Exhibit 10.4
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC.
Employment Agreement for Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
November 29, 2004
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC.
Employment Agreement for Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
Page
1. Definitions..................................................... 1
2. Term of Employment.............................................. 2
3. Position, Duties and Responsibilities........................... 2
4. Base Salary..................................................... 3
5. Incentive Awards................................................ 3
6. Employment Inducement Awards.................................... 3
7. Employee Benefit Programs....................................... 3
8. Disability...................................................... 4
9. Reimbursement of Business and Other Expenses; Perquisites....... 5
10. Termination of Employment....................................... 5
11. Forfeiture Provisions........................................... 11
12. Confidentiality; Cooperation with Regard to Litigation;
Non-Disparagement; Return of Company Materials.................. 14
13. Non-competition................................................. 16
14. Non-solicitation of Employees................................... 17
15. Remedies........................................................ 17
16. Resolution of Disputes.......................................... 17
17. Indemnification................................................. 17
18. Excise Tax Gross-Up............................................. 18
19. Effect of Agreement on Other Benefits........................... 20
20. Assignability; Binding Nature................................... 20
21. Representation.................................................. 20
22. Entire Agreement................................................ 20
23. Amendment or Waiver............................................. 21
24. Severability.................................................... 21
25. Survivorship.................................................... 21
26. Beneficiaries/References........................................ 21
27. Governing Law/Jurisdiction...................................... 21
28. Notices......................................................... 21
29. Headings........................................................ 22
30. Counterparts.................................................... 22
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT, made and entered into as of the 29th day of November, 2004 by
and among Linens 'n Things, Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its
successors and assigns, the "Company"), and Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx. ("Executive").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ Executive pursuant to an
agreement embodying the terms of such employment (this "Agreement") and
Executive desires to enter into this Agreement and to accept such employment,
subject to the terms and provisions of this Agreement;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and Executive (individually a
"Party" and together the "Parties") agree as follows:
1. DEFINITIONS.
(a) "Award" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 11
below.
(b) "Base Salary" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 4 below.
(c) "Board" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3(a)
below.
(d) "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10(b) below.
(e) "Change in Control" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(c) below.
(f) "Committee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4 below.
(g) "Competition" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13(a) below.
(h) "Confidential Information" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 12(c) below.
(i) "Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall have the
meaning set forth in Section 10(c) below.
(j) "Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a) below.
(k) "Fair Market Value" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11(a) below.
(l) "Forfeiture Event" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 11 below.
(m) "Original Term of Employment" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2(a) below.
(n) "Renewal Term" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a) below.
(o) "Restriction Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 13(b) below.
(p) "Retirement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
10(f) below.
(q) "Target Performance" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(a) below.
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(r) "Severance Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 10(c)(ii) below, except as provided otherwise in
Section 10(e) below.
(s) "Subsidiary" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
12(d) below.
(t) "Term of Employment" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2(a) below.
2. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) The term of Executive's employment under this Agreement
shall commence immediately upon the date of this agreement (the "Effective
Date") and end on December 31, 2008 (the "Original Term of Employment"), unless
terminated earlier in accordance herewith. The Original Term of Employment shall
be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms (the "Renewal Terms") so
long as (i) Executive delivers a written renewal request to the Company no less
than 180 days prior to the expiration of the Original Term of Employment or any
Renewal Term and (ii) the Company does not, prior to 150 days before such
expiration date, deliver a notification of non-renewal to Executive stating that
the Company is electing to terminate this Agreement at the expiration of the
then current Term of Employment. "Term of Employment" shall mean the Original
Term of Employment and all Renewal Terms.
(b) In the event that this Agreement is not renewed because
the Company has given the 150-day notice prescribed in the preceding paragraph
on or before the expiration of the Original Term of Employment or any Renewal
Term and, in either case, should such notice result in the expiration of the
Term of Employment prior to Executive's 60th birthday, such non-renewal shall be
treated as a "Constructive Termination Without Cause" pursuant to Section 10(c).
(c) In the event that this Agreement is not renewed because
Executive has not given the 180-day notice prescribed in Section 2(a) on or
before the expiration of the Original Term of Employment or any Renewal Term,
such non-renewal shall be treated as a Termination for Cause for the purposes of
Sections 10(b)(iii) but not for purposes of Section 11 and 13(b) and Executive
shall have the same entitlements as provided in Section 10(b)(iii) below. For
purposes of the "Restriction Period" under Section 13(b), such non-renewal shall
be deemed a Voluntary Termination by Executive.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, at least one year prior to the expiration of the Original Term of
Employment, upon the written request of the Company or Executive, the Parties
shall meet to discuss this Agreement and may agree in writing to modify any of
the terms of this Agreement.
3. POSITION, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES.
(a) GENERALLY. Executive shall serve as President and Chief
Operating Officer of the Company. Executive shall have and perform such duties,
responsibilities, and authorities as shall be specified by the Company from time
to time and as are customary for a senior executive of a publicly held
corporation of the size, type, and nature of the Company as they may exist from
time to time and as are consistent with such position and status. Executive
shall devote substantially all of his business time and attention (except for
periods of vacation or absence due to illness), and his best efforts, abilities,
experience, and talent to his position and the businesses of the Company.
(b) OTHER ACTIVITIES. Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Executive from (i)
serving on the boards of directors of a reasonable number of other corporations
or the boards of a reasonable number of trade associations and/or charitable
organizations, (ii)
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engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iii) managing his
personal investments and affairs, provided that such activities do not
materially interfere with the proper performance of his duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement and provided that, if Executive desires to
serve as a director of another publicly-held company, he first obtains the
consent of the Chairman of the Board of the Company, which consent will not be
unreasonably withheld.
(c) PLACE OF EMPLOYMENT. Executive's principal place of
employment shall be the principal corporate offices of the Company.
4. BASE SALARY.
Executive shall be paid an annualized salary ("Base Salary"),
payable in accordance with the regular payroll practices of the Company, of not
less than $575,000, subject to review for increase at the discretion of the
Compensation Committee (the "Committee") of the Company's Board of Directors
(the "Board").
5. INCENTIVE AWARDS.
Executive shall participate in the Company's annual incentive
compensation plan with a target annual incentive award opportunity of no less
than 80% of Base Salary and a maximum annual incentive award opportunity of not
less than 160% of Base Salary.
6. EMPLOYMENT INDUCEMENT AWARDS.
(a) Executive shall be eligible for a guaranteed minimum
bonus under the Company's annual incentive compensation plan, for the fiscal
year 2004 only, of $460,000. The bonus contemplated hereunder shall be paid no
later than March 31, 2005 and is subject to continued active employment with the
Company. The bonus contemplated hereunder is a part of, and not in addition to,
any bonus earned pursuant to Section 5 hereof.
