SEPARATION AGREEMENT
BETWEEN:
XXXXX
XXXXX
(the
“Employee”)
-
and -
GLIT/GEMTEX
LTD.
(the
“Employer”)
Whereas
A.
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The
Employee received notice from the Employer on January 1, 2008 of the
termination of his employment with the Employer, with an effective
termination date of June 30, 2009;
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B.
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The
parties wish to terminate the Employee’s employment with the Employer on
mutually satisfactory terms; and
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C. It
is the desire of the parties to settle all outstanding matters between
them.
NOW THEREFORE, in
consideration of the covenants herein, the parties agree as
follows:
Separation
Terms
1.
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The
Employee received notice of termination from the Employer on January 1,
2008 (“Notice Date”) that his employment with the Employer will terminate
effective June 30, 2009 (the “Termination
Date”).
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2.
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During
the working notice period up to December 31, 2008, the Employee’s
employment will continue with the Employer on substantially the same terms
and conditions (including those governing compensation) as were in effect
on the Notice Date, subject to the provisions hereof. During
that period, the Employee will hold the full-time position of Vice
President Abrasives Business Development and International Sales,
reporting to the President Continental Commercial Products, as further described
in the attached Schedule A.
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3.
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During
the working notice period from January 1, 2009 to the Termination Date,
the Employee will perform the part-time position of Vice President
Abrasives Business Development and International Sales, reporting
to the
President Continental Commercial
Products. Notwithstanding that the Employee will enjoy
part-time hours during this period, his salary will remain at the
full-time rate in effect as of the Notice Date, for such
period.
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4.
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The
Employee will perform his duties in a proper and professional manner
during the working notice period from Notice Date to the Termination Date,
exercising appropriate discretion and maintaining in strictest confidence
all confidential information of the Employer that he has been or will
become privy to (as further set out below). The Employee will
also assist in the orderly transition of his duties and responsibilities
to such employees of the Employer as the President
Continental Commercial Products may designate from
time-to-time.
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5.
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The
Employer shall also continue payment of the Employee’s current base
salary, in the form of periodic severance payments, less applicable
statutory deductions, for a total period of six (6) months from the
Termination Date (hereinafter, the period commencing on the Termination
Date and expiring six (6) months later shall be referred to as the “Notice
Period”).
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6.
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All
payments made to the Employee pursuant to paragraphs 2 through 5 shall be
inclusive of all of the Employee’s entitlements to pay in lieu of notice
of termination and severance pay under applicable employment standards
legislation.
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7.
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Subject
to the terms and conditions of all applicable plans and policies (as may
be amended from time-to-time), the Employee shall also receive
continuation of all of the group insured benefit coverages that he enjoys
as of the Notice Date, save and except disability insurance coverages, for
the Notice Period or until the Employee commences alternative employment,
whichever is the lesser period. The Employee will continue to
pay his contributions, if any, towards the premium costs of the
benefits. Disability insurance coverage will cease on the
Termination Date, and the Employee will be solely responsible for
obtaining replacement, private disability insurance
thereafter.
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8.
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Subject
to the terms of applicable plans and policies, the Employee may be
entitled to convert certain of his group insurance coverages to an
individual plan, at his cost. The Employee shall contact the Employer’s
Benefit Insurer, within thirty (30) days from the date on which those
coverages cease, if conversion is of interest to
him.
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Release
and Indemnity
9.
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In
consideration for the foregoing, the Employee hereby releases, remises and
forever discharges the Employer and each of the Employer’s associated,
related, predecessor, parent and subsidiary companies together with all of
their respective directors, officers, employees and agents, and
successors, assigns, heirs, administrators and all other legal
representatives (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Releasee”)
from any and all manner of actions, causes of action, suits, debts, dues,
accounts, bonds, covenants, contracts, claims, proceedings, rights,
entitlements and demands whatsoever, which against the Releasee, the
Employee ever had, now have or can, shall, may hereafter have, for or by
reason of any cause, manner or thing whatsoever existing up to the present
time, and more particularly but without restricting the generality of the
foregoing, all claims and demands, arising in or about or in any way
connected with the employment of the Employee by the Employer and his
termination therefrom and the obligations, statutory, contractual or
otherwise, of the Releasee to the Employee in respect thereof (including
but not limited to any and all claims for reinstatement, damages, salary,
wages, vacation pay, termination pay, severance pay, bonuses, stock
options, benefits, disability insurance, expenses, car or other
allowances, commissions, profit sharing, or retirement or pension
allowances in or arising out of his employment with the Employer or the
termination thereof).
