EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.4
EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered as of August 26, 2019 (the “Agreement Date”), between ReShape Lifesciences Inc. (“Company”), a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000; and Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx (“Employee”), a California resident whose address is 00 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000, for the purpose of setting forth the terms and conditions of Employee’s employment by Company.
NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the mutual promises, covenants and obligations contained herein, Company and Employee agree as follows:
ARTICLE 1.EMPLOYMENT, TERM AND DUTIES
1.3 | Position and Duties. |
ARTICLE 2.COMPENSATION, BENEFITS AND EXPENSES
2.1 | Base Salary. |
The Base Salary shall be reviewed by the Board annually for potential additional adjustment on the basis of performance; and Employee shall be eligible, at the Board’s sole discretion, for annual merit and incentive-based salary increases consistent with Company’s procedures, policies and practices. If Employee’s Base Salary is increased from time to time during the Term, the increased amount shall become the Base Salary for the remainder of the Term and any extensions of the Term and for as long thereafter as required pursuant to Article 3 as applicable, subject to any subsequent increases.
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ARTICLE 3.TERMINATION AND COMPENSATION FOLLOWING TERMINATION
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If Employee (or his legal representative, if applicable) does not agree with Company’s decision to terminate his employment hereunder because of Disability, the question of Employee’s Disability shall be subject to the certification of a qualified medical doctor mutually agreed to by Company and Employee (or, in the event of Employee’s incapacity to designate a doctor, Employee’s legal representative). In the absence of such agreement, each such party shall nominate a qualified medical doctor and the two doctors shall select a third doctor, who shall make the determination as to Employee’s Disability. The decision of the designated physician shall be binding upon the parties in the same manner as the decision of an arbitrator under Section 4.5.
For purposes of this Section 3.1.4, no act, or failure to act, on Employee’s part shall be considered “dishonest” or “willful” unless done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in bad faith and without reasonable belief that his action or omission was in or not opposed to, the best interest of Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or based upon the advice of counsel for Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Employee in good faith and in the best interests of Company. Furthermore, the term “Cause” shall not include ordinary negligence or failure to act, whether due to an error in judgment or otherwise, if Employee has exercised substantial efforts in good faith to perform the duties reasonably assigned or appropriate to his position.
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For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” means, at any time: (a) the assignment by Company to Employee of employment duties, functions or responsibilities that are significantly different from, and result in a material diminution of, Employee’s duties, functions or responsibilities, including without limitation any requirement that Employee report to another officer of Company, rather than directly to the Board; (b) a material reduction in Employee’s Base Salary or the minimum target amount provided under Section 2.2 for his cash incentive compensation for any calendar year; (c) a Company requirement that Employee be based at any office or location more than 35 miles from Employee’s primary work location before the date of this Agreement; or (d) any other action or inaction that constitutes a material breach of this Agreement by Company.
If a termination occurs pursuant to Section 3.l.5 (by Employee without Good Reason), when Company receives Employee’s notice Company shall have the option, at its discretion (a) to continue to engage Employee’s services through the 30-day notice period until the Separation Date, or (b) terminate the use of Employee’s services during the 30-day notice period before the Separation Date but treat Employee as if he were providing services
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through the 30-day notice period until the Separation Date for purposes of determining Employee’s compensation due him pursuant to this Section 3.2.1.
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defined pursuant to Code Section 409A. Each payment under this Agreement shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
revocation of the Release, if Employee timely and effectively elects continuation coverage under Company’s group health plans pursuant to section 4980B of the Code, as amended (“COBRA”) or similar state law, Company will pay or reimburse the premiums for such coverage of Employee (and Employee’s dependents, as applicable) at the same rate it pays for active employees for a period of 12 months from the Separation Date (for a period of 18 months following three years of employment from the Start Date); provided, however, that Company’s obligation to make such payments shall immediately expire if Employee ceases to be eligible for continuation coverage under COBRA or similar state law or otherwise terminates such coverage or, if earlier, the date Employee becomes eligible for group health plan coverage with a new employer of Employee.
ARTICLE 4.MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
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If to Company, at: | ReShape Lifesciences Inc. |
| 1001 Calle Amanecer |
| San Clemente, CA 92673 |
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If to Employee, at: | Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
| 23 Calle Pacifica |
| San Clemente, CA 92673 |
Any party may change the address for the purpose of this Section by giving the other written notice of the new address in the manner set forth above.