(b) Upon the commencement of employment, Executive was
granted 200,000 options to purchase shares of Company common stock. The options
have an exercise price of $27.01 per share and vest in one-third increments if
and at such time the Company's stock price reaches predetermined performance
hurdles, and otherwise will vest six years and eleven months from the grant
date, subject to continued employment with the Company, and expire seven years
from the grant date. Under no circumstances do these options vest earlier than
twelve months following the date of grant. Executive was also granted 100,000
options to purchase shares of Company common stock as of the date of his
commencement of employment. These options have an exercise price of $27.01 per
share and vest in five equal annual installments, subject to continued
employment with the Company, and expire seven years from the grant date.
(c) Executive is also being awarded 25,000 shares of
restricted stock units, which will vest in five equal installments starting on
the anniversary of the date of his commencement of employment, subject to
continued employment with the Company.
(d) Upon the commencement of employment, Executive was given
a one-time signing bonus of $100,000, subject to forfeiture in the event of a
voluntary termination of Executive's employment within 24 months of his
commencement of employment.
7. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PROGRAMS.
(a) GENERAL BENEFITS. During the Term of Employment,
beginning the first day of the month following 90 days of employment, Executive
shall be entitled to participate in such employee pension and welfare benefit
plans and programs of the Company as are made available to the Company's
senior-level
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executives or to its employees generally, as such plans or programs may be in
effect from time to time, including, without limitation, health, medical,
dental, long-term disability, travel accident and life insurance plans. The
Company will reimburse Executive for the cost of continuing Executive's existing
medical insurance under COBRA during that 90 day period.
(b) LINENS 'N THINGS, INC. 401(K) PLAN. Executive shall be
eligible for the Linens 'n Things, Inc. 401(k) Plan upon completion of 11 months
of employment.
(c) DEFERRAL OF COMPENSATION. The Company shall implement
deferral arrangements, reasonably acceptable to Executive and the Company and to
the extent then permitted by applicable law, permitting Executive to elect to
defer receipt, pursuant to written deferral election terms and forms (the
"Deferral Election Forms"), of all or a specified portion of (i) his annual Base
Salary and annual incentive compensation under Sections 4 and 5, (ii) deferred
or restricted stock grants, and (iii) shares acquired upon exercise of stock
options to purchase Company common stock that are acquired in an exercise in
which Executive pays the exercise price by the surrender of previously acquired
shares, to the extent of the net additional shares otherwise issuable to
Executive in such exercise; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such deferrals shall not
reduce Executive's total cash compensation in any calendar year below the sum of
(A) the FICA maximum taxable wage base plus (B) the amount needed, on an
after-tax basis, to enable Executive to pay the 1.45% Medicare tax imposed on
his wages in excess of such FICA maximum taxable wage base.
In accordance with such duly executed Deferral Election Forms,
the Company shall credit to a bookkeeping account (the "Deferred Compensation
Account") maintained for Executive on the respective payment date or dates,
amounts equal to the compensation subject to deferral, such credits to be
denominated in cash if the compensation would have been paid in cash but for the
deferral or in shares if the compensation would have been paid in shares but for
the deferral. An amount of cash equal in value to all cash-denominated amounts
credited to Executive's account and a number of shares of Company common stock
equal to the number of shares credited to Executive's account pursuant to this
Section 7(b) shall be transferred as soon as practicable following such
crediting by the Company to, and shall be held and, if cash, invested by, an
independent trustee selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to
Executive (a "Trustee") pursuant to a "rabbi trust" established by the Company
in connection with such deferral arrangement and as to which, if cash, the
Trustee shall make investments based on Executive's investment objectives
(including possible investment in publicly traded stocks and bonds, mutual
funds, and insurance vehicles). Thereafter, Executive's deferral accounts will
be valued by reference to the value of the assets of the "rabbi trust". The
Company shall pay all costs of administration or maintenance of the deferral
arrangement, without deduction or reimbursement from the assets of the "rabbi
trust."
Except as otherwise provided under Section 10 or by applicable
law, in the event of Executive's termination of employment with the Company or
as otherwise determined by the Committee in the event of Executive's hardship,
upon such date(s) or event(s) set forth in the Deferral Election Forms
(including forms filed after deferral but before settlement in which Executive
may elect to further defer settlement), the Company shall promptly distribute to
Executive any shares of Company common stock credited to Executive's deferred
accounts and pay to Executive cash equal to the value of any other assets then
credited to Executive's deferral accounts, less applicable withholding taxes,
and such distribution shall be deemed to fully settle such accounts; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Company may instead settle such accounts by directing the
Trustee to distribute such other assets of the "rabbi trust." The Company and
Executive agree that compensation deferred pursuant to this Section 7(b) shall
be fully vested and nonforfeitable (subject to Section 11); HOWEVER, Executive
acknowledges that his rights to the deferred compensation provided for in this
Section 7(b) shall be no greater than those of a general unsecured creditor of
the Company, and that such rights may not be pledged, collateralized,
encumbered, hypothecated, or liable for or subject to any lien, obligation, or
liability of
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Executive, or be assignable or transferable by Executive, otherwise than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, provided that Executive may designate
one or more beneficiaries to receive any payment of such amounts in the event of
his death.
8. DISABILITY.
(a) During the Term of Employment, as well as during the
Severance Period, Executive shall be entitled to disability coverage as
described in this Section 8(a). In the event Executive becomes disabled, as that
term is defined under the Company's Long-Term Disability Plan, Executive shall
be entitled to receive disability payments in accordance with and pursuant to
the Company's Long-Term Disability Plan or otherwise, beginning as of the
commencement date of his eligibility for the Company's long-term disability
benefits ("Commencement Date") in place of his salary and annual incentive
compensation and on a participation basis equivalent to that of the other senior
executives of the Company, for a period beginning on the Commencement Date and
ending with the earlier to occur of (A) Executive's attainment of age 65 or (B)
Executive's commencement of retirement benefits from the Company in accordance
with Section 10(f) below. If (i) Executive ceases to be disabled during the Term
of Employment (as determined in accordance with the terms of the Long-Term
Disability Plan), (ii) his position is then vacant and (iii) the Company
requests in writing that he resume his position, he may elect to resume such
position by written notice to the Company within 15 days after the Company
delivers its request. If he resumes such position, he shall thereafter be
entitled to his Base Salary at the annual rate in effect on the Commencement
Date and, for the year he resumes his position, a pro rata annual incentive
award. If he ceases to be disabled during the Term of Employment and does not
resume his position in accordance with the preceding sentence, he shall be
treated as if he voluntarily terminated his employment pursuant to Section 10(d)
as of the date Executive ceases to be disabled. If Executive is not offered his
position after he ceases to be disabled during the Term of Employment, he shall
be treated as if his employment was terminated Without Cause pursuant to Section
10(c) as of the date Executive ceases to be disabled.
(b) Executive shall be entitled to a pro rata annual
incentive award then in effect for Executive for the year in which the
Commencement Date occurs based on 80% of Base Salary paid to him during such
year prior to the Commencement Date, payable in a lump sum not later than 15
days after the Commencement Date. Executive shall not be entitled to any annual
incentive award with respect to the period following the Commencement Date. If
Executive recommences his position in accordance with Section 8(a), he shall be
entitled to a pro rata annual incentive award for the year he resumes such
position and shall thereafter be entitled to annual incentive awards in
accordance with Section 5 hereof.
