EXHIBIT 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT dated as of January 1, 2000 (the "Effective
Date") between True North Communications Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and Xxxxxx Xxxxx (the "Executive").
WHEREAS, the Company is a global communications holding company with
ownership interests in subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures that are
engaged in the advertising agency business, the multimedia production business,
the business of planning and buying of media time and space and related
businesses (the Company and the subsidiaries, affiliates and joint ventures in
which it from time to time has equity interests are hereinafter referred to
collectively as the "True North Group");
WHEREAS, the Executive has served the Company as the Chief Financial
Officer of Bozell Worldwide, Inc. (now known as Bozell Group, Inc.); and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to enter into this
Agreement to provide for the employment of the Executive by the Company, upon
the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements contained herein, the parties hereby agree as follows:
1. EMPLOYMENT. The Company hereby employs the Executive and the
Executive hereby agrees to be employed by the Company upon the terms and subject
to the conditions contained in this Agreement. The initial term of employment of
the Executive by the Company pursuant to this Agreement (the "Initial Term")
shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless earlier terminated, shall end
on the third annual anniversary of the Effective Date; provided that the term of
this Agreement shall automatically be extended for three additional years as of
the day immediately following the end of the Initial Term and as of the day
immediately following the end of each subsequent three-year extended term hereof
unless either party shall have terminated the automatic extension provisions of
this sentence by giving written notice to the other party at least 60 days prior
to the then applicable termination date. (The Initial Term and any extension of
the term of this Agreement pursuant to this Section 1 are collectively referred
to herein as the "Employment Period.")
2. POSITION AND DUTIES. The Company shall employ the Executive
during the Employment Period with the title of Executive Vice President -
Operations and Business Development. The Executive shall report directly to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"), and he shall be based in New York
City. The Executive shall have the authority, duties and responsibilities
commensurate with his position and title and such other duties and
responsibilities (not inconsistent with his position) as are assigned to him
from time to time by the CEO or the Board
of Directors of the Company (the "Board"). During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall perform faithfully and loyally and to the best of the
Executive's abilities his duties hereunder, shall devote his full business time,
attention and efforts to the affairs of the True North Group and shall use his
reasonable best efforts to promote the interests of the Company. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, the Executive may engage in charitable, civic or community
activities, provided that they do not interfere with the performance of the
Executive's duties hereunder.
3. COMPENSATION.
(a) ANNUAL BASE SALARY. During the Employment Period, the Company
shall pay to the Executive an annual base salary at the rate of $300,000 per
annum from the Effective Date through February 29, 2000, and at the rate of
$350,000 per annum thereafter, in accordance with the Company's regular payroll
practices. The annual base salary shall be reviewed periodically in accordance
with guidelines applicable to the Company's senior executives generally.
(b) INCENTIVE COMPENSATION. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in the Company's Executive
Compensation Program, as such Program applies to similarly situated senior
executives and as such Program may be amended from time to time.
(c) OTHER BENEFITS. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to participate in the Company's employee benefit plans and programs
and fringe benefits that are generally available to senior executives of the
Company from time to time, including, but not to the extent resulting in
duplicative benefits, the benefit plans and programs and fringe benefit
arrangements generally made available to members of the Management Executive
Committee of the Company (or any successor management governing committee).
(d) EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. During the Employment Period, the Company
shall reimburse the Executive for all proper expenses incurred by him in the
performance of his duties hereunder in accordance with the Company's policies
and procedures for senior executives. The Executive shall submit appropriate
invoices for all such expenses.
4. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.
