EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
This Executive Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of
February 18, 2008 is made by and between APAC Customer Services, Inc., a company
organized under the laws of Illinois (the “Company”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
(“Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive pursuant to the terms
and conditions contained in this Agreement; and
WHEREAS, Executive desires to accept such employment pursuant to the
terms and conditions contained in this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and of the mutual
covenants and agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree
as follows:
1. Term. Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall
commence on March 3, 2008 (the “Effective Date”), and shall continue, at will,
until otherwise terminated pursuant to Section 7 below (the “Employment
Period”).
2. Title. During the Employment Period, Executive will serve
as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Executive shall
also be appointed a director of the Company, effective not sooner that the
Effective Date and as soon as may be practicable on or after the date of
this Agreement. Provided Executive’s employment with the Company has not
been previously terminated, Executive will be nominated for election to the
Board of Directors at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders during
the Employment Period.
3. Executive’s Duties. Executive will report directly to the
Board of Directors of the Company, and all other employees of the Company
shall report to Executive or Executive’s designee and not directly to the
Board of Directors. Throughout the Employment Period, Executive’s duties,
responsibilities and authority shall include all the duties, responsibilities
and authority normally performed by the President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company, with such additions thereto as the Board of Directors may,
from time to time, in its discretion delegate.
4. Full Time. Except as provided specifically herein, during the
Employment Period, Executive agrees to devote Executive’s full time,
attention, skill, and energy to the duties set forth herein and to the
business of the Company and to use Executive’s best efforts to promote the
success of the Company’s business. Executive shall not invest in any business
which directly competes with the Company, nor shall Executive engage in any
outside business activity of any nature, including, but not limited to,
activity as a consultant, agent, partner, officer or provider of business
services of any nature, directly or indirectly, to a corporation or other
business enterprise, except as otherwise provided in this Agreement. Nothing
in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Executive from investing in
up to 2% of the stock of any company which does not directly compete with the Company and
whose stock is listed on a national securities exchange.
5. Location. Executive shall be based in the Company’s
corporate headquarters currently located in Deerfield, Illinois. However,
Executive acknowledges that in order to effectively perform Executive’s
duties, he will be required to travel for business purposes. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Company agrees that Executive shall continue to reside
permanently at his home in Reston, Virginia or other location of his choosing, but will maintain a residence during the work week in reasonable proximity
to the Company’s corporate headquarters and will spend whatever time is
necessary there in order to perform Executive’s obligations under this
Agreement. The Company will reimburse Executive up to $3,000 per month for
the actual and reasonable out-of-pocket expenses related to Executive’s
maintenance of a residence near the Company’s headquarters.
6. Compensation.
(a) Base Salary. Executive’s annual base salary shall
initially be $350,000 (the “Base Salary”), payable in accordance with the
Company’s normal payroll practices as in effect from time to time. Such
Base Salary shall be subject to periodic review, and may be increased from
time to time in the discretion of the Company.
(b) Bonus. Executive shall be eligible to participate in
and earn annual bonus compensation under the Company’s Amended and Restated
2005 Management Incentive Plan or under a successor annual incentive plan (
the “Annual Incentive Plan”), as may be in effect from time to time, in
accordance with the Company’s compensation practices.. Executive shall have a
annual target bonus equal to fifty percent ( 50%) of Executive’s Base Salary
and a maximum annual bonus equal to one hundred (100%) of Executive’s Base
Salary, subject to satisfaction of performance criteria established under the
terms of the Annual Incentive Plan.
(c) Sign-On Bonus. Provided Executive is still employed
by the Company ninety (90) days after the Effective Date, the Company will pay
Executive a signing bonus equal to $100,000.
(d) Sign-On Equity Award: On the Effective Date,
Executive will be awarded a grant of ten (10) year options with respect to
900,000 shares of common stock of the Company (the “Option”) under the
Company’s Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Plan (the “Stock Plan”). The
Option shall vest in five equal installments on the first, second, third,
fourth and fifth anniversaries of the Effective Date, subject to earlier
vesting as provided in the Stock Option Agreement. The exercise price of the
Option shall be the Fair Market Value (as defined in the Stock Plan) of such
shares on the Effective Date. The Option is otherwise subject to the terms and
conditions of the Stock Plan and shall be substantially in the form of Stock
Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(e) Vacation. Executive shall be entitled to accrue vacation
in accordance with the Company’s vacation pay policy as in effect from time to time.
2
(f) Benefits. Subject to satisfaction of any plan
eligibility requirements and the terms and conditions of the plans,
Executive shall be entitled to participate in, and receive benefits under,
any pension benefit plan or welfare benefit plans adopted by the Company.
(g) Reimbursement of Business Expenses. The Company
will reimburse Executive for all reasonable and properly documented
expenses incurred or paid by him in connection with the performance of
Executive’s duties hereunder.
(h) Withholdings. All payments made under this Section 6, or
under any
other provision of this Agreement, shall be subject to any and all
federal, state, and local taxes and other withholdings to the extent
required or authorized by applicable law.
7. Termination of Employment.
(a) Due to Death. Executive’s employment with
the Company will automatically terminate immediately upon Executive’s
death.
(b) Due to Disability. If Executive incurs a
“Disability” (as defined below) during the Employment Period, then the
Company, in its sole discretion, shall be entitled to terminate Executive’s
employment immediately upon written notice to Executive of such decision. For
purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean a physical or mental
impairment that prevents Executive from performing the essential duties of
Executive’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation, for (i) a
period of sixty (60) consecutive calendar days, or (ii) an aggregate of sixty
(60) work days in any six (6) month period. The determination of whether
Executive incurred a Disability shall be made by the Company, in its sole
discretion, after consultation with Executive’s physician. Executive agrees to
submit to an examination by a physician selected by the Company and to
authorize Executive’s physician to disclose and speak with the Company
regarding Executive’s impairment.
(c) By the Company. The Company shall be entitled to terminate
Executive’s employment with or without “Cause” by providing written notice to
Executive of such decision, provided that if the Company terminates
Executive’s employment without Cause (and not as a result of a Disability),
then the Company must provide at least thirty (30) day advance written notice
of such decision to Executive. No advance notice period is required for a
termination by the Company with Cause. The Company reserves the right to
withdraw any and all duties and responsibilities from Executive, and to
exclude Executive from the Company’s premises, during any such notice period.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean (i) the commission by
Executive of an act of malfeasance, dishonesty, fraud, or breach of trust
against the Company or any of its employees, clients, or suppliers, (ii) the
breach by Executive of any fiduciary or common law duty to the Company, or any
obligations under this Agreement, or any other agreement between Executive and
the Company, (iii) Executive’s willful failure to comply with the Company’s
material written policies, (iv) Executive’s failure, neglect, or refusal to
perform Executive’s duties under this Agreement, or to follow the lawful
written directions of the Company (including, without limitation, from the
Company’s board of directors), which failure is not cured (if curable) within
ten (10) days after written notice has been given by the Company
to Executive, (v) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of guilty or no contest
to, any felony, or (vi) any act or omission by Executive that is, or is
reasonably likely to be, materially injurious to the financial condition,
business reputation or business relationships of the Company, or that
otherwise is materially injurious to the Company’s employees, clients,
customers or suppliers.
3
(d) By Executive. Executive shall be entitled to terminate Executive’s
employment with the Company by providing the Company with at least sixty (60)
days’ advance written notice, provided that Company may terminate Executive’s
employment at any time thereafter, which shall not be treated as a termination
without Cause and Executive shall be deemed to have resigned under this
Section 7(d).