(c) During the period Executive is receiving disability
benefits pursuant to Section 8(a) above, he shall continue to be treated as an
employee for purposes of all employee benefits and entitlements in which he was
participating on the Commencement Date, including without limitation, the
benefits and entitlements referred to in Section 6 and Section 7 above, except
that Executive shall not be entitled to receive any annual salary increases
following the Commencement Date.
9. REIMBURSEMENT OF BUSINESS AND OTHER EXPENSES.
Executive is authorized to incur reasonable expenses in carrying
out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement, and the Company shall
promptly reimburse him for all such business expenses incurred in connection
therewith, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company's policy.
10. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
(a) TERMINATION DUE TO DEATH. In the event Executive's
employment with the Company is
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terminated due to his death, his estate or his beneficiaries, as the case may
be, shall be entitled to and their sole remedies under this Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of death, which
shall be paid in a single lump sum not later
than 15 days following Executive's death;
(ii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year in
which Executive's death occurs assuming that
Executive would have received an award equal to
80% of Base Salary for such year, which shall be
payable in a lump sum promptly (but in no event
later than 15 days) after his death;
(iii) elimination of all restrictions on any
restricted stock or deferred stock awards
outstanding at the time of his death;
(iv) immediate vesting of all outstanding stock
options and the right to exercise such stock
options for a period of one year following death
(or such longer period as may be provided in
stock options granted to other similarly
situated executive officers of the Company) or
for the remainder of the exercise period, if
less;
(v) the balance of any incentive awards earned as of
December 31 of the prior year (but not yet
paid), which shall be paid in a single lump sum
not later than 15 days following Executive's
death;
(vi) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with Executive's duly
executed Deferral Election Forms and the plan
documents; and
(vii) other or additional benefits then due or earned
in accordance with applicable plans and programs
of the Company.
(b) TERMINATION BY THE COMPANY FOR CAUSE.
(i) "Cause" shall mean:
(A) Executive's willful and material breach
of Sections 12, 13 or 14 of this
Agreement;
(B) Executive is convicted of a felony
involving moral turpitude; or
(C) Executive engages in conduct that
constitutes willful gross neglect or
willful gross misconduct in carrying out
his duties under this Agreement,
resulting, in either case, in material
harm to the financial condition or
reputation of the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, an act or failure to act on Executive's part
shall be considered "willful" if it was done or omitted to be done by him not in
good faith, and shall not include any act or failure to act resulting from any
incapacity of Executive.
(ii) A termination for Cause shall not take effect
unless the provisions of this paragraph (ii) are
complied with. Executive shall be given written
notice by the Company of its intention to
terminate him for Cause, such notice (A) to
state in detail the particular act or acts or
failure or failures to act that constitute the
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grounds on which the proposed termination for
Cause is based and (B) to be given within 90
days of the Company's learning of such act or
acts or failure or failures to act. Executive
shall have 20 days after the date that such
written notice has been given to him in which to
cure such conduct, to the extent such cure is
possible. If he fails to cure such conduct,
Executive shall then be entitled to a hearing
before the Committee of the Board at which
Executive is entitled to appear. Such hearing
shall be held within 25 days of such notice to
Executive, provided he requests such hearing
within 10 days of the written notice from the
Company of the intention to terminate him for
Cause. If, within five days following such
hearing, Executive is furnished written notice
by the Board confirming that, in its judgment,
grounds for Cause on the basis of the original
notice exist, he shall thereupon be terminated
for Cause.
(iii) In the event the Company terminates Executive's
employment for Cause, he shall be entitled to
and his sole remedies under this Agreement shall
be:
(A) Base Salary through the date of the
termination of his employment for Cause,
which shall be paid in a single lump sum
not later than 15 days following
Executive's termination of employment;
(B) any incentive awards earned as of
December 31 of the prior year (but not
yet paid), which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days
following Executive's termination of
employment;
(C) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with
Executive's duly executed Deferral
Election Forms; and
(D) other or additional benefits then due or
earned in accordance with applicable
plans or programs of the Company.
(c) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION
WITHOUT CAUSE PRIOR TO A CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event Executive's employment
with the Company is terminated without Cause (which termination shall be
effective as of the date specified by the Company in a written notice to
Executive), other than due to death, or in the event there is a Constructive
Termination Without Cause (as defined below), in either case prior to a Change
in Control (as defined below), Executive shall be entitled to and his sole
remedies under this Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination of
Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following
Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) Base Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on
the date of termination of Executive's
employment (or in the event a reduction in Base
Salary is a basis for a Constructive Termination
Without Cause, then the Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to such reduction), for a
period of 24 months following such termination
(the "Severance Period");
(iii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year in
which termination occurs equal to 80% of Base
Salary (determined in accordance with Section
10(c)(ii) above) for such year, payable in a
lump sum promptly (but in no event later than 15
days) following termination;
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(iv) an amount equal to 80% of Base Salary
(determined in accordance with Section 10(c)(ii)
above), multiplied by two, payable in equal
monthly installments over the Severance Period;
(v) the balance of any incentive awards earned as of
December 31 of the prior year (but not yet
paid), which shall be paid in a single lump sum
not later than 15 days following Executive's
termination of employment;
(vi) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with Executive's duly
executed Deferral Election Forms and the plan
documents (unless Executive has previously and
appropriately elected not to have such
settlement upon such a termination);
(vii) continued participation in all medical, health
and life insurance plans at the same benefit
level at which he was participating on the date
of the termination of his employment until the
earlier of:
(A) 24 months; or
(B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under
the plans and programs of a subsequent
employer (such coverage and benefits to
be determined on a coverage-by-coverage,
or benefit-by-benefit, basis); provided
that (1) if Executive is precluded from
continuing his participation in any
employee benefit plan or program as
provided in this clause (vii) of this
Section 10(c), he shall receive cash
payments equal on an after-tax basis to
the cost to him of obtaining the
benefits provided under the plan or
program in which he is unable to
participate for the period specified in
this clause (vii) of this Section 10(c),
(2) such cost shall be deemed to be the
lowest reasonable cost that would be
incurred by Executive in obtaining such
benefit himself on an individual basis,
and (3) payment of such amounts shall be
made quarterly in advance; and
(viii) other or additional benefits then due or earned
in accordance with applicable plans and programs
of the Company.
A termination without "Cause" shall mean Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company for any reason other than Cause (as defined in Section
10(b)) or due to death.