(a) QUALIFYING TERMINATION. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Qualifying Termination" means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) termination of the Executive's employment by the Company without Cause (as
defined in subsection (b) below) during the Employment Period, (ii) expiration
of this Agreement at the end of the Initial Term or at the end of any extension
of the term hereof pursuant to a written notice given by the Company to the
Executive in accordance with Section 1 hereof, (iii) termination of the
Executive's employment by the Company on account of the Executive having become
unable (as determined by the Company in good faith) to perform regularly his
duties hereunder by reason of illness or incapacity for a period of more than
three consecutive months (termination for "Disability"), (iv) termination of the
Executive's employment on account of the Executive's death, or (v) termination
of the Executive's employment by the Executive due to and within 60 days of the
occurrence, without the Executive's
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consent, of any of the following events: (1) any change or changes in the
Executive's duties and responsibilities that, taken as a whole, result in a
material diminution of the Executive's duties and responsibilities, (2) a
material adverse change in the Executive's reporting responsibilities with the
Company (including, but not limited to, any change resulting in the Executive no
longer reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the publicly-held
parent company of the True North Group), (3) a material breach of the Company's
obligations set forth in this Agreement, (4) a decrease in the Executive's base
salary, or (5) any requirement of the Company that the location where the
Executive is based be materially changed.
For purposes of this Agreement, an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent
action taken by the Company in good faith and which is remedied by the Company
promptly (the later of 60 days or as soon as reasonably practicable) after
receipt of written notice thereof given by the Executive shall not constitute a
basis for a Qualifying Termination.
(b) DEFINITION OF CAUSE. The Company may terminate the Executive's
employment immediately for "Cause" if, in the reasonable determination of the
Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, as set forth in an action of
the Board or such Committee setting forth in reasonable detail the reasons for
such termination, (i) the Executive engages in conduct that violates significant
policies of the Company after the Executive is notified by the Company that he
is engaging in conduct that violates such policies and that such conduct will be
deemed to be Cause; (ii) the Executive fails to perform the essential functions
of his job (except for a failure resulting from a bona fide illness or
incapacity) or fails to carry out the Board's reasonable directions with respect
to material duties after the Executive is notified by the Company that he is
failing to perform these essential functions or failing to carry out such
reasonable directions and that such conduct will be deemed to be Cause; (iii)
the Executive engages in embezzlement or misappropriation of corporate funds or
other acts of fraud, dishonesty or self-dealing, or commits a felony or any
significant violation of any material statutory or common law duty of loyalty to
the Company; or (iv) the Executive breaches a material provision of this
Agreement (including, but not limited to, the non-compete, non-solicitation,
confidentiality, or non-disparagement provisions in Sections 7 and 8), after the
Executive is notified by the Company that he has breached a material provision
of this Agreement and that such breach will be deemed to be Cause. Prior to any
termination of the Executive for Cause pursuant to clauses (i), (ii) or (iv) of
this Section 4(b), the Company shall give the Executive reasonable opportunity
to remedy any condition, conduct, action or inaction of the Executive giving
rise to the violation or breach of such clause if such violation or breach is
remediable.
(c) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the
Executive shall have the right to resign from the Company and thereby terminate
the Employment Period at any time during the Employment Period; subject to the
provision by the Executive to the Company of at least 60 days' advance written
notice.
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5. CONSEQUENCES OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT PERIOD.
(a) BENEFITS UPON TERMINATION. If the Employment Period terminates
for any reason, the Executive (or the Executive's executor, administrator or
other legal representative, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the
following benefits:
(i) within 30 days after the amount in question is reasonably
determinable (A) base salary payable through the date of termination of
employment, (B) unpaid annual incentive compensation for the calendar year
immediately preceding the date of such termination, and (C) reimbursement
of proper expenses incurred through the date of such termination; and
(ii) participation (by the Executive or the Executive's qualified
dependents, as the case may be) in all other applicable benefit plans or
programs in accordance with the provisions thereof applicable to terminated
employees (or their qualified dependents, as the case may be).