(e) Change of Control. Executive shall enter into an
Employment Security Agreement with the Company substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit B. In the event of the Company’s involuntary
termination of Executive’s employment without Cause during the Employment
Period that is not covered by the Employment Security Agreement, then the
terms of Section 8(c) of this Agreement shall govern.
8. Compensation Upon Termination of Employment.
(a) Termination By Reason of Death or Disability. If Executive’s
employment is terminated by reason of Executive’s death or Disability under
Section 7(a) or 7(b) above, then the Company shall pay to Executive (or
Executive’s estate, as appropriate) (i) Executive’s then-current Base Salary
through the termination date to the extent not theretofore paid, and (ii) any
accrued but unused vacation days as of the termination date (collectively the
“Accrued Payments”). Thereafter, the Company shall have no further obligations
to Executive except any statutory obligations that may exist (such as the
right to elect to continue health insurance under the federal law known as
“COBRA” and similar state law).
(b) Termination by the Company with Cause. If
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company with Cause under Section
7(c) above, then the Company shall pay to Executive Executive’s Accrued
Payments and thereafter, the Company shall have no further obligations to
Executive except any statutory obligations that may exist (such as the right
to elect to continue health insurance, except in cases of gross misconduct,
under the federal law known as “COBRA” and similar state law).
(c) Termination by the Company without Cause. If Executive’s
employment is terminated by the Company without Cause (and not as a result of a
Disability) under Section 7(c) above, then the Company shall provide
Executive with:
(i) Executive’s Accrued Payments;
(ii) continued payments of an amount equal to twelve months of
Executive’s then-current Base Salary payable in equal amounts in
accordance with the Company’s then current payroll practices in effect
from time to time over a period of two years from the termination date;
and
4
(iii) provided that Executive (and if applicable Executive’s
dependents) elect(s) continuation coverage under the federal law known as
“COBRA” and similar state law, the Company shall pay Executive monthly for a period of
twelve months the difference between the cost to so continue such
coverage and the cost applicable to active employees of the Company,
subject to immediate cessation (other than as to any preexisting
condition not covered by the new benefits coverage) if Executive is
offered health benefits coverage in connection with new employment.
(d) The payments set forth under clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 8(c)
are conditioned upon Executive’s execution of a customary general release of
claims against the Company and its affiliates, and their employees, directors,
owners, agents, successors, and similar persons and shall be in lieu of all
other payments and benefits to which Executive otherwise may be entitled under
any severance plan, program or policy of the Company. Other than as set forth
in subsection 8(c), the Company shall have no further obligations to Executive
except any statutory obligations that may exist (such as the right to elect to
continue health insurance under the federal law known as “COBRA” and similar
state law) but not waived under the general release referenced in this
subsection.
(e) Termination by Executive. If Executive terminates
Executive’s employment under Section 7(d), then the Company shall pay to
Executive Executive’s Accrued Payments and thereafter, the Company shall have
no further obligations to Executive except any statutory obligations that may
exist (such as the right to elect to continue health insurance under the
federal law known as “COBRA” and similar state law).
9. Restrictive Covenants. Executive agrees that in order to
protect the business interests of the Company, Executive shall,
contemporaneously with Executive’s execution of this Agreement, execute
and abide by the terms of the Agreement Protecting Company Interests
attached hereto as Exhibit C.
10. No Prior Restrictions. Executive represents and warrants
that Executive’s employment with the Company will not violate, or cause
Executive to be in breach of, any obligation or covenant made to any former
employer or other third party, and that during the course of Executive’s
employment with the Company, Executive will not take any action that would
violate or breach any legal obligation which Executive may have to any former
employer or other third party. Executive will at all times indemnify, defend,
and hold harmless the Company (and each of its officers, directors, employees
and agents) in the event of any breach by Executive of any representation or
warranty made in this Agreement.
11. Non-Disparagement. Both during and after Executive’s
employment with the Company, Executive will not disparage, portray in a
negative light, or take any action that would be harmful to, or lead to
unfavorable publicity for, the Company or any of its current or former
clients, suppliers, officers, directors, employees, agents, consultants,
contractors, owners, parents, subsidiaries, or divisions, whether in public
or private, including without limitation, in any and all interviews, oral
statements, written materials, electronically displayed materials, and
materials or information displayed on Internet-related sites.
12. Equitable Relief. Executive acknowledges that the remedy at
law for Executive’s breach of Section 11 above will be inadequate, and that
the damages flowing from such breach will not be readily susceptible to being
measured in monetary terms. Accordingly, upon a violation of any part of such Section, the Company shall be entitled
to immediate injunctive relief (or other equitable relief) and may obtain a
temporary order restraining any further violation from any court with
jurisdiction to issue such relief. No bond or other security shall be
required in obtaining such equitable relief, and Executive hereby consents to
the issuance of such equitable relief. Nothing in this Section 12 shall be
deemed to limit the Company’s remedies at law or in equity for any breach by
Executive of any of the parts of Section 11 that may be pursued or availed of
by the Company.
5
13. Cooperation. During the Employment Period and thereafter,
Executive agrees to furnish information as may be in Executive’s possession
and render assistance and cooperation to the Company at its request
regarding any matter, dispute or controversy with which the Company may
become involved and of which Executive has or may have reason to have
knowledge, information or expertise. The Company shall be responsible for
reimbursing Executive for any reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in
connection with furnishing the information or rendering the assistance and
cooperation to the Company under this Section 13.
14. Arbitration. Except as provided in Section 12 above, in the
event that there shall be a dispute among the parties arising out of or
relating to this Agreement, or the breach thereof, the parties agree that
such dispute shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration in Chicago,
Illinois administered by the American Arbitration Association (the
“AAA”), in accordance with AAA’s Commercial Arbitration Rules, to
which shall be added the provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure
relating to the Production of Evidence, and the parties agree that the
arbitrator may impose sanctions in his or her discretion to enforce
compliance with discovery and other obligations. Such arbitration shall be
presided over by a single arbitrator. Hearings in the arbitration proceedings
shall commence within twenty (20) days of the selection of the arbitrator or
as soon thereafter as the arbitrator is available. The arbitrator shall
deliver his or her opinion within twenty (20) days after the completion of
the arbitration hearings. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and
binding upon the parties, and may be entered and enforced in any court of
competent jurisdiction by either of the parties. Unless otherwise ordered by
the arbitrator pursuant to this Agreement, the arbitrator’s fees and expenses
shall be shared equally by the parties.
15. Attorney’s Fees. If any arbitration is brought under Section
14, the arbitrator may award the successful or prevailing party reasonable
attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in
addition to any other relief to which it may be entitled. If any other
proceeding is brought by one party against the other in connection with or
relating in any manner to this Agreement, or to enforce an arbitration award,
the successful or prevailing party (as determined by an independent third
party, e.g. a judge) shall be entitled to recover its reasonable attorneys’
fees and other costs incurred in that action or proceeding, in addition to any
other relief to which it may be entitled.