"Constructive Termination Without Cause" shall mean a termination of
Executive's employment at his initiative as provided in this Section 10(c)
following the occurrence, without Executive's written consent, of one or more of
the following events (except as a result of a prior termination):
(A) an assignment of any duties to Executive
which are inconsistent with his status
as President and Chief Operating Officer
of the Company which is not cured
following 30 days written notice;
(B) a decrease in annual Base Salary or in
target annual incentive award
opportunity below 80% of Base Salary;
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(C) any other failure by the Company to
perform any material obligation under,
or breach by the Company of any material
provision of, this Agreement that is not
cured within 30 days following written
notice; or
(D) any failure to secure the agreement of
any successor corporation or other
entity to the Company to fully assume
the Company's obligations under this
Agreement.
In addition, following a Change in Control, "Constructive Termination
Without Cause" shall also mean a termination of Executive's employment at his
initiative as provided in this Section 10(c) following the occurrence, without
Executive's written consent, of a relocation of his principal place of
employment outside a 35-mile radius of his principal place of employment as in
effect immediately prior to such Change in Control.
A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have occurred if:
(i) any Person (other than the Company, any trustee
or other fiduciary holding securities under any
employee benefit plan of the Company, or any
company owned, directly or indirectly, by the
stockholders of the Company immediately prior to
the occurrence with respect to which the
evaluation is being made in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of the
common stock of the Company) becomes the
Beneficial Owner (except that a Person shall be
deemed to be the Beneficial Owner of all shares
that any such Person has the right to acquire
pursuant to any agreement or arrangement or upon
exercise of conversion rights, warrants or
options or otherwise, without regard to the
sixty day period referred to in Rule 13d-3 under
the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company or any Significant
Subsidiary (as defined below), representing 30%
or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's or such subsidiary's then outstanding
securities;
(ii) during any period of two consecutive years,
individuals who at the beginning of such period
constitute the Board, and any new director
(other than a director designated by a person
who has entered into an agreement with the
Company to effect a transaction described in
clause (i), (iii), or (iv) of this paragraph)
whose election by the Board or nomination for
election by the Company's stockholders was
approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the
directors then still in office who either were
directors at the beginning of the two-year
period or whose election or nomination for
election was previously so approved but
excluding for this purpose any such new director
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a
result of either an actual or threatened
election contest (as such terms are used in Rule
14a-11 of Regulation 14A promulgated under the
Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on
behalf of an individual, corporation,
partnership, group, associate or other entity or
Person other than the Board, cease for any
reason to constitute at least a majority of the
Board;
(iii) the consummation of a merger or consolidation of
the Company or any subsidiary owning directly or
indirectly all or substantially all of the
consolidated assets of the Company (a
"Significant Subsidiary") with any other entity,
other than a merger or consolidation which would
result in the voting securities of the Company
or a Significant Subsidiary outstanding
immediately prior thereto
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continuing to represent (either by remaining
outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving or resulting entity)
more than 50% of the combined voting power of
the surviving or resulting entity outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation;
(iv) the consummation of the sale or disposition of
all or substantially all of the consolidated
assets of the Company (other than such a sale or
disposition immediately after which such assets
will be owned directly or indirectly by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the
same proportions as their ownership of the
common stock of the Company immediately prior to
such sale or disposition); or
(v) any other event occurs which the Board
reasonably and in good faith determines would
materially alter the structure of the Company or
its ownership.
For purposes of this definition:
(A) The term "Beneficial Owner" shall have
the meaning ascribed to such term in
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act
(including any successor to such Rule).
(B) The term "Exchange Act" means the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended from time to time, or any
successor act thereto.
(C) The term "Person" shall have the meaning
ascribed to such term in Section 3(a)(9)
of the Exchange Act and used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d) thereof, including
"group" as defined in Section 14(d)
thereof.
(d) VOLUNTARY TERMINATION. In the event of a termination of
employment by Executive on his own initiative after delivery of 10 business days
advance written notice, other than a termination due to death, a Constructive
Termination Without Cause, or a Retirement pursuant to Section 10(f) below,
Executive shall have the same entitlements as provided in Section 10(b)(iii)
above for a termination for Cause, provided that at the Company's election (the
"Company Option"), furnished in writing to Executive within 15 days following
such notice of termination, the Company shall in addition pay Executive 180% of
his Base Salary for a period of 12 months following such termination in exchange
for Executive not engaging in Competition with the Company or any Subsidiary as
set forth in Section 13(a) below. Notwithstanding any implication to the
contrary, Executive shall not have the right to terminate his employment with
the Company during the Term of Employment except in the event of a Constructive
Termination Without Cause or Retirement, and any voluntary termination of
employment during the Term of Employment in violation of this Agreement shall be
considered a material breach; provided however, if the Company elects to pay
Executive 180% of his Base Salary in accordance with this Section 10(d), the
Company shall waive any and all claims it may have against Executive for any
breach of this Agreement relating to his voluntary termination of employment
unless Executive is found by a court of competent jurisdiction not to be in
compliance with Section 13(a) below; provided further, however, that
notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing to the contrary, it is not
the intention of the Company to waive any claims it may have against any third
parties relating to a voluntary termination by Executive in violation of this
Agreement.
(e) TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE, CONSTRUCTIVE TERMINATION
WITHOUT CAUSE OR VOLUNTARY TERMINATION FOLLOWING A CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the
event Executive's employment with the Company is terminated by the Company
without Cause (which termination shall be effective as of the date specified by
the
10
Company in a written notice to Executive), other than due to death, or in the
event there is a Constructive Termination Without Cause (as defined above), in
either case within eighteen months following a Change in Control (as defined
above), Executive shall be entitled to and his sole remedies under this
Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination of
Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following
Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) an amount equal to 2.5 times Executive's Base
Salary, at the annualized rate in effect on the
date of termination of Executive's employment
(or in the event a reduction in Base Salary is a
basis for a Constructive Termination Without
Cause, then the Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to such reduction), payable in
a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later
than 15 days) following Executive's termination
of employment;
(iii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year in
which termination occurs assuming that Executive
would have received an award equal to 80% of
Base Salary (determined in accordance with
Section 10(e)(ii) above) for such year, payable
in a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event
later than 15 days) following Executive's
termination of employment;
(iv) an amount equal to 80% of such Base Salary
(determined in accordance with Section 10(e)(ii)
above) multiplied by two, payable in a cash lump
sum promptly (but in no event later than 15
days) following Executive's termination of
employment;
(v) elimination of all restrictions on any
restricted stock or deferred stock awards
outstanding at the time of termination of
employment;
(vi) immediate vesting of all outstanding stock
options and the right to exercise vested stock
options for the remainder of the exercise
period;
(vii) the balance of any incentive awards earned as of
December 31 of the prior year (but not yet
paid), which shall be paid in a single lump sum
not later than 15 days following Executive's
termination of employment;
(vii) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with Executive's duly
executed Deferral Election Forms and the plan
documents (unless Executive has previously and
appropriately elected not to have such
settlement upon such a termination);
(ix) continued participation in all medical, health
and life insurance plans at the same benefit and
participation level at which he was
participating on the date of the termination of
his employment until the earlier of:
(A) the end of the Severance Period; or
(B) the date, or dates, he receives
equivalent coverage and benefits under
the plans and programs of a subsequent
employer (such coverage and benefits to
be determined on a coverage-by-coverage,
or benefit-by-benefit, basis);
11
provided that (1) if Executive is
precluded from continuing his
participation in any employee benefit
plan or program as provided in this
clause (vii) of this Section 10(e), he
shall receive cash payments equal on an
after-tax basis to the cost to him of
obtaining the benefits provided under
the plan or program in which he is
unable to participate for the period
specified in this clause (vii) of this
Section 10(e), (2) such cost shall be
deemed to be the lowest reasonable cost
that would be incurred by Executive in
obtaining such benefit himself on an
individual basis, and (3) payment of
such amounts shall be made quarterly in
advance;
(x) other or additional benefits then due or earned
in accordance with applicable plans and programs
of the Company.
