Re: Separation Agreement and Release of Claims
Exhibit 10.27
Xxxxxxxx 0, 0000
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
| Re: Separation Agreement and Release of Claims |
Dear Xxxx:
This letter is to formally confirm our agreement with you with respect to your separation from
Callidus Software Inc. (“Callidus Software” or the “Company”). This agreement includes the
separation and release terms that are a necessary part of such agreements with the Company. To
ensure that there are no ambiguities, this letter explains in detail both your rights and
obligations and those of the Company upon separation of your employment and your full release of
any and all claims against the Company.
Your employment with Callidus will formally end upon the close of business January 31, 2008
(“Separation Date”). Upon your Separation Date we will provide you the following benefits:
| 1. | You will receive a final check with your base salary pay up to and including your Separation Date and any vacation pay that has accrued to that date, minus applicable withholding taxes. | ||
| 2. | If you are contributing to Callidus Software’s 401(k) Plan, your contributions will cease upon your Separation Date. | ||
| 3. | If you are a beneficiary to Callidus’ life insurance coverage, your coverage will cease upon your Separation Date. | ||
| 4. | Callidus will pay any reasonable Callidus business expenses incurred by you prior to the Separation Date, so long as you properly submit the appropriate documentation to Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx in Accounting within 30 days of your Separation Date. | ||
| 5. | Vesting on stock options that have been granted to you will cease upon your Separation Date. You will have 90 days, until April 30, 2008, from your Separation Date to exercise any vested shares. Should you need assistance or have any questions on the process and necessary items to exercise such shares, please contact Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx at (000) 000-0000. | ||
| 6. | If you are participating in the Employee Stock Purchase Plan (ESPP), your participation will cease on your Separation Date and any money that has been deducted from your paycheck up to this point will then be refunded to you in your final check. |
You understand and agree that Callidus may deduct any unpaid company credit cards (AMEX), phone
cards, and equipment replacement costs for Callidus equipment assigned to you (other than the
computer equipment set forth below) that has not been returned, from any final amounts owed to you
under your employment or this separation letter.
| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
Callidus and you have agreed to additional benefits to be provided to you, to which you would
otherwise not be entitled, in exchange for you signing a Release of Claims as part of this
separation agreement. Specifically, once you have signed this letter below indicating your
agreement to these terms, and after your Separation Date you have additionally signed the attached
Release of Claims document, and the revocation period has expired, then:
| 1. | Callidus will provide you with the equivalent of an additional 7 months of base pay less applicable taxes, withholdings and deductions. | ||
| 2. | You will be eligible to receive your Q4 2007 bonus if the executive targets are achieved. You will not be eligible for any prorated bonus for the period from January 1, 2008 to January 31, 2008. | ||
| 3. | Callidus will provide you with an additional payment to cover 7 months of COBRA health coverage, less applicable taxes, withholdings and deductions, commencing on the month following your Separation Date. | ||
| 4. | Callidus will permit you to retain your current laptop computer as well as your PDA as long as you transfer the financial responsibility for the PDA service from the company account to your personal financial responsibility as of January 31, 2008. |
In addition to signing a Release of Claims document substantially similar to the attached document,
the additional benefits as outlined above are also contingent upon your full cooperation in the
transition of any job duties which you are currently assigned or working on, your agreement to
comply with the obligations and the terms of this separation agreement, your continued compliance
with the attached Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement which you
have signed, your agreement to work in your current role through December 31, 2007 as the Senior
Vice President Worldwide Client Services, and to then work as an offsite employee who will be
available, responsive and cooperative in supporting the Company from January 1, 2008 through
January 31, 2008. You acknowledge that during your employment, you may have obtained
confidential, proprietary and trade secret information, including information relating to the
Company’s products, plans, designs and other valuable confidential information. In accordance with
the attached Employment, Confidential Information and Invention Assignment Agreement, and as a term
of this separation agreement, you agree not to disclose any such confidential information unless
required by subpoena or court order, and that you will first give the Company written notice of
such subpoena or court order with reasonable advance notice to permit the Company to oppose such
subpoena or court order if it chooses to do so. You agree that, for a period of twelve (12)
months immediately following the Separation Date, you shall not either directly or indirectly
solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any of the Company’s employees to leave their employment, or
attempt to so solicit, induce, recruit, or encourage employees of the Company, either for yourself
or on behalf of any other person or entity.