16. Notices. All notices and other communications provided for
in this Agreement shall be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly
given when hand delivered or dispatched by electronic facsimile transmission
(with receipt thereof orally confirmed), or five business days after having
been mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or three business days after having been sent by a
nationally recognized overnight courier service such as FedEx, UPS, or DHL,
addressed to the Company (to the attention of the Secretary of the Company) at its principal executive
office and to Executive at Executive’s principal residence (as determined by
the Company’s employment records), or to such other address as any party may
have furnished to the other in writing and in accordance herewith, except
that notices of changes of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
6
17. Severability. In the event that any of the
provisions of this Agreement, or the application of any such provisions to
Executive or the Company with respect to obligations hereunder, is held to be
invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such
provision(s) shall be deemed to be modified or restricted to the extent and in
the manner necessary to render the same valid and enforceable or shall be
deemed excised from this Agreement, as the case may require, and this
Agreement shall be construed and enforced to the maximum extent permitted by
law as if such provision(s) had been originally incorporated herein as so
modified or restricted or as if such provision(s) had not been originally
incorporated herein, as the case may be.
18. Survival. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, the obligations of the parties under Sections 8, 9, 11 and 13
(as well as any provisions of this Agreement necessary to give effect thereto)
shall survive any termination of Executive’s employment.
19. Waiver. No waiver by any party hereto of the breach of
any term or covenant contained in this Agreement, whether by conduct or
otherwise, in any one or more instances, shall be deemed to be, or
construed as, a further or continuing waiver of any such breach, or a
waiver of any other term or covenant contained in this Agreement.
20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with all Exhibits
thereto, contains the entire agreement between Executive and the Company with
respect to the subject matter of this Agreement, and supersedes any and all
prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between Executive and
the Company with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. If any
provision of this Agreement conflicts with any other agreement, policy, plan,
practice or other Company document, now existing or hereafter adopted or
amended, the provisions of this Agreement shall control.
21. Amendments. This Agreement may be amended only by an
agreement in writing signed by Executive and an authorized representative of
the Company (other than Executive).
22. Successors and Assigns. Because Executive’s obligations
under this Agreement are personal in nature, Executive’s obligations may only
be performed by Executive and may not be assigned by Executive. This Agreement
is also binding upon Executive’s successors, heirs, executors, administrators,
and other legal representatives, and shall inure to the benefit of the Company
and its subsidiaries, successors, and assigns. This Agreement may be assigned
by the Company at anytime.
7
23. No Other Representations. Executive acknowledges that the
Company has made no representations or warranties to Executive concerning the
terms, enforceability, or implications of this Agreement other than as
reflected in this Agreement.
24. Arm’s Length Negotiations. The Company and Executive
acknowledge that this Agreement was the result of arm’s length negotiations
between sophisticated parties each afforded the representation of legal
counsel. Each and every provision of this Agreement shall be construed as
though both parties participated equally in the drafting of same, and any rule
of construction that a document shall be construed against the drafting party
shall not be applicable to this Agreement.
25. Headings. The titles and headings of sections and
subsections contained in this Agreement are included solely for convenience
of reference and will not control the meaning or interpretation of any of the
provisions of this Agreement.
26. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an original,
and such counterparts shall together constitute but one agreement.
27. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and
construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Illinois, without
giving effect to its conflict of laws principles.
28. 409A. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to
the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, amounts payable to Executive
pursuant to Section 8(c) herein shall be made in reliance upon Treas. Reg.
Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) (Separation Pay Plans) or Treas. Reg. Section
1.409A-1(b)(4) (Short-Term Deferrals). For this purpose each monthly payment
shall be considered a separate and distinct installment payment. However, to
the extent any such payments are treated as non-qualified deferred
compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the “Code”), then (i) no amount shall be payable pursuant to Section
8(c) unless Executive’s termination of employment constitutes a “separation
from service” within the meaning of Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(h) and (ii)
if Executive is deemed at the time of Executive’s separation from service to
be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Code, then to the extent delayed commencement of any portion of the
termination benefits to which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is
required in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such portion of Executive’s termination benefits
shall not be provided to Executive prior to the earlier of (A) the expiration
of the six-month period measured from the date of Executive’s “separation from
service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury Regulations
issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (B) the date of Executive’s death.
Upon the earlier of such dates, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section
32 shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and any remaining payments due
under the Agreement shall be paid as otherwise provided herein. The
determination of whether Executive is a “specified employee” for purposes of
Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code as of the time of Executive’s separation
from service shall made by the Company in accordance with the terms of Section
409A of the Code and applicable guidance thereunder (including without
limitation Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(i) and any successor provision
thereto).
8
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first
written above.
APAC CUSTOMER SERVICES, INC. | XXXXXXX XXXXXX | |||
By:
|
/s/Xxxx X. Xxxxx | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxx | ||||
Title: Director |
9
Exhibit A
Form of Stock Option Agreement
Form of Stock Option Agreement
10
APAC CUSTOMER SERVICES, INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
This Agreement is entered into and made effective as of «Option Date» by
and between APAC Customer Services, Inc., an Illinois corporation (the
“Company”), and «First Name» «Middle_Name» «Last Name» (the “Optionee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the
Company desires to encourage and enable the Optionee to acquire or increase
his or her proprietary interest in the Company by granting the Optionee an
option to purchase common stock of the Company, par value of $.01 per share
(“Shares”), as authorized under the Amended and Restated APAC Customer
Services, Inc. 2005 Incentive Stock Plan, as amended from time to time (the
“Plan”);
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants set
forth in this Agreement, the Company and Optionee hereby agree as follows: ,
1. Grant of Option. Subject to the terms and conditions provided
in this Agreement and the Plan, the Company hereby grants to the Optionee a
nonqualified stock option to purchase all or part of 900,000 Shares of the
Company (the “Option”) at a per share purchase price of «Option_Price»,
effective as of «Option_Date» (the “Grant Date”). The Option shall not be
treated as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
2. Time of Exercise.
(a) Except as provided below in this paragraph, from and after «Vest_Date
Period 1», as long as the Optionee continues to provide Services to the
Company or of one of its Subsidiaries, the Option shall become exercisable, to
a maximum cumulative extent, in accordance with the following schedule:
Exercise Date | Cumulative Number of Shares | |
On or after 1st anniversary of Grant Date | 20% of Shares | |
On or after 2nd anniversary of Grant Date | 40% of Shares | |
On or after 3rd anniversary of Grant Date | 60% of Shares | |
On or after 4th anniversary of the Grant Date | 80% of Shares | |
On or after 5th anniversary of the Grant Date | 100% of Shares |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Option may not be exercised for
fractional Shares and the Option may not be exercised for less than 100 Shares
at a time, unless it is for the balance of the Shares available under the
Option.
The exercisability of the Option shall not be affected by leaves of absence
approved in writing by the President of the Company or by any change of
employment, so long as the Optionee continues to provide Services to the
Company or of one of its Subsidiaries.
11
(b) Notwithstanding paragraph 2(a), the following provisions shall govern:
(i) Disability, Death or Retirement. If the Optionee’s
Service is terminated due to “Disability,” death or “Retirement” (as
each such capitalized term is defined below in paragraph 4 or in the
Plan), the exercisability of the Option shall accelerate and the Option
shall become exercisable, to a maximum cumulative extent, in accordance
with the following schedule:
Termination Date | Cumulative Number ofShares | |
On or after Grant Date, but before 1st anniversary of Grant Date |
20% of Shares | |
On or after 1st anniversary of Grant Date, but before 2nd anniversary of Grant Date |
40% of Shares | |
On or after 2nd anniversary of Grant Date, but before 3rd anniversary of Grant Date |
60% of Shares | |
On or after 3rd anniversary of Grant Date | 80% of Shares | |
On or after 4th anniversary of Grant Date | 100% of Shares |
In the event that the Optionee’s Service terminates due to
Optionee’s Retirement, any Shares that first become exercisable as a
result of this provision shall hereinafter be referred to as “Restricted
Shares.”