(b) ADDITIONAL BENEFITS UPON QUALIFYING TERMINATION. If the
Employment Period terminates for a reason set forth in Section 4(a), the
Executive (or the Executive's executor, administrator or other legal
representative, as the case may be) shall be entitled to receive the following
additional benefits:
(i) within 30 days after the amount in question is reasonably
determinable, annual incentive compensation for the calendar year in which
such termination shall have occurred, prorated through the date of such
termination based on actual results of operations for such full calendar
year; and
(ii) if the Qualifying Termination is for any reason other than death
or Disability:
(A) all stock options and restricted stock granted to the Executive
by the Company on or after the Effective Date then held by the
Executive shall on the date of such termination be 100% vested
(this is independent of any similar rights provided pursuant to
stock option and restricted stock agreements entered into prior
to the Effective Date);
(B) subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b), for a period
of 24 months commencing on the day immediately following the date
of termination of the employment of the Executive (the "Severance
Period"), the Executive shall be entitled to receive (1) base
salary, at the rate payable as of the date of such termination,
and (2) an annual bonus at the rate of 50% of base salary, with
such salary and bonus to be paid evenly throughout the Severance
Period in accordance with the Company's normal payroll policies;
and
(C) subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b), during the
Severance Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in life insurance, medical and
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dental benefits on terms no less favorable than on the
termination date, subject to legal restrictions and to
modifications of general application to all similarly situated
employees; and
(iii) each stock option granted to the Executive by the Company on or
after the Effective Date then held by the Executive shall be exercisable to
the extent it is vested at the date of termination by the Executive or the
Executive's executor, administrator or other legal representative, as the
case may be, for up to three years after the date of termination, but in no
case beyond a date 10 years following the date of grant of such option
(this is independent of any similar rights provided pursuant to stock
option agreements entered into prior to the Effective Date).
As a condition to the receipt of the severance benefits described in
subparagraphs (ii)(B) and (ii)(C) above, the Company reserves the right in
accordance with the standard Company severance policy to require the Executive
to sign a standard separation agreement, containing a general release of claims.
This separation agreement shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A.
(c) TERMINATION AFTER A CHANGE IN CONTROL. If the Executive incurs a
Qualifying Termination within two years of the occurrence of a "Change in
Control" under and as defined in the Company's Asset Protection Plan (or a
similar replacement plan providing severance benefits to Company employees after
a change in control), then (i) the benefits payable to the Executive pursuant to
Section 5(b)(ii)(B)(1) and (2) above upon such Qualifying Termination, if any,
shall be paid to the Executive in one lump sum within 60 days of such Qualifying
Termination, and (ii) the benefits payable to the Executive pursuant to Section
5(b)(i) above upon such Qualifying Termination, if any, shall be paid to the
Executive in one lump sum within 30 days after the amount in question is
reasonably determinable. If mutually agreed upon between the Executive and the
Company, these lump-sum payments shall be reduced to the extent required to
avoid the excise tax, if any, imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended, but only if such reduction would result in a larger
after-tax benefit to the Executive, after taking into account all applicable
local, state, and federal income and excise taxes.
6. FEDERAL AND STATE WITHHOLDING. The Company shall deduct from the
amounts payable to the Executive pursuant to this Agreement the amount of all
required federal and state withholding taxes in accordance with the Executive's
Form W-4 on file with the Company and all applicable social security and
Medicare taxes.
7. NONCOMPETITION; NONSOLICITATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.
(a) COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE. The Executive acknowledges that in the
course of employment with the Company pursuant to this Agreement, the Executive
will become familiar with the Confidential Information (as defined below) of the
Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and clients, and that the Executive's
services will be of special, unique and extraordinary value to the Company.
Except with the prior written consent of the Board:
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(i) during the Employment Period the Executive shall not engage in
any activities, whether as employer, proprietor, principal, partner,
stockholder (other than the holder of 1% or less of the stock of a
corporation the securities of which are traded on a securities exchange or
in the over-the-counter market), director, officer, employee or otherwise,
in competition with any business in which the True North Group is
substantially engaged in or proposed to be engaged in; and
(ii) during the Employment Period (including the remainder of the then
current three-year term of the Employment Period following the Executive's
resignation or termination for "Cause") and any Severance Period the
Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, either on the Executive's
behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm or corporation:
(A) solicit or raid any account that is a client of the True North
Group at the time of the Executive's termination, or that was a
client of the True North Group at any time within 12 months prior
to the date of such termination; provided that the foregoing
shall apply only to accounts with whom the Executive had
responsibilities for or learned Confidential Information relating
to within the one-year period preceding the Executive's
termination of employment with the Company; or
(B) recruit or solicit, or attempt to recruit or solicit, the
employment or consulting services of any person who is at such
time or who was at any time within 12 months immediately prior to
such time, an employee of the True North Group.