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Any such arbitration shall be conducted by one neutral arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement of the parties or, failing such agreement, in accordance with the JAMS Rules then in effect, a copy of which is available on the JAMS website (xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx-xxxxxxxxxx- arbitration/english). The arbitrator shall be an experienced attorney with a background in employment law. Any arbitration shall be conducted in Orange County, California. An arbitration award may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.
To the extent any provision of this Agreement may be deemed to provide a benefit to Employee that is treated as non-qualified deferred compensation pursuant to Code Section 409A, such provision shall be interpreted and administered in a manner that qualifies for any applicable exemption from compliance with Code Section 409 or, if such interpretation would cause any reduction of benefit(s), such provision shall be interpreted (if reasonably possible) in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A and does not cause any such reduction. Any payment under this Agreement that is payable upon a termination of employment of the Executive shall only be made upon the Employee’s “separation from service” with the Company within the meaning of Section 409A, and any reference to Separation Date shall similarly mean the date of such “separation from service” with the Company. If any payment under this Agreement is contingent upon the execution and delivery of a release and if the Separation Date with respect to which such payment is being made occurs during the last 60 days of the calendar year, the payment shall in no event be made earlier than the first business day of the succeeding calendar year.
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or the termination of Employee’s employment under this Agreement, shall continue in full force and effect, notwithstanding Employee’s termination of employment under this Agreement or the expiration of this Agreement.
[Signature page follows]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above written.
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By: | |||
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Name: | Xxx X. Xxxxxxx | ||
Its: | Chairman of the Board | ||
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| Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx |
[Signature Page to Employment Agreement]
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EXHIBIT A
Proprietary Information Agreement
(attached)
RESHAPE LIFESCIENCES, INC.
EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AGREEMENT
In consideration and as a condition of my employment, or continued employment, by ReShape Lifesciences, Inc. and/or by companies which it owns, controls, or is affiliated with or their successors in business ("the Company"), and the compensation paid therefor:
1. | Confidentiality. |
1.1I agree to keep confidential, except as the Company may otherwise consent in writing, and not to disclose or make any use of except for the benefit of the Company, at any time, either during or subsequent to my employment, any trade secrets, confidential information, knowledge, data or other information of the Company relating to products, processes, know-how, designs, formulas, test data, customer lists, business plans, marketing plans and strategies, pricing strategies or other subject matter pertaining to any business of the Company or any of its clients, customers, consultants, licensees or affiliates, which I may produce, obtain or otherwise acquire during the course of my employment, except as herein provided. I further agree not to deliver, reproduce or in any way allow any such trade secrets, confidential information, knowledge, data or other information, or any documentation relating thereto, to be delivered or used by any third parties without prior written consent of a duly authorized representative of the Company. The foregoing obligations of confidentiality shall not apply to (a) any knowledge or information which is now or subsequently becomes generally and publicly known, other than as a direct or indirect result of the breach of this Agreement by me or a breach of a confidentiality obligation owed to the Company by another, or (b) any knowledge or information which is not proprietary to the Company that I acquired prior to becoming its employee. I acknowledge that I have been informed that I have rights under 18
U.S.C. Section 1833(6) which states in part: "An individual shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that - (A) is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, State, or local gover11111ent official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (B) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal." Nothing in this Agreement is intended by Company to conflict with or create liability for actions taken that are permitted under 18 U.S.C. Section 1833(6).
2. | Conflicting Employment/Return of Confidential Material. |
I agree that during my engagement with the Company, I will not engage in any other employment, occupation, consulting or other activity relating to the business in which the Company is now or may hereafter become engaged or which would otherwise conflict with my obligations to the Company. In the event of my termination of engagement with the Company for any reason whatsoever or upon the request of the Company, I agree to promptly surrender and deliver to the Company all records, materials, equipment, drawings, documents and data, including any reproductions thereof, of any nature pertaining to any invention, trade secret or confidential information of the Company or to my engagement, and I will not take with me any description containing or pertaining to any confidential information, knowledge or data of the Company which I may produce or obtain during the course of my engagement. The foregoing shall not apply to my address book, or to any information or documentation I acquired prior to becoming an employee of the Company. In the event of the termination of my engagement for any reason whatsoever, I agree to sign and deliver the "Termination Certificate" attached hereto as Exhibit A.