(f) RETIREMENT. Upon Executive's Retirement (as defined
below), Executive shall be entitled to and his sole remedies under this
Agreement shall be:
(i) Base Salary through the date of termination of
Executive's employment, which shall be paid in a
single lump sum not later than 15 days following
Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) pro rata annual incentive award for the year in
which termination occurs, based on performance
valuation at the end of such year and payable in
a cash lump sum promptly (but in no event later
than 15 days) thereafter;
(iii) continued vesting (as if Executive remained
employed by the Company) of any restricted stock
or deferred stock awards outstanding at the time
of his termination of employment;
(iv) continued vesting (as if Executive remained
employed by the Company) of all outstanding
stock options and the right to exercise such
stock options for the remainder of the exercise
period;
(v) the balance of any incentive awards earned as of
December 31 of the prior year (but not yet
paid), which shall be paid in a single lump sum
not later than 15 days following Executive's
termination of employment;
(vi) settlement of all deferred compensation
arrangements in accordance with Executive's duly
executed Deferral Election Forms and the plan
documents (unless Executive has previously and
appropriately elected not to have such
settlement at such time);
(vii) other or additional benefits then due or earned
in accordance with applicable plans and programs
of the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Retirement" shall mean Executive's voluntary
termination of employment with the Company at the earlier of (i) at or after
attaining age 55 and 15 years of service with the Company; or (ii) attaining age
60.
(g) Notwithstanding anything else herein to the contrary in
Sections 7, 10 or otherwise,
12
distributions attributable to any deferred compensation arrangements to be made
to Executive may be delayed for up to 12 months in order to avoid adverse tax
implications to Executive, the Company or other similarly situated employees
under Section 4009A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (the "Code").
(h) NO MITIGATION; NO OFFSET. In the event of any
termination of employment, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other
employment; amounts due Executive under this Agreement shall not be offset by
any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that he may obtain.
(i) NATURE OF PAYMENTS. Any amounts due under this Section
10 are in the nature of severance payments considered to be reasonable by the
Company and are not in the nature of a penalty.
(j) NO FURTHER LIABILITY; RELEASE. In the event of
Executive's termination of employment, payment made and performance by the
Company in accordance with this Section 10 shall operate to fully discharge and
release the Company and its directors, officers, employees, subsidiaries,
affiliates, stockholders, successors, assigns, agents and representatives from
any further obligation or liability with respect to Executive's rights under
this Agreement. Other than payment and performance under this Section 10, the
Company and its directors, officers, employees, subsidiaries, affiliates,
stockholders, successors, assigns, agents and representatives shall have no
further obligation or liability to Executive or any other person under this
Agreement in the event of Executive's termination of employment. The Company
shall have the right to condition the payment of any severance or other amounts
pursuant to this Section 10 upon the delivery by Executive to the Company of a
release in the form satisfactory to the Company releasing any and all claims
Executive may have against the Company and its directors, officers, employees,
subsidiaries, affiliates, stockholders, successors, assigns, agents and
representatives arising out of this Agreement.
11. FORFEITURE PROVISIONS.
(a) FORFEITURE OF STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER AWARDS AND GAINS
REALIZED UPON PRIOR OPTION EXERCISES OR AWARD SETTLEMENTS. Unless otherwise
determined by the Committee, upon a termination of Executive's employment for
Cause, Executive's engaging in "Competition" (as defined in Section 13(a)) with
the Company or any Subsidiary after a voluntary termination of employment
pursuant to Section 10(d), or Executive's violation of any of the other
restrictive covenants contained in Section 12, 13 or 14 (each a "Forfeiture
Event") during the Term of Employment and for 24 months thereafter, all of the
following forfeitures will result:
(i) The unexercised portion of any stock option,
whether or not vested, and any other Award not
then settled (except for an Award that has not
been settled solely due to an elective deferral
by Executive and otherwise is not forfeitable in
the event of any termination of Executive's
service) will be immediately forfeited and
canceled upon the occurrence of the Forfeiture
Event; and
(ii) Executive will be obligated to repay to the
Company, in cash, within five business days
after demand is made therefor by the Company,
the total amount of Award Gain (as defined
herein) realized by Executive upon each exercise
of a stock option or settlement of an Award
(regardless of any elective deferral) that
occurred (A) during the period commencing with
the date that is 24 months prior to the
occurrence of the Forfeiture Event and the date
24 months after the Forfeiture Event, if the
Forfeiture Event occurred while Executive was
employed by the Company or a Subsidiary or
affiliate, or (B) during the period commencing
24 months prior to the date Executive's
employment by the Company terminated and ending
12 months (or, in the event that the Forfeiture
Event is a breach of Section
13
14, 24 months) after the date of such
termination, if the Forfeiture Event occurred
after Executive ceased to be so employed. For
purposes of this Section, the term "Award Gain"
shall mean (i), in respect of a given stock
option exercise, the product of (X) the Fair
Market Value per share of common stock at the
date of such exercise (without regard to any
subsequent change in the market price of shares)
minus the exercise price times (Y) the number of
shares as to which the stock option was
exercised at that date, and (ii) with respect to
any other settlement of an Award granted to
Executive, the Fair Market Value of the cash or
stock paid or payable or distributed to
Executive (regardless of any elective deferral)
less any cash or the Fair Market Value of any
stock or property (other than an Award or award
which would have itself then been forfeitable
hereunder and excluding any payment of tax
withholding) paid by Executive to the Company as
a condition of or in connection with such
settlement.
For purposes of this Agreement "Fair Market Value" shall mean as of any given
date, the closing sale price per share of the Company's common stock reported on
a consolidated basis for securities listed on the principal stock exchange or
market on which the common stock of the Company is traded on the date as of
which such value is being determined, or, if there is no sale on that day, then
on the last previous day on which a sale was reported; and "Award" shall mean
any cash award, stock option, stock appreciation right, restricted stock,
deferred stock (such as a restricted stock unit), bonus stock, dividend
equivalent, or other stock-based or performance-based award or similar award,
together with any related right or interest, granted to or held by Executive
(but excluding any annual cash incentive award which is payable on an annual
basis and is determined based entirely on a one-year (or less) performance
measurement period).