(b) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND TRADE SECRETS. The Executive agrees
that the Company has a protectable interest in Company bidding information,
trade secrets, client information, computer programs, financial information and
other confidential information (collectively, the "Confidential Information").
The Executive shall not, at any time during the Employment Period (except for
the benefit of the Company within the scope of the Executive's duties) or
thereafter, make use of any nor divulge any Confidential Information, except to
the extent that such Confidential Information becomes a matter of public record,
is published in a newspaper, magazine or other periodical available to the
general public (other than as a result of disclosure by the Executive) or as the
Company may so authorize in writing; and when the Executive shall cease to be
employed by the Company, the Executive shall surrender to the Company all
Confidential Information and records and other documents obtained by him or
entrusted to the Executive during the course of the Executive's employment
hereunder (together with all copies thereof) which pertain specifically to any
of the businesses covered by the covenants in Section 7(a)(i) or which were paid
for by the Company; provided, however, that upon written approval of the Company
(which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) the Executive may retain
copies of such documents as necessary for the Executive's personal records for
federal income tax purposes. The Executive also agrees that the Executive will
not at any time (whether before or after the termination of the Executive's
employment with the Company) disclose to anyone the terms of this Agreement,
except to the Executive's counsel, accountants and members of the Executive's
immediate family.
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(c) SCOPE OF COVENANTS; REMEDIES. The following provisions shall
apply to the covenants of the Executive contained in this Section:
(i) the covenants set forth in Sections 7(a)(i) and 7(a)(ii) shall
apply within all territories in which the True North Group is actively
engaged in the conduct of business during the Employment Period, including,
without limitation, the territories in which customers are then being
solicited;
(ii) the Executive expressly agrees and acknowledges that the
covenants contained in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) are reasonable in all
respects (including subject matter, time period and geography) and
necessary because of the substantial and irreparable harm that would be
caused to the Company by the Executive engaging in any of the prohibited
activities contained in such Sections. The Executive expressly agrees and
acknowledges that the covenants contained in this Agreement will not
preclude the Executive from earning a livelihood, nor unreasonably limit
the Executive's ability to earn a living, since the Executive has the
ability and experience to engage in employment that will not breach or
violate the covenants contained in this Agreement. Each party intends and
agrees that if in any action before any court or agency legally empowered
to enforce the covenants contained in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) any term,
restriction, covenant or promise contained therein is found to be
unreasonable and accordingly unenforceable, then such term, restriction,
covenant or promise shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to
make it enforceable by such court or agency; and
(iii) the covenants contained in Sections 7(a) and 7(b) shall survive
the conclusion of the Executive's employment by the Company.
8. NONDISPARAGEMENT; COOPERATION. (a) The Executive shall not, at
any time during his employment with the Company or thereafter, make any public
or private statement to the news media, to any True North Group competitor or
client, or to any other individual or entity, if such statement would disparage
any of the True North Group, any of their respective businesses or any director
or officer of any of them or such businesses or would have a deleterious effect
upon the interests of any of such businesses or the stockholders or other owners
of any of them; provided, however, that the Executive shall not be in breach of
this restriction if such statements consist solely of (i) private statements
made to any officers, directors or employees of any of the True North Group by
the Executive in the course of carrying out his duties pursuant to this
Agreement or, to the extent applicable, his duties as a director or officer, or
(ii) private statements made to persons other than clients or competitors of any
of the True North Group (or their representatives) or members of the press or
the financial community that do not have a material adverse effect upon any of
the True North Group; and provided further that nothing contained in this
Section 8(a) or in any other provision of this Agreement shall preclude the
Executive from making any statement in good faith that is required by law,
regulation or order of any court or regulatory commission, department or agency.