You and Company both agree that neither of you will impugn each other or the business of the
Company, including the use of defamatory statements towards each other, the company, officers,
directors, or former or current employees.
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000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
You agree, acknowledge, and understand that failure by you to meet your obligations and commitments
as outlined herein including, but not limited to those regarding confidentiality, non-solicitation,
and cooperation will result in damages by you to Callidus in the amount of the additional benefits
and considerations outlined above. If such payments have already been made to you, you agree to
immediately repay the amounts Callidus paid to you. You agree that these legal rights are in
addition to any other legal rights or claims Callidus may have against you.
From January 1, 2008 to January 31, 2008, during the time you are still an employee of Callidus,
you agree to abide by the provisions of the Callidus Employee Handbook, including the Conflicts of
Interest and Business Opportunities policy, which provides that you will not work in any capacity,
for a competitor, customer or supplier while employed by Callidus. You are permitted to accept part
time consulting work which work would not be a conflict and would be in compliance with the
Callidus Employee Handbook Conflict of Interest and Business Opportunities policy and which does
not interfere with your availability to Callidus.
If, after carefully reviewing these terms and conditions, you wish to accept these terms as
outlined, then please sign below indicating your agreement. Note however that the final Release
of Claims document will be provided to you for signature on your actual Separation Date of January
31, 2008.
We wish you the best of success in your future endeavors.
Sincerely,
/s/ Xxxxxx Stretch
Xxxxxx Stretch |
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Chief Executive Officer |
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| Encl. | Accepted and agreed on Dec. 6, 2007. | |||||
| By: | /s/ Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
Release of All Disputes and Causes of Action. Employee hereby fully and forever
releases, on behalf of himself and his respective heirs, the Company, which includes its executors,
officers, directors, employees, investors, shareholders, administrators, predecessor and successor
corporations, and assigns, of and from any cause of action, whether in law or in equity, relating
to any matters of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that
Employee may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have occurred up until and
including the date upon which the Employee executes this Agreement including, without limitation,
(a) any and all causes of action relating to or arising from Employee’s employment
relationship with the Company and the separation therefrom;
(b) any and all causes of action for wrongful discharge of employment; termination in
violation of public policy; discrimination; breach of contract, both express and implied;
breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; promissory estoppel; negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation;
negligent or intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage;
unfair business practices; defamation; libel; slander; negligence; personal injury; assault;
battery; invasion of privacy; false imprisonment; and conversion;
(c) any and all causes of action for violation of any federal, state or municipal
statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil
Rights Act of 1991, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, and Labor Code section 201, et seq. and section 970, et seq.,
but excluding the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the National
Labor Relations Act and any other state, federal or local statute or law which prohibits the
release of claims generally or absent court, agency or other approval;
(d) any and all causes of action for violation of the federal, or any state,
constitution; and
(e) any and all attorneys’ fees and costs.
The Company and Employee agree that the release set forth in this section shall be and remain
in effect in all respects as a complete and general release as to the matters released. It is the
intention of the parties in executing this Agreement that it shall be effective as a bar to each
and every matter released herein and that, should any proceeding be instituted with respect to
matters released herein, this Agreement shall be deemed in full and complete accord, satisfaction
and settlement of any such released matter and sufficient basis for its dismissal. This release
does not extend to any obligations incurred under this Agreement.
| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
Civil Code Section 1542. The Employee represents that he is not aware of any disputes
or causes of action he has other than the disputes and causes of action that are released by this
Agreement. Employee acknowledges that he is familiar with the provisions of California Civil Code
Section 1542, or any similar provision contained in the laws of the state in which Employee
resides, which provides as follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES
NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Employee, being aware of this code section, nonetheless agrees to expressly waive any rights
he may have under it, as well as under any other statute or common law principles of similar
effect.
