SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.8(a)
This Severance Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into this 23rd day
of June, 2005 (the “Effective Date”), by and between CBS Personnel Holdings, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (“CBS”), and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx (“Executive”). Each of Executive and CBS are sometimes
referred to herein as a “Party” and collectively as the “Parties.”
BACKGROUND
Executive and CBS have been engaged in and wish to continue an “at-will” employment
relationship. The Parties are entering into this Agreement to provide Executive with certain
security and benefits in his continuing employment, and to provide CBS, its subsidiaries and
affiliates with certain covenants from Executive to protect the business interests of CBS and its
subsidiaries and affiliates during Executive’s continuing employment. Nothing contained herein
should be construed as a modification of the “at-will” nature of Executive’s employment with CBS.
AGREEMENT
In consideration of the mutual promises and consideration stated herein, the
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, CBS and Executive agree as follows:
1. Employment
Executive agrees to continue his employment with CBS and CBS agrees to continue to
employ Executive, all subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2. Termination of Employment
Executive’s employment with CBS may be terminated at any time and for any reason with
or without notice by CBS or by Executive. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement
or as otherwise required by applicable law, upon termination of Executive’s employment with CBS,
Executive will have no obligation or duty to further serve CBS in any capacity, nor will CBS or its
subsidiaries or affiliates be under any obligation to make any further payments or provide any
further benefits to Executive.
3. Termination Payments
Upon the termination of Executive’s employment, Executive will resign all positions of
any kind held with CBS or its subsidiaries or affiliates. Upon the termination of Executive’s
employment, CBS will be obligated to provide Executive only with such compensation as expressly
provided in this paragraph 3, and only upon the execution and delivery by Executive of a release
and waiver of all claims Executive may have against CBS, its subsidiaries, affiliates,
representatives and other related parties, in form and substance satisfactory to CBS.
a. Termination for Cause.
(i) If CBS terminates Executive’s employment hereunder for “Cause” then no further
compensation shall be paid to Executive after the date of termination.
(ii) For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall be defined as any of the
following:
(1) Executive’s breach of this Agreement;
(2) Executive’s failure to adhere to any written policy of CBS or its subsidiaries or
affiliates in any material respect;
(3) Executive’s failure (as determined in good faith by the President or Board of Directors of
CBS) to effectively perform the duties assigned to Executive by CBS in any material respect;
(4) the appropriation (or attempted appropriation) of a material business opportunity of CBS
or its subsidiaries or affiliates, including attempting to secure or securing any personal profit
in connection with any transaction entered into on behalf of CBS or its subsidiaries or affiliates;
(5) the misappropriation (or attempted misappropriation) of any funds or property of CBS or
its subsidiaries or affiliates or the commission by Executive of any act of fraud against CBS or
its subsidiaries or affiliates;
(6) the conviction of, the indictment for (or its procedural equivalent), or the entering of a
guilty plea or plea of no contest with respect to, a felony, the equivalent thereof, or any other
crime involving moral turpitude; or
(7) the violation by Executive of the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in paragraph 4
hereof) or the unauthorized use by Executive of the trade secrets or confidential information of
CBS or its subsidiaries or affiliates.
(iii) For purposes of this paragraph 3(a) the “date of termination” shall be the later of: (A)
the date CBS provides Executive with notice of termination of his employment, or (B) the last date
Executive provides services on behalf of CBS, as set forth in the notice of termination provided to
Executive by CBS. CBS is not required to give prior notice to Executive of termination for Cause.
b. Resignation by Executive. If Executive resigns or retires at any time for any
reason other than that provided in paragraph 3(c) or 3(d) below, no further compensation
shall be paid to Executive after the date of termination; provided, however, Executive
shall be entitled to receive from CBS, subject to any deduction and withholding required by
applicable law, any base salary
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that was fully earned by Executive prior to the date of termination. For purposes of this
paragraph 3(b) the “date of termination” shall be the later of (A) the date Executive
provides CBS with notice of termination of his employment, or (B) the last date Executive
provides services on behalf of CBS, as agreed to in writing by Executive and CBS.
c. Death of Executive. Executive’s employment with CBS automatically terminates upon
the death of Executive. In that event, no further compensation shall be paid to Executive after the
date of termination; provided, however, Executive (or his heirs, estate or personal representative,
as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive from CBS, subject to any deduction and withholding
required by applicable law, any base salary that was fully earned by Executive prior to the date of
termination.
d. Disability of Executive. If Executive’s employment with CBS terminates by reason of
Executive’s disability, as determined under any of CBS’s disability plans then applicable to
Executive, Executive will be paid in accordance with any disability plans or policies of CBS in
existence on the date of termination and applicable to Executive.
e. Termination Without Cause.