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(b) The Company shall not, at any time during the Executive's
employment with the Company or thereafter, authorize any person to make, nor
shall the Company condone the making of, any statement, publicly or privately,
which would disparage the Executive; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be in breach of this restriction if such statements consist solely of (i)
private statements made to any officers, directors or employees of the True
North Group or (ii) private statements made to persons other than clients or
competitors of any of the True North Group (or their representatives) or members
of the press or the financial community that do not have a material adverse
effect upon the Executive; and provided further that nothing contained in this
Section 8(b) or in any other provision of this Agreement shall preclude any
officer, director, employee, agent or other representative of any of the True
North Group from making any statement in good faith which is required by any
law, regulation or order of any court or regulatory commission, department or
agency.
9. ENFORCEMENT. The parties hereto agree that the Company would be
damaged irreparably in the event that any provision of Section 7 or 8 of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with its terms or were otherwise
breached and that money damages would be an inadequate remedy for any such
nonperformance or breach. Accordingly, the Company and its successors or
permitted assigns shall be entitled, in addition to other rights and remedies
existing in their favor, to an injunction or injunctions to prevent any breach
or threatened breach of any of such provisions and to enforce such provisions
specifically (without posting a bond or other security). Each of the parties
agrees that he or it will submit himself or itself to the personal jurisdiction
of the courts of the State of New York in any action by the other party to
enforce an arbitration award against him or it or to obtain interim injunctive
or other relief pending an arbitration decision.
10. SURVIVAL. Sections 7, 8 and 9 of this Agreement shall survive and
continue in full force and effect in accordance with their respective terms,
notwithstanding any termination or expiration of the Employment Period.
11. ARBITRATION. Any dispute or controversy between the Company and
the Executive, whether arising out of or relating to this Agreement, the breach
of this Agreement, or otherwise, shall be settled by arbitration administered by
the American Arbitration Association ("AAA") in accordance with its Commercial
Rules then in effect and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. Any arbitration shall be held
before a single arbitrator who shall be selected by mutual agreement of the
Company and the Executive, unless the parties are unable to agree to an
arbitrator, in which case the arbitrator will be selected under the procedures
of the AAA. The arbitrator shall have the authority to award any remedy or
relief that a court of competent jurisdiction could order or grant, including,
without limitation, the issuance of an injunction. However, the Company may, at
its option without inconsistency with this arbitration provision, apply to any
court having jurisdiction over such dispute or controversy for the purpose of
seeking injunctive or other equitable relief to enforce Sections 7, 8 and 9 of
this Agreement. Except as necessary in court proceedings to enforce this
arbitration provision or an award rendered hereunder, or to obtain interim
relief, neither a party nor an arbitrator may disclose the existence, content or
results of any arbitration hereunder without the prior written consent of the
Company and the Executive. The Company and the Executive acknowledge that this
Agreement evidences a transaction involving interstate commerce. Notwithstanding
any choice of
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law provision included in this Agreement, the United States Federal Arbitration
Act shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of this arbitration
provision.
12. NOTICE. All notices and other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when personally delivered or five days after deposit in the United States
mail, certified and return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed (a) if
to the Executive, to the most recent address then shown on the employment
records of the Company, with a copy to Xxxxx Xxxxxx, 000 Xxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxx
Xxxx, XX 00000 (fax: 000-000-0000), and if to the Company, to True North
Communications Inc., 000 Xxxx Xxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 00000-0000,
Attention: General Counsel, or (b) to such other address as either party may
have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that
notices of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.
13. SEVERABILITY. Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is determined to be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under applicable law or rule in
any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect the validity, legality or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement or the validity, legality or enforceability of such provision in any
other jurisdiction, but this Agreement shall be reformed, construed and enforced
in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had
never been contained herein.
14. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement
and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof
and supersedes and preempts any prior understandings, agreements or
representations by or between the parties, written or oral, which may have
related in any manner to the subject matter hereof.
15. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be enforceable by
the Executive and the Executive's heirs, executors, administrators and legal
representatives, and by the Company and its successors and permitted assigns.
