminate his or her employment with the Employer as described in Section
3.01,
then
Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:
(a) In
lieu
of any further payments to Executive (including, without limitation, in lieu
of
any annual bonus payments or pro-rata bonus payments) except as expressly
contemplated under this Agreement, the Company shall pay as severance pay to
Executive a cash amount equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the sum of
Executive's Base Salary and Bonus. Such cash payment shall be payable in a
single sum, within ten (10) business days following Executive's Date of
Termination (or, if later, upon the expiration of the revocation period, if
applicable, under the Release).
(b) In
the
event Employee
elects to continue health benefit coverage through COBRA following Executive’s
Date of Termination, the Company agrees to waive the applicable premium cost
that Executive would otherwise be required to pay for continued group health
benefit coverage for a period of 18 months following Executive’s Date of
Termination or to the extent permissible under applicable law. The
benefits to be provided under this Section
4.01(b)
shall be
reduced to the extent of the receipt of substantially equivalent coverage by
Executive from any successor employer.
(c) Any
time
periods, conditions or contingencies relating to the exercise or realization
of,
or lapse of restrictions under, any outstanding equity incentive award then
held
by such Eligible Executive shall be automatically accelerated or waived
effective as of the effective date of such Eligible Executive's termination
of
employment as follows: if the Change in Control occurred within one year of
the
applicable grant date, such acceleration or waiver will be with respect to
50%
of such award; if the Change in Control occurred more than one year but no
more
than 18 months of the applicable grant date, such acceleration or waiver will
be
with respect to 75% of such award; and if the Change in Control occurred more
than 18 months after the applicable grant date, such acceleration or waiver
shall apply to the entire award. In addition, any vested stock options held
by
Executive (including, for the avoidance of doubt, any options that vest pursuant
to this Section
4.01(c))
shall
be exercisable until the end of the maximum term for such stock
option.
4.02 Termination
Prior to a Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything contained in Section
4.01,
in the
case of a termination of employment prior to the occurrence of a Change in
Control, the Company shall have no obligation to pay or provide any compensation
or benefits hereunder prior to the occurrence of the Change in
Control.
4.03 Accrued
Benefits.
Upon
termination of the employment of Executive for any reason, Executive shall
be
entitled to receive any unpaid Base Salary through the date of such Eligible
Executive's termination and any bonus earned but unpaid as of the date of such
termination for any previously completed fiscal year of the Company. In
addition, Executive shall be entitled to prompt reimbursement of any
unreimbursed expenses properly incurred by Executive in accordance with Company
policies prior to the date of Executive's termination. Executive shall also
receive such other compensation (including any stock options or other
equity-related payments) and benefits, if any, to which Executive may be
entitled from time to time pursuant to the terms and conditions of the employee
compensation, incentive, equity, benefit or fringe benefit plans, policies
or
programs of the Company.
4.04 Section
409A.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if, at the
time
of Executive's termination of employment with the Company, he is a "specified
employee" as defined in Section 409A of the Code, and one or more of the
payments or benefits received or to be received by Executive pursuant to this
Agreement would constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, no
such payment or benefit will be provided under this Agreement until the earliest
of (A) the date which is six (6) months after his "separation from service"
for
any reason, or (B) the date of his death. The provisions of this Section
4.04
shall
only apply to the extent required to avoid Executive's incurrence of any penalty
tax or interest under Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or Treasury
guidance promulgated thereunder. In addition, if any provision of this Agreement
would cause Executive to incur any penalty tax or interest under Section 409A
of
the Code or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, the
Company may reform such provision to maintain to the maximum extent practicable
the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions
of Section 409A of the Code.
5. Golden
Parachute Excise Tax.
5.01 Subject
to Section
5.07,
if
there is a Change in Control and any payment (other than the Gross-Up payments
provided for in this Section
5.01)
or
distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of Executive, whether pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, including without limitation any
lapse or termination of any restriction on, deferral period or the vesting
or
exercisability of any payment, distribution, or benefit (a "Payment"), is
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (such tax,
together with any interest and penalties thereon, other than any criminal or
fraud penalties, being hereafter referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then
Executive will be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up
Payment"). The Gross-Up Payment will be in an amount such that, after payment
by
Executive of all taxes thereon (including any interest or penalties, other
than
any criminal or fraud penalties, imposed with respect to such taxes), including
any Excise Tax and any income tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, Executive
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Payment.
