May 16, 2008 Mr. Charles E. McDonald 1126 Hidden Ridge # 2145 Irving, Texas 75038 Dear Charles:
Exhibit 10.1
![(INTERVOICE LOGO)](https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/764244/000095013408010067/d57057d5705701.gif)
May 16, 2008
Xx. Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx # 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
0000 Xxxxxx Xxxxx # 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Dear Xxxxxxx:
This letter confirms the discussions held with you regarding terms of separation from your
employment with Intervoice, Inc. (“Intervoice”), which terms are set forth in this Separation
Agreement (the “Agreement.”) On behalf of Intervoice, I want to express my appreciation for your
past service and contributions, and wish you success in your future endeavors.
1. Termination of Employment and Resignation from Office. Your employment with Intervoice
will terminate effective with the close of business today, May 16, 2008 (the “Separation Date”).
Consequently, your duties and authority as Intervoice’s Chief Accounting Officer and your
authorization to have access to Intervoice’s offices, accounting and other data systems,
facilities, property, confidential information, and internal communications systems will cease at
the same time. Concurrently with Intervoice’s tender of this Agreement to you, you are, by
separate instrument, resigning as a corporate officer of Intervoice.
2. Salary and Benefits. In accordance with Intervoice’s existing policies or at its
discretion, you have received or will receive the following payments and benefits pursuant to your
employment with Intervoice and your participation in Intervoice’s benefit plans:
(a) Payment of your regular base salary through the Separation Date;
(b) Payment of accrued and unused vacation leave benefits, if any, as of the Separation
Date; and
(c) Present or future payment or other entitlement, in accordance with the terms of the
applicable plan or other benefit, of any benefits to which you have vested entitlement under
the terms of employee benefit plans established by Intervoice.
The amounts paid in accordance with subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph are gross amounts,
subject to lawful deductions, including any deductions you have previously authorized.
Your regular paid group health benefits will continue only through May 31, 2008. By law, you are
entitled at your option to continue your group health coverage for a period of time thereafter, at
your own expense. Please complete a COBRA election form, which will be furnished to you, and
return it to Xxx Xxxx in Intervoice’s Human Resources Department
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at your earliest convenience, if you wish to continue such coverage (please note, however, the
special arrangements to be provided to you under Paragraph 3 regarding health coverage
continuation). You should also contact Ms. Reel if you wish to review other aspects of your
benefits, such as life insurance conversion or flexible spending account expense submission.
You have a limited time period in which to exercise any available stock options, should you wish to
do so. Please promptly review your Stock Option Agreements, if any, to determine your rights in
this regard.
Intervoice will settle all authorized reimbursable business expenses, if any, based on your
submission of appropriate expense reports along with the required receipts and documenting
information. Expense reports for any remaining outstanding reimbursable expenses must be submitted
by the close of business on May 23, 2008, except for any charges not billed to you by that time, in
which case the expense must be promptly submitted upon your receipt of the billing.
3. Special Separation Compensation. Upon your acceptance of the terms of this Agreement
and in consideration of your undertakings set forth in Paragraphs 7 (General Release), 8
(Confidentiality and Other Commitments), and 9 (Agreement Not to Seek Reemployment) of this
Agreement, Intervoice shall provide you, in addition to the pay and benefits you will receive
pursuant to Paragraph 2 (and with your hereby acknowledging that there is no other Intervoice
severance pay or other program that would otherwise provide benefits to you upon separation from
your employment), the following Special Separation Compensation:
(a) Payment of the sum of $95,000.00, equivalent to six months’ base salary. This sum is a
gross amount, subject to lawful deductions, and will be paid in installments over a period
of six months from the date of the first payment, as follows: The gross amount of each
payment (except for any final remainder) will be equal to your current regular semi-monthly
gross base pay as if you were still a continuing employee. Payments will begin on the first
regular Intervoice payday following the Effective Date of this Agreement as defined in
Paragraph 16 (provided, however, that because of required administrative processing time, if
the Effective Date is within three business days before a regular payday, payments may not
begin until the next following payday), and will terminate when the total aggregate amount
of all such payments and lawful deductions equals $95,000.00.
(b) Payment, by way of reimbursement to you, through November 30, 2008, of the employer’s
portion of the premium cost for Intervoice’s group health coverage on you and any covered
dependents as in effect on the Separation Date, to the
same extent as if you had continued as an employee; provided, however, that the amount of
any such payment shall be treated as taxable income to you, and Intervoice’s obligation to
make such payments shall terminate at such earlier date as you and your family members who
are then under Intervoice’s coverage have
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become eligible and qualified for comparable coverage (including any preexisting-condition
requirements) under another employer’s plan. To receive this payment of the employer
portion of premium costs, you must (i) make the COBRA election referred to in Paragraph 2
above; and (ii) make arrangements with Xxx Xxxx regarding your payment of the entire monthly
premium cost and the procedure for obtaining reimbursement for the employer portion.
4. Payment Conditional on Absence of Certain Acts or Omissions. If for actions or
omissions related to your employment with Intervoice, you are arrested or indicted for any felony,
other criminal offense punishable by imprisonment or jail term of one year or more, or any
violation of federal or state securities laws, or have any civil enforcement action brought against
you by any regulatory agency (or if Intervoice is charged with or indicted for any criminal offense
or has a civil enforcement action brought against it because of your actions or omissions),
Intervoice may suspend any payments remaining under Paragraph 3(a) until the final resolution of
such criminal or civil proceedings or until such earlier date on which Intervoice’s Board of
Directors (the “Board”) has made a final determination as to whether you committed such an act or
omission. If you are found guilty or enter into a plea agreement, consent decree, or similar
arrangement with respect to any such criminal or civil proceedings, or if the Board determines that
you have committed such an act or omission, (i) Intervoice’s obligation to provide the payments set
out in Paragraph 3(a) shall immediately end (but all other provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect), and (ii) you shall repay to Intervoice any amounts paid to you
pursuant to Paragraph 3(a) within 30 days after a written request to do so by Intervoice. If any
such criminal or civil proceedings do not result in a finding of guilt or the entry of a plea
agreement or consent decree or similar arrangement, or the Board determines that you have not
committed such an act or omission, Intervoice shall pay you any payments that it has suspended,
with interest on such suspended payments at its cost of funds, and shall make any remaining
payments due under Paragraph 3(a).
5. Return of Property. You must return to Intervoice any and all items of its property,
including without limitation keys, badge/access card, computers, software, cellphones, calculators,
equipment, credit cards, forms, files, manuals, correspondence, business records, personnel data,
lists of employees, employee salary and benefits information, customer lists and files, lists of
suppliers and vendors, price lists, contracts, contract information, marketing plans, brochures,
catalogs, training materials, product samples, computer data storage media of any kind,
computer-readable files and data stored on any hard drive or other installed device, and data
processing reports, and any and all other documents or property which you have had possession of or
control over during the course of your employment with Intervoice. You must return all such
property to Intervoice by no later than the close of business on May 16, 2008. If you have any
Intervoice property that is not immediately available to you, please make arrangements for its
prompt return. By your signature below, you represent that you have complied with these requirements.
6. Use of Confidential and Proprietary Information; Continuation of Certain Contractual
Obligations. You are a party to an agreement with Intervoice entitled “Employee
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Agreement on Ideas, Inventions and Confidential Information,” your obligations under which remain
fully in force and unaffected by the terms of this Agreement.
7. General Release. In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein and
the Special Separation Compensation as described in Paragraph 3 above, you and your family members,
heirs, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Releasing Parties”) hereby release, acquit, and
forever waive and discharge any and all claims and demands of whatever kind or character, whether
vicarious, derivative, or direct, that you or they, individually, collectively, or otherwise, may
have or assert against: (i) Intervoice; (ii) any direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliated
entity of Intervoice; or (iii) any officer, director, fiduciary, agent, employee, representative,
insurer, attorney, or any successors and assigns of the persons or entities just named
(collectively the “Released Parties”). This General Release includes but is not limited to any
claim or demand based on any federal, state, or local statutory or common law or constitutional
provision that applies or is asserted to apply, directly or indirectly, to the formation,
continuation, or termination of your employment relationship with Intervoice. Thus, you and the
other Releasing Parties agree to waive to the maximum extent permitted by law any claims or demands
against Intervoice or any of the other Released Parties such as for wrongful discharge; unlawful
employment discrimination on the basis of age or any other form of unlawful employment
discrimination; retaliation; breach of contract (express or implied); breach of the duty of good
faith and fair dealing; violation of the public policy of the United States, the State of Texas, or
any other state; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; tortious interference
with contract; promissory estoppel; detrimental reliance; defamation of character; duress;
negligent misrepresentation; intentional misrepresentation or fraud; invasion of privacy; loss of
consortium; assault; battery; conspiracy; bad faith; negligent hiring, retention, or supervision;
any intentional or negligent act of personal injury; any alleged act of harassment or intimidation;
or any other intentional or negligent tort; or any alleged violation of the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting
Act, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, the Texas Wage Payment Statute, and any other applicable
federal, state, and local employment statutes.
This release includes any claims or demands for damages (actual or punitive), back wages, future
wages or front pay, commissions, bonuses, severance benefits, medical expenses and the costs of any
counseling, reinstatement or priority placement, promotion, vacation leave benefits, past and
future medical or other employment benefits (except as to which there is, as of the Separation Date, existing
contractual or vested entitlement) including contributions to any employee benefit plans,
retirement benefits (except as to which there is, as of the Separation Date, vested entitlement),
relocation expenses, compensatory
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damages, injunctive relief, liquidated damages, penalties, equitable relief, attorney’s fees, costs
of court, disbursements, interest, and any and all other loss, expense, or detriment of whatever
kind or character resulting from, growing out of, connected with, or related in any way to the
formation, continuation, or termination of your employment relationship with Intervoice.
Further, you forever waive any right to monetary recovery from the Released Parties, whether sought
directly by you or in the event any administrative agency or other public authority, individual, or
group of individuals should pursue any claim on your behalf; and you will not request or accept
from the Released Parties, as compensation or damages related to your employment or the termination
of your employment relationship with Intervoice, anything of value that is not provided for in this
Agreement.
This General Release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date this
Agreement is executed. As provided by law, after you have signed this Agreement, you will still
have an additional seven days in which to reconsider and revoke your acceptance, if you wish.
8. Confidentiality and Other Commitments. You agree that:
(a) Confidentiality. The terms of this Agreement may be subject to disclosure by
Intervoice pursuant to applicable securities laws, but otherwise shall be and remain
confidential, and shall not be disclosed by you to any party other than your spouse,
attorney, and accountant or tax return preparer, if such persons have agreed to keep such
information confidential, and except as otherwise may be required by law, regulation, or
judicial process. It shall not be a breach of the obligations set forth in this
subparagraph for you, your spouse, or your attorneys to state to any person that any
differences between you and Intervoice have been settled or satisfactorily resolved.
(b) Assistance to Others in Claims or Litigation. Except as requested by
Intervoice, as permitted by valid law or regulation that supersedes the terms of this
Agreement, or as compelled by law or judicial process, you will not assist, cooperate with,
or supply information of any kind to any individual or private-party litigant or their
agents or attorneys in any claims or litigation against Intervoice or any of the other
Released Parties.
(c) No Other Proceedings. Except as permitted by valid law or regulation that
supersedes the terms of this Agreement, you will not initiate any investigation, inquiry, or
any other proceeding of any kind with respect to Intervoice’s facilities, workplace safety,
or sales or business operations.
9. Agreement Not to Seek Reemployment. To prevent any future dispute regarding further
employment with Intervoice, you hereby agree: (i) that you will not ever apply for or otherwise
seek employment by Intervoice or any subsidiary or other Affiliate of Intervoice
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at any time in the future, at any location, office, or place of business, and (ii) that your
forbearance to seek future employment as just stated is purely contractual and is in no way
involuntary, discriminatory, or retaliatory.
10. Nonadmission of Liability or Wrongdoing. This Agreement does not in any manner
constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of Intervoice or any of the other
Released Parties, but Intervoice and the other Released Parties expressly deny any such liability
or wrongdoing; and, except to the extent necessary to enforce this Agreement, neither this
Agreement nor any part of it may be construed, used, or admitted into evidence in any judicial,
administrative, or arbitral proceedings as an admission of any kind by Intervoice or any of the
other Released Parties.
11. Authority to Execute. You represent and warrant that you have the authority to execute
this Agreement on behalf of all the Releasing Parties.
12. Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the
parties under it shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of
the State of Texas, without regard for any conflicts-of-laws provisions. If any provision of this
Agreement is held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be considered separate, distinct, and
severable from the other remaining provisions of this Agreement, and shall not affect the validity
or enforceability of such other remaining provisions; and in all other respects, this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
unenforceable as written but may be made to be enforceable by limitation thereof, then such
provision shall be enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. The language of
all parts of this Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair
meaning, and not strictly for or against any of the parties.
13. Breach of Agreement.
(a) If you should fail to comply with any of your obligations as set forth in this
Agreement, Intervoice shall have all rights and remedies lawfully available to it, including
but not limited to (i) ceasing to make any unpaid installments of the Special Separation
Compensation described above, and (ii) instituting a legal action to require you to repay so
much of the Special Separation Compensation as has already been remitted to you; but all
other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) Additionally, if, notwithstanding your release and waiver of claims as described in
Paragraph 7 above, you or any other of the Releasing Parties (or any other party asserting
any claim derivative of your own) should nonetheless proceed to make any such claims against
the Released Parties by bringing an
action in a federal, state, or municipal court, or before any administrative body that has
the power to make a monetary or equitable award, then in addition to any other legal or
equitable remedies available to Intervoice for your breach of this Agreement, Intervoice may
seek, and the court or other body hearing the
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claims may hold you liable for, Intervoice’s damages and costs, including attorney’s fees,
incurred in defending against your claims. The foregoing provision does not apply with
respect to an action brought under the ADEA in which the provisions of this Agreement are
challenged. With respect to any such action, the first sentence of this subparagraph is
modified to state: “If, notwithstanding your release and waiver of claims as described in
Paragraph 7 above, you should nonetheless proceed to make any such claims by bringing an
action in a federal, state, or municipal court, or before any administrative body that has
the power to make a monetary or equitable award, the court or other body hearing your claims
may allow the employer to recover attorney’s fees and/or costs specifically authorized under
federal law or as may otherwise be determined by the court or other body hearing the
claims.”
14. Expiration of Offer. Intervoice’s offer of the Special Separation Compensation will
expire at 10:00 a.m on the 22nd day after the date on which you are furnished with the terms of
this Agreement. You may accept this offer at any time before expiration by signing this letter in
the space provided below, and returning it confidentially to Xxx Xxxxx, Intervoice’s Senior Vice
President, Human Resources and Real Rstate. Whether or not you execute this Agreement, you will
receive the items set forth in Paragraph 2, and are required to follow the obligations set forth in
Paragraphs 5 and 6.
15. Consultation With an Attorney. You have the right and are encouraged by Intervoice to
consult with an attorney of your choosing before executing this Agreement.
16. Effective Date. This Agreement will become effective and enforceable upon the
expiration of seven days after your execution and return of this document (“Effective Date”). At
any time before the Effective Date of this Agreement, you may revoke your acceptance by delivery of
written notification to Xxx Xxxxx, Senior Vice President Human Resources.
17. Exempt from IRC § 409A. The parties intend that all payments made and benefits
provided hereunder be exempt from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to Treasury
Regulation Sections 1.409A-1(b)(4) and 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) and (iv).
18. Voluntary Agreement. You acknowledge that execution of this Agreement is knowing and
voluntary on your part, and that you have had a reasonable time to deliberate regarding its terms.
19. Consideration. Whether expressly stated herein or not, all obligations that you assume
and undertakings that you make by executing this Agreement are understood to be in consideration of
the mutual promises and undertakings herein and the Special
Separation Compensation to be provided to you as described in Paragraph 3 above. Further, by
executing this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree that neither Intervoice nor any of the other
Released Parties has any legal obligation to provide the Special Separation Compensation to you.
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20. Entire Agreement. Except with respect to the “Employee Agreement on Ideas, Inventions
and Confidential Information” referred to in Paragraph 6 hereof, this Agreement contains and
constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between you and Intervoice as to its subject
matter, and may be modified only by a writing of contemporaneous or subsequent date executed by
both you and an authorized official of Intervoice.
21. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined by a court to be
invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby,
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing provisions, please execute both copies of this letter in
the space provided below. You should return one executed original to the undersigned, and maintain
the other executed original in your files. Seven days after your unrevoked execution and return of
this Agreement to the undersigned, it shall constitute a valid and binding agreement by and between
Intervoice and you.
Sincerely,
INTERVOICE, INC. |
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By: | ||||
H. Xxx Xxxxx, SPHR | ||||
Senior Vice President Human Resources and Real Estate | ||||
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: |
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Xxxxxxx X. XxXxxxxx |
Date Signed: |