Any successor or permitted assign of the Company shall assume by instrument
delivered to the Executive the liabilities of the Company hereunder. This
Agreement shall not be assigned by the Company other than to a successor
pursuant to a merger, consolidation or transfer of all or substantially all of
the capital stock or assets of the Company.
16. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York
without regard to principles of conflict of laws.
17. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER. The provisions of this Agreement may be
amended or waived only by the written agreement of the Company and the
Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the
provisions of this Agreement shall affect the validity, binding effect or
enforceability of this Agreement.
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18. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts,
each of which shall be deemed to be an original and both of which together shall
constitute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first above written.
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By: /s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxx
----------------------------------------
Xxxxx X. Xxxx,
Chief Executive Officer
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx,
Chairman of the Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxxx Xxxxx
---------------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
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EXHIBIT A
CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
FOR XXXXXX XXXXX
This shall confirm the arrangements relating to the termination of
your employment with True North Communications Inc. (the "Company"). The
effective date of your termination of employment from the Company is
________________________ [INSERT LAST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT] (the "Termination
Date"). The terms of our agreement are as follows:
1. TERMINATION BENEFITS. Upon your termination, you will be entitled to
those benefits generally applicable to terminated employees, including
401(k)/retirement benefits, continuation of health coverage under COBRA, and a
payment for any accrued but unused vacation. In addition, in exchange for your
entering into this Agreement and Release, the Company will pay to you the
following benefits (the "Termination Benefits"):
a. The Company will provide you with the severance that the Company
is required to make to you pursuant to Sections 4 and 5 of a certain Employment
Agreement between you and the Company, dated as of January 1, 2000 (the
"Employment Agreement"), less the required federal, state and local
withholdings. This amount will be paid to you, beginning as soon as practicable
after the Termination Date, but no sooner than the eighth day following the date
you sign this Agreement and Release.
b. You shall also receive all such additional benefits which the
Company is required to provide to you pursuant to Section 5 of the Employment
Agreement, less any required federal, state and local withholdings. These
benefits will commence no sooner than the eighth day following the date you sign
this Agreement and Release.
2. CONSIDERATION. You hereby acknowledge that the benefits described in
Paragraph 1(a) and (b) exceed any duty to you on the part of the Company (by
virtue of Company policies and relevant laws) and that the Company's agreement
to provide such benefits to you is sufficient consideration for the release
terms set forth below.
3. COMPLETE RELEASE. By signing this Agreement and Release, you release
and waive all legal claims in law or in equity of any kind whatsoever that you
have or may have against the Company, including its parent and subsidiary
corporations, and their officers, directors, employees, affiliates, members,
agents, attorneys, benefit plans and plan administrators, successors and/or
assigns (collectively, the "Releasees"). This release and waiver covers all
rights, claims, actions and suits of all kinds and descriptions that you now
have or have ever had, whether known or unknown or based on facts now known or
unknown, fixed or contingent, against the Releasees, occurring from the
beginning of the world up to and including the date that you execute this
Agreement and Release. This release and waiver includes but is not limited to:
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a. any claims for wrongful termination, defamation, invasion of
privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or any other common law
claims;
b. any claims for the breach of any written, implied or oral
contract between you and the Company, including but not limited to any contract
of employment;
c. any claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation based on
such things as age, national origin, ancestry, race, religion, sex, sexual
orientation, or physical or mental disability or medical condition; and
d. any claims for payments of any nature, including but not limited
to wages, overtime pay, vacation pay, severance pay, commissions, bonuses and
benefits or the monetary equivalent of benefits; but not including the rights,
benefits and obligations contained in the following clauses 1 through 5 of this
Paragraph 3(d), which shall survive the execution of this Agreement and Release:
(1) the right to file an administrative charge, (2) any claims for unemployment
or workers' compensation benefits, (3) any claims for the consideration being
provided to you pursuant to Paragraph 1(a) and (b) of this Agreement and
Release, (4) any and all vested rights and benefits you may have as of the
Termination Date pursuant to the Company's qualified and non-qualified
retirement plans, and (5) any and all rights to indemnification to which you may
be entitled pursuant to law or pursuant to the by-laws and the certificate of
incorporation of any of the Releasees and their successors (including, but not
limited to, insurance benefits) by reason of your being named as a defendant in
any lawsuit or other proceeding in connection with your having served as an
officer or director of any entity: (x) which is either itself a Releasee, or (y)
although not itself a Releasee, your service as an officer or director was at
the request of, or for the benefit and with the knowledge of any Releasee.