5.02 Subject
to the provisions of Section
5.05,
all
determinations required to be made under this Section
5,
including whether a Gross-Up Payment is required to be paid by the Company
and
the amount of such Gross-Up Payment, if any, will be made by a nationally
recognized accounting firm (the "Accounting Firm") selected by the Company.
The
Company will direct the Accounting Firm to submit its determination and detailed
supporting calculations to both the Company and Executive within thirty (30)
calendar days after the Change in Control, the Date of Termination, if
applicable, and any such other time or times as may be reasonably requested
by
the Company or Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that any Excise
Tax
is payable by Executive, the Company will pay the required Gross-Up Payment,
less any applicable withholding, to Executive, as soon as reasonably practicable
after receipt of such determination and calculations with respect to any Payment
to Executive. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable
by
Executive, it will, at the same time as it makes such determination, furnish
the
Company and Executive an opinion that Executive has substantial authority not
to
report any Excise Tax on his tax return. As a result of the uncertainty in
the
application of Section 4999 of the Code, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments
which will not have been made by the Company should have been made hereunder
(an
"Underpayment"). In the event that the Company exhausts or fails to pursue
its
remedies pursuant to Section
5.05
and
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, Executive
will direct the Accounting Firm to determine the amount of the Underpayment
and
to submit its determination and detailed supporting calculations to both the
Company and Executive as promptly as possible. The Company will promptly pay
any
such Underpayment to, or for the benefit of, Executive as soon as reasonably
practicable after receipt of such determination and calculations (and, in all
events, no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable
year in which the applicable amount is submitted to the Internal Revenue Service
or other taxing authority).
5.03 Any
determination by the Accounting Firm as to the amount of the Gross-Up Payment
will be binding upon the Company and Executive.
5.04 The
fees
and expenses of the Accounting Firm for its services hereunder will be borne
by
the Company.
5.05 Executive
will notify the Company in writing within five (5) days of any claim by any
taxing authority that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company
of a Gross-Up Payment or any additional Gross-Up Payment. Executive will not
pay
such claim prior to the earlier of (x) the expiration of the thirty (30)
calendar-day period following the date on which he gives such notice to the
Company and (y) the date that any payment of amount with respect to such claim
is due. If the Company notifies Executive in writing prior to the expiration
of
such period that it desires to contest such claim, Executive will:
(a) provide
the Company with any written records or documents in his possession relating
to
such claim reasonably requested by the Company;
(b) take
such
action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company may reasonably
request in writing from time to time, including without limitation accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney selected by
the
Company;
(c) cooperate
with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim;
and
(d) permit
the Company to participate in and control any proceedings relating to such
claim; except that the Company will bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest
and
will indemnify and hold harmless Executive, on an after-tax basis, for and
against any Excise Tax or income tax, including interest and penalties with
respect thereto, imposed as a result of such contest and payment of costs and
expenses.
5.06 If,
after
the receipt by Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to this
Section
5,
Executive receives any refund with respect to such claim, Executive will
(subject to the Company's complying with the requirements of Section
5.05
above)
promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any
interest paid or credited thereon after any taxes applicable thereto).
5.07 Notwithstanding
any provision of this Section
5
to the
contrary, if the aggregate "present value" of the "parachute payments" to be
paid or provided to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise does not exceed
1.15 multiplied by three times Executive's "base amount," then, in lieu of
such
Gross-Up Payment, the payments and benefits to be paid or provided under this
Agreement will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary (but in no event
to
less than zero) so that no portion of any payment or benefit to Executive,
as so
reduced, constitutes an "excess parachute payment." For purposes of this
Section
5.07,
the
terms "excess parachute payment," "present value," "parachute payment," and
"base amount" will have the meanings assigned to them by Section 280G of the
Code. The determination of whether any reduction in such payments or benefits
to
be provided under this Agreement is required pursuant to the preceding sentence
will be made at the expense of the Company by the Accounting Firm.
6. No
Mitigation.
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payments provided
for by this Agreement by seeking employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount
of any cash payments or benefit provided under this Agreement be reduced by
any
compensation or benefit earned by Executive after his Date of Termination
(except as provided in the last sentence of Section
4.01(b)
above).
Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is entitled, by operation of any
applicable law, to unemployment compensation benefits or benefits under the
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act of 1988 (known as the "WARN" Act) in
connection with the termination of his or her employment in addition to those
required to be paid to him or her under this Agreement, then to the extent
permitted by applicable statutory law governing severance payments or notice
of
termination of employment, the Company shall be entitled to offset the amounts
payable hereunder by the amounts of any such statutorily mandated
payments.
7. Limitation
on Rights.
7.01 No
Employment Contract.
This
Agreement, including the recitals hereto, shall not be deemed to create a
contract of employment between the Employer and Executive and shall create
no
right in Executive to continue in the Employer's employment for any specific
period of time, or to create any other rights in Executive or obligations on
the
part of the Company or its subsidiaries, except as expressly set forth herein.
Except as expressly set forth herein, this Agreement shall not restrict the
right of the Employer to terminate Executive's employment at any time for any
reason or no reason, or restrict the right of Executive to terminate his or
her
employment.
7.02 No
Other Exclusions.
This
Agreement shall not be construed to exclude Executive from participation in
any
other compensation or benefit programs in which he or she is specifically
eligible to participate either prior to or following the execution of this
Agreement, or any such programs that generally are available to other executive
personnel of the Company, nor shall it affect the kind and amount of other
compensation to which Executive is entitled.
8. Administrator
and Claims Procedure.
8.01 Administrator.
Except
as set forth herein, the administrator (the "Administrator") for purposes of
this Agreement shall be the Company. The Company shall have the right to
designate one or more of the Company's employees as the Administrator at any
time. The Company shall give Executive written notice of any change in the
Administrator, or in the address or telephone number of the
Administrator.
8.02 Claims
Procedure.
Executive, or other person claiming through Executive, must file a written
claim
for benefits with the Administrator as a prerequisite to the payment of benefits
under this Agreement. The Administrator shall make all determinations as to
the
right of any person to receive benefits under Sections
8.02
and
8.03.
Any
denial by the Administrator of a claim for benefits by Executive, his or her
heirs or personal representative (the "claimant") shall be stated in writing
by
the Administrator and delivered or mailed to the claimant with ten (10) days
after receipt of the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension
of
time for processing the claim. If such an extension is required, written notice
of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination
of
the initial ten-day period. In no event shall such extension exceed a period
of
(10) days from the end of the initial period. Any notice of denial shall set
forth the specific reasons for the denial, specific reference to pertinent
provisions of this Agreement upon which the denial is based, a description
of
any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect
his
or her claim, with an explanation of why such material or information is
necessary, and any explanation of claim review procedures, written to the best
of the Administrator's ability in a manner that may be understood without legal
or actuarial counsel.
8.03 Appeals.
A
claimant whose claim for benefits has been wholly or partially denied by the
Administrator may request, within ten (10) days following the date of such
denial, in a writing addressed to the Administrator, a review of such denial.
The claimant shall be entitled to submit such issues or comments in writing
or
otherwise as he or she shall consider relevant to a determination of his or
her
claim, and he or she may include a request for a hearing in person before the
Administrator. Prior to submitting his or her request, the claimant shall be
entitled to review such documents as the Administrator shall reasonably agree
are pertinent to his or her claim. The claimant may, at all stages of the
review, be represented by counsel, legal or otherwise, of his or her choice,
provided that the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the
claimant, unless the claimant is successful, in which case, such costs shall
be
borne by the Company. All requests for review shall be promptly resolved. The
Administrator's decision with respect to any such review shall be set forth
in
writing and shall be mailed to the claimant not later than ten (10) days
following receipt by the Administrator of the claimant's request unless special
circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require an extension of
time
for processing, in which case the Administrator's decision shall be so mailed
not later than twenty (20) days after receipt of such request or if later,
ten
(10) days after the hearing. The time and place of any hearing shall be as
mutually agreed by the parties.
8.04 Arbitration.
A
claimant who has followed the procedure in Sections
8.02 and 8.03,
but who
has not obtained full relief on his or her claim for benefits, may, within
sixty
(60) days following his or her receipt of the Administrator's written decision
on review, apply in writing to the Administrator for expedited and binding
arbitration of his or her claim before an arbitrator in New York, New York
in
accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration
Association, as then in effect, or pursuant to such other form of alternative
dispute resolution as the parties may agree (collectively, the "arbitration").
