Exhibit 10.1
General Release & Severance Agreement
This General Release and Severance Agreement (“General Release Agreement”) is made and entered into
between Xxx X. Xxxxxxx (“Associate”) and
Tween Brands, Inc. (the “Company”).
|
|
|
WHEREAS, the parties wish to terminate their employment relationship and wish to fully
dispose of any and all claims of whatever kind or nature which Associate ever had or may
now have against the Company |
|
|
|
|
WHEREAS, in consideration of the termination benefits outlined in the Separation Pay,
Confidentiality & Non-Competition Agreement between Too, Inc. and Xxx X. Xxxxxxx dated June
10, 2005 (“Separation Pay Agreement”), and by signing this General Release Agreement, the
parties agree as follows: |
|
1. |
|
Associate has resigned as an officer of the Company and it subsidiaries and
affiliates as of the close of business August 18, 2006 (“Separation Date”). |
|
2. |
|
In consideration for signing this General Release Agreement, the Company agrees to
pay Associate termination benefits in accordance with the terms of the Separation Pay
Agreement for a termination without cause as set forth in Paragraph 4 and all other
relevant provisions of the Separation Pay Agreement. Pursuant to Paragraph 4 of the
Separation Pay Agreement, Company shall pay Associate eleven thousand nine hundred
twenty-three and 7/100 dollars ($11,923.07), (current rate) minus the deductions required
by law (including applicable withholding), on a bi-weekly basis for a period beginning
on the first normal pay period after this General Release Agreement becomes irrevocable in
accordance with Paragraph 19, below, and ending after the Associate has received a
total of twenty-six (26) such payments over a period of fifty-two (52) weeks, or the date
the Associate is employed (including self-employed) at an equivalent rate of pay,
whichever occurs first. If the Associate obtains employment (including self-employment)
at a lower rate of pay, she will continue to receive the differential between the two
rates of pay for the balance of the fifty-two (52) weeks. Associate also agrees to
immediately inform the Senior Vice President, Human Resources if Associate accepts
employment or begins self-employment during the fifty-two (52) week period of salary
payments, so that the referenced deductions can be made |
|
3. |
|
The Company agrees to pay the Associate upon the date this General Release Agreement
becomes irrevocable, all vacation entitlement that is currently earned, but unused. |
|
4. |
|
The Company agrees to pay the Associate, upon the date this General Release Agreement
becomes irrevocable, her full incentive compensation for the Spring 2006 Season pursuant
to the Company’s Incentive Compensation Plan. |
|
5. |
|
The Company will provide the COBRA continuation of benefits at our costs (no cost to
Associate) for up to a total of fifty-two (52) weeks, or the first day of eligibility of
insurance with another employer, whichever is earliest. |
|
6. |
|
The Company agrees to pay the cost of outplacement services up to an amount not to
exceed five thousand and 00/100 dollars ($5,000.00). These services will be offered only
through a provider previously approved by the Company. The cost of any outplacement
services will be reimbursed directly by the Company to the provider. This enhanced
benefit is not reimbursable to the associate. |
|
7. |
|
Too, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan vested balances may remain in, be transferred
from, or paid to you in accordance with laws and regulations governing 401(k) plans. |
|
8. |
|
The Associate will have 90 days from the Separation Date to exercise any vested, but
unexercised options, as allowed by the Stock Option and Performance Incentive Plan. |
Page 1 of 3
|
9. |
|
Neither the Associate nor any officer, director or any authorized spokesperson of the
Company shall state or otherwise publish anything about the other party which would
adversely affect the reputation, image or business relationships and goodwill of the other
party in its/her market and community at large. |
|
10. |
|
The sums of money and conditions set forth as specified in paragraphs (1), (2), (3),
(4), (5), (6) and (7) of the General Release Agreement represent any and all termination
pay, back pay, wages, vacation pay, damages (liquidated or unliquidated), benefits,
attorneys’ fees, costs, interest or other monies to which Associate may now be entitled
from the Company. |
|
11. |
|
Associate agrees to make herself available for testimony at any proceeding and/or
consultation with the Company’s attorneys, and to cooperate fully during any investigation
with respect to any pending or future litigation that involves the Company. The Company
agrees to pay in full all reasonable expenses associated therewith. |
|
12. |
|
This General Release Agreement does not prevent the Associate from filing for
unemployment compensation benefits. |
|
13. |
|
Except for her rights under this General Release Agreement, the Associate acquits,
releases and forever discharges, the Company, its affiliates, and all of their past,
present and future officers, directors, agents, employees and shareholders, of and from
all, and in all manner of, actions and causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands
whatsoever, in law or in equity, which she ever had or may now have, through the date of