Your release and waiver includes all claims that you have or that may arise
under the common law and all federal, state and local statutes, ordinances,
rules, regulations and orders, including but not limited to any claim or cause
of action based on the Fair Labor Standards Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Family and Medical
Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Civil Rights Acts of 1866,
1871 and 1991, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the National Labor Relations Act,
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (except as set forth in (d)
above), the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Executive
Order 11246, and any state laws governing employee rights, as each of them has
been or may be amended. You further waive any right to any form of recovery or
compensation from any legal action brought by you or on your behalf in
connection with your employment or termination of employment with the Company.
You also waive, release and discharge the Releasees from any reinstatement
rights which you have or could have, and you acknowledge that you have not
suffered any on-the-job injury for which you have not already filed a claim.
This Agreement and Release shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of you
and the Releasees and any other individual or entity who may claim any interest
in the matter through you. You also acknowledge that you have not assigned any
of your rights to make the aforementioned claims or demands. By signing this
Agreement and Release, you are forever giving up your rights to make the
aforementioned claims or demands.
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4. NON-ADMISSION. This Agreement and Release shall not in any way be
construed as an admission by the Company of any liability or any wrongful or
discriminatory act.
5. NON-DISPARAGEMENT. Both parties hereby acknowledge and reaffirm their
continuing obligations pursuant to Sections 8 and 9 of the Employment Agreement.
6. NO LAWSUITS. You acknowledge and represent that you have not filed nor
will you file any lawsuits based on claims or demands that you have released
herein; provided, however, that nothing in this Paragraph 6 shall be construed
as preventing you from commencing any suit or other proceeding seeking to
enforce the terms of this Agreement and Release.
7. CONFIDENTIALITY/NON-COMPETITION/COMPANY PROPERTY. You acknowledge that
you have had access to confidential, proprietary business information of the
Company as a result of employment, and you hereby agree not to use such
information personally or for the benefit of others. You also agree not to
disclose to anyone any confidential information at any time in the future so
long as it remains confidential. By way of illustration (but not limitation),
you agree not to make use of any bidding information (or computer programs
thereof) of the Company, nor divulge any trade secrets or confidential financial
information of the Company. Further, you agree to keep the terms and the
existence of this Agreement and Release confidential and not to discuss it with
anyone other than your immediate family, legal representative, tax advisor or as
may be required by law. You represent that you have returned or will return on
or immediately after the Termination Date all of the Company property in your
possession including, but not limited to, all computer-related equipment, keys,
credit cards, telephone calling cards, parking cards, building identification
cards and files/diskettes relating to the Company and its clients. You also
hereby acknowledge and reaffirm your continuing obligations to the Company
pursuant to Sections 7 and 9 of the Employment Agreement and pursuant to any
other confidentiality, non-compete and/or non-solicitation agreements signed by
you during your employment with the Company but after the Effective Date (as
that term is defined in the Employment Agreement).
8. ENTIRE AGREEMENT; NO OTHER PROMISES. Except as to any continuing
obligations under the Employment Agreement and any other agreements specifically
referenced herein, you hereby acknowledge and represent that this Agreement and
Release contains the entire agreement between you and the Company, and it
supersedes and takes priority over any other written or oral understanding or
contract that may have existed in the past between you and the Company or any of
its current or former affiliates. You further acknowledge and represent that
neither the Company nor any of its agents, representatives or employees have
made any promise, representation or warranty whatsoever, express, implied or
statutory, not contained herein, concerning the subject matter hereof, to induce
you to execute this Agreement and Release, and you acknowledge that you have not
executed this Agreement and Release in reliance on any such promise,
representation or warranty. You understand and further acknowledge and agree
that following the Termination Date the Company will no longer need your
services and that the Company will not have any obligations to you following
that date, except as provided in this Agreement and Release.
