October 25, 2013
October 25, 2013
VIA E-MAIL and HAND DELIVERY
Xxxx Xxxxx, PhD. (Via Hand Delivery)
Re: | Severance Agreement and Release of All Claims |
Dear Xxxx:
You have indicated that you intend to resign from your position as Vice President of Bioanalytical Services of Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. ("BASi" or "Company"). This letter will confirm certain agreements between you and the Company concerning the resolution of all contractual and other matters between the parties.
Upon your resignation, 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 November 15, 2013. 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 November 15, 2013; (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 “Xxxxx” mean Xxxx Xxxxx, and anyone who has or obtains any legal right or claims through her. “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 Xxxxx'x employment relationship with XXXx and the termination of the employment relationship. “The Parties” means Xxxxx and XXXx. |
2. | Resignation. Pursuant to this Agreement, Xxxxx will be deemed to have resigned her employment with BASi effective November 15, 2013 (the Effective Date). |
3. | Payments and Benefits to be Provided to Xxxxx. In exchange for and in consideration of Xxxxx'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 January 15, 2014 ("Severance Period"), in the amount of $13,333.33 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, following the Release Effective Date, if you are eligible for and timely elect to continue health insurance coverage under XXXx's group health care program pursuant to the federal law known as COBRA, then, XXXx will reimburse you through January 15, 2014, for the amount of COBRA premiums paid by you to maintain such coverage upon presentation by you to the Company of evidence that you have made such payments. Any month for which you receive such reimbursement from BASi will count toward the eighteen (18) month COBRA continuation period. |
c. | After the period referenced in paragraph 3(b) ends, you and your family 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. | Xxxxx agrees that all of her stock options, including vested and unvested stock options, shall be irrevocably terminated and of no further effect as of the termination date. Xxxxx further agrees that she will not be eligible for any bonuses, commissions, or other incentive compensation paid by XXXx following her termination date with the exception of bonuses earned under the Annual Incentive Bonus Program before the termination date. |
4. | Claims released by Xxxxx. By signing this Agreement, Xxxxx unconditionally and fully releases and forever discharges BASi from (a) any and all possible claims, known or unknown, arising out of or from her 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 Xxxxx 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 Xxxxx may have against BASi arising out of Xxxxx'x employment and/or termination of employment with XXXx, including any claims arising out of her Employment Agreement dated March 15, 2012. Xxxxx agrees and understands that any claims she 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. Xxxxx understands that the signing of this Agreement prevents her from making any further claims against XXXx in connection with her employment and the termination of her employment with XXXx. Xxxxx agrees to give up, release and waive all claims against XXXx and not to bring any lawsuits against XXXx relating to the claims she has given up, released and waived, nor will she allow any suit to be brought on her behalf. XXXx represents that it is not aware of the existence of any claims it may have against Xxxxx and has not discussed the possibility of litigation against her. XXXx affirms and acknowledges that it is unaware of any potential claims it may have against Xxxxx and has no present intention of asserting any such claims against her once the agreement is signed. |
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 Xxxxx or any other person, or that Xxxxx has any rights whatsoever against BASi. Xxxxx waives any right or claim of reinstatement to employment with XXXx and agrees not to seek further employment with XXXx. If Xxxxx does seek employment with XXXx, BASi is under no obligation to consider her for employment. |
6. | Acknowledgement. Xxxxx acknowledges that she is not entitled to any of the payments and benefits listed in paragraph 3(a)-(b) of this Agreement unless she 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, Xxxxx 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 Xxxxx or BASi make any statement that may subject the other party to potential embarrassment, humiliation or any other negative consequence. In addition, Xxxxx agrees that she shall not make any public statement, including but not limited to, any statement to the media or to BASi employees, regarding the termination of her employment with BASi with the exception of stating that she has resigned to pursue other opportunities. |
8. | Consultation with Attorney. Xxxxx agrees that she has read this Agreement and the releases contained herein, that she understands all of the terms hereof, that she has not been coerced, threatened or intimidated into signing this Agreement, and that she executes this Agreement voluntarily and with full knowledge of its meaning and consequences and that she has had sufficient opportunity to consult with her attorney regarding this Agreement. Xxxxx further acknowledges that XXXx hereby advises her that she should consult with an attorney before executing this Agreement. |
9. | Violation of Agreement and Severability. Xxxxx agrees that if she breaches any obligation set forth in this Agreement, BASi shall cease all payments to her, as described in this Agreement, and it shall also cease providing all benefits to her, as described in this Agreement. Xxxxx 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. Xxxxx agrees and understands that she remains subject to the Confidentiality and Non-Solicitation obligations stated in Sections 3.1 and 3.3 of her Employment Agreement dated March 15, 2012. |
11. | Xxxxx'x Representations. Xxxxx represents and warrants that in the making and execution of this Agreement, she 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 she 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 her to enter into this Agreement. |
12. | Return of BASi’s Property. Xxxxx hereby represents and warrants that she will return to BASi all of XXXx’s property that is in her possession or control as of the Effective Date. 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. Xxxxx agrees that she will be available to provide reasonable assistance to BASi with transitional matters relating to her 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 Xxxxx. As a condition precedent to her eligibility for the severance benefits described in paragraph 3(a)-(b) above, Xxxxx affirms and attests that she has disclosed during the course of her employment all employment and other agreements she has signed on behalf of BASi in her capacity as Vice President of Bioanalytical Services to appropriate Company officials. |
16. | Time to Consider this Agreement. Xxxxx understands that she has twenty-one (21) days from the date of delivery of this Agreement to consider the terms of this Agreement. Xxxxx understands that she may sign this Agreement at any time during the twenty-one (21) day period. Xxxxx understands that she may revoke this Agreement if she so chooses until seven (7) days after the date of execution. Xxxxx 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 Xxxxx’x execution of this Agreement and provided that the Agreement is not revoked during such seven day period ("Release Effective Date"). |
Sincerely, | ||
Bioanalytical Systems, Inc. | ||
Xxxxxxxxxx Xxxxx | ||
President & CEO |
My signature below represents my unconditional acceptance of all terms and conditions contained in this Agreement.
Xxxx Xxxxx, Ph.D. | Date | ||
STATE OF INDIANA | ) | ||
) SS: | |||
COUNTY OF _________ | ) | ||
Subscribed to and sworn before me, a Notary Public, in and for said County and State, this _____ day of , 2013. |
Signature | ||
Printed Notary Public | ||
My Commission Expires: | County of Residence: | |