EXHIBIT 10.3
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This Agreement and Release of Claims (hereinafter "Agreement") is
entered into between Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx ("Employee") and Micro Linear Corporation
for the benefit of Micro Linear Corporation and all of its past, present and
future parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, and successor
organizations and all of its past and present officers, directors, shareholders,
managing agents and employees (collectively referred to as "the Company"). In
consideration for certain benefits to be provided to him by the Company pursuant
to the terms of a letter agreement between the Company and Employee dated May
21, 2002 (the "Termination Agreement") and described below, and the mutual
promises contained in this Agreement, Employee has agreed to resolve any and all
claims, which he may have against the Company in accordance with the terms of
this Agreement. He acknowledges that such consideration is given in exchange for
his signing this Agreement, and that he is not otherwise entitled to receive
such consideration from the Company. He understands such consideration is given
in order to avoid costly, time-consuming proceedings and is not an admission of
any wrongdoing by the Company.
1. Employee understands that his employment with the Company ends effective May
27, 2002 (the "Termination Date").
2. In exchange for entering into this Agreement, Employee understands and agrees
that, pursuant to the terms of the Termination Agreement, (a) the stock options
granted to him by the Company under the 1991 Stock Option Plan and the 1998
Nonstatutory Stock Option Plan will be amended to become fully vested on the
Termination Date, (b) the options granted to him under the 1991 Stock Option
Plan will be amended to continue Employee's right to exercise during the period
that Employee continues to serve as a member of the Board of Directors of the
Company, and (c) all of the options will be amended to provide that they will
remain exercisable for twelve months after termination of service as a director
(or until expiration of the option term, if earlier).
3. Employee agrees that the above listed separation package described in Section
2 is in full satisfaction of any claims, liabilities, demands or causes of
action, known or unknown, that he ever had, now has or may claim to have had
against the Company or any parents, subsidiaries, directors, officers,
shareholders, employees or agents of the Company as of the date of this
Agreement, excepting claims for workers' compensation insurance or unemployment
insurance benefits. Any such claims, including claims for breach of contract,
bad faith, breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing, age
discrimination, racial discrimination, disability discrimination, sex
discrimination, retaliation, any tort claims, including wrongful discharge,
intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional or
negligent misrepresentation, invasion of privacy, defamation, loss of
consortium, breach of fiduciary duty, assault, battery, sexual battery,
violation of public policy or any other common law claim of any kind, any
violation or alleged violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as
amended, the Equal Pay Act, as amended, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act, the Americans With Disabilities Act,
the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the
California Fair Employment and Housing Act, any provisions of California Labor
Code Division 2, Part 1, Chapter 1, the California Unemployment Insurance Act,
the California Workers' Compensation Act, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act, and California Labor Code
Section 1102.5, and any claim relating to or arising under any other local,
state or federal statute, regulation or principle of common law governing the
employment of individuals and/or discrimination in employment. This release
extends to any and all administrative or criminal
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charges whether before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or the
Department of Fair Employment and Housing or any other court or agency to which
employee currently is or shall later become a party. Should employee ever become
a party to any such proceeding, he shall immediately ask any such administrative
agency or court to withdraw any such charge as to him.
4. On May __, 2002, Employee signed the attached amended and restated
Nondisclosure and Confidentiality Agreement regarding confidential information
and intellectual property in which he agreed to protect Company confidential
information both during and after his employment. That agreement is incorporated
by reference here. As a condition of accepting the separation package set forth
in Section 2 above, Employee reaffirms his obligation to keep secret all
confidential information that belongs to the Company.
5. Employee agrees to return all property that belongs to the Company.
6. Employee hereby expressly waives the provisions of California Civil Code
section 1542, regarding the waiver of unknown claims. California Civil Code
section 1542 provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE MATERIALLY
AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
7. As a condition of accepting the separation package set forth in Section 2,
Employee agrees to keep confidential the terms of this Agreement and any
negotiations or discussions leading thereto. He understands that he is permitted
to disclose these terms to his accountant, attorney, any advisor as described in
Section 10 below, and his spouse, if any, or if required by law.
8. If any term of this Agreement is held to be invalid, void or unenforceable,
the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall
in no way be affected, and the parties shall use their best efforts to find an
alternative way to achieve the same result.
9. The provisions of this Agreement and the Termination Agreement set forth the
entire agreement between Employee and the Company concerning his separation
package and the termination of his employment; provided, however, that this
Agreement does not supersede his obligations to maintain the confidentiality of
Company information, whether arising from the Nondisclosure and Confidentiality
Agreement referred to above in Section 4, or from operation of law. Any other
promises, written or oral, are replaced by the provisions of this Agreement, and
are no longer effective unless they are contained in this document. This
Agreement can only be changed in writing, signed by the Employee and the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company.
10. EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN ADVISED AND UNDERSTANDS THAT HE HAS TWENTY-ONE (21) DAYS
TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT. THIS PERIOD IS DESIGNED TO
ALLOW HIM TO CONSULT WITH A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, ACCOUNTANT, ATTORNEY OR ANYONE
ELSE WHOSE ADVICE HE CHOOSES TO SEEK. THE COMPANY ADVISES EMPLOYEE TO CONSULT
WITH AN ATTORNEY.
11. EMPLOYEE HAS BEEN ADVISED AND UNDERSTANDS THAT AFTER SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT
HE HAS SEVEN (7) DAYS TO REVOKE HIS AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS OF THIS DOCUMENT. ANY
REVOCATION SHOULD BE IN WRITING AND SHOULD BE DELIVERED TO MICRO LINEAR
CORPORATION, 0000 XXXXXXXXX XXXXX,
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XXX XXXX, XX 00000, ATTN: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, BY 5:00 P.M. AT THE END OF
THE SEVENTH DAY AFTER SIGNING THIS DOCUMENT OR SHOULD BE MAILED TO THE ATTENTION
OF THE CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER AT THAT SAME ADDRESS BY CERTIFIED MAIL,
POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN SEVEN (7) DAYS AFTER SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT. THIS
AGREEMENT WILL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE UNTIL THE SEVEN (7) DAY REVOCATION PERIOD
HAS PASSED.
12. By signing below, Employee acknowledges that he is entering into this
Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. In addition, he hereby acknowledges by his
signature that he has carefully read and fully understand all the provisions of
this Agreement, that he has been given the opportunity to consult with an
attorney regarding its terms, and that he has been given the opportunity to take
at least twenty-one days to consider this Agreement.
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By my signature, I agree to the terms set forth above and I agree to
this Agreement and Release of Claims.
Date: June 7, 2002
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
Date: June 7, 2002
MICRO LINEAR CORPORATION
By: /s/ Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx
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