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3. | Assignment of lnventions. |
I agree that all medical devices and processes, documentation and other copyrightable materials to which I contribute during my engagement shall be considered "works made for hire" and shall be the sole property of the Company. I hereby assign and transfer to the Company my entire right, title and interest in and to all inventions (as used in the Agreement, "inventions" shall include but not be limited to ideas, improvements, designs and discoveries) whether or not patentable and whether or not reduced to practice, made or conceived by me (whether made solely by me or jointly with others) during the period of my engagement with the Company, which relate in any manner to the actual or demonstrably anticipated business, work or research and development of the Company or its subsidiaries, or result from or are suggested by any task assigned to me or any work performed by me for or on behalf of the Company or its subsidiaries or result from use of premises owned, leased or contracted for the Company. I agree that all such inventions are the sole property of the Company provided, however, that this Agreement does not require assignment of an invention for which no equipment, supplies, facility, or trade secret information of the Company was used, and which was developed entirely on my own time as provided in California Labor Code Section 2870 a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit B, and:
(a)which does not relate to the business of the Company or to the Company's actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development; or
(b) | which does not result from any work performed by me for the Company. |
4. | Disclosure of lnventions and Patents. |
I agree that in connection with any "invention" as defined in Paragraph 3 above:
(a)I will disclose such invention promptly in writing to my immediate superior at the Company, with a copy to the Chief Executive Officer, regardless of whether I believe the invention is protected by Paragraph 3 above, in order to permit the Company to claim rights to which it may be entitled under this Agreement. Such disclosure shall be received in confidence by the Company.
(b)I will, at the Company's request, promptly execute a written assignment of title to the Company for any invention required to be assigned by Paragraph 3 ("assignable invention"), and I will preserve any such assignable invention as confidential information of the Company.
(c)Upon request, I agree to assist the Company or its nominee (at its expense) during and at any time subsequent to my engagement in every reasonable way to obtain for its own benefit patents and copyrights for such assignable inventions in any and all countries, which inventions shall be and remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company or its nominee whether or not patented or copyrighted. I agree to execute such papers and perform such lawful acts as the Company deems to be necessary to allow it to exercise all right, title, and interest in such patents and copyrights.
5. | Execution of Documents. |
In connection with Paragraph 4(c), I further agree to execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company or its nominee upon request and at its expense all such documents, including applications for patents and copyrights and assignments of inventions, patents and copyrights to be issued
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therefore, as the Company may determine necessary or desirable to apply for and obtain letters, patents and copyrights on such assignable inventions in any and all countries and/or to protect the interest of the Company or its nominee in such inventions, patents and copyrights, and to vest title thereto in the Company or its nominee. In the event that the Company is unable for any reason whatsoever to secure my signature to any lawful and necessary document required to apply for or execute any patent application with respect to inventions (including renewals, extension, continuations, divisions or continuations, divisions or continuations in part thereof), I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and its duly authorized officers and agents, as my agents and attorneys-in-fact to act for and in my behalf and instead of me, to execute and file any such application and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of patents thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by me.
6. | Maintenance of Records. |
I agree to keep and maintain adequate and current written or printed records of all inventions made by me (in the form of notes, sketches, drawings and as may be specified by the Company), which records shall be available to and remain the sole property of the Company at all times.
7. | Prior Inventions. |
It is understood that all inventions if any, patented or unpatented, which I made prior to my engagement by the Company are excluded from the scope of this Agreement. To preclude any possible uncertainty, I have set forth on Exhibit C attached hereto a complete list of all my prior inventions excluded from the assignment of rights, including numbers of all patents and patent applications, and a brief description of all unpatented inventions which are not the prope1ty of a previous employer. I represent and covenant that the list is complete and that, if no items are on the list, I have no such prior inventions. During my engagement with the Company, I agree to notify the Company in writing before I make any disclosure or perform any work on behalf of the Company which appears to threaten or conflict with proprietary rights I claim in any invention or idea. In the event of my failure to give such notice, I agree that I will make no claim against the Company with respect to any such inventions or ideas. In addition, if any invention made or conceived by me during the period of my employment is based on, or incorporates, or is an improvement or derivative of, or cannot reasonably be made, used, reproduced and distributed without violating other technology or rights owned by me, I hereby grant to the Company a perpetual, worldwide, royalty free, non-exclusive, sublicensable right and license to exploit and exercise all such technology in suppo1t of the Company's exercise or exploitation of its rights to such invention.