9. KNOWING AND VOLUNTARY RELEASE. You agree that you are signing this
Agreement and Release voluntarily and of your own free will and not because of
any threats or duress. You are
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hereby given a period of 21 days to review and consider this Agreement and
Release before signing and returning it. You acknowledge you received a copy of
this Agreement on _____________, 20___ [INSERT THE DATE THE AGREEMENT IS GIVEN
TO THE INDIVIDUAL].
In order to receive the Termination Benefits described in Paragraph 1(a) and (b)
above, you must sign, date and return this Agreement and Release to the Company
(c/o ___________) [INSERT NAME OF HR REPRESENTATIVE] not later than
_____________, 2000 [INSERT DATE THAT IS 21 DAYS FOLLOWING DATE THE AGREEMENT IS
GIVEN TO THE INDIVIDUAL]. Please note that if you do not return the signed and
dated Agreement and Release to the Company (c/o ______________) [INSERT NAME OF
HR REPRESENTATIVE] by midnight on that date, the offer to pay you the
Termination Benefits described in Paragraph 1(a) and (b) above will be
automatically withdrawn.
10. ENCOURAGEMENT TO CONSULT WITH ATTORNEY. You are encouraged to consult
with an attorney or other representative of your own choice at your own expense
prior to signing this Agreement and Release. By signing this Agreement and
Release, you are signifying that you have read this Agreement and Release
thoroughly, that you have had the opportunity to consult with an attorney prior
to signing, and that your agreement to the terms of the Agreement and Release is
knowing, willing and voluntary.
11. RIGHT TO REVOKE. You may revoke this Agreement and Release within
seven days after you have signed it. Revocation must be made by delivering a
written notice of revocation to the Company representative listed in Paragraph 9
above no later than the close of business on the seventh day after you have
signed this Agreement and Release. If you revoke this Agreement and Release,
this Agreement will not be effective and enforceable, and you will not receive
from the Company the benefits set forth in Paragraph 1(a) and (b) above.
12. BREACH. You acknowledge and agree that in the event that you
materially breach any of the provisions of Paragraphs 5-7 above, (a) the Company
shall be entitled to apply for and receive an injunction to restrain any
breaches of the provisions of Paragraphs 5-7 above, and (b) in the event of your
material breach of the provisions of Paragraphs 5-7 hereof, you shall be
obligated upon written demand to repay to the Company all but $500.00 of the
Termination Benefits paid to you pursuant to Paragraph 1(a) hereof, and the
foregoing shall not constitute a forfeiture or a penalty and shall not affect
the validity of this Agreement and Release.
13. RESOLUTION OF ALL MATTERS. This Agreement and Release resolves all
matters between the parties, including but not limited to all matters relating
to your employment and the termination of your employment with the Company.
14. ENFORCEMENT. This Agreement and Release shall be construed and
enforced in accordance with, and governed by, the substantive laws of the State
of New York, excluding its conflicts of laws rules. If any term or condition of
this Agreement and Release shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable
in any respect by a court of competent jurisdiction, this Agreement and Release
shall be construed without such term or condition. Any dispute under this
Agreement and Release shall be adjudicated by a federal or state court of
competent jurisdiction located within the City, County and State of New York.
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HAVING READ AND UNDERSTOOD THE RELEASE, CONSULTED COUNSEL OR VOLUNTARILY ELECTED
NOT TO CONSULT COUNSEL, AND HAVING HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO CONSIDER WHETHER TO
ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND RELEASE, THE PARTIES HERETO HAVE EXECUTED THIS
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE AS OF THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST WRITTEN BELOW.
----------------------------------------
Xxxxxx Xxxxx
Dated:
----------------------------------
TRUE NORTH COMMUNICATIONS INC.
By:
-------------------------------------
[NAME AND TITLE]
Dated:
----------------------------------
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