(ii) Change in Control. If a “Change in Control” (defined below in
paragraph 4) occurs while the Optionee is providing Services to the
Company or one of its Subsidiaries, to the extent that the Option is
then not exercisable, its exercisability shall accelerate as to fifty
percent (50%) of the previously unexercisable portion, and the Option
shall thereafter become additionally exercisable (if at all) to the
extent it would have been exercisable without such acceleration.
(iii) Termination After Change in Control. If the Optionee’s
Service terminates for “Good Reason” (defined below in paragraph 4) or
by the Company other than With Cause, on or within twenty-four (24)
months following a Change in Control, the Option shall become
exercisable with respect to all Shares covered by the Option.
(iv) Other Terminations. The foregoing provisions of this Section
2(b) to the contrary notwithstanding, the Committee (as defined below in
paragraph 11), in its sole discretion, may at any time cause all or part
of Optionee’s unexercisable Option to become exercisable upon a
termination of Optionee’s Service, with or without designating all or
part of such exercisable portion of the Option as Restricted Shares.
3. Term of Option. Except as provided below, the term of
the Option shall be for a ten (10) year period, beginning on the Grant Date
and ending on oExpiration_Date_Period 1» (the “Expiration Date”).
(a) Termination With Cause. If the Company terminates the Optionee’s
Service With Cause, the Option shall expire immediately and all rights to
purchase Shares hereunder shall cease.
(b) Disability or Death. If the Optionee’s Service with the Company or
one of its Subsidiaries terminates due to the Optionee’s Disability or death,
the Option shall expire one (1) year after the date of such termination. In
such circumstance, the Option shall only be exercisable to the extent it was exercisable as of such termination date (as
determined above under paragraph 2) and shall not be exercisable with respect
to any additional Shares.
12
(c) Other Termination. If the Optionee’s Service with the Company or one
of its Subsidiaries terminates for any reason other than Disability, death, or
With Cause, the Option shall expire 90 days after such termination. In such
circumstance, the Option shall only be exercisable to the extent it was
exercisable as of such termination date (as determined above under paragraph
2) and shall not be exercisable with respect to any additional Shares.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this paragraph 3, in no event
may the Option be exercised later than the Expiration Date.
4. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions
shall apply:
(a) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred if (i) a
tender offer shall be made and consummated for the ownership of more than 50%
of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, (ii) the Company shall be
merged or consolidated with another corporation and as a result of such merger
or consolidation less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in the aggregate by the
former shareholders of the Company, as the same shall have existed immediately
prior to such merger or consolidation, (iii) the Company shall sell all or
substantially all of its assets to another corporation which is not a
wholly-owned subsidiary or affiliate, (iv) as the result of, or in connection
with, any contested election for the Board of Directors, or any tender or
exchange offer, merger or business combination or sale of assets, or any
combination of the foregoing (a “Transaction”), the persons who were Directors
of the Company before the Transaction shall cease to constitute a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Company, or any successor thereto, or (v) a
person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”), other than any employee
benefit plan then maintained by the Company, shall acquire more than 50% of
the outstanding voting securities of the Company (whether directly,
indirectly, beneficially or of record). For purposes hereof, ownership of
voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as
determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) pursuant to the
Exchange Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) a Change in Control will not
occur for purposes of this Agreement merely due to the death of Xxxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx, or as a result of the acquisition, by Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, alone or
with one or more affiliates or associates, as defined in the Exchange Act, of
securities of the Company, as part of a going-private transaction or
otherwise, unless Xx. Xxxxxxxx or his affiliates, associates, family members
or trusts for the benefit of family members (collectively, the “Xxxxxxxx
Entities”) do not control, directly or indirectly, at least twenty-seven
percent (27%) of the resulting entity, and (ii) if the Xxxxxxxx Entities
control, directly or indirectly, less than twenty-seven percent (27%) of the
Company’s voting securities while it is a public company, then “33-1/3%” shall
be substituted for “50%” in clauses (i) and (v) of the first sentence of this
paragraph, and “66-2/3%” shall be substituted for “50%” in clause (ii) of the
first sentence of this paragraph.
(b) “Disability” shall mean disability as determined under the Company’s
long term disability benefit plan then in effect covering the Optionee.
13
(c) “Good Reason” shall mean termination of the Optionee’s Service by the
Optionee (I) in accordance with such term as it may be defined under the
employment agreement or employment security agreement between Optionee and the
Company, if any, and (II) as hereinafter provided in the absence of such
agreement providing for termination for “Good Reason,” but only if, without
Optionee’s consent and after notice by the Optionee to the Company and a
fifteen (15) day opportunity by the Company to cure: (i) the Optionee’s
principal place of work (not including regular business travel) is relocated
by more than fifty (50) miles, (ii) the Optionee’s duties, responsibilities or
authority as an executive employee are materially reduced or diminished;
provided that any reduction or diminishment in any of the foregoing resulting
merely from the acquisition of the Company and its existence as a subsidiary
or division of another entity shall not be sufficient to constitute Good
Reason, (iii) the rate of base salary or bonus opportunity (as a percentage of
base salary) due to the Optionee is reduced, and such reduction is not
remedied within thirty (30) days of the Optionee’s notice to the Company
thereof; or (iv) there is a liquidation, dissolution, consolidation or merger
of the Company or transfer of all or a significant portion of its assets
unless a successor or successors (by merger, consolidation or otherwise) to
which all or a significant portion of its assets have been transferred shall
have assumed all duties and obligations of the Company under such Employment
Agreement, if any.
(d) “Retirement” shall mean a termination of Optionee’s Service(other
than due to Optionee’s Disability, death or With Cause) in which (i) Optionee
has completed at least ten (10) years of continuous active Service with the
Company (including authorized leaves of absence) and (ii) the sum of
Optionee’s age and Service on the date of termination of Service is equal to
or greater than seventy (70).
(e) “Service” shall mean (i) an employee-employer relationship between
the Optionee and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (ii) service to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries provided by the Optionee as a member of the
Company’s or such Subsidiary’s Board of Directors, or (iii) service by the
Optionee as a consultant or independent contractor. Optionee will not be
treated as terminating Service (A) where there is a simultaneous reemployment
or continuing employment of the Optionee by the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries, (B) where there is a simultaneous establishment of a consulting
relationship or continuing consulting relationship between the Optionee and
the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (C) if the Optionee continues to
serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company or any of its
Subsidiaries after the termination of an employee-employer or consulting
relationship, in which case, the Optionee’s Service will cease on the date the
Optionee no longer is employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, no
longer performs services as a consultant, and is no longer a member of the
Board of Directors of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries. The Committee,
in its sole discretion, shall determine the effect of all matters and
questions relating to terminations of Service, including, but not by way of
limitation, the question of whether a particular leave of absence constitutes
a termination of Service.
(f) Termination “With Cause” shall mean termination of the Optionee’s
Service by the Company (I) in accordance with such term as it may be defined
under the employment agreement between Optionee and the Company, if any, and
(II) as hereinafter provided in the absence of such agreement, due to (i)
gross misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of the Optionee’s
employment duties; (ii) willful disobedience by the Optionee of the lawful
directions received from the Company or from the person to whom the Optionee
directly reports or of established policies of the Company; or (iii) commission by the Optionee
of a crime involving fraud or moral turpitude that can reasonably be expected
to have an adverse effect on the business, reputation or financial situation
of the Company.