Subject to Section
10,
the
Company shall pay filing fees and other costs required to initiate the
arbitration. The arbitrator's sole authority shall be to interpret and apply
the
provisions of this Agreement; and except as set forth herein he or she shall
not
change, add to, or subtract from, any of its provisions. The arbitrator shall
have the power to compel attendance of witnesses at the hearing. Any court
having jurisdiction may enter a judgment based upon such arbitration. The
arbitrator shall be appointed by mutual agreement of the Company and the
claimant pursuant to the applicable commercial arbitration rules. The arbitrator
shall be a professional person with a reputation in the community for expertise
in employee benefit matters and who is unrelated to the claimant, the Company
or
its subsidiaries or any employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. All
decisions of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the claimant and
the
Company.
9. Executive
Covenants.
(a) Executive
agrees that during the course of his or her employment with the Employer and
for
a period of twelve (12) months following the termination of his or her
employment with the Employer (for any reason or no reason) (the "Restricted
Period"), he or she will not, without the express prior written consent of
the
Company, anywhere, either directly or indirectly, whether alone or as an owner,
shareholder, partner, member, joint venturer, officer, director, consultant,
independent contractor agent, employee or otherwise of any company or other
business enterprise, assist in, engage in or otherwise be connected to or
benefit from any business competitive with that of the Company. A "business
competitive with that of the Company" is one that (i) designs, manufactures,
contracts to manufacture or sells, or intends to design, manufacture, contract
to manufacture or sell, children's apparel and accessories and other
children's-oriented merchandise, or (ii) engages in or provides or intends
to
engage in or provide any products, services or other business which is of the
same nature as a product, service or other business of the Company or a product,
service or other business which the Company is developing and of which Executive
has knowledge. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing herein shall be deemed
to
prohibit Executive's ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares of
any
publicly traded corporation that conducts a business competitive with that
of
the Company.
(b) Executive
further agrees that, during the Restricted Period, he or she will not, without
the express prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly: (i)
contact, communicate, solicit, transact business with or perform services for
(or assist any third party in contacting, communicating, soliciting, transacting
business with or performing any services for) any person or entity that is
or
was (at any time within 12 months prior to the contact, communication,
solicitation, transaction of business, or performance of services), a vendor
of
the Company; (ii) solicit, recruit, hire, engage, or refer (or assist any third
party in soliciting, recruiting, hiring, engaging or referring) any person
or
entity who or which either is, or during the twelve (12) months immediately
preceding the termination of his or her employment was, an employee, agent,
consultant or independent contractor of the Company; or (iii) interfere with,
disrupt or attempt to interfere with or disrupt the relationship, contractual
or
otherwise, between the Company and any of its vendors, lessors, independent
contractors, agents or employees. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to
Executive's compliance with the other provisions of this Agreement, nothing
in
this Section
9(b)
shall be
deemed to prohibit Executive from, after the termination of his or her
employment with the Company, being directly employed by a vendor of the Company
for the purpose of performing services for such vendor that are unrelated to
the
services performed or to be performed by vendor for the Company.
(c) Executive
acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions on the activities in which he
or
she may engage that are set forth in Sections
9(a) and (b)
of this
Agreement and the location and period of time for which such restrictions apply
are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business
interests and shall survive the termination of his or her employment. Executive
understands that the Company's business is global and, accordingly, the
restrictions cannot be limited to any particular geographic area. Executive
further acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Agreement will
not
prevent him or her from earning a livelihood.
10. Legal
Fees and Expenses.
If any
dispute arises between the parties with respect to the interpretation or
performance of this Agreement, the prevailing party in any arbitration or
proceeding shall be entitled to recover from the other party its attorneys
fees,
arbitration or court costs and other expenses incurred in connection with any
such proceeding. Amounts, if any, paid to Executive under this Section
10
shall be
in addition to all other amounts due to Executive pursuant to this
Agreement.
11. Non-Alienation
of Benefits.
