Re: Transition Services and General Release Agreement
Exhibit 10.31
Delivery Date: July 15, 2019
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx
Dear Xxxx:
This Transition Services and General Release Agreement (this “Transition Agreement”), which provides for a Supplemental Release (together with the general release herein, the “Releases,” and this Transition Agreement and the Supplemental Release together shall be referred to as the “Agreement”), confirms the terms and conditions of your voluntary resignation of employment with Gilead Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), as well as the benefits the Company will provide to you in exchange for your consent to be bound by the terms of this Agreement and your execution of the Releases. If you agree to the terms of this Agreement, please sign the last page prior to the expiration date set forth below. Regardless of whether or not you accept this Agreement, you will receive all earned but unpaid compensation in your final paycheck.
In exchange for the terms, conditions and releases set forth below, you and the Company agree as follows:
1.Employment Transition and Separation.
(a) You acknowledge and agree that you will continue to serve as a full-time, active employee of the Company through August 2, 2019 (your “Separation Date”), and your employment relationship with the Company will terminate effective as of the Separation Date. From the date hereof through the Separation Date, (i) you shall, in good faith, perform such transitional duties as are reasonably requested by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, (ii) you shall continue to be paid your annual base salary at the rate in effect as of the date hereof, and (iii) except as set forth below, you shall continue to be eligible to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs in which you participate as of the date hereof. After the Separation Date, you will not perform any further job duties for the Company or render services to the Company in any other capacity except as provided in Paragraph 16 below.
(b) For the avoidance of doubt, the Company may terminate your employment prior to the Separation Date for Cause, in which case you shall not be entitled to the Separation Pay Benefit set forth in Paragraph 2 below. For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall mean your: (i) performance of any act, or failure to perform any act, in bad faith and to the detriment of the Company; (ii) dishonesty, intentional misconduct, material violation of any Company policy, or material breach of any agreement with the Company; or (iii) commission of a crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, or physical or emotional harm to any person.
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(c) You hereby acknowledge and agree that as of the date hereof (i) you shall cease to be a participant in the Gilead Sciences, Inc. Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”) and the Gilead Sciences, Inc. Retention Program for Executive Officers (the “Retention Program”) and (ii) you are not entitled to any payments or benefits under the Severance Plan or Retention Program.
2. Transition Pay Benefit. If you (i) sign, timely deliver, and do not revoke this Transition Agreement as described in Paragraph 21 and (ii) sign and timely deliver the Supplemental Release in the form set forth as Attachment A hereto (the “Supplemental Release”) on the Separation Date and do not subsequently revoke the Supplemental Release within the time period set forth therein, the Company will provide you with a lump sum cash payment in the gross amount of $1,100,000, less all applicable withholdings and standard deductions (the “Transition Pay Benefit”), subject to the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement. The Transition Pay Benefit will be paid to you within five (5) business days following the Effective Date (as defined in the Supplemental Release) and will be included on an applicable W-2 Form issued by the Company.
3. Repayment Obligations. In the event that you breach your obligations set forth herein (including under Paragraphs 12, 16 and 17), you agree to repay the Transition Pay Benefit to the Company within sixty (60) days following your receipt of the Company’s notification requesting such repayment. Notice shall be deemed effective upon receipt if made by personal delivery or upon deposit if sent by overnight courier or the U.S. Postal Service.
4. Cessation of Company Benefits. Your eligibility to participate in the Company’s employee benefit plans and programs, such as the Company’s 401K plan, short and long term disability insurance, life insurance, vesting in stock options, performance shares or restricted stock unit awards, the employee stock purchase plan, and vacation vesting, is governed by the terms of applicable award agreements, benefits plans and programs, and will cease in accordance with those terms. If you participate in the Company’s group health insurance, your health insurance benefits will cease on the last day of the month in which your Separation Date falls, subject to your right to continue health insurance for you and any eligible dependents under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) or other applicable law should you be eligible to and make a timely election to do so. All of your other benefits will end on your Separation Date.
5. Entire Consideration. You agree and acknowledge that the Transition Pay Benefit constitutes compensation that you would not otherwise be entitled to receive, now or in the future, and constitutes valuable consideration for the promises set forth in this Agreement. You agree that the Transition Pay Benefit will constitute the entire amount of monetary consideration provided to you under this Agreement, that you do not have any unused vacation time for which you are entitled to payment, and that you will not seek from the Company or the Releasees (as defined below) any further compensation or other consideration for any other claimed obligation, entitlement, damage, cost, or attorneys’ fees in connection with the matters encompassed by this Agreement. You expressly acknowledge that you have not asserted against any Releasee (as defined in Paragraph 6) any allegation or claim related to sexual harassment or sexual abuse, and therefore, you represent that no portion of the Transition Pay Benefit is provided to you in settlement or payment for any such allegation or claim.
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6. Release of Claims. In consideration of the promises and commitments undertaken herein by the Company, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, you, on behalf of yourself, your agents, heirs, executors, successors and assigns, hereby release, discharge, and covenant not to xxx the Company, including its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, trustees, members, owners, labor contractors, staffing agencies, and related companies, and all of its and their respective past and present employees, directors, officers, shareholders, attorneys, representatives, insurers, agents, successors, predecessors and assignees, (individually and collectively the “Releasees”) with respect to any and all actions, causes of action, suits, liabilities, claims, and demands whatsoever (upon any legal or equitable theory, whether contractual, in tort, common law, statutory, federal, state, local or otherwise), and each of them, whether known or unknown, from the beginning of time up to and including the date you sign this Transition Agreement. The parties intend this release to be general and comprehensive in nature and to release all claims and potential claims against the Releasees to the maximum extent permitted at law. Claims being released include specifically by way of description, but not by way of limitation, any and all claims:
(a) arising out of or in any way related to your employment with the Company or any Releasee, including without limitation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and 1871, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Pregnancy Disability Leave law, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, COBRA, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, the Private Attorneys’ General Act (Labor Code§ 2698 et seq.), any Wage Orders issued by the California Industrial Welfare Commission, the California Business and Professionals Code, and any similar laws or regulations of any state, local, or federal governmental entity;
(b) arising out of or in any way related to any federal, state, or local law prohibiting bullying, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, or discrimination on any basis, including on the basis of age, sex, gender, race, color, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or for exercising any legal rights or otherwise engaging in any protected or concerted activity;
(c) for breach of contract (express or implied), breach of promise, wrongful discharge, unjust dismissal, retaliation, whistleblowing, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, wrongful denial of benefits, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and any intentional torts;
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(d) arising out of or in any way related to any restricted stock unit agreements, stock option agreements or other equity award agreements previously signed by you;
(e) for any alleged unpaid wages due, as to which you have considered and agree that there is a good-faith dispute as to whether such wages are due, and, based on this good-faith dispute, you release and waive any and all claims regarding any alleged unpaid wages and any corresponding penalties, interest, or attorneys’ fees, in exchange for the consideration provided in this Agreement; and
(f) for any remedies available at law or in equity, including damages, penalties, restitution, liens, injunctive relief, or the recovery of attorneys’ fees, costs, or expert witness fees.
The only claims that you are not releasing under this Transition Agreement are (i) claims for payment under this Transition Agreement, (ii) claims for vested benefits (including rights under equity awards), (iii) rights to coverage under indemnification agreements or policies or directors and officers liability insurance and (iv) claims you may have for violation of any federal, state or local law that, by operation of law, are not waivable, including but not limited to unemployment, state disability, and California Labor Code Section 2802. With regard to Labor Code Section 2802 or similar law of any other state, you represent and warrant that you have been reimbursed all business expenses and other expenditures incurred in direct consequence of your duties for the Company.
This release of claims does not prevent you or the Company or any Releasee from seeking a binding determination as to the validity of this Agreement or bringing an action in arbitration to enforce this Agreement.
7. Waiver of Unknown Claims. You expressly waive any and all rights or benefits conferred by the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code or similar law of any other state, and consent that this Transition Agreement shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and conditions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected claims, demands and causes of actions, if any. Section 1542 of the Civil Code states:
“A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, and that if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”
You acknowledge that you may later discover claims or facts in addition to or different to those which you now know or believe to exist with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this Transition Agreement, may have materially affected this settlement. Nevertheless, you waive any right, claim or cause of action that might arise as a result of such different or additional claims or facts.