(i) If CBS terminates Executive’s employment for any reason other than Cause, disability or
death, then Executive shall be entitled to receive from CBS, subject to any deduction and
withholding required by applicable law:
(A) any base salary that was fully earned by Executive prior to the date of termination; and
(B) for a period of twelve (12) consecutive months following the date of termination (the
“Severance Period”), continuation of base salary, payable according to the normal payroll schedule
and practices of CBS.
(ii) Any payments to Executive under this paragraph 3(e) are contingent upon Executive’s
continuing compliance with the Confidentiality Agreement (as defined in paragraph 4 of this
Agreement).
(iii) For purposes of this paragraph 3(e) the “date of termination” shall be the later of: (A)
the date CBS provides Executive with notice of termination of his employment, or (B) the last date
Executive provides services on behalf of CBS, as set forth in the notice of termination provided to
Executive by CBS.
(iv) CBS agrees that during the Severance Period, it will voluntarily fund the portion of
Executive’s COBRA premium that exceeds the dollar amount that Executive was required to contribute
towards health benefits as an employee of CBS immediately prior to termination.
4. Executive’s Covenants Protecting CBS’s Business Resources
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On October 13, 2003 Executive and CBS entered into that certain Agreement on
Confidentiality and Non-Competition, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A and
incorporated herein by reference (the “Confidentiality Agreement”). The Parties hereby reaffirm and
ratify all aspects of the Confidentiality Agreement. The covenants in the Confidentiality Agreement
will survive the termination of this Agreement.
5. Miscellaneous
a. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the
benefit of (i) CBS and its successors and assigns and (ii) Executive and Executive’s heirs and
personal representatives. This Agreement is not assignable by Executive.
b. Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder will be
in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given if personally delivered or delivered via
telecopy, overnight delivery, or prepaid certified or registered U.S. Mail, return receipt
requested, to the following addresses or to such other address as either Party may designate by
like notice.
If CBS, to:
|
Xxxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, President 000 Xxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx 000 Xxxxxxxxxx, Xxxx 00000 |
||
With a copy to:
|
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxx, Esq. Squire, Xxxxxxx & Xxxxxxx L.L.P. 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000 Xxxxxxxxxx, XX 00000 |
||
If to Executive, to:
|
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx 0000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx 00000 |
c. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement and the Confidentiality Agreement
contain the entire agreement of the Parties about the subjects contained herein and therein, and
replace all prior contemporaneous oral or written agreements, understandings, statements,
representations and promises by either Party. No supplement, modification, or amendment to this
Agreement will be effective and binding unless the same is contained in a writing accepted and duly
executed by the Parties.
d. Paragraph Headings. The paragraph headings used in this Agreement are included
solely for convenience and will not affect, or be used in connection with, the interpretation of
this Agreement.
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e. Severability. The provisions of this Agreement will be deemed severable and the
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision will not affect the validity or enforceability of
the other provisions hereof.
f. Governing Law. This Agreement will, except to the extent that federal law will be
deemed to apply, be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of Ohio.
g. Arbitration of Certain Disputes. Any dispute between the Parties arising out of
this Agreement, including but not limited to any dispute regarding any aspect of this Agreement,
its formation, validity, interpretation, effect, performance or breach, or the Executive’s
employment (“Arbitrable Dispute”) shall be submitted to arbitration in Cincinnati, Ohio, before an
experienced employment arbitrator who is either licensed to practice law in Ohio, or is a retired
judge. The Parties agree to make a good faith effort to select a mutually agreeable arbitrator.