Except
in so far as this provision may be contrary to applicable law, no sale,
transfer, alienation, assignment, pledge, collateralization or attachment of
any
benefits under this Agreement shall be valid or recognized by the
Company.
12. ERISA.
This
Agreement is an unfunded compensation arrangement for a member of a select
group
of the Company's management or that of its subsidiaries and any exemptions
under
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, as applicable
to such an arrangement shall be applicable to this Agreement.
13. Executive
Acknowledgment.
Executive acknowledges that he or she has consulted with or has had the
opportunity to consult with independent counsel of his or her choice concerning
this Agreement, that he or she has read and understands this Agreement and
is
fully aware of its legal effect.
14. Miscellaneous.
14.01 Duties
on Termination.
Upon
Termination of Employment of Executive for any reason, Executive or his or
her
personal representative shall deliver promptly to the Company all equipment,
notebooks, documents, memoranda, reports, files, books, keys, correspondence,
lists or other written or graphic records, and the like, relating to the
business of the Company or its subsidiaries, and all other property of the
Company or its subsidiaries, which are then in Executive's possession or his
or
her personal representative or under his or her control.
14.02 Entire
Agreement.
(a) This
Agreement constitutes the entire understanding and sole and entire agreement
between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes
all
prior and contemporaneous agreements, negotiations and discussions between
the
parties hereto and/or their respective counsel and representatives with respect
to the subject matter covered hereby. For the avoidance of doubt, this Agreement
supersedes any employment or similar agreement between Executive and the Company
to the extent such agreement includes any severance-type
provisions.
(b) The
severance payment hereunder is in lieu of any payment that Executive might
otherwise be entitled to from the Company (including, without limitation, in
lieu of any annual bonus payments or pro-rata bonus payments that would
otherwise be due and any other payments due Executive in the event of a Change
in Control or termination of employment under the Company's applicable severance
pay policies, if any, or under any other oral or written agreement including,
without limitation, any employment agreement); provided,
however
that
Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive the applicable severance
pay
benefits, if any, under the Company's applicable policies, if any, or under
another written agreement if Executive's termination is not a termination
providing benefits under this Agreement.
14.03 Amendments.
This
Agreement may be changed, amended or modified only by a written instrument
executed by both of the parties hereto.
14.04 Assignment
and Binding Effect.
(a) Neither
this Agreement nor the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable
by
Executive or the Company except that this Agreement shall be assignable to,
binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor of the Company, and
any
successor shall be deemed substituted for the Company upon the terms and subject
to the conditions hereof'.
(b) The
Company will require any successor (whether by purchase of assets, merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or
assets of the Company to expressly assume and agree to perform all of the
obligations of the Company under this Agreement (including the obligation to
cause any subsequent successor to also assume the obligations of this Agreement)
unless such assumption occurs by operation of law.
14.05 No
Waiver.
No
waiver of any term, provision or condition of this Agreement, whether by conduct
or otherwise, in any one or more instances shall be deemed or be construed
as a
further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision or condition or as
a
waiver of any other term, provision or condition of this Agreement.
14.06 Rules
of Construction.
(a) This
Agreement has been negotiated and executed in, and shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of, the State of New Jersey. Captions
contained in this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and shall
not
be considered or referred to in resolving questions of interpretation with
respect to this Agreement.
(b) If
any
provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable
under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any party
hereto under this Agreement will not be materially and adversely affected
thereby, (i) such provision will be fully severable, (ii) this Agreement will
be
construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision
had never comprised a part hereof, (iii) the remaining provisions of this
Agreement will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by
the
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom and
(iv) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will
be
added automatically as a part of this Agreement a legal, valid and enforceable
provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable
provision as may be possible.
14.07 Notices.
Any
notice required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing, delivered
by
hand, or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or
by
recognized courier service (regularly providing proof of delivery), addressed
to
the Board and the Company and where applicable, the Administrator, at the
Company's then principal office, or to Executive at the address set forth under
Executive's signature below, as the case may be, or to such other address or
addresses as any party hereto may from time to time specify in writing. Notices
shall be deemed given when received.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed and delivered by the parties
hereto as of the date first above written.
THE
CHILDREN'S PLACE RETAIL STORES, INC.
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EXECUTIVE
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By:
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Name:
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Street
Address
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Title:
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City,
State Zip
Code
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