8. Covenant Not to Xxx. As to any claim released under the Releases, you specifically agree and acknowledge that: (a) such claims, including those you have or might have pertaining to your employment with any Releasee, or separation of employment from any Releasee, or pertaining to any Releasee’s employment practices arising under any municipal, state, or federal law, are
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx Page 5 of 13
completely released; and (b) you have not filed or initiated any complaints, charges, claims, or causes of action against any Releasee with any municipal, state, or federal government agency or court directly or indirectly related to your employment with Company, which includes, for the sake of clarity, claims of sexual assault, or workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or failure to prevent an act of workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or an act of retaliation against a person for reporting harassment or discrimination based on sex. You agree not to reargue, reinstitute, refile, appeal, renew, or seek reconsideration or any kind of judicial review of any of the claims released under this Agreement in any court or other legal forum whatsoever, nor shall any other court actions, suits, appeals or other legal proceedings of any type be pursued or filed that are connected in any fashion to your employment with the Company or to your separation from employment. For the sake of clarity, this covenant not to xxx does not prevent you from seeking a binding determination as to the validity of this Agreement or from engaging in any protected activity described in Paragraph 9, nor does it cover any claim not released under the Releases.
9. Protected Activity. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit you from engaging in any protected or concerted activity, or filing a complaint or charge with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or providing information to or otherwise assisting the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). By signing this Agreement you agree to waive your right to recover individual relief based on any claims asserted in such a complaint or charge; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement limits your right to receive an award for information you provide to any Government Agencies that are authorized to provide monetary or other awards to eligible individuals who come forward with information that leads to an agency enforcement action. You further understand that this Agreement does not limit your ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any of the Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information, without notice to the Company, nor does it limit your ability to disclose factual information relating to a claim filed in a civil action or a complaint filed in an administrative action regarding sexual assault, or workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or failure to prevent an act of workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or an act of retaliation against a person for reporting harassment or discrimination based on sex. Should any charge or action be filed on your behalf involving claims released by the Releases, you agree to promptly inform the relevant agency, court, or arbitral forum that any individual claims you might otherwise have had have been released.
10. No Admission of Liability. Neither this Agreement, nor anything contained in it, shall constitute or shall be used or construed as an admission or as evidence of any liability or wrongdoing. Neither this Agreement, nor anything contained in it, shall be introduced in any proceeding except to enforce this Agreement or to defend against any claim relating to the subject matter of the release contained herein or as required by court order, subpoena or other legal process, and such introduction under these exceptions shall be pursuant to an appropriate order protecting its confidentiality.
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11. Confidentiality. [Intentionally omitted]
12. Non-Solicitation of Employees. You agree not to interfere with the Company’s business by soliciting, or causing or encouraging another person to solicit, any employee of the Company to terminate or cease his or her employment with the Company for a period from the Separation Date through twelve (12) months after either your Separation Date or the Effective Date of the Supplemental Release, whichever is later, provided that general solicitation through a public medium not directly or indirectly targeted at employees of the Company shall not be considered a breach of this Paragraph 12.
13. Governing Law and Venue. The rights and obligations of you and the Company will be construed and enforced in accordance with, and will be governed by, the laws of the State of California, without regard to principles of conflict of laws. Any dispute or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement or relating in any way to your employment, including any dispute regarding the enforceability, interpretation, construction or breach of this Agreement, will be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration in accordance with the then-applicable JAMS rules, policies, and/or procedures for employment-related disputes provided, however, that any claims, which by law may not be submitted to arbitration are not covered by this arbitration provision. This means that both you and the Company give up the right to have any dispute decided in court by a jury; instead, a neutral arbitrator whose decision is final and binding will resolve it, subject to judicial review as provided by law. Furthermore, any such dispute or claim shall be brought in an individual capacity, and not as a plaintiff or class member in any purported or actual class or collective action proceeding except where applicable law prohibits a class or collective action waiver. A copy of the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules and Procedures can be found online at xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx-xxxxxxxxxxx/. There will be one arbitrator appointed in accordance with said rules. The arbitrator will conduct any arbitration consistent with the rules. The arbitrator will have the authority to determine the arbitrability of any dispute between the parties. The arbitrator will have the authority to award attorneys’ fees to the prevailing party pursuant to statute or this Agreement as described below in Paragraph 24. If there is a dispute as to who is the prevailing party in the arbitration, the arbitrator will decide this issue. The Federal Arbitration Act shall govern the enforceability of this arbitration agreement.