Associate’s execution of this General Release Agreement, with respect to any aspect of her
employment by, or termination of employment from, the Company and with respect to any
other agreement, under other federal, state or local law with respect to age, race, sex,
and other forms of employment discrimination, breach of contract, tort or other federal,
state and local laws relating to employment and its termination. |
|
14. |
|
Except for its rights under this General Release Agreement, the Company acquits,
releases and forever discharges the Associate of and from all, and in all manner of,
actions and causes of action, suits, debts, claims and demands whatsoever, in law or in
equity, which it ever had or may now have, through the date of Associate’s execution of
this General Release Agreement, with respect to any aspect of Associate’s employment by,
or termination of employment from, the Company. |
|
15. |
|
Associate hereby certifies that she is not aware of any control weakness, compliance
issue or accounting issues that have not been previously disclosed to the Company’s Chief
Executive Officer and/or its Chief Operating Officer or have been specifically identified
and recognized as an issue in the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Section 404 process. |
|
16. |
|
Associate agrees to refrain from divulging (directly or indirectly) to any person or
entity, in any manner whatsoever, information concerning any matters affecting or relating
to the operations, business or personnel of the Company or any of its affiliated companies
except insofar as she is required to testify as a witness in a response to a subpoena and
then only to the extent required by law. This does not prohibit the Associate from
divulging information currently available in the public domain. |
|
17. |
|
Until August 18, 2007, Associate will not, directly or indirectly, work for or
contribute to the efforts of any of the following competitors of the Company: abercrombie
kids, Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc., Gap Kids, Gymboree Corp., Delias, Claire’s
Stores, Inc., or any other business either now in formation but unknown to the Company or
yet to be formed that sells apparel to girls between the ages of 7 – 14. |
|
18. |
|
Associate agrees to return all Company property within five (5) days of the
execution of this General Release Agreement, including but not limited to all
documents explaining Company policies and procedures and personnel-related documents on
other associates. |
|
19. |
|
The parties agree that if the terms are acceptable, the Associate has twenty-one (21)
days from her date of receipt to sign this General Release Agreement. Associate
understands |
Page 2 of 3
|
|
|
that she should discuss any concerns she may have with her lawyer before executing this
General Release Agreement. By law, after Associate signs this General Release Agreement
she has seven (7) days from that date in which she can change her mind and revoke it. To
revoke this General Release Agreement, Associate must deliver a written revocation to the
Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Tween Brands, Inc., 0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxx
Xxxxxx, XX 00000 by 5:00 p.m. on or before the seventh day following the date the Associate
signs this General Release Agreement. |
|
20. |
|
Associate and Company agree that this General Release Agreement is intended to avoid
all litigation relating to Associate’s employment with the Company and Associate’s
separation therefrom; therefore, it is not to be considered as the Company’s admission of
liability to Associate – liability which the Company denies, nor is it intended to be an
admission by Associate of any liability or wrongdoing of Associate – liability which
Associate denies. |
|
21. |
|
This General Release Agreement may not be changed orally and this General Release
Agreement contains the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to the subject matter
hereof and, with the exception of Paragraphs (1), (2) and (3) of the Separation Pay
Agreement (which provisions are hereby incorporated by reference), supersedes all prior
agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the Associate and the Company. |
|
22. |
|
This General Release Agreement will be governed and interpreted in accordance with
Ohio law. |
|
23. |
|
WHEREFORE, the parties hereto have read all of the foregoing, understand the same,
have had an opportunity to review it with legal counsel, if any, and agree to all of the
provisions contained herein. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tween Brands, Inc. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By:
|
|
/s/ Xxx Xxxxx
|
|
8/29/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Xxx Xxxxx
Senior Vice President, Human Resources
|
|
Date of Agreement Execution |
Signature below must be executed in the presence of Notary.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
By
|
|
/s/ Xxx Xxxxxxx
Xxxxxxx
|
|
Agreed and accepted as of
|
|
8/28/06 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Date |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
State of
|
|
Ohio |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
County of
|
|
Franklin |
|
|
|
|
Sworn
to and subscribed before me this
28th
day of August ,
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx My commission expires: 9/2/08
Page 3 of 3