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10.
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The
Employee agrees not to bring or initiate any legal proceeding or complaint
against the Releasee under any contract or statute and specifically
including any claim under applicable employment standards and human rights
legislation or any other similar legislation governing or related to the
employment of the Employee. Nor will he take any steps or
initiate any proceedings against any person, partnership, corporation, or
other entity which might be entitled to claim contribution, indemnity, or
other relief over against the Releasee, under the provisions of any
statute or otherwise with respect to any of the matters that are the
subject of this Agreement. In the event that the Employee should hereafter
make any claim, demand or commence or threaten any complaint against the
Releasee or anyone connected with the Releasee for or by reason of any
cause, matter or thing existing up to the present time, this document may
be raised as an estoppel and complete bar to any such claim, demand,
action, or complaint.
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11.
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The
Employee further covenants and agrees to save harmless and indemnify the
Releasee from and against all claims, assessments, charges, taxes,
premiums or other penalties or demands which may be made by the Canada
Customs and Revenue Agency or any other official of the Governments of the
Province of Ontario or Canada, requiring the Employer to pay income tax,
charges or penalties under the Income Tax Act (Canada)
in respect of: income tax payable by the Employee in excess of
income tax previously withheld; and any and all claims, charges, taxes or
penalties and demands which may be made by, on behalf of or related to
Human Resources Development Canada or any other governmental agency under
any applicable statute and regulation with respect to any amounts which
may in the future be found to be payable by the Employer on his
behalf.
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Restrictive
Covenants
12.
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The
Employee acknowledges and agrees that during the course of his employment
with the Employer, he has had and will have possession of, and access to,
proprietary information, information treated as confidential by the
Employer, and information not generally known to the public, concerning
the Employer, its business and its customers, including, without
limitation, writings, equipment, processes, sales literature and data,
control systems, operations, drawings, notes, manuscripts, consulting
methods and materials, reports, manuals, invention records, surveys and
survey forms, financial data and information, business plans, marketing
plans and strategies, sales plans and strategies, compensation plans and
strategies, customer lists, contact persons, and other data about
customers, prices, pricing lists and policies, inventory lists, wages,
arrangements with suppliers and customers or product information programs,
systems, software, source codes, object codes, algorithms, formats,
formulas, data bases, electronically stored or compiled data, plans,
projects, designs, methodologies, procedures, technology, concepts and
techniques, know how, ideas, advances over general common knowledge,
copyrights, trade secrets or other materials embodying trade secrets,
customer or product information or technical, managerial or business
information of the Employer, all of which is strictly confidential to the
Employer and hereinafter referred to collectively as the “Confidential
Information”.
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13.
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Accordingly,
as Vice
President Abrasives Business Development and International
Sales , and in
recognition of his continuing fiduciary obligations to the Employer, which
the Employee hereby acknowledges, and in any event, the Employee agrees
not to at any time:
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(a)
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use
or exploit in any manner Confidential Information for himself or any
person, partnership, association, corporation or other entity other than
the Employer, its affiliates or
subsidiaries;
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(b)
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remove
or retain any Confidential Information, or any reproduction thereof, from
the possession or control of the Employer, its affiliates or
subsidiaries;
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(c)
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retain
copies of Confidential Information in any
form;
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(d)
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disclose,
publish or show any Confidential Information to any third party unless the
Employer gives prior written consent, and confidentiality designations are
made to the third party; or
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(e)
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treat
Confidential Information otherwise than in a confidential
manner.