14. Confidentiality Agreement. You acknowledge that you signed an Employee Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement (“CIIA”) in connection with your employment with the Company, and that your obligations to protect the Company’s confidential and proprietary information, and prevent the disclosure of any such information in your possession, are continuing and survive the termination of your employment with the Company. You understand that the Company may not hold you criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law or any agreement for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made: (a) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney, provided that such disclosure is solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (b) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, provided that such filing is made under seal.
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15. Neutral Reference. The Company agrees that if it is asked for a reference, it will respond that pursuant to Company policy, the Company can only provide your name, your position, the dates of your employment and, with written authorization from you, your salary and will provide only such information in response to a request for a reference. Such inquiries should be directed to HR Answer at 000-000-0000 or e-mail XX.Xxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx.
16. Cooperation. You agree to provide reasonable information when requested by the Company about subjects you worked on during your employment. You further agree to cooperate fully with the Company to facilitate an orderly transition of your job responsibilities to person(s) designated by the Company. You agree that, as requested by the Company or its counsel, you will fully cooperate with the Company and its counsel in any formal or informal inquiry, investigation, disciplinary or other proceeding initiated by any government agency. You further agree to fully cooperate with the Company and its counsel in both the pursuit or prosecution of any claim or right the Company may hold against others for damages or relief and in defending the Company against any pending or future claims, complaints or actions brought against the Company, including but not limited to regulatory actions, administrative proceedings, arbitration claims or lawsuits, as well as any independent investigations by the Board of Directors of the Company (“Board”) in conjunction with a stockholder demand. In this regard, you agree that you will promptly provide all information or documents you may possess relevant to the subject matter of any inquiry, and that you will testify truthfully and with complete candor in connection with any such matter. Nothing in this Agreement shall require you to act in an unlawful manner. For any services provided under this paragraph after December 31, 2019, Company shall pay you an hourly rate based on your Base Salary at the Separation Date, as set forth on Attachment B.
17. Non-Disparagement. Other than in connection with filing a charge or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or other comparable federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission, under a valid subpoena or court order to do so, or when constituting protected activity described in Paragraph 9, for a period of twelve months following the Separation Date, you will not publicly criticize, denigrate, or otherwise disparage the Company, or any other Releasee, or any of their products, processes, policies, practices, standards of business conduct, or areas of research, or counsel or assist any attorneys or their clients in the presentation or prosecution of any disputes, differences, grievances, claims, charges, or complaints by any third party against the Company or any Releasee. For a period of twelve months following the Separation Date, the Company agrees its senior management and members of the Board shall not publicly criticize, denigrate, or otherwise disparage you.
18. Integration and Amendment. This Agreement, including the Releases, collectively, constitute and contain the entire agreement and understanding between the parties concerning the subject matters specifically addressed herein, including but not limited to eligibility for and payment of severance or separation benefits, and supersedes and replaces all prior negotiations and all agreements proposed or otherwise, whether written or oral. This Agreement, however, does not modify, amend or supersede written Company agreements that are consistent with enforceable provisions of this Agreement, and any other agreements regarding intellectual property, invention assignment and confidentiality, including but not limited to any confidentiality agreements
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previously signed by you. Any CIIA is herein incorporated by reference and remain fully enforceable as part of this integrated document; provided that the Non-Solicitation in Section 5 of the CIIA shall be deleted. Except for any changes that the Company may make with respect to Section 409A as set forth in Paragraph 23 of this Transition Agreement, this Agreement can only be changed or modified by another written agreement signed by you and an authorized executive officer of the Company.
19. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement or the application thereof is held invalid, such invalidation will not affect other provisions or applications of this Agreement and to this end, the provisions of this Agreement are declared to be severable.
20. Execution and Copies. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart, when executed, shall have the efficacy of a signed original. Photographic, PDF, and facsimiled copies of signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
21. Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. You expressly recognize and agree that, by entering into this Agreement, you are waiving any and all rights or claims that you may have arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, which have arisen on or before the date you execute this Agreement. By your signature below, you understand and agree that:
(a)To accept this Transition Agreement, you must sign, date, and return this Transition Agreement to the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the address set forth below by 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2019, which is at least twenty-one (21) full calendar days from the Delivery Date. You have twenty-one (21) full calendar days within which to consider this Transition Agreement before executing it. You are free to sign this Transition Agreement in less than 21 days if you wish but you understand that if you take fewer than 21 days to review and sign this Transition Agreement, you knowingly and voluntarily waive your right to review for the full 21-day period. Once you have accepted, signed, and dated, this Transition Agreement, please return it to the Company’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel at the address below:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
(b)Unless more time is required by applicable law or as set forth below, you have seven (7) calendar days within which to revoke this Transition Agreement after it is executed by you (the “Revocation Period”). Any such revocation shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified mail to:
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Your written revocation must be postmarked on or before the end of the seventh (7th) day after you initially signed the Agreement, provided, however, that the expiration of the Revocation Period and deadline to submit your written revocation will be extended to the next business day after such Revocation Period expires should the 7th day fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday recognized by the U.S. Postal Service, or if a revocation period longer than seven (7) calendar days is required under applicable law. If you revoke this Transition Agreement and/or the Supplemental Release, your employment termination as of the Separation Date will remain in effect; however, you will not be entitled to the Transition Pay Benefit offered in this Agreement.
(c)You have carefully read and fully understand all of the provisions of this Agreement and are hereby advised to consult with legal counsel.
(d)You are, through this Agreement, releasing the Company from any and all claims you may have against the Company consistent with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that you understand that rights or claims that may arise after the date of signing are not waived.
(e)You knowingly and voluntarily agree to all of the terms set forth in this Transition Agreement.
(f)You knowingly and voluntarily intend to be legally bound by the terms set forth in this Agreement.
(g)If you revoke either of the Releases, the provisions of Paragraph 2 of this Transition Agreement shall not be effective or enforceable. Regardless of whether you revoke the Releases in the time periods specified therein, the Transition Agreement as it relates to all matters other than the Releases shall become effective on the date you sign it.
22. Return of Property. On or before the Separation Date, and as a condition precedent to your receipt of the Transition Pay Benefit, you will return to the Company any and all Company property, including, but not limited to, documents (in whatever paper or electronic form they exist), things relating to the business of the Company or containing confidential information and all intellectual, electronic and physical property belonging to the Company that is in your possession or control, including but not limited to any Company computer, laptop, cell phone, tablet, office keys, credit card, entry cards, and identification badges.
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23. Deferred Compensation Tax Consequences. All payments and benefits described in this Agreement are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A or an exemption therefrom; provided, however, that the Company does not warrant or guarantee such compliance. Under no circumstances may the time or schedule of any payment made or benefit provided pursuant to this Agreement be accelerated or subject to a further deferral except as permitted or required pursuant to regulations and other guidance issued pursuant to Section 409A. You shall not have any right to make any election regarding the time or form of any payment due under the terms of this Agreement. In the event that any change to this Agreement or any additional terms are required to comply with Section 409A (or an exemption therefrom), the parties shall cooperate and use reasonable efforts to modify the terms of this Agreement to comply with Section 409A while preserving the economic benefits hereunder to the extent possible. Furthermore, neither the Company nor its counsel has made any representations regarding the taxability of the monetary consideration to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement. You understand and expressly agree that in the event any income or other taxes, including any interest and/or penalties, are determined to be owed by you on any portion of the payments made hereunder, you are solely responsible for the payment of such amounts, and you agree that you shall fully indemnify the Company for any taxes, penalties, interests, fees, costs and other damages incurred or paid by the Company related to the taxability of the payments made hereunder. Company agrees to notify you within a reasonable time period regarding any payments sought from it for such alleged taxes, penalties, interest, fees, costs and/or other damages related to the taxability of payments made by it pursuant to this Agreement so that you will have a reasonable opportunity to defend against such claims.
24. Attorneys’ Fees and Costs. In the event that either the Company or you bring an action to enforce this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover its costs and expenses, including the cost of arbitration and all reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred in connection with such an action.
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To accept these terms, please sign and date below and return this Agreement as set forth above. The offer of this Agreement shall expire at 5:00 p.m. on August 5, 2019, which is at least the twenty-first (21st) calendar day after the Delivery Date.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Title: Executive Vice President and General Counsel
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
I have read and understood the foregoing Transition Services and General Release Agreement, have been advised to and have had the opportunity to discuss it with anyone I desire, including an attorney of my own choice, and I accept and agree to its terms, acknowledge receipt of a copy of the same and the sufficiency of the Transition Pay Benefit described above, and hereby execute this Transition Services and General Release Agreement voluntarily and with full understanding of its consequences.
/s/ Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx July 15, 2019
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx Date
Attachment A
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. THIS AGREEMENT CONTAINS A GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.
SUPPLEMENTAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This Supplemental Release (this “Supplemental Release”), is made between Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx (“McHutchison”) and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (“Gilead”) pursuant to the Transition Services and General Release Agreement by and between McHutchison and Gilead (the “Transition Agreement”), and is effective on the Effective Date set forth in Paragraph 2 of this Supplemental Release.
1. | McHutchison’s Release of Claims. |
(a) General Release. In consideration of the promises and commitments undertaken by Gilead in the Transition Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which McHutchison hereby acknowledges, McHutchison, on behalf of himself, his agents, heirs, executors, successors and assigns, hereby releases, discharges, and covenants not to xxx Gilead, including its parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, partners, trustees, members, owners, labor contractors, staffing agencies, and related companies, and all of its and their respective past and present employees, directors, officers, shareholders, attorneys, representatives, insurers, agents, successors, predecessors and assignees, (individually and collectively the “Releasees”) with respect to any and all actions, causes of action, suits, liabilities, claims, and demands whatsoever (upon any legal or equitable theory, whether contractual, in tort, common law, statutory, federal, state, local or otherwise), and each of them, whether known or unknown, from the beginning of time up to and including the date McHutchison executes this Supplemental Release. McHutchison and Gilead intend this release to be general and comprehensive in nature and to release all claims and potential claims against the Releasees to the maximum extent permitted at law. Claims being released include specifically by way of description, but not by way of limitation, any and all claims:
(i)arising out of or in any way related to McHutchison’s employment with Gilead or any Releasee, including without limitation claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and 1871, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Pregnancy Discrimination Act, the Equal Pay Act of 1973, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, the Equal Pay Act of 1963, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Pregnancy Disability Leave law, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the Healthy Workplace Healthy Family Act of 2014, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Immigration Reform and Control Act, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the National Labor Relations Act of 1935, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the California Labor Code, the Private Attorneys’ General Act (Labor Code§ 2698 et seq.), any Wage Orders issued by the California Industrial Welfare Commission, the
A-1
Attachment B
California Business and Professionals Code, and any similar laws or regulations of any state, local, or federal governmental entity;
(ii)arising out of or in any way related to any federal, state, or local law prohibiting bullying, harassment, retaliation, wrongful termination, or discrimination on any basis, including on the basis of age, sex, gender, race, color, religion, disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or for exercising any legal rights or otherwise engaging in any protected or concerted activity;
(iii)for breach of contract (express or implied), breach of promise, wrongful discharge, unjust dismissal, retaliation, whistleblowing, breach of fiduciary duty, breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, wrongful denial of benefits, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and any intentional torts;
(iv)arising out of or in any way related to any restricted stock unit agreements, stock option agreements or other equity award agreements previously signed by McHutchison;
(v)for any alleged unpaid wages due, as to which McHutchison has considered and agree that there is a good-faith dispute as to whether such wages are due, and, based on this good-faith dispute, McHutchison releases and waives any and all claims regarding any alleged unpaid wages and any corresponding penalties, interest, or attorneys’ fees, in exchange for the consideration provided in the Transition Agreement; and
(vi)for any remedies available at law or in equity, including damages, penalties, restitution, liens, injunctive relief, or the recovery of attorneys’ fees, costs, or expert witness fees.