However, if the Parties are unable to reach agreement on an arbitrator, one will be selected
pursuant to the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association or any
successor rules thereto. The arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the Employment
Dispute Resolution Rules or any successor rules. The arbitrator in an Arbitrable Dispute shall not
have authority to modify or change this Agreement in any respect. The prevailing Party in any such
arbitration shall be awarded its costs, expenses, and reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in
connection with the arbitration. The Executive and CBS shall each be responsible for payment of
one-half the amount of the arbitrator’s fee(s). The arbitrator’s decision and/or award will be
fully enforceable and subject to an entry of judgment by any court of competent jurisdiction.
h. Jurisdiction and Venue in Judicial Proceedings. Any judicial action (not otherwise
subject to arbitration under paragraph 5(g) above) and arising under this Agreement, and not
otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, will be instituted only in state and/or federal courts
located in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Parties hereby expressly consent to the jurisdiction of and waive
any objection to venue in such courts.
i. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement on the day and year first
hereinabove written.
| CBS PERSONNEL HOLDINGS, INC. |
||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxxxx X.Xxxxxx | |||
| Its: | President | |||
| /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||
| Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx | ||||
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Exhibit A
Agreement on Confidentiality and Non-Competition
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Page 1 of 2
AGREEMENT
on CONFIDENTIALITY and NON-COMPETITION
INTRODUCTORY ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:
I, Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx acknowledge and agree this AGREEMENT was completely
explained to me prior to accepting employment with CBS Personnel
Services, LLC. CBS Executive
Search, LLC. Employee Management Services and/or a related divisions of these entities (hereinafter
referred to collectively as Corporate).
I,Xxxxxxx X.
Xxxxxxxx, acknowledge and agree that I was given ample opportunity to
evaluate this Agreement before I signed it, that i wish to accept the benefits of employment by
Corporate, that I understand the restrictions upon me as to
competition after termination of my employment and I believe them to
be reasonable and
necessary to protect Corporate’s business, and that Corporate will be entitled to stop, by court
injunction, any violation of the restrictions by me.
/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
10/20/03 | |
Employee Signature
|
Date |
AGREEMENT:
This Agreement is entered into
this
13th day
of October, 2003.
between Corporate and Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
residing at
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxx, XX 00000
Street
Address City State Zip
(hereinafter referred to as “Employee”).
WITNESSETH:
WHEREAS, Corporate operates staffing
and leasing businesses; and
WHEREAS, the operation of
Corporate’s businesses entail disclosure of confidential
information to employees and trainees, including but not limited to, its method of operation,
the names and address of job applicants, the names and
addresses of companies seeking job applicants, the names and addresses of customers and prospects
of the leasing division; and
WHEREAS,
such confidential information is extremely valuable to Corporate and
to Corporates
competitors and if upon termination of employment with Corporate or during the term of this
Agreement such confidential information becomes available to Corporate’s competitors, irreparable
harm will result to Corporate; and
WHEREAS, there is certain
compensation derived by employees in being employed by Corporate; and
WHEREAS, the employee is aware that he or she is signing this Agreement in consideration of being
employed by or continuing in the employ of Corporate; and
WHEREAS, Employee is desirous of being employed by Corporate or continuing employment with
Corporate under the terms and conditions set out herein.
THEREFORE, the parties mutually agree as follows:
| 1. | Corporate agrees to employ Employee and to pay Employee commissions and /or salary based upon the attached addendum incorporated into this Agreement by reference. | |
| 2. | Corporate shall also have the prerogative at any time to increase Employee’s commissions, to pay bonuses or to provide other employee benefits not mentioned herein without altering or changing the terms of this Agreement. Said bonuses, increses in commission and other employee benefits in no way vest in Employee any right to these bonuses increases or benefits as part of this Agreement or as a condition of employment, and Corporate may terminate or amend the same without notice any time, at its discretion. | |
| 3. | Corporate agrees to pay Employee in the form of draw against commissions or salary. Said draw or salary shall be determined by Corporate, however, in no event shall such draw or salary be less than the prevailing minimum wage established by law. | |
| 4. | Employee agrees that all commissions are contingent upon Corporate not having to make refunds or adjustments to clients. In the event of refunds or adjustments. Employee’s commission thereon shall be adjusted accordingly. | |
| 5. | Employee agrees to devote full time and best efforts to the business of Corporate, and shall not engage in any other employment without the written consent of Corporate. | |
| 6 | Corporate will assume most expenses incident to the normal and usual operation of business. Any unusual or extraordinary expenditures must first be approved in writing by duly authorized agent of Corporate. |
Page 2 of 2
| 7. | Employee agrees that all information, including but not limited to records, client lists, promotional material, customer lists, prospect lists, and any other material of Corporate that are not known to the general public are confidential and are the exclusive property and trade secrets of Corporate, and may not be removed from the premises of Corporate at any time without written consent of Corporate. Employee agrees that upon termination of employment herein. Employee will not use said confidential information of Corporate for any purpose whatsoever. Employee further agrees that because of the training that Corporate will give or has given Employee, the confidential information that Employee will receive or has received from Corporate, and the competitive nature of the employment agency and leasing business: that Employee, upon termination of employment for any reason, will not divulge any confidential information to anyone directly or indirectly, and will not work for, be employed by, operate on his or her own account, or for any other person, firm or entity, in any capacity, any other employment agency, employment service employment consulting service, employee leasing company, professional employer organization or any similar staffing business likely to compete with Corporate for a period of twelve (12) months (one year) within a radius of one hundred (100) miles from any office of Corporate. Employee shall not during the terms of his/her employment with Corporate, either directly or indirectly, for himself or herself, or through, on behalf of, or in conjunction with any person or legal entity (unless expressly consented to by Corporate): |
| (a) | divert or attempt to divert any business or customer of Corporate to any competition by direct or indirect means or perform directly or indirectly, any other injurious or prejudicial act to goodwill associated with Corporate: | ||
| (b) | employ, or seek to employ, any person who is at the time employed with Corporate or otherwise directly or indirectly include such person to leave his/her employment with Corporate; or | ||
| (c) | own, maintain, advise operate, engage in, invest in, make loans to, be employed by or have any interest in any business involved in providing any kind of personnel service to businesses or industry. |
| 9. | This Agreement may be terminated by either party at any time. In the event of said termination, all rights and liabilities of the parties hereto shall be determined as of the day of said termination. Employees receiving commissions, shall be entitled to only those commissions on the jobs where the cash has actually been received by Corporate or to the salary to be paid by Corporate, up to the date of Employee’s termination. The commissions due upon termination are subject to Corporate’s guarantee, and Employee agrees that Corporate can therefore hold said commissions for the length of said guarantee before payment to Employee. Employee agrees that in the event at termination herein commissions or salary due from Corporate shall be deducted from any loans or advances that are outstanding. | |
| 10. | Corporate or Employee may terminate employment forthwith by notification to the other party, provided. however, that this Agreement’s provisions on confidentiality, non-competition, payment of commissions and draw shall survive Employee’s termination of employment. | |
| 11. | Employee hereby acknowledges and agrees that (I) the covenants and agreements contained herein are reasonable and necessary to protect preserve the proprietary interest and valuable property of Corporate; (II) ireparable loss and damage will be suffered by Corporate should Employee breach any of such convents and agreements; and (III) in addition to all other remedies available to it including monetary damages. Corporate shall be entitled to both temporary and permanent injunctions to prevent a breach or contemplated breach of any such covenants and agreements. Employee acknowledges that any breach of any of the forgoing covenants and agreements shall be grounds for termination of his/her employment with Corporate. Employee further understands and agrees that any claim that Employee has against Corporate is a separate matter and does not entitle Employee to violate any covenants and agreements contained in this Agreement. Employee shall bear the cost born by Corporate to enforce any breach of this Agreement by Employee (including but not limited to attorneys fees, court costs, damages, expenses, etc.). | |
| 12. | In the event that any portion of this Agreement may be held invalid, it shall not be deemed to invalidate the balance of this Agreement. | |
| 13. | This Agreement shall constitute the entire understanding of the parties hereto, and shall not be altered except by a written agreement signed by both Corporate and Employee, and attached to this Agreement. | |
| 14. | This Agreement shall be interpreted and construed under the laws of the State of Ohio. In the event of any conflict of laws. Employee agrees that the law of the State of Ohio shall prevail. |
I,Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx understand,
agree to, and have received a copy of this Agreement.
IN WITNESS
WHEREOF, the parties have hereunto set their hands the day and year
last aforesaid.
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
|
10/20/03 | |
EMPLOYEE
|
DATE | ||
/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
|
10/20/03 | ||
WITNESS FOR CORPORATE
|
DATE | ||
CORPORATE
ENTITY: CBS Personnel Services, LLC |
