EXHIBIT 10(9)(b)
AMENDED AND RESTATED
EMPLOYMENT PROTECTION AGREEMENT
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THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED AGREEMENT between Tambrands Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (the "Executive"), dated as
of this 1st day of October, 1996.
W I T N E S S E T H :
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WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Executive have previously entered into
an agreement dated as of October 18, 1994 providing the Corporation and the
Executive with certain rights upon the occurrence of a change of control (the
"Prior Agreement") to assure the Corporation of continuity of management in the
event of any Change of Control;
WHEREAS, the Executive has been promoted to a considerably more senior
position the compensation for which is considerably in excess of the
compensation for his prior position;
WHEREAS, the Corporation and the Executive have agreed to amend and
restate the Prior Agreement to provide greater benefits to the Executive, which
are commensurate with his new position.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
herein contained, it is hereby agreed by and between the Corporation and the
Executive as follows:
1. Operation of Agreement. The effective date of this Agreement shall
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be the date on which a Change of Control (as defined below) occurs (the
"Effective Date"), provided that if the Executive is not employed by the
Corporation on the Effective Date this Agreement shall be void and without
effect. This Agreement shall terminate on September 30, 1999, provided that the
termination date of this Agreement shall be extended for one additional year on
October 1, 1997 and each subsequent October 1, unless the Executive shall have
received written notice from the Corporation prior to the July 1 immediately
preceding such October 1 that the Board of Directors of the Corporation (the
"Board") has determined that the termination date of this Agreement shall not be
so extended. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not terminate
on the date determined in accordance with the preceding sentence if a Change of
Control shall have occurred prior to such date.
2. Definitions. (a) Change of Control. For purposes of this
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Agreement, a "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if: (i) any
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person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time (the "Exchange Act"), and as used in Sections 13(d)
and 14(d) thereof)), excluding the Corporation, any majority owned subsidiary of
the Corporation (a "Subsidiary") and any employee benefit plan sponsored or
maintained by the Corporation or any Subsidiary (including any trustee of such
plan acting as trustee), but including a "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act (a "Person"),
becomes the beneficial owner of shares of the Corporation having at least 20% of
the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of the
Corporation (the "Voting Shares") provided, however, that such an event shall
not constitute a Change of Control if the acquiring Person has entered into an
agreement with the Corporation approved by the Board which materially restricts
the right of such Person to direct or influence the management or policies of
the Corporation; (ii) the shareholders of the Corporation shall approve any
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merger or other business combination of the Corporation, sale of the
Corporation's assets or combination of the foregoing transactions (a
"Transaction") other than a Transaction involving only the Corporation and one
or more of its Subsidiaries, or a Transaction immediately following which the
shareholders of the Corporation immediately prior to the Transaction continue to
have a majority of the voting power in the resulting entity excluding for this
purpose any shareholder owning directly or indirectly more than 10% of the
shares of the other company involved in the Transaction, or (iii) within any 24-
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month period beginning on or after September 30, 1996, the persons who were
directors of the Corporation immediately before the beginning of such period
(the "Incumbent Directors") shall cease (for any reason other than death) to
constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any
successor to the Corporation, provided that any director who was not a director
as of September 30, 1996 shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director if such
director was elected to the Board by, or on the recommendation of or with the
approval of, at least two-thirds of the directors who then qualified as
Incumbent Directors either actually or by prior operation of this Section
2(a)(iii).
(b) Participation by Executive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no
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Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred for purposes of this
Agreement by reason of any actions or events in which the Executive participates
in a capacity other than in his capacity as the Executive (or as a director of
the Corporation or a Subsidiary, where applicable).
3. Employment Period. If the Executive is employed on the Effective
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Date, the Corporation agrees to continue the Executive in its employ, and the
Executive agrees to remain in the employ of the Corporation, for the period (the
"Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the earliest
to occur of (i) the second anniversary of the Effective Date, (ii) the
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Executive's normal retirement date under the Corporation's retirement plans as
in effect from time to time and (iii) the date of any termination of the
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Executive's employment in accordance with Section 6 of this Agreement.