The only claims that McHutchison is not releasing under this Supplemental Release are (i) claims for payment under the Transition Agreement, (ii) claims for vested benefits (including rights under equity awards), (iii) rights to coverage under indemnification agreements or policies or directors and officers liability insurance and (iv) claims McHutchison may have for violation of any federal, state or local law that, by operation of law, are not waivable, including but not limited to unemployment, state disability, and California Labor Code Section 2802. With regard to Labor Code Section 2802 or similar law of any other state, McHutchison represents and warrants that McHutchison has been reimbursed all business expenses and other expenditures incurred in direct consequence of McHutchison’s duties for Gilead.
This Supplemental Release does not prevent McHutchison or Gilead or any Releasee from seeking a binding determination as to the validity of this Supplemental Release or the Transition Agreement or bringing an action in arbitration to enforce this Supplemental Release or the Transition Agreement.
(b) Waiver of Unknown Claims. McHutchison expressly waives any and all rights or benefits conferred by the provisions of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code or similar law of any other state, and consents that this Supplemental Release and the Transition Agreement shall be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express terms and conditions, including
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those relating to unknown and unsuspected claims, demands and causes of actions, if any. Section 1542 of the Civil Code states:
“A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release, and that if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”
McHutchison acknowledges that McHutchison may later discover claims or facts in addition to or different to those which McHutchison now knows or believes to exist with respect to the subject matter of this Supplemental Release and the Transition Agreement and which, if known or suspected at the time of executing this Supplemental Release, may have materially affected this settlement. Nevertheless, McHutchison waives any right, claim or cause of action that might arise as a result of such different or additional claims or facts.
(c) Covenant Not to Xxx. As to any claim released under the Releases, McHutchison specifically agrees and acknowledges that: (a) such claims, including those McHutchison has or might have pertaining to McHutchison’s employment with any Releasee, or separation of employment from any Releasee, or pertaining to any Releasee’s employment practices arising under any municipal, state, or federal law, are completely released; and (b) McHutchison has not filed or initiated any pending complaints, charges, claims, or causes of action against any Releasee with any municipal, state, or federal government agency or court directly or indirectly related to McHutchison’s employment with Gilead which includes, for the sake of clarity, claims of sexual assault, or workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or failure to prevent an act of workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or an act of retaliation against a person for reporting harassment or discrimination based on sex. McHutchison agrees not to reargue, reinstitute, refile, appeal, renew, or seek reconsideration or any kind of judicial review of any of the claims released under this Agreement in any court or other legal forum whatsoever, nor shall any other court actions, suits, appeals or other legal proceedings of any type be pursued or filed that are connected in any fashion to McHutchison’s employment with Gilead or to McHutchison’s separation from employment. For the sake of clarity, this covenant not to xxx does not prevent McHutchison from seeking a binding determination as to the validity of this Supplemental Release or from engaging in any protected activity described in Paragraph 1(d), nor does it cover any claim not released under this Supplemental Release.
(d) Protected Activity. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit McHutchison from engaging in any protected or concerted activity, or filing a complaint or charge with, or participating in any investigation or proceeding conducted by, or providing information to or otherwise assisting the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission, Department of Fair Employment and Housing, National Labor Relations Board, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or commission (“Government Agencies”). By signing this Agreement McHutchison agrees to waive McHutchison’s right to recover individual relief based on any claims asserted in such a complaint or charge; provided, however, that nothing in this Agreement limits McHutchison’s right to receive an award for information McHutchison provide to any Government Agencies that are authorized to provide monetary or other awards to eligible individuals who come
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forward with information that leads to an agency enforcement action. McHutchison further understands that this Agreement does not limit McHutchison’s ability to communicate with any Government Agencies or otherwise participate in any investigation or proceeding that may be conducted by any of the Government Agencies, including providing documents or other information, without notice to Gilead, nor does it limit McHutchison’s ability to disclose factual information relating to a claim filed in a civil action or a complaint filed in an administrative action regarding sexual assault, or workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or failure to prevent an act of workplace harassment or discrimination based on sex, or an act of retaliation against a person for reporting harassment or discrimination based on sex. Should any charge or action be filed on McHutchison’s behalf involving claims released by the Releases, McHutchison agrees to promptly inform the relevant agency, court, or arbitral forum that any individual claims McHutchison might otherwise have had have been released.