8. | Trade Secrets of Others. |
I represent that my performance of all the terms of this Agreement and as an employee of the Company does not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment with the Company, and I will not disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others. I agree not to enter into any agreement either written or oral in conflict herewith.
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9. | Performance. |
I understand, as part of the consideration for the offer of employment extended to me by the Company and of my employment or continued employment by the Company, that I have not brought and will not bring with me to the Company or use in the performance of my responsibilities at the Company any equipment, supplies, facility or trade secret information of any former employer which are not generally available to the public, unless I have obtained written authorization for their possession and use.
10. | Remedies. |
I agree that in addition to any other rights and remedies available to the Company for any breach by me of my obligations hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to enforcement of my obligations hereunder by court injunction.
11. | Non Solicitation. |
I agree that during my employment and for the two-year period following my employment I will not solicit or induce any employee or consultant of the Company to quit their employment, cease doing business with the Company or accept employment with any entity that I am then involved with, unless I am specifically authorized to do so by the Company. In addition, during my engagement and for the two-year period following my engagement I will not solicit or induce any customer of the Company to cease doing business with the Company.
12. | Modification. |
This Agreement may not be changed, modified, released, discharged, abandoned or otherwise amended, in whole or in part, except by an instrument in writing, signed by me and the Company. I agree that any subsequent change or changes in my duties or compensation shall not affect the validity or scope of this Agreement.
13. | Entire Agreement. |
I acknowledge receipt of this Agreement and agree that with respect to the subject matter thereof it is my entire agreement with the Company, superseding any previous oral or written communications, representations, understandings or agreements with the Company or any officers or representative thereof.
14. | Severability. |
In the event that any paragraph or provision of this Agreement shall be held to be illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such paragraph or provision shall, as to that jurisdiction, be adjusted and reformed, if possible, in order to achieve the intent of the parties, and if such paragraph or provision cannot be adjusted and reformed, such paragraph or provision shall, for the purposes of that jurisdiction be voided and severed from this Agreement, and the entire Agreement shall not fail on account thereof but shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.
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15. | Successors and Assigns. |
This Agreement shall be binding upon my heirs, executors, administrators or other legal representative and is for the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns. This Agreement may be assigned by the Company to any purchaser or successor in interest to the business of the Company.
16. | Governing Law. |
This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the location of the Company's corporate headquarters, which is presently located in the State of California; provided, however, that in the event this provision is deemed to be unenforceable by a local judicial authority or governmental agency, then the laws of the location of my employment shall apply.
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17.Counterparts.
This Agreement may be signed in two counterparts, each shall be deemed an original and both of which shall together constitute one agreement.
Dated: | | | EMPLOYEE | |
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| | RESHAPE LIFESCIENCES, INC. | ||
| a Delaware corporation | |||
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| By: | |
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EXHIBIT B
CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE
This Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release (the “Agreement”) is entered into by and between (“you”) and ReShape Lifesciences Inc. (“ReShape”).
WHEREAS, you and ReShape entered into an Employment Agreement dated
(the “Employment Agreement”) which terminates effective
, except as to certain provisions outlined below;
WHEREAS, ReShape wishes to provide you with the separation benefits described in Section 2 below; and
WHEREAS, you and ReShape want to fully and finally settle all issues, differences, and claims, whether potential or actual, between you and ReShape, including, but not limited to, any claim that might arise out of your employment with ReShape or the termination of your employment with ReShape;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the provisions and of the mutual covenants contained herein, you and ReShape agree as follows:
1.Separation from Employment. Effective (your “date of separation”), your employment with ReShape terminates. Except as provided in this Agreement, all benefits and privileges of employment end as of your date of separation.
2.Separation Benefits. As consideration for your promises and obligations under this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, including the release of claims set forth below, ReShape agrees to pay you, as separation pay, the gross amount of , less applicable deductions and withholdings for state and federal taxes, which amount represents 12 months of your Base Salary as of your date of separation. The separation pay will be divided and paid to you in substantially equal periodic payments at the usual and customary pay intervals of ReShape, less deductions and withholdings and at the time described in Section 3.2.2 or
Section 3.2.3 of the Employment Agreement. You agree that you are not entitled to the separation benefits provided to you in this Agreement if you do not sign this Agreement or if you rescind or attempt to rescind your release of claims under this Agreement.