4. Position and Duties. (a) No Reduction in Position. During the
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Employment Period, the Executive's position (including titles), authority and
responsibilities shall be at least commensurate with the highest of those held,
exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date.
(b) Business Time. From and after the Effective Date, the Executive
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agrees to devote his full business time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Corporation and to use his best efforts to perform
faithfully and efficiently the responsibilities as-
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signed to him hereunder, to the extent necessary to discharge such
responsibilities, except for
(i) reasonable time spent in serving on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees approved by the Board, in each case only if and
to the extent not substantially interfering with the performance of
such responsibilities, and
(ii) periods of vacation and sick leave to which he is entitled.
It is expressly understood and agreed that the Executive's continuing to serve
on any boards and committees on which he is serving or with which he is
otherwise associated with the consent or approval of the Corporation immediately
preceding the Effective Date shall not be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive's services to the Corporation.
5. Compensation. (a) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
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Executive shall receive a base salary ("Base Salary") at a monthly rate at least
equal to the monthly salary paid to the Executive by the Corporation and any of
its affiliated companies immediately prior to the Effective Date. The Base
Salary shall be reviewed at least once each year after the Effective Date, and
may be increased (but not decreased) at any time and from time to time by action
of the Board or any committee thereof or any individual having authority to take
such action in accordance with the Corporation's regular practices. Neither
payment of the Base Salary nor payment of any increased Base Salary after the
Effective Date shall serve to limit or reduce any other obligation of the
Corporation hereunder. For purposes of the remaining provisions of this
Agreement, the term "Base Salary" shall mean Base Salary as defined in this
Section 5(a) or, if increased after the Effective Date, the Base Salary as so
increased.
(b) Annual Bonus. In addition to the Base Salary, the Executive shall
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be awarded for each fiscal year of the Corporation ending during the Employment
Period an annual bonus (either pursuant to a bonus plan or program of the
Corporation or otherwise) in cash at least equal to the last annual bonus
(annualized, if awarded in respect of a partial year) awarded to the Executive
under the Annual Incentive Plan of the Corporation prior to the Effective Date
("Annual Bonus"). If a fiscal year of the Corporation begins, but does not end,
during the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an amount with respect
to such fiscal year at least equal to the amount of the Annual Bonus multiplied
by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in such fiscal year
occurring during the Employment Period and the denominator of which is 365.
Each amount payable in respect of the Executive's Annual Bonus shall be paid not
later than the last day of March of the year next following the year for which
the Annual Bonus (or pro-rated portion) is earned or awarded, unless electively
deferred by the Executive pursuant to any deferral programs or arrangements that
the Corporation may make available to the Executive, in which event such
deferred amount shall be payable in accordance with the terms of such deferral
program or arrangement. Neither the Annual Bonus nor any bonus amount paid in
excess thereof after
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the Effective Date shall serve to limit or reduce any other obligation of the
Corporation hereunder.
(c) Incentive and Savings Plans and Retirement Programs. In addition
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to the Base Salary and Annual Bonus payable as hereinabove provided, during the
Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all
incentive and savings plans and programs, including stock option plans and other
equity-based compensation plans, and in all retirement plans, on a basis
providing him with the opportunity to receive compensation (without duplication
of the amount payable as an Annual Bonus) and benefits equal to those provided
by the Corporation to the Executive on an annualized basis under such plans and
programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date.
(d) Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and his
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family shall be entitled to participate in or be covered under all welfare
benefit plans and programs of the Corporation and its affiliated companies,
including all medical, dental, disability, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs, as in effect at any time during
the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(e) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
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entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by
the Executive in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Corporation
as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date.