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14.
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The
Employee hereby acknowledges returning, as requested, any and all
Confidential Information of the Employer in his possession or control to
an authorized representative of the Employer, and not retaining any such
Confidential Information or any reproduction thereof in any form or
medium.
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15.
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In
further consideration for the sums and assistance stipulated paragraphs 2
through 5 (inclusively) above, the Employee agrees not to, at any time
from the date hereof to December 31, 2011, either individually or in
partnership or jointly or in conjunction with any person or persons, firm,
association, syndicate, or company as principal, agent, shareholder,
employee, consultant or in any other manner whatsoever whether directly or
indirectly, carry on or be engaged in and/or concerned with or interested
in, or advise or otherwise allow his name or any part thereof to be used
or employed by or associated with, any person or persons, firm,
association, syndicate or company engaged in or concerned with or
interested in any business in competition with any business carried on by
the Employer during the period from the Notice Date to the Termination
Date (the
“Business”), within such areas as the Employer or its subsidiaries or
affiliates are then carrying on such Business or the particular part of it
or such areas as the Employer or its subsidiaries or affiliates are
actively implementing plans to expand their operations
into.
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16.
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Notwithstanding
the provisions of paragraph 15 above, the Employee shall be entitled to be
employed by a business, organization or other entity with whom he deals at
arm’s length, provided that his employment duties are not in any way
connected with and do not in any way relate to any Business or product
competitive with a product or Business which is being carried on or
marketed by the Employer (either directly or through any of its affiliates
and subsidiaries) as of the date of this agreement, within such areas as
the Employer or its affiliates or subsidiaries are then carrying on such
business or the particular part of it or such areas as the Employer or its
affiliates and subsidiaries are actively implementing plans to expand
their operations into.
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17.
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Nothing
in paragraphs 15 and 16 above shall restrict or prevent the Employee from
owning less than 5% of the stock or securities of any person whose
securities are traded on a recognized stock
exchange.
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18.
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In
further consideration for the sums and assistance stipulated in paragraphs
2 through 5 (inclusively) herein, the Employee agrees that, from the
date hereof to December 31, 2011, he will not, either on his own behalf or
on behalf of any person or entity competing or endeavouring to compete
with the Employer:
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(a)
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offer
employment to any person who is an employee of the Employer on the date of
this Agreement, or who was an employee of the Employer at any time during
the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the Termination
Date;
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(b)
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directly
or indirectly solicit, endeavour to solicit or gain the custom of any
person who is a wholesale supplier or wholesale or retail customer of the
Employer, or who was a wholesale supplier or wholesale or retail customer
of the Employer at any time during the twelve (12) months immediately
preceding the Termination Date, for the purpose of providing, selling or
obtaining products or services similar to those provided, sold or obtained
by the Employer; or
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(c)
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exploit
for his own benefit or the benefit of others his personal knowledge,
influence or relationships with any person who is an employee, a wholesale
supplier or a wholesale or retail customer of the Employer on the date of
this Agreement, or who was an employee, wholesale supplier or wholesale or
retail customer of the Employer at any during the twelve (12) months
immediately preceding the Termination
Date.
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19.
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Nothing
in this Agreement limits the Employee’s fiduciary obligations to the
Employer including, without limitation, any obligation not to solicit
employees or customers of, or any supplier to, the Business or the
Employer or any of its subsidiaries or
affiliates.
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20.
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The
parties further undertake and agree not to disclose nor publicize the
terms of the settlement evidenced by this Agreement to any other person,
other than, (a) as required by law, (b) to their respective financial
advisors and legal counsel, (c) in the case of the Employee, a member of
his immediate family, and (d) in the case of the Employer, the Board of
Directors and such internal staff of the Employer and it affiliates as the
President
Continental Commercial Products, acting reasonably, may determine
have a “need to know”, provided that all of the foregoing persons referred
to in paragraphs 20(b)-(d) shall be in advance apprised of and agree to
adhere to the obligation to maintain
confidentiality.