(e) Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. McHutchison expressly recognizes and agrees that, by entering into this Agreement, McHutchison is waiving any and all rights or claims that McHutchison may have arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, which have arisen on or before the date McHutchison executes this Agreement.
2. | Revocation and Effective Date. |
(a) McHutchison acknowledges that McHutchison has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Supplemental Release and is hereby advised to consult with legal counsel. McHutchison acknowledges that McHutchison has twenty-one (21) full calendar days within which to consider this Supplemental Release before executing it. McHutchison is free to sign this Supplemental Release in less than 21 days, but should McHutchison take fewer than 21 days to review and sign this Supplemental Release, McHutchison knowingly and voluntarily waives McHutchison’s right to review for the full 21-day period. McHutchison further acknowledges that unless more time is required by applicable law or as set forth below, McHutchison has seven (7) calendar days within which to revoke this Supplemental Release after it is executed by McHutchison (the “Revocation Period”). Any such revocation shall be in writing and shall be sent by certified mail to:
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Xxxxx.Xxxxxxxx@xxxxxx.xxx
McHutchison’s written revocation must be postmarked on or before the end of the seventh (7th) day after McHutchison initially signed the Supplemental Release, provided, however, that the expiration of the Revocation Period and deadline to submit the written revocation will be extended to the next business day after such Revocation Period expires should the 7th day fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or holiday recognized by the U.S. Postal Service, or if a revocation period longer than seven (7) calendar days is required under applicable law. If McHutchison revoke this Supplemental Release,
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McHutchison will not be entitled to the Transition Pay Benefit (as defined in the Transition Agreement). If McHutchison does not revoke this Supplemental Release in the time specified above, the Supplemental Release shall become effective once the Revocation Period expires (the “Effective Date”).
(b) This Supplemental Release may be executed in counterparts, and each counterpart, when executed, shall have the efficacy of a signed original. Photographic, PDF, and facsimiled copies of signed counterparts may be used in lieu of the originals for any purpose.
(c) This Supplemental Release was entered into in California and the rights and obligations of McHutchison and Gilead will be construed and enforced in accordance with, and will be governed by, the laws of the State of California, without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
3.Integration.
This Supplemental Release shall constitute a part of the Transition Agreement entered into by and between Gilead and McHutchison, which collectively constitute and contain the entire agreement and understanding between the parties concerning the subject matters specifically addressed herein, including but not limited to eligibility for and payment of severance or separation benefits, and supersedes and replaces all prior negotiations and all agreements proposed or otherwise, whether written or oral. Except as otherwise set forth in this Supplemental Release, this Supplemental Release shall be governed by the terms and conditions of the Transition Agreement.
I have read and understood the foregoing Supplemental Release, have been advised to and have had the opportunity to discuss it with anyone I desire, including an attorney of my own choice, and I accept and agree to its terms, acknowledge receipt of a copy of the same and the sufficiency of the monies and benefits described above, and hereby execute this Supplemental Release voluntarily and with full understanding of its consequences.
EXECUTED this 15th day of July, 2019, at Foster City, California.
_________________________________
Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx
EXECUTED this 15th day of July 2019, at Foster City, California.
Gilead Sciences, Inc.
By: _____________________________________
Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Executive Vice President and General Counsel
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Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx Hourly Rate
For purposes of Paragraph 16 of that Transition Service Agreement by and between Xxxx X. XxXxxxxxxxx and Gilead Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”), the hourly rate of compensation shall be $493.
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