14
5. Method of Exercise.
(a) The Option may be exercised only by delivering written notice to the
Treasurer of the Company. Contemporaneously with such delivery, the Optionee
shall tender the full purchase price of the Shares by any of the following
methods or combination thereof:
(i) A certified or cashier’s check payable to the order of the Company;
(ii) Certificates of Shares of the Company that have been held by
the Optionee for at least (6) six months (or such longer period as may
be required to avoid a charge to earnings for financial reporting
purposes) that have a fair market value equal to such purchase price or
the portion thereof so paid on the date of exercise, or delivery by the
Optionee of a written attestation of the same; and/or
(iii) A copy of irrevocable instructions to a broker to promptly
deliver to the Company the amount of proceeds from a sale of Shares
equal to the exercise price. To facilitate the foregoing, the Company
may enter into agreements for coordinated procedures with one or more
brokerage firms. Exercise of the Option pursuant to this subparagraph
(a)(iii) shall be subject to compliance with federal and state
securities laws and trading policies established by the Company and
applicable to the Optionee.
(b) In addition to tendering payment,
(i) the Optionee shall be required to execute a Restricted Stock
Purchase Agreement substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, if the
Optionee purchased Restricted Shares; and
(ii) the Optionee (or the purchaser under paragraph 7 below) shall
furnish such other documents or representations (including, without
limitation, representations as to the intention of the Optionee, or the
purchaser under paragraph 7 below, to acquire Shares for investment) as
the Company may reasonably request in order to comply with securities,
tax or other laws then applicable to the exercise of the Option.
6. Repayment of Option Gain. Subject to the provisions of a
Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, if applicable pursuant to paragraph
5(b)(i), which shall apply with respect to the Shares subject thereto, if
prior to the occurrence of a Change of Control: (i) the Company terminates the
Optionee’s Service With Cause during the six month period after the Optionee’s
exercise of all or any portion of the Option, or (ii) the Optionee violates
any promise, covenant, or agreement relating to (A) restrictions on the
Optionee’s ability to compete with the Company or solicit its customers or
employees; or (B) the Optionee’s duty to keep information about the
Company confidential, prior to or during the six month period after the
Optionee exercises all or any portion of the Option, then the Company may
rescind the Optionee’s exercise of the Option within two years of the
exercise. In the event of such rescission, the Optionee shall pay to the
Company, with respect to each Share purchased pursuant to the Option, an
amount equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of such Share on the date
of exercise over the per share purchase price of such Share, in such manner and on such terms and conditions as may be
required, and the Company shall be entitled to a right of set-off against any
amount owed to the Optionee by the Company.
15
7. Non-Transferability; Death. The Option is not transferable by
the Optionee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and is
exercisable during the Optionee’s lifetime only by him. If the Optionee dies
while in Service to the Company or of one of its Subsidiaries, the Option may
be exercised during the period described above in paragraph 3(b) (but in no
event later than the Expiration Date) by his estate or the person to whom the
Option passes by will or the laws of descent and distribution, but only to the
extent that the Optionee could have exercised the Option on the date of his
death as determined above under paragraph 2. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
the Option may be transferred to members of the Optionee’s immediate family
(which for purposes of this Option shall be limited to the Optionee’s spouse,
children and grandchildren), or to one or more trusts for the benefit of the
Optionee’s family members (as defined above) or to one or more partnerships in
which such family members and/or trusts are the only partners.
8. Registration. Any Shares issued pursuant to the Optionee’s
exercise of the Option hereunder shall be Shares that are listed on The NASDAQ
Stock Market or other nationally recognized stock exchange, and registered
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
9. Adjustments.
(a) If the Company shall at any time change the number of issued Shares
without new consideration to the Company (such as by stock dividend, stock
split, recapitalization, reorganization, exchange of shares, liquidation,
combination or other change in corporate structure affecting the Shares) or
make a distribution of cash or property which has a substantial impact on the
value of issued Shares, the total number of Shares hereunder and the per share
purchase price shall be adjusted pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
(b) In the case of any sale of assets, merger, consolidation, combination
or other corporate reorganization or restructuring of the Company with or into
another corporation which results in the outstanding Shares being converted
into or exchanged for different securities, cash or other property, or any
combination thereof (an “Acquisition”), subject to the terms of the Plan, the
Optionee shall have the right thereafter and during the term of the Option
(subject however to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein), to
receive upon exercise thereof the Acquisition Consideration (as defined below)
receivable upon the Acquisition by a holder of the number of Shares which
might have been obtained upon exercise of the Option or portion thereof, as
the case may be, immediately prior to the Acquisition. The term “Acquisition
Consideration” shall mean the kind and amount of securities, cash or other
property or any combination thereof receivable in respect of one Share upon
consummation of an Acquisition.
10. Subject to Plan. The Option is subject to all of the terms
and conditions set forth in the Plan. Any capitalized terms not defined herein shall be subject to
the definitions set forth in the Plan. This Agreement hereby incorporates the Plan by reference. In the
event that the Agreement is silent on any term or condition that is contained
in the Plan, such term or condition shall be governed by and administered in
accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan.
16
In the event of any discrepancy between the express terms and conditions of
this Agreement and those of the Plan, the terms and conditions of the Plan
shall control.
11. Administration and Interpretation. The Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) shall administer
and interpret the terms and provisions of this Agreement. Any interpretation
and construction by the Committee of any term or provision of the Plan, this
Agreement, or other matters related to the Plan shall be final, conclusive and
binding upon the Optionee and his or her heirs.
12. Compliance with Code Section 409A. To the extent that any
Award under this Agreement becomes subject to Code Section 409A, it is
intended that such Award be in compliance with Code Section 409A and the terms
of the Plan and this Agreement shall be construed, to the fullest extent
possible, to be in compliance with Code Section 409A.
13. Enforceability. This Agreement shall be binding upon the
Optionee and his estate, assignee, transferee, personal representative and
beneficiaries.
14. Governing Law; Severability. This Agreement shall be
construed, interpreted and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State
of Illinois. If any one provision of this Agreement shall be determined
invalid or unenforceable, such determination shall have no effect on the
remaining provisions.
15. Withholding. The Company shall have the right to require,
prior to the issuance or delivery of any Shares hereunder, payment by the
Optionee of any federal, state or local income taxes required by law to be
withheld upon the exercise of all or any part of the Option. The Company may,
in its discretion and subject to such rules as it may adopt as are necessary
to prevent the withholding from being subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange
Act, permit the Optionee to satisfy any tax withholding obligation associated
with the exercise of the Option, in whole or in part, by electing to have the
Company withhold from the Shares otherwise deliverable as a result of such
exercise Shares having a value (based on their fair market value on the date
of delivery) equal to the amount required to be withheld.
16. No Employment Rights. Nothing contained herein shall confer
upon the Optionee any right to continue in the Service of the Company or any
of its Subsidiaries, or to interfere with or limit the right of the Company or
of such Subsidiary to terminate the Optionee’s Service at any time.
17. Shareholders Rights. The Optionee or other person or entity
exercising the Option shall have no rights as a shareholder of record of the
Company with respect to Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Option until
such Shares have been issued.
18. Entire Agreement. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the Company and the Optionee with respect to the terms of the
Option granted hereunder, and shall not be modified or amended on or after the
Grant Date, except in writing, signed by both parties. A waiver by either
party under this Agreement shall not be deemed to be a waiver of any later
default.
17
19. Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been made when delivered or mailed by registered, or
certified mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight delivery service, postage or charges prepaid.