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21.
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The
Employee acknowledges and agrees that the terms and restrictions contained
in paragraphs 9 to 20 (inclusively) of this Agreement are reasonable in
the circumstances, are in consideration for the severance arrangements
specified in paragraphs 2 to 5 (inclusively) above and necessary to
protect the economic position of the Employer. The Employee accordingly
waives any and all defences to the strict enforcement
thereof. The Employee also hereby acknowledges specifically
considering the terms and restrictions contained in paragraphs 9 to 20
above (inclusively), being advised of seeking independent legal advice
with respect thereto, and agrees that the restraints and restrictions
contained therein are reasonable in the circumstances. Notwithstanding the
termination of the Agreement, for any reason by either party, or the
expiry of this Agreement, the restrictive covenants contained in this
Agreement shall continue in force to the extent specifically set out in
this Agreement.
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22.
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The
Employee acknowledges and agrees that a breach by the Employee of any of
the provisions hereof would cause substantial and irreparable harm to the
Employer which could not be adequately compensated for by damages, and in
the event of such a breach (or the reasonable apprehension of such a
breach) by the Employee of such provisions, the Employee hereby consents
to a preliminary and permanent injunction being issued against it
restraining him from any breach or further breach of the said provisions
and of an order to account for all profits and benefits arising out of any
such breach, but the provisions of this paragraph shall be in addition to
and not in substitution for any other remedy which the Employer may have
in respect of such a breach.
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23.
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The
Employee further acknowledges and agrees that any breach of any of the
provisions in paragraphs to (inclusively) hereof
will immediately disqualify him from receiving, continuing to receive or
exercising any financial or other rights provided for under paragraphs 2
through 5 (inclusively) hereof as of the date of
breach. Nothing in this paragraph should be interpreted as
limiting the Employer’s rights and remedies in the event the Employee
breaches any of the provisions of paragraphs 2 through 5
hereof.
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General
Provisions
24.
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The
division of this Agreement into sections and the insertion of headings are
for convenience of reference only and do not affect the construction or
interpretation of this Agreement.
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25.
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This
Agreement is governed by, and is to be construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of the Province of Ontario and Canada as
applicable.
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26.
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All
references to currency or dollar amounts in this Agreement are to lawful
currency of Canada.
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27.
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If
any provision of this Agreement is or becomes illegal, invalid or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction, the illegality, invalidity or
unenforceability of that term will not
affect:
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(a)
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the
legality, validity or enforceability of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement; or
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(b)
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the
legality, validity or enforceability of that provision in any other
jurisdiction.
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28.
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No
waiver of any provision of this Agreement is binding unless it is in
writing and signed by the party entitled to grant the
waiver. No failure to exercise, and no delay in exercising, any
right or remedy under this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of that
right or remedy. No waiver of any breach of any provision of
this Agreement will be deemed to be a waiver of any subsequent breach of
that provision.
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29.
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This
Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with
respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior negotiations
and understandings. No provision may be amended or waived
except in writing. The provisions of this Agreement shall enure to the
benefit of, and shall be binding upon, in the case of the Employer, its
corporate affiliates, parents, subsidiaries, insurers, directors,
officers, agents, servants, employees, successors, agents and assigns, and
in the case of the Employee, his heirs, executors, administrators and
beneficiaries.
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30.
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The
Employee agrees that the foregoing described consideration is provided by
the Employer without admission of liability on the part of the Employer
and such liability is expressly
denied.
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31.
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The
Employee has had the opportunity to seek independent legal advice with
respect to this Agreement, and fully understands it. The Employee confirms
that he is executing this Agreement freely, voluntarily, and without
duress.
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The
parties have signed this Separation Agreement this 3rd day of April, 2008 in the
presence of the witnesses whose signatures appear below.
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Witness
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Print
Name
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/s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx III
GLIT/GEMTEX
LTD.
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/s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Witness
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxxx
Print
Name
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/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
XXXXX
XXXXX
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