(b) COMMITTEE DISCRETION. The Committee may, in its
discretion, waive in whole or in part the Company's right to forfeiture under
this Section, but no such waiver shall be effective unless evidenced by a
writing signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company. In addition, the
Committee may impose additional conditions on Awards, by inclusion of
appropriate provisions in the document evidencing or governing any such Award.
12. CONFIDENTIALITY: COOPERATION WITH REGARD TO LITIGATION;
NON-DISPARAGEMENT; RETURN OF COMPANY MATERIALS.
(a) During the Term of Employment and thereafter, Executive
shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, disclose to anyone
(except in good faith in the ordinary course of business to a person who will be
advised by Executive to keep such information confidential) or make use of any
Confidential Information except in the performance of his duties hereunder or
when required to do so by legal process, by any governmental agency having
supervisory authority over the business of the Company or by any administrative
or legislative body (including a committee thereof) that requires him to
divulge, disclose or make accessible such information. In the event that
Executive is so ordered, he shall give prompt written notice to the Company in
order to allow the Company the opportunity to object to or otherwise resist such
order.
(b) During the Term of Employment and thereafter, Executive
shall not disclose the existence or contents of this Agreement beyond what is
disclosed in the proxy statement or documents filed with the government unless
and to the extent such disclosure is required by law, by a governmental agency,
or in a document required by law to be filed with a governmental agency or in
connection with enforcement of his rights under this Agreement. In the event
that disclosure is so required, Executive shall give prompt written notice to
the Company in order to allow the Company the opportunity to object to or
otherwise resist such requirement. This restriction shall not apply to such
disclosure by him to members of his immediate family, his
14
tax, legal or financial advisors, any lender, or tax authorities, or to
potential future employers to the extent necessary, each of whom shall be
advised not to disclose such information.
(c) "Confidential Information" shall mean (i) all
information concerning the business of the Company or any Subsidiary including
information relating to any of their products, product development, trade
secrets, customers, suppliers, finances, and business plans and strategies,
(ii)all documents marked "Confidential," and (iii) information regarding the
organization structure and the names, titles, status, compensation, benefits and
other proprietary employment-related aspects of the employees of the Company and
the Company's employment practices. Excluded from the definition of Confidential
Information is information (A) that is or becomes part of the public domain,
other than through the breach of this Agreement by Executive or (B) regarding
the Company's business or industry properly acquired by Executive in the course
of his career as an executive in the Company's industry and independent of
Executive's employment by the Company. For this purpose, information known or
available generally within the trade or industry of the Company or any
Subsidiary shall be deemed to be known or available to the public.
(d) "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation controlled
directly or indirectly by the Company.
(e) Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company, during
the Term of Employment and thereafter (including following Executive's
termination of employment for any reason), by making himself reasonably
available to testify on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiary in any action,
suit, or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative,
and to assist the Company, or any Subsidiary, in any such action, suit, or
proceeding, by providing information and meeting and consulting with the Board
or its representatives or counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company,
or any Subsidiary as requested; provided, however that the same does not
materially interfere with his then current professional activities. The Company
agrees to reimburse Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all expenses actually
incurred in connection with his provision of testimony or assistance.
(f) Executive agrees that, during the Term of Employment and
thereafter (including following Executive's termination of employment for any
reason) he will not make statements or representations, or otherwise
communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take
any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage the Company or any
Subsidiary or their respective officers, directors, employees, advisors,
businesses or reputations. The Company agrees that, during the Term of
Employment and thereafter (including following Executive's termination of
employment for any reason) the Company will not make statements or
representations, or otherwise communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing,
orally, or otherwise, or take any action which may directly or indirectly,
disparage Executive or his business or reputation. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude either Executive or the
Company from making truthful statements or disclosures that are required by
applicable law, regulation, or legal process.
(g) Upon any termination of employment, Executive agrees to
deliver any Company property and any documents, notes, drawings, specifications,
computer software, data and other materials of any nature pertaining to any
Confidential Information that are held by Executive and will not take any of the
foregoing, or any reproduction of any of the foregoing, that is embodied an any
tangible medium of expression, provided that the foregoing shall not prohibit
Executive from retaining his personal phone directories and rolodexes.
15
13. NON-COMPETITION.
(a) During the Restriction Period (as defined in Section
13(b) below), Executive shall not engage in Competition with the Company or any
Subsidiary. "Competition" shall mean engaging in any activity, except as
provided below, for a Competitor of the Company or any Subsidiary, whether as an
employee, consultant, principal, agent, officer, director, partner, shareholder
(except as a less than one percent shareholder of a publicly traded company) or
otherwise. A "Competitor" shall mean (i) Bed Bath & Beyond, Xxxxxxx Gifts, X.X.
Xxxxx'x, Target, Xxxx Stores, Inc., The TJX Companies, Kohls Corporation,
Federated Department Stores or The May Department Stores Company (and any
successor or successors thereto); (ii) any home textiles or housewares store,
specialty store or other retailer if $50 million or more of its annual gross
sales revenues (in either case, based on the most recent quarterly or annual
financial statements available) are derived from the sale of home textiles,
housewares or other goods or merchandise of the types sold in the Company's (or
any Subsidiary's) stores; (iii) any corporation or other entity whether
independent or owned, funded or controlled by any other entity, engaged or
organized for the purpose of engaging, in whole or in part, in the sale of home
textiles, housewares or other goods or merchandise of the types sold in the
Company's (or any Subsidiary's) stores; (iv) any business that provides buying
office services to any business or group of businesses referred to above, or (v)
any business (in the U.S. or any country in which the Company or any Subsidiary
operates a store or stores) which is in material competition with the Company or
any Subsidiary or division thereof and in which Executive's "officer" functions
would be substantially similar to Executive's functions with the Company.
(b) For the purposes of this Section 13, "Restriction
Period" shall mean the period beginning with the Effective Date and ending with:
(i) in the case of a termination of Executive's
employment without Cause or a Constructive
Termination Without Cause, the Restriction
Period shall terminate immediately upon
Executive's termination of employment;
(ii) in the case of a termination of Executive's
employment for Cause, 24 months from the date of
such termination;
(iii) in the case of a voluntary termination of
Executive's employment pursuant to Section 10(d)
(or a failure by Executive to provide notice of
renewal of the Term of Employment under Section
2) followed by the Company's election to
exercise the Company Option and to pay Executive
(and subject to the payment of) the amount
provided in Section 10(d) above, the first
anniversary of such termination;
(iv) in the case of a voluntary termination of
Executive's employment pursuant to Section 10(d)
(or a failure by Executive to provide notice of
renewal of the Term of Employment under Section
2) which is not followed by the Company's
election to exercise the Company Option and to
pay Executive the amount provided in Section
10(d) above, the date of such termination; or
(v) in the case of a Retirement pursuant to Section
10(f) above, the remainder of the Term of
Employment.
14. NON-SOLICITATION OF EMPLOYEES.
During the period beginning with the Effective Date and ending 24 months
following the termination or
16
other cessation of Executive's employment for any reason, Executive shall not
induce employees of the Company or any Subsidiary to terminate their employment;
provided, however, that the foregoing shall not be construed to prevent
Executive from engaging in generic nontargeted advertising for employees
generally. During such period, Executive shall not hire, either directly or
through any employee, agent or representative, any employee of the Company or
any Subsidiary or any person who was employed by the Company or any Subsidiary
within 180 days of such hiring.
15. REMEDIES.
In addition to whatever other rights and remedies the Company may have
at equity or in law, if Executive breaches any of the provisions contained in
Sections 12, 13 or 14 above, the Company (a) shall have its rights under Section
11 of this Agreement, (b) shall have the right to immediately terminate all
payments and benefits due under this Agreement and (c) shall have the right to
seek injunctive relief (without posting bond or other security and without the
need to prove damages). Executive acknowledges that such a breach of Sections
12, 13 or 14 would cause irreparable injury and that money damages would not
provide an adequate remedy for the Company; provided, however, the foregoing
shall not prevent Executive from contesting the issuance of any such injunction
on the ground that no violation or threatened violation of Sections 12, 13 or 14
has occurred.
16. RESOLUTION OF DISPUTES.
Any controversy, claim or defense arising out of or relating to this
Agreement or any breach or asserted breach hereof or questioning or defending
the validity and binding effect hereof arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, other than seeking injunctive relief under Section 15, shall be
resolved by binding arbitration, to be held at an office closest to the
Company's principal offices in accordance with the rules and procedures of the
American Arbitration Association, except that disputes arising under or in
connection with Sections 12, 13 and 14 above shall be submitted to the federal
or state courts in the State of New Jersey. Judgment upon the award rendered by
the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.
Pending the resolution of any arbitration or court proceeding, the Company shall
continue payment of all amounts and benefits due Executive under this Agreement.
All reasonable costs and expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel)
incurred by Executive pursuant to this Section 16 shall be paid on behalf of or
reimbursed to Executive promptly by the Company; provided, however, that in the
event the arbitrator(s) determine(s) that any of Executive's litigation
assertions or defenses are determined to be in bad faith or frivolous, no such
reimbursements related to such assertions or defenses shall be due Executive,
and any such expenses already paid to Executive shall be immediately returned by
Executive to the Company.
17. INDEMNIFICATION.
(a) COMPANY INDEMNITY. The Company agrees that if Executive
is made a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to any action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a
"Proceeding"), by reason of the fact that he is or was a director, officer or
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or is or was serving at the request of
the Company or any Subsidiary as a director, officer, member, employee or agent
of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise,
including service with respect to employee benefit plans, whether or not the
basis of such Proceeding is Executive's alleged action in an official capacity
while serving as a director, officer, member, employee or agent, Executive shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the Company to the fullest extent legally
permitted or authorized by the Company's certificate of incorporation or bylaws
or resolutions of the Company's Board or, if greater, by the laws of the State
of Delaware against all cost, expense, liability and loss (including, without
limitation, attorney's fees, judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties
and amounts paid or to be paid in settlement) reasonably incurred or suffered by
Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to
Executive even if he has ceased to be a director, member, officer, employee or
agent of the
17
Company or other entity and shall inure to the benefit of Executive's heirs,
executors and administrators. The Company shall advance to Executive all
reasonable costs and expenses to be incurred by him in connection with a
Proceeding within 20 days after receipt by the Company of a written request for
such advance. Such request shall include an undertaking by Executive to repay
the amount of such advance if it shall ultimately be determined that he is not
entitled to be indemnified against such costs and expenses. The provisions of
this Section 17(a) shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights of
indemnification to which Executive may be entitled or which may be granted to
him, and it shall be in addition to any rights of indemnification to which he
may be entitled under any policy of insurance.
(b) NO PRESUMPTION REGARDING STANDARD OF CONDUCT. Neither
the failure of the Company (including its Board, independent legal counsel or
stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of any
proceeding concerning payment of amounts claimed by Executive under Section
17(a) above that indemnification of Executive is proper because he has met the
applicable standard of conduct, nor a determination by the Company (including
its Board, independent legal counsel or stockholders) that Executive has not met
such applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Executive
has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
(c) LIABILITY INSURANCE. The Company agrees to continue and
maintain a directors and officers' liability insurance policy covering Executive
to the extent the Company provides such coverage for its other executive
officers.
18. EXCISE TAX GROSS-UP.
If Executive becomes entitled to one or more payments (with a
"payment" including, without limitation, the vesting of an option or other
non-cash benefit or property), whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement
or any other plan, arrangement, or agreement with the Company or any affiliated
company (the "Total Payments"), which are or become subject to the tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed)
(the "Excise Tax"), the Company shall pay to Executive at the time specified
below an additional amount (the "Gross-up Payment") (which shall include,
without limitation, reimbursement for any penalties and interest that may accrue
in respect of such Excise Tax) such that the net amount retained by Executive,
after reduction for any Excise Tax (including any penalties or interest thereon)
on the Total Payments and any federal, state and local income or employment tax
and Excise Tax on the Gross-up Payment provided for by this Section 18, but
before reduction for any federal, state, or local income or employment tax on
the Total Payments, shall be equal to the sum of (a) the Total Payments, and (b)
an amount equal to the product of any deductions disallowed for federal, state,
or local income tax purposes because of the inclusion of the Gross-up Payment in
Executive's adjusted gross income multiplied by the highest applicable marginal
rate of federal, state, or local income taxation, respectively, for the calendar
year in which the Gross-up Payment is to be made. For purposes of determining
whether any of the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the
amount of such Excise Tax:
(i) The Total Payments shall be treated as
"parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, and all "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code shall be treated
as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and except
to the extent that, in the written opinion of
independent compensation consultants, counsel or
auditors of nationally recognized standing
("Independent Advisors") selected by the Company
and reasonably acceptable to Executive, the
Total Payments (in whole or in part) do not
constitute parachute payments, or such excess
parachute payments (in whole or in part)
represent reasonable compensation for services
actually rendered within the meaning of Section
280G(b)(4) of the Code in excess of the base
18
amount within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(3)
of the Code or are otherwise not subject to the
Excise Tax;
(ii) The amount of the Total Payments which shall be
treated as subject to the Excise Tax shall be
equal to the lesser of (A) the total amount of
the Total Payments or (B) the total amount of
excess parachute payments within the meaning of
Section 280G(b)(1) of the Code (after applying
clause (i) above); and
(iii) The value of any non-cash benefits or any
deferred payment or benefit shall be determined
by the Independent Advisors in accordance with
the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of
the Code.
For purposes of determining the amount of the Gross-up Payment,
Executive shall be deemed (A) to pay federal income taxes at the highest
marginal rate of federal income taxation for the calendar year in which the
Gross-up Payment is to be made; (B) to pay any applicable state and local income
taxes at the highest marginal rate of taxation for the calendar year in which
the Gross-up Payment is to be made, net of the maximum reduction in federal
income taxes which could be obtained from deduction of such state and local
taxes if paid in such year (determined without regard to limitations on
deductions based upon the amount of Executive's adjusted gross income); and (C)
to have otherwise allowable deductions for federal, state, and local income tax
purposes at least equal to those disallowed because of the inclusion of the
Gross-up Payment in Executive's adjusted gross income. In the event that the
Excise Tax is subsequently determined to be less than the amount taken into
account hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made, Executive shall
repay to the Company at the time that the amount of such reduction in Excise Tax
is finally determined (but, if previously paid to the taxing authorities, not
prior to the time the amount of such reduction is refunded to Executive or
otherwise realized as a benefit by Executive) the portion of the Gross-up
Payment that would not have been paid if such Excise Tax had been applied in
initially calculating the Gross-up Payment, plus interest on the amount of such
repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code. In the
event that the Excise Tax is determined to exceed the amount taken into account
hereunder at the time the Gross-up Payment is made (including by reason of any
payment the existence or amount of which cannot be determined at the time of the
Gross-up Payment), the Company shall make an additional Gross-up Payment in
respect of such excess (plus any interest and penalties payable with respect to
such excess) at the time that the amount of such excess is finally determined.
The Gross-up Payment provided for above shall be paid on the 30th day
(or such earlier date as the Excise Tax becomes due and payable to the taxing
authorities) after it has been determined that the Total Payments (or any
portion thereof) are subject to the Excise Tax; provided, however, that if the
amount of such Gross-up Payment or portion thereof cannot be finally determined
on or before such day, the Company shall pay to Executive on such day an
estimate, as determined by the Independent Advisors, of the minimum amount of
such payments and shall pay the remainder of such payments (together with
interest at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code), as soon as
the amount thereof can be determined. In the event that the amount of the
estimated payments exceeds the amount subsequently determined to have been due,
such excess shall constitute a loan by the Company to Executive, payable on the
fifth day after demand by the Company (together with interest at the rate
provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code). If more than one Gross-up
Payment is made, the amount of each Gross-up Payment shall be computed so as not
to duplicate any prior Gross-up Payment. The Company shall have the right to
control all proceedings with the Internal Revenue Service that may arise in
connection with the determination and assessment of any Excise Tax and, at its
sole option, the Company may pursue or forego any and all administrative
appeals, proceedings, hearings, and conferences with any taxing authority in
respect of such Excise Tax (including any interest or penalties thereon);
provided, however, that the Company's control over any such proceedings shall be
limited to issues
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with respect to which a Gross-up Payment would be payable hereunder, and
Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. Executive shall
cooperate with the Company in any proceedings relating to the determination and
assessment of any Excise Tax and shall not take any position or action that
would materially increase the amount of any Gross-up Payment hereunder.
19. EFFECT OF AGREEMENT ON OTHER BENEFITS.
Except as specifically provided in this Agreement, the existence
of this Agreement shall not be interpreted to preclude, prohibit or restrict
Executive's participation in any other employee benefit or other plans or
programs including the Company's 401(k) benefit plan.
20. ASSIGNABILITY: BINDING NATURE.
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and
their respective successors, heirs (in the case of Executive) and permitted
assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be
assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights or obligations
may be assigned or transferred in connection with the sale or transfer of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or
transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the
Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and
duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or
as a matter of law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale or
transfer of assets as described in the preceding sentence, it shall take
whatever action it legally can in order to cause such assignee or transferee to
expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company
hereunder. No rights or obligations of Executive under this Agreement may be
assigned or transferred by Executive other than his rights to compensation and
benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law, except as
provided in Section 26 below.
21. REPRESENTATION.
The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorized
and empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its
obligations under this Agreement will not violate any agreement between it and
any other person, firm or organization.
22. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement
between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and, as of the
Effective Date, supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions,
negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with
respect thereto.
23. AMENDMENT OR WAIVER.
No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such
amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and an authorized
officer of the Company. Except as set forth herein, no delay or omission to
exercise any right, power or remedy accruing to any Party shall impair any such
right, power or remedy or shall be construed to be a waiver of or an
acquiescence to any breach hereof. No waiver by either Party of any breach by
the other Party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be
performed by such other Party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
Any waiver must be in writing and signed by Executive or an authorized officer
of the Company, as the case may be.
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24. SEVERABILITY.
In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement
shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or
in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby
and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by
law.
25. SURVIVORSHIP.
The respective rights and obligations of the Parties hereunder
shall survive any termination of Executive's employment to the extent necessary
to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
26. BENEFICIARIES/REFERENCES.
Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under any
applicable law, to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive
any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following Executive's death by
giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of Executive's death or
a judicial determination of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to
Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary,
estate or other legal representative.
27. GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and
interpreted in accordance with the laws of New Jersey without reference to
principles of conflict of laws. Subject to Section 16, the Company and Executive
hereby consent to the jurisdiction of any or all of the following courts for
purposes of resolving any dispute under this Agreement: (i) the United States
District Court for New Jersey or (ii) any of the courts of the State of New
Jersey. The Company and Executive further agree that any service of process or
notice requirements in any such proceeding shall be satisfied if the rules of
such court relating thereto have been substantially satisfied. The Company and
Executive hereby waive, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any
objection which it or he may now or hereafter have to such jurisdiction and any
defense of inconvenient forum.
28. NOTICES.
Any notice given to a Party shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been given when delivered personally or sent by certified or
registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to
the Party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address as
such Party may subsequently give such notice of:
If to the Company: Linens 'n Things, Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Senior Vice President,
Human Resources, Administration
and Corporate Secretary
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If to Executive: Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
c/o Linens 'n Things, Inc.
0 Xxxxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxx 00000-0000
Attention: Senior Vice President,
Human Resources, Administration
and Corporate Secretary
29. HEADINGS.
The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
30. EXECUTIVE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.
The Executive represents and warrants that (i) the information
(written or oral) provided by certification or other similar documentation by
the Executive to the company in connection with obtaining employment with the
Company or in connection with the Executive's former employment(s), work
history, circumstances of leaving former employment(s) and educational
background, is true, (ii) he has the legal capacity to execute and perform this
Agreement (iii) this Agreement is a valid and binding obligation of the
Executive enforceable against him in accordance with its terms, (iv) the
Executive's service hereunder will not conflict with, or result in a breach of,
any agreement, understanding, order, judgment or other obligation to which the
Executive is presented a party or by which he may be bound, and (v) the
Executive is not subject to, or bound by, any covenant against competition,
confidentiality obligation or any other agreement, order judgment or other
obligation which would conflict with, restrict or limit the performance of the
services to be provided by him hereunder.
31. COUNTERPARTS.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement
as of the date first written above.
LINENS 'N THINGS, INC.
By:_______________________________
Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE
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Xxxx X. Xxxxx, Xx.
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