All notices to the Company shall be sent to:
APAC Customer Services,
Inc. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: General Counsel
Inc. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attn: General Counsel
All notices to the Optionee shall be sent to the Optionee’s last known
address on the Company’s records, or such other address as the Optionee may
furnish to the Company.
20. Acknowledgment of Agreement Protecting Company Interests. As
additional consideration for the Company granting the Option, the Optionee
acknowledges that Optionee’s rights herein are subject to the terms and
conditions of the Optionee’s Agreement Protecting Company Interests (whether
entered into previously or in connection with this Option grant).
* * *
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Optionee have caused this
Agreement to be executed on the date first above written.
APAC Customer Services, Inc. | ||||
By: | ||||
Its: | Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer | |||
Optionee: | ||||
«First_Name» «Middle_Name» «Last Name» |
18
Exhibit B
Employment Security Agreement
Employment Security Agreement
19
EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGREEMENT
This Employment Security Agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into
as of this 3 day of March, 2008 by and between APAC Customer Services,
Inc. (the “Employer”) and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx (the “Executive”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Employer as its
President and Chief Executive Officer;
WHEREAS, in the event of a change in control of the Employer, the
Employer desires to provide certain security to the Employer and the
Executive, and to retain the Executive’s continued devotion of the
Executive’s business time and attention to the Employer’s affairs; and
WHEREAS, the Executive and the Employer desire to enter into this
Agreement, which sets forth the terms of the security the Employer is
providing the Executive with respect to the Executive’s employment in the
event of a change in control of the Employer;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
promises contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the
receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Employer
and the Executive agree as follows:
1. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms
shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) “Base Salary” shall mean the higher of the Executive’s annual
base salary at the rate in effect on (i) the date of a Change in Control,
or (ii) the date the Executive’s Employment terminates without regard to
any reduction made in connection with an event constituting Good Reason
hereunder.
(b) “Bonus” shall mean the bonus based on the Executive’s Base
Salary that is payable to the Executive under the Employer’s annual
incentive bonus plan, as in effect from time to time or under a successor
annual incentive plan, at the target payout level in effect on the date
the Executive’s Employment terminates without regard to any reduction
made in connection with an event constituting Good Reason hereunder or on
the date of a Change in Control, whichever produces a greater result. -
(c) “Cause” shall exist only if:
(i) | The Executive is grossly
negligent or engages in gross misconduct in the performance of his employment
duties; |
(ii) | The Executive willfully
disobeys the lawful directions received from the
Company or from the person to whom the Executive
directly reports or of established policies of the
Company; or |
20
(iii) | The Executive commits a crime involving fraud
or moral turpitude that can reasonably be expected
to have an adverse effect on the business,
reputation or financial situation of the Employer. |
(d) “Change in Control” shall mean any of the following events:
(i) | A tender offer shall be
made and consummated for the ownership of more than
50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Employer; |
(ii) | The Employer shall be
merged or consolidated with another corporation and
as a result of such merger or consolidation less
than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
surviving or resulting corporation shall be owned in
the aggregate by the former shareholders of the
Employer, as the same shall have existed immediately
prior to such merger or consolidation; |
(iii) | The Employer shall
sell all or substantially all of its assets to
another corporation which is not a wholly-owned
subsidiary or affiliate; |
(iv) | As the result of, or in
connection with, any contested election for the
Board of Directors of the Employer, or any tender or
exchange offer, merger or business combination or
sale of assets, or any combination of the foregoing
(a “Transaction”), the persons who were Directors of
the Employer before the Transaction shall cease to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
the Employer, or any successor thereto; or |
(v) | A person, within
the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section
13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date hereof) of the
Securities and Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange
Act”), other than any employee benefit plan then
maintained by the Employer, shall acquire more than
50% of the outstanding voting securities of the
Employer (whether, directly, indirectly,
beneficially or of record). For purposes hereof,
ownership of voting securities shall take into
account and shall include ownership as determined by
applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) (as
in effect on the date hereof) pursuant to the
Exchange Act. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, (A) a Change in Control will not occur
for purposes of this Agreement merely due to the death of Xxxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx, or as a result of the acquisition by Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx,
alone or with one or more affiliates or associates, as defined in the
Exchange Act, of securities of the Employer, as part of a going-private
transaction or otherwise, unless Xx. Xxxxxxxx or his affiliates,
associates, family members or trusts for the benefit of family members
(collectively, the “Xxxxxxxx Entities”) do not control, directly or indirectly, at least twenty-seven
percent (27%) of the resulting entity, and (B) if the Xxxxxxxx Entities
control, directly or indirectly, less than twenty-seven (27%) percent of
the Employer’s voting securities while it is a public company, then
“33-1/3%” shall be substituted for “50%” in clauses (i) and (v) of this
Section 2(d), and “66-2/3%” shall be substituted for “50%” in clause
(ii) of this Section 2(d).
21
(e) “Disability” shall mean, to the extent such term is not defined
in an Employment Agreement, if any, a physical or mental condition that
entitles the Executive to benefits under the Employer-sponsored long
term disability plan in which the Executive participates.
(f) “Employment” shall mean being in the employ of the Employer.
(g) “Employment Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between
the Executive and the Employer covering the terms and conditions of
Executive’s employment with the Employer.
(h) “Good Reason” shall exist if, after notice by the Executive
within 30 days of the existence of one of the following conditions, such
notice given to the Employer and providing a thirty (30) day opportunity
by the Employer to cure (during which it does not cure the condition):
(i) | The principal place of
work (not including regular business travel) is
relocated by more than fifty (50) miles; |
(ii) | The Executive’s duties,
responsibilities or authority as an executive
employee are materially reduced or diminished from
those in effect immediately prior to a Change in
Control without the Executive’s written consent,
provided that any reduction or diminishment in any
of the foregoing resulting merely from the
acquisition of the Employer and its existence as a
subsidiary or division of another entity shall not
be sufficient to constitute Good Reason; |
||
(iii) | Executive’s base salary is reduced;
or |
(iv) | The Employer violates
the material terms of this Agreement, or an
employment agreement, if any. |
2. Term. The term of this Agreement shall be the period commencing
on the effective date first set forth above and terminating on the date
the Executive’s employment with the Employer is terminated; provided
that, if the Executive’s employment is terminated following a Change in
Control under the circumstances described in Section 3, the term shall
continue in effect until all payments and benefits have been made or
provided to the Executive hereunder.
22
In the event of a liquidation, dissolution, consolidation or merger
of the Employer or transfer of all or a significant portion of its
assets, Employer will cause a successor or successors (by merger,
consolidation or otherwise) to which all or a significant portion of its
assets have been transferred to assume (either by operation of law or
otherwise) all duties and obligations of the Employer under this
Agreement and any employment agreement.
3. Benefits Upon Termination of Employment. If (i) the Employer
terminates the Executive’s Employment without Cause coincident with or
at any time within 12 months following a Change in Control; or (ii) the
Executive terminates the Executive’s Employment by resignation due to an
event constituting Good Reason that occurs coincident with or at any
time within 12 months following a Change in Control, the Executive shall
be entitled to receive the following:
(a) Severance Pay. The Employer shall pay to the Executive an
amount equal to eighteen (18) months of the Executive’s Base Salary and
one and one-half (1.5) times the Executive’s Bonus. Subject to
Subsection (d) below, payment shall be made in a lump sum within thirty
(30) days after termination of the Executive’s Employment.
(b) Stock Options. To the extent the Executive has any outstanding
option or options to purchase common stock of the Employer as of the
date of the Change in Control, the exercisability of such options shall
be determined in accordance with the terms of the Employer’s stock
option plan then in effect, and/or a written agreement entered into by
the Employer and the Executive, which covers the terms and conditions of
the exercise of such option or options.
(c) Health Benefits. The Employer shall provide to the Executive,
the Executive’s spouse or beneficiary continued medical, dental, life,
disability coverages and such other benefits as provided under any other
welfare plans or programs in which he participated immediately prior to
his termination for a period of eighteen (18) months on the same basis
as provided to other employees as of the date of termination. Following
such period, the Employer shall make available to such persons any
benefit continuation or conversion of rights otherwise provided at the
time an employee’s employment terminates (without offset for the
coverage provided pursuant to the previous sentence), under the
Employer’s established welfare plans.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if
Executive is deemed as of the date of Executive’s termination of
Employment to be a “specified employee” for purposes of Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), to the
extent delayed commencement of any portion of the severance payments to
which Executive is entitled under this Agreement is required in order to
avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the
Code, such portion of the severance payments will not be provided to
Executive prior to the earlier of (1) the expiration of the six-month
period measured from the date of the Executive’s “separation from
service” with the Company (as such term is defined in the Treasury
Regulations issued under Section 409A of the Code) or (2) Executive’s
death. Upon the expiration of the applicable Code Section
409A(a)(2)(B)(i) deferral period, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 3 shall be paid in a lump sum to Executive, and
any remaining payments due shall be paid as otherwise provided herein.
23
In addition, to the extent that an Employment Agreement, if any, or
such other written agreement between the Executive and the Employer,
expressly covers the terms of severance payable, if any, and such other
benefits available to the Executive upon termination of his Employment
following a Change in Control, such Employment Agreement or other
agreement shall govern and supersede the terms of this Agreement if such
severance payable or other benefits are more favorable to the Executive
than those provided in this Agreement.
4. No Setoff.
(a) The payments and benefits made or provided to the Executive,
the Executive’s spouse or other beneficiary under this Agreement shall
not be reduced by the amount of any claim of the Employer against the
Executive or the Executive’s spouse or other beneficiary for any debt or
obligation of the Executive or the Executive’s spouse or other
beneficiary to the Employer.
(b) The Executive shall have no duty to seek employment following
termination of Employment or otherwise to mitigate damages. The amounts
or benefits payable or available to the Executive, the Executive’s
spouse or other beneficiary under this Agreement shall not be reduced by
any amount the Executive may earn or receive from employment with
another employer or from any other source.
5. Existing Rights. Any payments and benefits under this
Agreement are in lieu of benefits to which the Executive may be entitled
under any severance plan or policy of the Employer, but are in addition
to any other benefits due to the Executive, the Executive’s spouse or
other beneficiaries from the Employer, including, but not limited to,
payments under any other welfare or retirement plan maintained by the
Employer in which the Executive is or was eligible to participate. No
provision in this Agreement shall be construed to reduce or impair the
Executive’s rights and benefits under such welfare or retirement plans.
6. Other Termination.
(a) Termination Before Change in Control. If the Executive’s
Employment is terminated for any reason before a Change in Control,
severance payments, if any, due to the Executive shall be determined
under the Employer’s severance plans or policies then in effect, and/or
the Executive’s Employment Agreement, if any. In such circumstances, the
Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits under this
Agreement, and the Employer shall have no further obligation to the
Executive hereunder, except to the extent provided under any welfare,
retirement or other plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the
Employer in which the Executive is or was eligible to participate.
24
(b) Termination for Cause or Without Good Reason. If, following a
Change in Control, (i) the Executive’s Employment is terminated for
Cause by the Board of Directors acting in good faith by written notice by the Employer to
the Executive specifying the event relied upon for such termination, or
(ii) the Executive terminates the Executive’s Employment without Good
Reason, the Executive shall receive the Executive’s Base Salary at the
rate then in effect on the date the, Executive’s Employment terminates
paid through the date of termination. In such circumstances, the
Executive shall not be entitled to any payments or benefits under this
Agreement, and the Employer shall have no further obligation to the
Executive hereunder, except to the extent provided under any welfare,
retirement or other plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the
Employer in which the Executive is or was eligible to participate.
(c) Death or Disability. If the Executive’s Employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Executive, the
Executive’s spouse or other beneficiary, as the case may be, shall not
be entitled to any payments or benefits under this Agreement, and the
Employer shall have no further obligation to the Executive hereunder
except to the extent provided under any welfare, retirement or other
plan, policy or arrangement maintained by the Employer in which the
Executive is or was eligible to participate.
7. Section 280G. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to
the contrary, in the event that:
(a) The aggregate payments or benefits to be made or afforded to
the Executive under the this Agreement or from the Company in any other
manner (the “Termination Benefits”) would be deemed to include an
“excess parachute payment” under Section 280G of the Code, or any
successor thereto, and
(b) If such Termination Benefits were reduced to an amount (the
“Non-Triggering Amount”), the value of which is one dollar ($1.00) less
than the amount that would result in an “excess parachute payment” under
Section 280G of the Code, and the Non-Triggering Amount would be greater
than the aggregate value of Termination Benefits (without such
reduction) minus the amount of tax required to be paid by Executive
thereon by Section 4999 of the Code, then the Termination Benefits shall
be reduced so that the Termination Benefits are not more than the
Non-Triggering Amount. The application of said Section 280G, and the
allocation of the reduction required by this Section, shall be
determined by the Company’s auditors.
8. Beneficiaries. If the Executive is entitled to payments and
benefits under the circumstances described above in Section 3, but dies
before all amounts payable and benefits available thereunder have been
paid or provided, the remaining payments and benefits shall be made or
provided to the Executive’s surviving spouse, if any, or other
beneficiary designated in a writing delivered to the Employer (and in
such form as is prescribed by the Employer). If the Executive has no
surviving spouse, and has not designated a beneficiary, the remaining
payments shall be made to the Executive’s estate.
25
9. Full Satisfaction; Waiver and Release. As a condition to
receiving the payments and benefits hereunder, the Executive shall
execute a document in customary form, releasing and waiving any and all
claims, causes of actions and the like against the Employer, their
respective successors, shareholders, officers, trustees, agents and
employees, regarding all matters relating to the Executive’s service as
an employee of the Employer and to the termination of such relationship.
Such claims include, without limitation, any claims arising under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (the “ADEA”);
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights
Act of 1991, as amended; the Equal Pay Act of 1962, as amended; the
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; the Family Medical
Leave Act, as amended; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended; or any other federal, state or local statute or
ordinance, but exclude claims arising under the ADEA to challenge the
provisions of this Section 8, and any claims that arise out of an
asserted breach of the terms of this Agreement or claims related to the
matters described in Section 5.
10. Assignment. Except as provided above in Section 8, the Employer
may not assign this Agreement, or any rights, duties or obligations
hereunder, except that the Employer’s rights, duties, and obligations
shall be binding obligations of any successor, as provided in Section 2.
No interest of the Executive (or the Executive’s spouse or other
beneficiary) nor any right to receive any payment or distribution
hereunder shall be subject to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge,
attachment or garnishment or otherwise be assigned or encumbered. No
such interest or right shall be taken, voluntarily or involuntarily, for
the satisfaction of the obligations or debts of, or other claims
against, the Executive (or the Executive’s spouse or other beneficiary),
including claims for alimony, child support, separate maintenance and
claims in bankruptcy.
