CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.3
CHANGE OF CONTROL EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and (the “Executive”), dated as of the day of , 20 .
The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive, notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control (as defined below) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of Control and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions.
(a) The “Effective Date” shall be the first date during the Protection Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a Change of Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the “Effective Date” shall mean the date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The “Protection Period” shall be the period commencing on the date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided, however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal Date”), the Protection Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Protection Period shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a “Change of Control” shall mean:
(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) (a “Person”) of beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under
the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the “Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (the “Outstanding Company Voting Securities”); provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company, (ii) any acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant to a transaction which complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) Individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or consolidation or sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, the acquisition of assets of another corporation, a statutory share exchange or other similar transactions (a “Corporate Transaction”), in each case, unless, following such Corporate Transaction, (i) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction (including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Corporate Transaction of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction or the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to the Corporate Transaction and (iii) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation resulting from such Corporate Transaction were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or at the time of the action of the Board, providing for such Corporate Transaction; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
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3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive in its employ or the employ of one of its subsidiaries, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in such employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of such date (the “Employment Period”).
4. Terms of Employment.
(a) Position and Duties.
(i) During the Employment Period, (A) the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive’s services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office or location less than 35 miles from the Executive’s primary residence immediately prior to any relocation.
Such position, authority, duties and responsibilities shall be regarded as not commensurate and as inconsistent and result in a diminution for purposes of Section 5(c)(i) if, as a result of a Change of Control, (I), the Company becomes a direct or indirect subsidiary of another corporation or becomes controlled, directly or indirectly, by an unincorporated entity (such ultimate parent corporation or unincorporated entity is hereinafter referred to as a “parent company”), or (II) all or substantially all of the assets of the Company are acquired by another corporation or corporations or unincorporated entity or entities owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by another corporation or unincorporated entity (such ultimate parent corporation or unincorporated entity is also hereinafter referred to as a “parent company”), unless, in each of (I) and (II), (x) Section 12 (c) of this Agreement shall have been complied with by any such parent company and (y) the Executive shall have assumed a position with such parent company and the Executive’s position, authority, duties and responsibilities with such parent company are at least commensurate in all material respects with the most significant of those held, exercised and assigned with the Company at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date, or (III) the Company becomes owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by more than one other corporation and/or unincorporated entity, as the case may be, which are not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a single parent company or (IV) more than one unrelated corporation or unincorporated entity acquires a significant portion of the assets of the Corporation and such unrelated corporations or unincorporated entities, as the case may be, are not owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by a single parent company.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal
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investments, so long as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation.
(i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base Salary”), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to time as shall be substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the ordinary course of business to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies” shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common control with the Company.
(ii) Incentive Awards. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual incentive award (the “Annual Incentive Award”) and a long-term incentive award (the “Long-Term Cash Incentive Award” and together with the Annual Incentive Award, the “Incentive Awards”) in cash at least equal to the average annualized (for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to which the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full months) annual incentive award and long-term cash incentive award, respectively, paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the three fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date occurs (together, the “Recent Incentive Awards”); provided, however, that for any year of such three-year period in which the actual incentive awards were less than the target level of such incentive awards, then the target levels of such incentive awards shall be used for purposes of the foregoing formula. Each such Annual Incentive Award and Long-Term Cash Incentive Award shall be paid no later than two and one-half months after the fiscal year for which the Annual Incentive Award or the Long-Term Cash Incentive Award, as the case may be, is awarded, unless the Executive shall elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Incentive Award or Long-Term Cash Incentive Award, which deferrals shall be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
(iii) Profit Sharing, Thrift, Savings and Pension Plans. In addition to Annual Base Salary and Incentive Awards payable as hereinabove provided, the Executive shall
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be entitled to participate during the Employment Period in all profit sharing, thrift, savings and pension plans, practices, policies and programs generally applicable to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the Executive with profit sharing opportunities (measured with respect to both regular and special profit sharing opportunities), thrift opportunities, savings opportunities and pension benefits opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental, disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent generally applicable to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies, but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vi) Perquisites. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to perquisites in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as provided at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
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(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment.
(a) Death or Disability. The Executive’s employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of “Disability” set forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in accordance with Section 13(b) of this Agreement of its intention to terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time performance of the Executive’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” means the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with the Company on a substantially full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withheld unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than three-quarters of the entire membership of the
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Board at a meeting of the Board or, if the Company is not the ultimate parent corporation of its affiliated companies and is not publicly-traded, the ultimate parent of the Company (excluding the Executive, if the Executive is a member of such board) at a meeting of such board called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the applicable board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason; Window Period. The Executive’s employment may be terminated (i) during the Employment Period by the Executive for Good Reason or (ii) during the Window Period by the Executive for any reason or for no reason. For purposes of this Agreement, the “Window Period” shall mean that 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of the Effective Date. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good Reason” shall mean
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Executive’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities (whether or not occurring solely as a result of the Company’s ceasing to be a publicly traded entity), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company’s requiring the Executive (i) to be based at any office or location other than that described in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof, (ii) to be based at a location other than the principal executive offices of the Company if the Executive was employed at such location immediately preceding the Effective Date, or (iii) to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company or any successor to comply with and satisfy Section 12(c) of this Agreement, provided that such successor has received at least ten days prior written notice from the Company or the Executive of the requirements of Section 12(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of “Good Reason” made by the Executive shall be conclusive. The Executive’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described in above clauses (i) through (v) shall not affect the Executive’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason.
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(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 13(b) of this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than fifteen days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause, as the case may be, shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Executive’s or the Company’s rights hereunder.
(e) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean (i) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive during the Window Period or for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause, Disability or death, the Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good Reason or during the Window Period; Other than for Cause or Disability. If, during the Employment Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment either for Good Reason or during the Window Period, the Company shall have the following obligations.