3.Incentive Compensation. You are not entitled to receive incentive compensation for calendar year .
4.COBRA Premium Payments/Reimbursements. Subject to the terms of Section 3.3 of the Employment Agreement, ReShape agrees to pay you certain COBRA premium reimbursements. You agree that any COBRA premium paid on your behalf and/or any reimbursement made to you for COBRA premiums paid by you will be treated as taxable by ReShape. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, the benefits to which you (or, as applicable, your spouse and eligible dependents) may be entitled upon termination of your
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employment shall be determined and paid in accordance with such plans, policies and applicable laws.
5.Stock Options. All options to purchase shares of common stock of ReShape held by you (the “Options”) are subject to the terms of one or more stock option agreements between you and Company (each, an “Option Agreement”) and were granted pursuant to the ReShape Inc. Amended and Restated 2003 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Stock Plan”). Pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Option Agreements, ReShape agrees that, notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in such Option Agreements or the Stock Plan, during the two-year period following your date of separation, you shall be permitted to exercise any Option immediately to the extent that such Option was vested as of your date of separation or would have vested within one year of your date of separation had your employment with Company not terminated. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in such Option Agreements or the Stock Plan, ReShape shall have a right, following your date of separation, to buy back all such Options based on the per share exercise price under the applicable Option Agreement. The parties agree and acknowledge that, with respect to any Options that were intended by the parties to be treated as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, such Options, to the extent they may be exercised by you more than 90 days following your date of separation, shall be treated as non-qualified options, notwithstanding any provision in the Option Agreements to the contrary.
6.Confidential Information. You executed an Executive Employment Agreement with ReShape, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A. All provisions of the Employment Agreement that, by their terms, survive the termination of your employment will continue in full force and effect and are not negated or otherwise affected by this Agreement, including but not limited to Section 4.1: Company Remedies; Section 4.4: Governing Law/Venue; Section 4.5: Arbitration; and the Employee Proprietary Information Agreement attached to the Employment Agreement as Exhibit A and fully incorporated therein.
7.Return of ReShape Property. You acknowledge that, on or before the date you sign this Agreement, you have returned all ReShape property in your possession, including, but not limited to, all files, memoranda, documents, records, copies of the foregoing, any ReShape credit card, computer, fax machine, printer, copier, keys, access cards, and any other property of ReShape in your possession. You also acknowledge that, on or before the date you sign this Agreement, you have provided ReShape with any and all pass codes and/or personal identification numbers used by you to access the ReShape computer system, e-mail system, and/or the Internet, and/or documents or files contained on and saved in the ReShape computer system.
8.Duty to Cooperate. You agree that, beginning on the date you are presented with this Agreement, you will cooperate with ReShape with respect to the transition of your duties, the preservation of effective operations and customer service, and ReShape’s strategic and commercial initiatives. As part of your agreement to cooperate, you will provide a list identifying the status of major projects under way, pending customer interactions, the status of sale cycles with customers, the names and contact information of key contacts at customers, and any other information reasonably requested by ReShape regarding your duties and responsibilities. You further agree that, in the 30-day period following your acceptance of this Agreement you will
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periodically make yourself accessible and available during normal business hours for consultation with ReShape representatives in connection with the transition of your duties and responsibilities. You agree that such consultation may include appearing from time to time at the office of ReShape for conferences.
9.Confidentiality. You agree that the existence and terms and conditions of this Agreement shall remain confidential and that you will not disclose any information concerning the provisions of this Agreement to any person or entity, including, but not limited to, any present or former employee of ReShape. These confidentiality provisions are subject to the following exceptions: you may disclose the provisions of this Agreement to your attorneys, accountants, tax and financial advisors, and immediate family, or in the course of legal proceedings involving ReShape, or in response to a subpoena, court order, or inquiry by a government agency. You further agree that, if any information concerning the provisions of this Agreement is revealed as permitted by this section, you shall inform the recipient of the information that it is confidential, and the recipient shall agree to keep the information confidential.