Time To Consider Agreement; Knowing and Voluntary Agreement. Employee understands and
agrees that: (a) Employee has had up to 21 days within which to consider this Agreement before
executing it; (b) Employee has reviewed all aspects of this Agreement; (c) Employee has carefully
read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement; (d) Employee understands that
in agreeing to this document he is releasing the Company from any and all causes of action or
lawsuits he may have against it; (e) Employee knowingly and voluntarily agrees to all the terms set
forth in this Agreement; (f) Employee was advised and hereby is advised in writing to consider the
terms of this Agreement and consult with an attorney of his choice prior to executing this
agreement; (g) Employee has a full seven (7) days following the execution of this Agreement and has
been and hereby is advised in writing that this Agreement will not become effective or enforceable
until the revocation period has expired. To revoke, the Employee must send a written statement of
revocation by certified mail to Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Vice President, Human Resources, Callidus Software
Inc., 000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000, Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000; and (h) Employee understands
that rights or claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 that may arise after
the date of this Agreement is executed are not waived.
No Pending or Future Lawsuits. Except as described below, Employee agrees not to file
any lawsuit or bring any cause of action against the Company or any other person or entity referred
to herein, in any court or administrative agency, with regard to any dispute, demand, liability or
obligation arising out of Employee’s employment with the Company or separation therefrom. Employee
further represents that no claims, complaints, charges or other proceedings are pending in any
court, administrative agency, commission or other forum relating directly to [8] employment with
the Company; however, nothing in this Agreement precludes Employee from filing a charge or
complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
or other federal, state or local governmental agency. In addition, in spite of this Agreement, the
Employee still retains the right to challenge the knowing and voluntary nature of this Agreement
under the OWBPA and ADEA before a court, the EEOC, or any state or local agency permitted
| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
to enforce those laws, and this release does not impose any penalty or condition for doing so. The
Employee understands, however, that if he successfully pursues a claim against the Company under
the OWBPA or the ADEA, the Company may seek to set off the amount paid to him for signing the
release against any amount he obtains. If Employee unsuccessfully pursues a claim against the
Company under the OWBPA or the ADEA, then the Company may be entitled to recover its costs and
attorneys’ fees to the extent specifically authorized by federal law.
No Representations. Each party represents that it has had the opportunity to consult
with an attorney, and has carefully read and understands the scope and effect of the provisions of
this Agreement. Neither party has relied upon any representations or statements made by the other
party hereto which are not specifically set forth in this Agreement.
No Oral Modification. This Agreement may only be amended in writing signed by
Employee and the President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) of the Company.
Costs. The Parties shall each bear their own costs, attorneys’ fees and other fees
incurred in connection with this Agreement consistent with federal law and this Agreement.
Enforcement. The Parties agree that any and all disputes arising out of the terms of
this Agreement, their interpretation, and any of the matters herein released, shall be heard before
a neutral arbitrator selected from a list provided by and in accordance with the rules of the
Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Service (JAMS) in the jurisdiction in which the Employee worked.
The arbitrator’s decision and/or award shall be final and binding. The Parties agree that the
prevailing Party shall be entitled to recover from the other Party its reasonable attorneys fees
and costs incurred to enforce this Agreement.
Severability. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a
court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue
in full force and effect without said provision.
Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of
California.
Effective Date. This Agreement is effective on the eighth (8th) day after
it has been signed by both Parties provided the Employee has not revoked the Agreement during the
previous seven (7) day period.
Non-Admission of Liability. The parties agree that this Agreement is a compromise of
all claims disputed between Employee and the Company and is not and shall never be treated as
an admission of liability of any kind to Employee or any other person by the Company for any
purposes whatsoever.
Entire Agreement. This Agreement, and the other agreements referenced herein,
represent the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Employee concerning
Employee’s separation from the Company, and supersede and replace any and all prior agreements and
understandings concerning Employee’s relationship with the Company.
| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
I HAVE CAREFULLY READ AND FULLY UNDERSTAND AND VOLUNTARILY AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THE GENERAL
RELEASE AGREEMENT IN EXCHANGE FOR THE ADDITIONAL BENEFITS TO WHICH I WOULD OTHERWISE NOT BE
ENTITLED.
Agreed and Accepted: |
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Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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Date | |||
| Phone 000 000 0000 | ||
000 Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 0000
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Fax 000 000 0000 | |
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
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xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx |
