VIA E-MAIL and HAND DELIVERY Albert Hidalgo
July 5, 2012
VIA E-MAIL and HAND DELIVERY
Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Indianapolis, IN 46202
Re: | Severance Agreement and Release of All Claims |
Dear Xxxxxx:
In a letter dated July 3, 2012 you have indicated that you intend to resign from your position as Vice President, Business Development and Marketing of Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. ("BASi" or "Company"). Your letter states that you believe you have "good reason" to resign pursuant to section 4.1 of your employment agreement, requests 45 days of severance pay, and states that your departure from the company will take place on July 6, 2012.
As you know, section 4.1 of your employment agreement requires you to give thirty days' written notice of a material breach of your agreement and, in certain circumstances, give the Company thirty days to then rectify the situation. Your resignation letter does not describe any circumstances that would constitute a material breach of your employment agreement, as evidenced by your failure to cite any particular provision of your agreement that you believe to have been breached. Moreover, your announced departure date of July 6 does not satisfy the requirement of thirty days' notice contained in section 4.1. As a result, XXXx does not believe you are entitled to any severance benefits or salary continuation under section 4.1 of your agreement.
Notwithstanding that fact, XXXx is prepared to offer you a severance package with the terms detailed below. Although you will have the full time period spelled out in paragraph 16 below to consider this Agreement, your employment will end effective July 6, 2012, as you previously announced. Thereafter, you will not be entitled to any additional compensation or to participate in any of BASi's benefit plans (except as otherwise specifically provided herein) from BASi other than what may be agreed to by the parties in the Agreement below.
Even if you do not sign this Agreement, BASi will (a) pay you at your normal weekly salary through July 6, 2012; (b) pay you for any accrued but unused vacation days in accordance with Company policy; and (c) reimburse you for previously incurred but unreimbursed business expenses in accordance with Company policy. Unless you notify BASi of a different bank account, your final pay will be deposited in the bank account that you have previously designated for direct deposit. Similarly, even if you do not sign this Agreement, you will be offered benefits to which you are entitled under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (“COBRA”), as modified below.
A. | Terms. |
1. | Definitions. The terms “you” and “your” and “Xxxxxxx” mean Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx., and anyone who has or obtains any legal right or claims through him. “BASi” and “Company” mean Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. and include its past and present officers, directors, employees, agents, related corporations and entities, affiliates, principals, insurers, shareholders, attorneys, trustees, subsidiaries, predecessors, successors and assigns, any and all employee benefit plans (and any fiduciary of such plans) sponsored by XXXx. “Agreement” means this letter agreement which contains the terms of the severance package and which includes a release of all claims arising out of Xxxxxxx'x employment relationship with XXXx and the termination of the employment relationship. “The Parties” means Xxxxxxx and BASi. |
2. | Resignation. Pursuant to this Agreement and his resignation letter of July 3, 2012, Xxxxxxx will be deemed to have resigned his employment with BASi effective July 6, 2012. |
3. | Payments and Benefits to be Provided to Xxxxxxx. In exchange for and in consideration of Xxxxxxx'x agreement to release all claims against XXXx as described in paragraph 4 and in consideration of the other promises contained in this Agreement, XXXx agrees as follows: |
x. | XXXx agrees to pay you a severance benefit in the form of salary continuation through the payroll period ending July 31, 2012 ("Severance Period"), in the amount of $10,487.34 per month. Unless you notify XXXx’s payroll department of a different bank account, this amount will be deposited in the bank account that you have previously designated for direct deposit; |
b. | Additionally, you will be covered on our medical insurance plan through July 31, 2012. After the period referenced in paragraph 3(b) ends, you will have the option of continuing to participate in BASi’s group health care program pursuant to COBRA for any remaining period of COBRA continuation coverage to the extent required under COBRA, but you will be responsible for the entire premium. |
x. | Xxxxxxx agrees that all of his stock options, including vested and unvested stock options, shall be irrevocably terminated and of no further effect as of the date hereof. Xxxxxxx further agrees that he will not be eligible for any bonuses, commissions, or other incentive compensation paid by XXXx following his termination date. |
4. | Claims released by Xxxxxxx. By signing this Agreement, Xxxxxxx unconditionally and fully releases and forever discharges BASi from (a) any and all possible claims, known or unknown, arising out of or from his employment with BASi under any and all possible legal, equitable, tort, contract or statutory theories, including but not limited to any claims for constructive or wrongful discharge or breach of contract, except for any claims relating to accrued and vested rights under a retirement plan; (b) any and all claims arising on or before the date Xxxxxxx signs this Agreement, including but not limited to any charges, claims, demands or actions under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Pay Act, 42 U.S.C. § 2000e et seq., Section 1981 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, 42 U.S.C. § 1981, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers’ Benefit Protection Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq., the Indiana Civil Rights Law, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, 29 U.S.C. § 1001 et seq., the United States Constitution, the Indiana Constitution, any and all amendments to said statutes, and any other federal, state or local statute or law, ordinance or regulation, dealing in any way with employment or employment-related benefits and all claims for costs and attorneys’ fees; and (c) all claims Xxxxxxx may have against BASi arising out of Xxxxxxx'x employment and/or termination of employment with XXXx, including any claims arising out of his Employment Agreement dated December 1, 2008, as amended by his Amended and Restated Employment Agreement effective February 1, 2010 and Addendum B thereto (collectively referred to as "Employment Agreement" hereinafter). Xxxxxxx agrees and understands that any claims he may have under the aforementioned laws, statutes or any other federal, state or local law, ordinance, rule or regulation are effectively waived by this Agreement. Xxxxxxx understands that the signing of this Agreement prevents him from making any further claims against XXXx in connection with his employment and the termination of his employment with the BASi. Xxxxxxx agrees to give up, release and waive all claims against XXXx and not to bring any lawsuits against XXXx relating to the claims he has given up, released and waived, nor will he allow any suit to be brought on his behalf. |
5. | No Admission of Liability; Waiver. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by BASi that it has acted wrongfully with respect to Xxxxxxx or any other person, or that Xxxxxxx has any rights whatsoever against BASi. Xxxxxxx waives any right or claim of reinstatement to employment with XXXx and agrees not to seek further employment with XXXx. If Xxxxxxx does seek employment with BASi, BASi is under no obligation to consider him for employment. |
6. | Acknowledgement. Xxxxxxx acknowledges that he is not entitled to any of the payments and benefits listed in paragraph 3(a)-(b) of this Agreement unless he signs this Agreement and does not revoke it within the revocation period stated in paragraph 16 below. |
7. | Non-Disparagement. In consideration of the promises made in this Agreement, Xxxxxxx and XXXx each agrees not to make any false, negative or disparaging remarks or comments to any person and/or entity about the other party to this Agreement, nor shall Xxxxxxx or BASi make any statement that may subject the other party to potential embarrassment, humiliation or any other negative consequence. In addition, Xxxxxxx agrees that he shall not make any public statement, including but not limited to, any statement to the media or to BASi employees, regarding the termination of his employment with BASi. |
8. | Consultation with Attorney. Xxxxxxx agrees that he has read this Agreement and the releases contained herein, that he understands all of the terms hereof, that he has not been coerced, threatened or intimidated into signing this Agreement, and that he executes this Agreement voluntarily and with full knowledge of its meaning and consequences and that he has had sufficient opportunity to consult with his attorney regarding this Agreement. Xxxxxxx further acknowledges that XXXx hereby advises him that he should consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement. |
9. | Violation of Agreement and Severability. Xxxxxxx agrees that if he breaches any obligation set forth in this Agreement, BASi shall cease all payments to him, as described in this Agreement, and it shall also cease providing all benefits to him, as described in this Agreement. Xxxxxxx also understands and agrees that in the event that this Agreement is ever held to be invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part, as to any particular type of claim or charge or as to any particular circumstances, this Agreement shall remain fully valid and enforceable as to all other claims, charges and circumstances. |
10. | Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation. Xxxxxxx agrees and understands that he remains subject to the Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation obligations stated in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of his Employment Agreement dated August 18, 2010. |
11. | Xxxxxxx'x Representations. Xxxxxxx represents and warrants that in the making and execution of this Agreement, he is not relying on any representation, statement, or assertion of fact or opinion made by any agent, attorney, employee, or representative of the persons, parties, or corporations being released herein, and he hereby waives any right to rely upon all prior agreements and/or oral representations made by any agent, attorney, employee, or representative of such persons, parties, or corporations even though made for the purpose of inducing him to enter into this Agreement. |
12. | Return of BASi’s Property. Xxxxxxx hereby represents and warrants that he has returned to BASi all of BASi’s property that was in his possession or control. This includes, but is not limited to, keys, credit cards, phone cards, cellular telephones, pages, directories, computer hardware and software, books, documents, memoranda, and all other records, and copies thereof. |
13. | Cooperation and Transition Assistance. Xxxxxxx agrees that he will be available to provide reasonable assistance to BASi with transitional matters relating to his former duties with XXXx, without additional compensation, for the Severance Period discussed in paragraph 3(a), above. |
14. | Miscellaneous. The Parties agree that this Agreement is deemed made and entered into in the State of Indiana and in all respects shall be interpreted, enforced and governed under the laws of the State of Indiana, unless otherwise preempted by federal law. Jurisdiction and venue for litigation of any dispute, controversy, or claim arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall lie exclusively in the federal or state courts in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, and the Parties hereby consent to service of process from said courts. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and may be enforced by, and shall be binding on The Parties and their heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns, and successors in interest. The language of all parts of this Agreement shall be in all cases construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not strictly for or against the drafter. |
15. | Disclosures by Xxxxxxx. As a condition precedent to his eligibility for the severance benefits described in paragraph 3(a)-(b) above, Xxxxxxx affirms and attests that he has disclosed during the course of his employment all employment and other agreements he has signed on behalf of BASi in his capacity as Vice President, Business Development and Marketing, to appropriate Company officials. |
16. | Time to Consider this Agreement. Xxxxxxx understands that he has twenty-one (21) days from the date of delivery of this Agreement to consider the terms of this Agreement. Xxxxxxx understands that he may sign this Agreement at any time during the twenty-one (21) day period. Xxxxxxx understands that he may revoke this Agreement if he so chooses until seven (7) days after the date of execution. Xxxxxxx further understands that this Agreement will not become effective or enforceable and that BASi’s obligations in paragraph 3 of this Agreement to make payments and provide benefits will not become effective or enforceable until seven (7) days from the date of Xxxxxxx execution of this Agreement and provided that the Agreement is not revoked during such seven day period ("Release Effective Date"). |
Sincerely, | |
Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. | |
Xxxx Xxxxxx-Xxxxxx | |
Xx. Vice President, Human Resources |
My signature below represents my unconditional acceptance of all terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.
Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx, Xx. | Date |