10.Release. By this Agreement, you intend to settle any and all claims that you have or may have against ReShape as a result of ReShape hiring you, your employment with ReShape, and the decision to terminate your employment with ReShape. You agree that, in exchange for ReShape’s promises in this Agreement, and in exchange for the consideration provided to you by ReShape, described above in Section 2, you, on behalf of your heirs, successors and assigns, hereby release and discharge ReShape, its predecessors, successors, assigns, parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, and related companies, and their officers, directors, shareholders, agents, servants, employees, and insurers (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from all liability for damages and from all claims that you may have against the Released Parties occurring up through the date you sign this Agreement. You understand and agree that your release of claims in this Agreement includes, but is not limited to, any claims you may have under: Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988; the False Claims Act; the California Constitution; the California Labor Code (including but not limited to Sections 132a and 4553); the California Fair Employment & Housing Act; the California Government Code; the California Civil Code; the California Penal Code; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; the Civil Rights Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; the United States Constitution; or any other federal, state, or local statute, ordinance, or law.
You also agree and understand that you are giving up all other claims, whether grounded in contract or tort theories, including but not limited to: wrongful discharge; breach of contract; any claim for unpaid compensation (including, but not limited to, any claims for vacation, PTO or severance except as set forth in this Agreement, or for incentive compensation); tortious interference with contractual relations; promissory estoppel; detrimental reliance; breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; breach of express or implied promise; breach of manuals or other policies; breach of fiduciary duty; assault; battery; fraud; false imprisonment; invasion of privacy; intentional or negligent misrepresentation; defamation, including libel,
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slander, discharge defamation and self-publication defamation; discharge in violation of public policy; whistleblower; qui tam actions; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; or any other theory, whether legal or equitable.
You understand that nothing contained in this Agreement, including but not limited to this Section 10, will be interpreted to prevent you from filing a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”), or any other governmental agency, or from participating in or cooperating with an EEOC or other governmental agency investigation or proceeding. However, you agree that you are waiving the right to monetary damages or other individual legal or equitable relief awarded as a result of any such proceeding.
Nothing in this Agreement prohibits or restricts you from (i) making any disclosure of information required by law; (ii) filing a charge with, providing truthful information to, or testifying or otherwise cooperating or assisting in any investigation or proceeding brought by, any governmental agency, such as the Department of Labor, EEOC, or similar state or federal agency, or any designated legal, compliance or human resources officer designated by ReShape; or (iii) reporting an illegal act to any duly authorized law enforcement agency. However, to the maximum extent allowed by applicable law, if you file such a charge or complaint, you waive your right to recover damages or obtain personal relief of any kind with respect to the matters released by this Agreement, and you agree to assign any such monetary recovery that you may obtain despite this waiver, to ReShape.
You are not aware of any other facts, evidence, allegations, claims, liabilities, or demands relating to alleged or potential violations of law that may give rise to any claim or liability on the part of any Released Party under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the False Claims Act, the Anti-kickback Statute. You understand that nothing in this Agreement interferes with your right to file a complaint, charge or report with any law enforcement agency, with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or other regulatory body, or to participate in any manner in an SEC or other governmental investigation or proceeding under any such law, statute or regulation, or to require notification or prior approval by ReShape of any such a complaint, charge or report. You understand and agree, however, that you waive your right to recover any whistleblower award under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Sarbanes–Oxley Act of 2002, the Xxxx-Xxxxx Xxxx Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or other individual relief in any administrative or legal action whether brought by the SEC or other governmental or law enforcement agency, you, or any other party, unless and to the extent that such waiver is contrary to law. You agree that the Released Parties reserve any and all defenses which they might have against any such allegations or claims brought by you or on your behalf. You understand that ReShape is relying on your representations in this Agreement.
You agree that ReShape reserves any and all defenses, which it has or might have against any claims brought by you. This includes, but is not limited to ReShape’s right to seek available costs and attorneys’ fees as allowed by law, and to have any monetary award granted to you, if any, reduced by the amount of money that you received in consideration for this Agreement.
You understand and for valuable consideration hereby expressly waive all of the rights and benefits of Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which section reads as follows:
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A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.
11.Time to Accept. You are hereby informed that the terms of this Agreement shall be open for acceptance and execution by you through and including , during which time you may consult with an attorney and consider whether to accept this Agreement. Changes to this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the running of this acceptance period. You hereby are advised to consult with an attorney prior to signing this Agreement.