(f) Vacation and Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the
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Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation and fringe benefits in accordance
with the policies of the Corporation as in effect at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(g) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
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Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to secretarial and other assistance, at
least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive at
any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
6. Termination. (a) Death, Disability or Retirement. Subject to the
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provisions of Section 1 hereof, this Agreement shall terminate automatically
upon the Executive's death or attainment of normal retirement age under the
Corporation's retirement plans as in effect from time to time, provided that,
after the Effective Date, the normal retirement age may not be lowered for
purposes of this Agreement without the Executive's consent. The Corporation may
terminate this Agreement, after having established the Executive's Disability,
by giving the Executive written notice of its intention to terminate his
employment, and his employment with the Corporation shall terminate effective on
the 90th day after receipt of such notice if, within 90 days after such receipt,
the
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Executive shall fail to return to full-time performance of his duties. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" means disability which, after the
expiration of more than 26 weeks after its commencement, is determined to be
total and permanent by a physician selected by the Corporation or its insurers
and acceptable to the Executive or his legal representatives (such agreement to
acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Voluntary Termination. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
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to the contrary, the Executive may, upon not less than 30 days' written notice
to the Corporation, voluntarily terminate employment during the Employment
Period for any reason (including early retirement under the terms of the
Corporation's retirement plan as in effect from time to time), provided that any
termination by the Executive pursuant to Section 6(d) of this Agreement on
account of Good Reason (as defined therein) shall not be treated as a voluntary
termination under this Section 6(b).
(c) Cause. The Corporation may terminate the Executive's employment
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during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
means (i) an act or acts of dishonesty or gross misconduct on the Executive's
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part which result or are intended to result in material damage to the
Corporation's business or reputation or (ii) repeated material violations by the
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Executive of his obligations under Section 4 of this Agreement which violations
are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the Executive's part.
(d) Good Reason. The Executive may terminate his employment during the
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Employment Period for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good
Reason" means
(i) a good faith determination by the Executive that, without his prior
written consent, the Corporation or any of its officers has taken or failed
to take any action (including, without limitation, (A) exclusion of the
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Executive from consideration of material matters within his area of
responsibility, (B) statements or actions which undermine the Executive's
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authority with respect to persons under his supervision or reduce his
standing with his peers, (C) a pattern of discrimination against or
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harassment of the Executive or persons under his supervision and (D) the
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subjection of the Executive to procedures not generally applicable to other
similarly situated executives) which changes the Executive's position
(including titles), authority or responsibilities under Section 4 of this
Agreement or reduces the Executive's ability to carry out his duties and
responsibilities under Section 4 of this Agreement;
(ii) any failure by the Corporation to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 5 of this Agreement, other than an insubstantial or
inadvertent failure remedied by the Corporation promptly after receipt of
notice thereof from the Executive;
(iii) the Corporation's requiring the Executive to be employed at any
location more than 50 miles further from his principal residence than the
location at which the Executive was employed immediately preceding the
Effective Date; or
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(iv) any failure by the Corporation to obtain the assumption of and
agreement to perform this Agreement by a successor as contemplated by
Section 14(b) of this Agreement, provided that the successor has had actual
written notice of the existence of this Agreement and its terms and an
opportunity to assume the Corporation's responsibilities under this
Agreement during a period of 10 business days after receipt of such notice.
(e) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Corporation for
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Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason during the Employment Period shall be
communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with Section 15(c) of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means a written notice given, in the case
of a termination for Cause, within 10 business days of the Corporation's having
actual knowledge of all of the events giving rise to such termination, and in
the case of a termination for Good Reason, within 180 days of the Executive's
having actual knowledge of the events giving rise to such termination, and which
(i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
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(ii) sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to
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provide a basis for termination of the Executive's employment under the
provision so indicated, and (iii) if the termination date is other than the date
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of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date of this Agreement
(which date shall be not more than 15 days after the giving of such notice).
The failure by the Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact
or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason shall not waive
any right of the Executive hereunder or preclude the Executive from asserting
such fact or circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder.
(f) Date of Termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term
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"Date of Termination" means (i) in the case of a termination for which a Notice
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of Termination is required, the date of receipt of such Notice of Termination
or, if later, the date specified therein and (ii) in all other cases, the actual
date on which the Executive's employment terminates during the Employment
Period.
7. Obligations of the Corporation upon Termination. (a) Death. If
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the Executive's employment is terminated during the Employment Period by reason
of the Executive's death, this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive's legal representatives under this Agreement other
than those obligations accrued hereunder at the date of his death, including,
for this purpose (i) the Executive's full Base Salary through the Date of
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Termination, (ii) the product of the Annual Bonus and a fraction, the numerator
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of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year of the Corporation
through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365 (the "Pro-
rated Bonus Obligation"), (iii) any compensation previously deferred by the
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Executive (together with any accrued earnings thereon) and not yet paid by the
Corporation and (iv) any other amounts or benefits owing to the Executive under
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the then applicable employee benefit plans or policies of the Corporation (such
amounts specified in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) are hereinafter referred
to as "Accrued Obligations"). Unless otherwise directed by the
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Executive (or, in the case of any employee benefit plan qualified (a "Qualified
Plan") under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), as may be required by such plan), all such Accrued Obligations
shall be paid to the Executive's legal representatives in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Executive's family shall be entitled to receive
benefits at least equal to the most favorable level of benefits available to
surviving families of executives of the Corporation and its affiliates under
such plans, programs and policies relating to family death benefits, if any, of
the Corporation and its affiliates in effect at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(b) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by reason
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of the Executive's Disability, the Executive shall be entitled, after the Date
of Termination until the date when the Employment Period would otherwise have
terminated, to continue to participate in or be covered under the benefit plans
and programs referred to in Section 5(d) of this Agreement or, at the
Corporation's option, to receive equivalent benefits by alternate means at least
equal to those provided in accordance with Section 5(d) of this Agreement.
Unless otherwise directed by the Executive (or, in the case of any Qualified
Plan, as may be required by such plan), the Executive shall also be paid all
Accrued Obligations in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of
Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive disability and other benefits at least
equal to the most favorable level of benefits available to disabled employees
and/or their families in accordance with the plans, programs and policies
maintained by the Corporation or its affiliates relating to disability at any
time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date.
(c) Cause and Voluntary Termination. If, during the Employment Period,
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the Executive's employment shall be terminated for Cause or voluntarily
terminated by the Executive (other than on account of Good Reason), the
Corporation shall pay the Executive the Accrued Obligations other than the Pro-
rated Bonus Obligation. Unless otherwise directed by the Executive (or, in the
case of any Qualified Plan, as may be required by such plan), the Executive
shall be paid all such Accrued Obligations in a lump sum in cash within 30 days
of the Date of Termination and the Corporation shall have no further obligations
to the Executive under this Agreement.
(d) Termination by Corporation other than for Cause or Disability and
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Termination by Executive for Good Reason. (i) Lump Sum Payment. If, during
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the Employment Period, the Corporation terminates the Executive's employment
other than for Cause or Disability, or the Executive terminates his employment
for Good Reason, the Corporation shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 15 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following
amounts:
(A) if not theretofore paid, the Executive's Base Salary through the
Date of Termination at the rate specified in Section 5(a) of this Agreement;
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(B) a cash amount equal to three times the sum of
(1) the Executive's annual Base Salary at the rate specified in
Section 5(a) of this Agreement;
(2) the Annual Bonus; and
(3) the present value, calculated using the annual federal short-
term rate as determined under Section 1274(d) of the Code, of (without
duplication) (x) the annual cost to the Corporation (based on the
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premium rates or other costs to it) of obtaining coverage equivalent to
the coverage under the plans and programs described in Section 5(d) of
this Agreement, and (y) the annualized value of the fringe benefits
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described under Section 5(f) of this Agreement;
provided, however, that in no event shall the Executive be entitled to
receive under this clause (B) more than the product obtained by multiplying
the amount determined under this clause by a fraction whose numerator shall
be the number of months (including fractions of a month) which at the Date
of Termination remain until the Executive's normal retirement date under the
Corporation's retirement plan or any successor plan as in effect from time
to time and whose denominator shall be 24, and provided further that, with
respect to the life and medical insurance coverage referred to in Section
5(d) of this Agreement, at the Executive's election made prior to the Date
of Termination, the Corporation shall use its best efforts to secure
conversion coverage and shall pay the cost of such coverage in lieu of
paying the lump sum amount attributable to such life or medical insurance
coverage; and
(C) a cash amount equal to any amounts (other than amounts payable to
the Executive under any Qualified Plans) described in Sections 7(a)(iii) and
(iv) of this Agreement.
(ii) Discharge of Corporation's Obligations. Subject to the performance
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of its obligations under this Section 7(d), the Corporation shall have no
further obligations to the Executive in respect of any termination by the
Executive for Good Reason or by the Corporation other than for Cause or
Disability, except to the extent expressly provided under any of the plans
referred to in Section 5(c) or 5(d) of this Agreement.
8. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent
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or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any benefit,
bonus, incentive or other plan or program provided by the Corporation or any of
its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall
anything herein limit or otherwise prejudice such rights as the Executive may
have under any stock option or other plans or agreements with the Corporation or
any of its affiliated companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the
Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan or program of the
Corporation or any of
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its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be
payable in accordance with such plan or program.
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Corporation.
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(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the
event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Corporation
to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed
or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but
determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section
9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of
the Code (or any successor provision) or any interest or penalties are incurred
by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with
any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the
"Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional
payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that after payment by the
Executive of all taxes with respect to the Gross-Up Payment (including any
interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without
limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with
respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive
retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon
the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations
required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and when a Gross-Up
Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions
to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by KPMG Peat
Marwick or other firm then auditing the accounts of the Corporation (the
"Accounting Firm") which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to
the Corporation and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of
notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as
is requested by the Corporation. In the event that the Accounting Firm is
serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting
the Change of Control, or is unwilling or unable to perform its obligations
pursuant to this Section 9, the Executive shall appoint another nationally
recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which
accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder).
All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the
Corporation. Any Gross-Up Payment, determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall
be paid by the Corporation to the Executive within five days of the receipt of
the Accounting Firm's determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm
shall be binding upon the Corporation and the Executive. As a result of the
potential uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code (or any
successor provision) at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting
Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been
made by the Corporation should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with
the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Corporation exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive
thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm
shall determine the
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amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Corporation to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Corporation in writing of any claim
by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment
by the Corporation of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as
soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Executive is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Corporation of the
nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid.
The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day
period following the date on which he gives such notice to the Corporation (or
such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Corporation notifies the Executive in writing prior
to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the
Executive shall:
(i) give the Corporation any information reasonably requested by the
Corporation relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the
Corporation shall reasonably request in writing from time to
time, including, without limitation, accepting legal
representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Corporation,
(iii) cooperate with the Corporation in good faith in order effectively
to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Corporation to participate in any proceedings relating
to such claim;
provided, however, that the Corporation shall bear and pay directly all costs
and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such
representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limiting the
foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Corporation shall control all
proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and
conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its
sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and xxx for a
refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees
to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal,
in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the
Corporation shall determine; provided, however, that if the Corporation directs
the Executive to pay such claim and xxx for a refund, the Corporation shall
advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis,
and shall indemnify and hold the Executive
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harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including
interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance
or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and further
provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested
amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount.
Furthermore, the Corporation's control of the contest shall be limited to issues
with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the
Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other
issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the
Corporation pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive
any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the
Corporation's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to
the Corporation the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Corporation pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Corporation does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Full Settlement. The Corporation's obligation to make the payments
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provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations
hereunder shall not be affected by any circumstances, including, without
limitation, any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other right which
the Corporation may have against the Executive or others whether by reason of
the subsequent employment of the Executive or otherwise. In no event shall the
Executive be obligated to seek other employment by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement,
and no amount payable under this Agreement shall be reduced on account of any
compensation received by the Executive from other employment. In the event that
the Executive shall in good faith give a Notice of Termination for Good Reason
and it shall thereafter be determined by mutual consent of the Executive and the
Corporation or by a tribunal having jurisdiction over the matter that Good
Reason did not exist, the employment of the Executive shall, unless the
Corporation and the Executive shall otherwise mutually agree, be deemed to have
terminated, at the date of giving such purported Notice of Termination, by
mutual consent of the Corporation and the Executive and, except as provided in
the last preceding sentence, the Executive shall be entitled to receive only
those payments and benefits which he would have been entitled to receive at such
date otherwise than under this Agreement.
11. Legal Fees and Expenses. In the event that a claim for payment of
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benefits under this Agreement is disputed, the Corporation
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shall pay all reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred by the Executive in
pursuing such claim, provided that the Executive is successful as to at least
part of the disputed claim by reason of litigation, arbitration or settlement.
12. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary
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capacity for the benefit of the Corporation all secret or confidential
information, knowledge or data relating to the Corporation or any of its
affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, (i) obtained by the
---
Executive during his employment by the Corporation or any of its affiliated
companies and (ii) not otherwise public knowledge (other than by reason of an
----
unauthorized act by the Executive). After termination of the Executive's
employment with the Corporation, the Executive shall not, without the prior
written consent of the Corporation, unless compelled pursuant to an order of a
court or other body having jurisdiction over such matter, communicate or divulge
any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Corporation and
those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 12 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding
any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
13. Employment Contract or Severance Benefits. Notwithstanding
-----------------------------------------
anything else in this Agreement to the contrary, any amount payable to the
Executive hereunder on account of his termination of employment shall be reduced
on a dollar-for-dollar basis by each dollar actually paid to the Executive with
respect to such termination under the terms of any employment contract between
the Executive and the Corporation or under any severance program or policy
applicable to the Executive. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
require duplication of any compensation, benefits or other entitlements provided
to the Executive by the Corporation under the terms of any employment contract
which may address similar matters.
14. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and,
----------
without the prior written consent of the Corporation, shall not be assignable by
the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon
the Corporation and its successors. The Corporation shall require any successor
to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Corporation,
whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, acquisition of
stock, or otherwise, by an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the
Executive, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same
manner and to the same extent as the Corporation would be required to perform if
no such succession had taken place.
15. Miscellaneous. (a) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be
------------- --------------
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware,
applied without reference to principles of conflict of laws.
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(b) Amendments. This Agreement may not be amended or modified
----------
otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their
respective successors and legal representatives.
(c) Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be
-------
in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid,
addressed as follows:
If to the Executive: at the address listed below
If to the Corporation: Tambrands Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Secretary
(with a copy to the
attention of the
General Counsel)
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notices and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(d) Tax Withholding. The Corporation may withhold from any amounts
---------------
payable under this Agreement such Federal, State or local taxes as shall be
required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision
------------
of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other
provision of this Agreement.
(f) Captions. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the
--------
provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set his hand and the
Corporation has caused this Agreement to be executed in its name on its behalf,
and its corporate seal to be hereunto affixed and attested by its Assistant
Secretary, all as of the day and year first above written.
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ATTEST: TAMBRANDS INC.
/s/ Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx By /s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
------------------------- ----------------------------
Corporate Counsel and Title: Chairman, President and
Assistant Secretary Chief Executive Officer
(Seal)
EXECUTIVE: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
/s/ Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx
----------------------------
Address:
Tambrands Inc.
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
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