11. Source of Payment. The rights created under this Agreement are
unfunded promises to provide severance pay and other benefits described
herein in the event of the termination of the Executive’s Employment
under the circumstances described above in Section 3. The Employer shall
not segregate assets for purposes of payment for any amounts due
hereunder, nor shall any provision contained herein be interpreted to
require the Employer to segregate assets for purposes of providing
payment of any benefit hereunder. The Executive, the Executive’s spouse,
or other beneficiary shall not have any interest in or right against any
specific assets of the Employer, and any rights shall be limited to
those of a general unsecured creditor.
12. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement contains
the entire Agreement and understanding between the Employer and the
Executive and, except for any employment agreement and stock option
agreements, supersedes all other agreements, written or oral, relating
to the payment of severance or any other benefit in the event of a
Termination of Employment Without Cause or with Good Reason in the event
of a Change of Control, as described herein. Any amendment or
modification of the terms of this Agreement must be in writing and
signed by the Employer and the Executive to have any binding effect upon
the parties.
26
(b) Applicable Law. Except to the extent preempted by federal law,
this Agreement is governed by, and shall be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the substantive laws of the State of Illinois, not
including the choice of law provisions thereof.
(c) No Employment Rights. Nothing contained herein shall be
construed to confer upon the Executive any right to continue in the
employment of the Employer, or to limit the right of the Employer to
terminate the Executive’s employment at any time, with or without Cause,
subject to the Executive’s rights hereunder with respect to such
termination.
(d) Notices. All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing
and shall be deemed to have been made when delivered or mailed by
registered, or certified mail, or by a nationally recognized overnight
delivery service, postage or charges prepaid. All notices to the Company
shall be sent to:
APAC Customer Services,
Inc. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
Inc. Xxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Chief Executive Officer
All notices to the Executive shall be sent to the Executive’s last
known address on the Company’s records, or such other address as
the Executive may furnish to the Company.
(e) Severability. If any provision contained herein shall be found
invalid an unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect.
(f) Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs,
representatives, and successors.
(g) Headings. The headings and subheadings contained in this
Agreement are provided solely for convenience of reference and shall not
be construed or interpreted in any way as affecting the meaning of any
provision of this Agreement.
* * *
27
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive and the Employer have executed as of
the date set forth above.
APAC CUSTOMER SERVICES, INC. | ||||
By: | ||||
XXXXXXX XXXXXX | ||||
Name |
28
Exhibit C
Agreement Protecting Company Interests
Agreement Protecting Company Interests
29
AGREEMENT PROTECTING
COMPANY INTERESTS
COMPANY INTERESTS
Employee’s Last | First Name: | Middle Initial: | ||
Name: Xxxxxx | Xxxxxxx |
In order for APAC Customer Services, Inc. (hereinafter referred to as the
“Company”) to maintain a competitive edge, the Company must protect its
confidential information and customer relationships.
Therefore, as a condition of employment with the Company, I agree as follows:
DEFINITIONS
1. | “Confidential Information” means information (i) disclosed to or known
by me as a consequence of my employment with the Company, (ii) not
generally known to others outside the Company, and (iii) which relates to
the Company’s marketing, sales, finances, operations, business processes
and methodologies, techniques, devices, software programs, projections,
strategies and plans, personnel information, and client information,
including client needs, contacts, particular projects, particularized
needs and preferences and contract cycles. |
NONDISCLOSURE OF CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
2. | I will not disclose or use any Confidential Information for the
benefit of myself or another, unless directed or authorized in writing by
the Company to do so, until such time as the information becomes known to
the public through no fault of mine. |
COMPANY PROPERTY
3. | All documents and other tangible property relating in any way to the
business of the Company are the exclusive property of the Company (even
if I authored or created them). All business processes, methodologies
and techniques created during my employment (even if I authored or
created them) are similarly the property of the Company. I agree to
return all such documents and tangible property to the Company upon
termination of employment or at such earlier time as the Company may
request. |
NON-SOLICITATION OF CLIENTS
4. | During my employment with the Company and for two years after
termination of employment with the Company for any reason, I shall not
provide outsourced business services, including inbound, outbound and
interactive telephone and web based services, business process
outsourcing services, or any other services that the Company provided to
clients, to any client of the Company which I had direct contact, direct
supervisory responsibility or access to confidential information, nor
will I solicit, induce, or attempt to induce any such client to: (a) stop
doing business with or through the Company, or (b) do business with any
other person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity that
provides products or services materially similar to those provided by the
Company. |
30
NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES
5. | For two years following termination of my employment with the Company
for any reason, I shall not, directly or indirectly, induce or attempt
to induce any employee of the Company to terminate his/her employment
with the Company, nor will I hire or assist in the hiring of any such
employee by any firm or entity of which I am an employee, owner, partner
or consultant. |
NON-COMPETITION COVENANT
6. | During my employment with the Company and for the greater of two
years after termination of my employment with the Company for any reason
or any period over which the Company pays me, I shall not consult with
or be employed by any business offering outsourced business services,
including, without limitation, inbound, outbound and interactive
telephone and web based services, business process outsourcing services,
customer relationship management services, business processing services,
or any other services offered by the Company, in any geographic area or
market in which the Company does business, because to do so would
inevitably involve the use or disclosure by me of Company trade secrets
and other Confidential Information. |
SEVERABILITY/MODIFICATION
7. | If a provision of this Agreement is held invalid by a court of
competent jurisdiction, the remaining provisions will nonetheless be
enforceable according to their terms. Further, if any provision is held
to be over broad as written, that provision should be amended to narrow
its application to the extent necessary to make the provision enforceable
according to applicable law and enforced as amended. |
GOVERNING LAW
8. | This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted and enforced in
accordance with the internal laws of the State of Illinois. I agree to
submit to the personal jurisdiction of any state court in Lake County,
Illinois or federal court in Illinois, and consent to service of process
in connection with any action arising out of this Agreement. |
ASSIGNMENT
9. | The Company may assign its rights under this Agreement to any
successor in interest, whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets,
or otherwise. This Agreement shall be binding whether it is between me
and the Company or between me and any successor or assigns of the
Company. |
NO EFFECT ON TERM OF EMPLOYMENT
10. | Nothing in this Agreement prevents or limits my right to terminate my
employment at any time for any reason, and nothing in this Agreement
prevents or limits the Company from terminating my employment at any time
for any reason. I understand and agree that there exist no promises or
guarantees of permanent employment or employment for any specified term
by the Company. |
REMEDIES
11. | I agree that irreparable harm would result from my breach or threat
to breach this Agreement, and monetary damages would not provide adequate relief. I agree that the Company
shall be entitled to seek and obtain temporary, preliminary, and
permanent injunctive relief restraining me from committing or continuing
any breach without the Company’s posting a bond. I further agree that I
will liable for the amount of reasonable attorney’s fees incurred by the
Company if the Company retains a lawyer to protect its rights under this
agreement. |
31
ENTIRE AGREEMENT
12. | I understand that this Agreement contains the entire agreement and
understanding between the Company and me with respect to the provisions
contained in this Agreement, and that no representations, promises, agreements,
or understandings, written or oral, related thereto which are not contained in
this Agreement will be given any force or effect. No change or modification of
this Agreement will be valid or binding unless it is in writing and signed by
the party against whom the change or modification is sought to be enforced. I
further understand that even if the Company waives or fails to enforce any
provision of this Agreement in one instance, that will not constitute a waiver
of any other provisions of this Agreement at this time, or a waiver of that
provision at any other time. |
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||
Date | ||
APAC Customer Services, Inc. | ||
By: | ||
Date : |
32