12.Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. You understand and have been advised that the above release of your claims is subject to the terms of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (“OWBPA”). The OWBPA provides that an individual cannot waive a right or claim under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) unless the waiver is knowing and voluntary. [IF A GROUP IS BEING TERMINATED UNDER THE ADEA: At the same time that you received Agreement, ReShape also provided you with information required under the OWBPA, which tells you information about the ages of other employees who were, or were not, selected to receive enhanced separation benefits. This information is set forth in Attachments A and B to this Agreement]. You agree that you have been advised of the OWBPA and agree that you are signing this Agreement voluntarily, and with full knowledge of its consequences. You understand that ReShape is giving you at least [21] [45] days from the date you received a copy of this Agreement to decide whether you want to sign it. You acknowledge that you have been advised to use this time to consult with an attorney about the effect of this Agreement. If you sign this Agreement before the end of the [21] [45] day period it will be your personal, voluntary decision to do so, and will be done with full knowledge of your legal rights. You agree that material and/or immaterial changes to this Agreement will not restart the running of this consideration period.
13.Right to Revoke and Rescind. You are hereby informed of your right to revoke your release of claims, insofar as it extends to potential claims under the ADEA, by informing ReShape of your intent to revoke your release of claims within seven (7) calendar days following your signing of this Agreement. You understand that any such revocation or rescission must be made in writing and delivered by hand or by certified mail, return receipt requested, postmarked on or before the last day within the applicable revocation period to: Chief Financial Officer, ReShape Lifesciences Inc., 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxxxxx, Xxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000.
If you exercise your right to revoke or rescind this Agreement, ReShape may, at its option, either nullify this Agreement in its entirety, or keep it in effect in all respects other than as to that portion of your release of claims that you have revoked or rescinded. You agree and understand that if ReShape chooses to nullify the Agreement in its entirety, ReShape will have no obligations under this Agreement or the Employment Agreement to you or to others whose rights derive from you.
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14.Entire Agreement. This Agreement, as well as the exhibits hereto and any agreements referenced herein, is the final, complete and exclusive agreement of the parties and sets forth the entire agreement between ReShape and you with respect to your employment by ReShape, and there are no undertakings, covenants or commitments other than as set forth herein. The Agreement may not be altered or amended, except by a writing executed by you and a member of the Board. Except as otherwise indicated, this Agreement supersedes, terminates, replaces and supplants any and all prior understandings or agreements between the parties relating in any way to you hiring or employment by ReShape.
15.Governing Law. The laws of the State of California will govern the validity, construction and performance of this Agreement, without regard to the conflict of law provisions of any other jurisdictions. If any part of this Agreement is construed to be in violation of any law, such part shall be modified to achieve the objective of the parties to the fullest extent permitted and the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. If such modification is not possible, said provision will be deemed severable from the remaining provisions of this Agreement and the balance of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
16.Remedies. To the extent that the ReShape wishes to pursue remedies against you under Section 7.1 of the Employment Agreement, you and ReShape agree that such action shall be venued in Orange County, California. For any other dispute, you and ReShape irrevocably consent that any litigation commenced or arising in connection with the interpretation or enforcement of this Agreement that has not been settled through negotiation within a period of thirty (30) days after the date on which either party shall first have notified the other party in writing of the existence of a dispute shall be settled by final and binding arbitration under the then-applicable Employment Arbitration Rules of JAMS (“JAMS”); and a court judgment on the award may be entered in any court having competent jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party shall be entitled or required to seek arbitration regarding any cause of action that would entitle such party to injunctive relief.
Any such arbitration shall be conducted by one neutral arbitrator appointed by mutual agreement of the parties or, failing such agreement, in accordance with the JAMS Rules then in effect, a copy of which is available on the JAMS website (xxxxx://xxx.xxxxxxx.xxx/xxxxx- employment-arbitration/english). The arbitrator shall be an experienced attorney with a background in employment law. Any arbitration shall be conducted in Orange County, California or as otherwise agreed by the Parties. An arbitration award may be enforced in any court of competent jurisdiction.
00.Xx Admission. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to be, and nothing will be deemed to be, an admission of liability by ReShape or you that either party has violated any state or federal statute, local ordinance or principle of common law, or that either party has engaged in any wrongdoing.
18.Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver. The waiver by either party of a breach by the other party of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement on the dates set forth below to be effective as of the date shown below.
I acknowledge and agree that I have read this Agreement in its entirety and that I agree to the conditions and obligations set forth herein. Further, I agree that I have had adequate time to consider the terms of this Agreement and that I am voluntarily entering into this Agreement with a full understanding of its meaning. I understand that I am hereby advised to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement.
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