(i) The Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the following amounts:
(A) the amount equal to the product of (x) three and (y) the sum of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary and the Executive’s Highest Incentive Award; provided, however, that such amount shall be paid in lieu of, and the Executive hereby waives the right to receive, any other amount of severance relating to salary or bonus continuation to be received by the Executive upon such termination of employment under any severance plan, policy or arrangement of the Company; and
(B) the amount equal to the sum of: (x) the product of (I) the maximum Annual Incentive Award that would have been available to the Executive under the applicable incentive plans of the Company and the policies and procedures thereunder for the fiscal year of the Company in which the Change of Control occurs or, if greater, the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs and (II) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is 365; and (y) the product of (I) the maximum
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Long-Term Cash Incentive Award that would have been available to the Executive under the applicable incentive plans of the Company and the policies and procedures thereunder for performance cycles outstanding as of the Date of Termination and (II) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the applicable Long-Term Cash Incentive Award cycle through the Date of Termination, and the denominator of which is the number of days in such cycle; and
(C) the amount of the Executive’s Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid and the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive (together with any accrued interest thereon) and not yet paid by the Company and any accrued vacation pay of the Executive not yet paid by the Company.
For purposes of this Agreement, the aggregate of the amounts described in clauses (A), (B) and (C) of this Section 6(a) shall hereafter be referred to as the “Special Termination Amount” and the term “Highest Annual Award” shall mean the greater of (1) the sum of the Annual Incentive Award and the Long-Term Cash Incentive Award paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the Executive (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or for which the Executive has been employed for less than twelve full months) for the most recently completed fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any, and (2) the Recent Incentive Awards. The sum of the amounts described in clauses (B) and (C) of this Section 6(a) shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Accrued Obligations”.
(ii) For three years after the Date of Termination, or such longer period as may be provided by the terms of the applicable plan, program, practice or policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and, where applicable, the Executive’s family at least equal to those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive’s employment had not been terminated in accordance with the most favorable plans, practices, programs or policies of the Company and its affiliated companies generally applicable to other peer executives and their families during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families (for purposes of determining eligibility of the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices, programs and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until the end of the Employment Period and to have retired on the last day of such period); provided, however, that with respect to medical benefits, the Company shall continue, for the lifetime of the Executive, medical benefits for the Executive and the Executive’s family no less favorable than the medical benefits provided to the Executive under the Tupperware Brands Corporation Benefits Plan (or any successor plan thereto) during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect at any time thereafter generally with respect to any other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families; and, provided, further, that, in the event the Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive medical or other welfare benefits under any employer provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall not be provided by the Company during such applicable period of eligibility, but shall resume if such period of eligibility shall terminate.
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(iii) To the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”).
(iv) The Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be selected by the Executive in the Executive’s sole discretion, provided that the cost of such outplacement shall not exceed $50,000.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(a), to the extent required in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, amounts and benefits to be paid or provided under this Section 6(a) shall be paid or provided to the Executive on the first business day after the date that is six months following the Date of Termination. To the extent that the benefits to be provided to the Executive under Section 6(a)(ii) are so delayed, the Executive shall be entitled to COBRA continuation coverage under Section 4980B of the Code (“COBRA Coverage”) during such period of delay, and the Company shall reimburse the Executive for any Company portions of such COBRA Coverage in the seventh month following the Date of Termination,
(b) Death. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other than the payment by the Company of the Special Termination Amount, provided however, that the amount of such payment determined under Section 6(a)(i)(A) shall be adjusted as follows. The amount set forth in clause (A) shall be offset in all cases by the basic life insurance benefit paid or payable in respect of the Executive’s death and, in addition, if the death occurs after the one year anniversary following the Change of Control, it shall be offset by the amount of any salary payments made to the Executive for any periods of employment following the Change of Control. The Special Termination Amount shall be paid to the Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive’s family shall be entitled to receive benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided generally by the Company and any of its affiliated companies to surviving families of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to family death benefits, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect on the date of the Executive’s death generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families.
(c) Disability. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s Disability during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than the payment by the Company of the Special Termination Amount. The Special Termination Amount shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall be entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive
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disability and other benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their families at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at any time thereafter through the Date of Termination generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies and their families. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), to the extent required in order to comply with Section 409A of the Code, amounts and benefits to be paid or provided under this Section 6(c) shall be paid or provided to the Executive on the first business day after the date that is six months following the Date of Termination.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason or during the Window Period. If the Executive’s employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination plus the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the Executive, in each case to the extent theretofore unpaid. If the Executive terminates employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination either for Good Reason or without any reason during the Window Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for the Accrued Obligations, all of which such Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
(e) Rabbi Trust. In the event that the Executive becomes entitled to benefits under Section 6(a) or (c) of this Agreement, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fund a rabbi trust immediately prior to the Change of Control or the applicable Date of Termination in an amount equal to 100 percent of the maximum aggregate benefits payable to the Executive under such Section 6(a) or (c) and any estimated Gross-Up Payment as provided for under Section 9 of this Agreement.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Except as explicitly modified or otherwise explicitly provided by this Agreement, (i) nothing in this Agreement shall prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future participation in any benefit, bonus, incentive or other plans, programs, policies or practices provided by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may have under any other agreements with the Company or any of its affiliated companies and (ii) amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program except as explicitly modified by this Agreement.
8. Full Settlement. The Company’s obligation to make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement and, except as provided in
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Section 6(d)(ii) of this Agreement, such amounts shall not be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company agrees to pay, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest (regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section 7872(f)(2)(A) of the Code.
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be determined that as a result, directly or indirectly, of any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise (a “Payment”), the Executive would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to promptly receive an additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, but excluding any income taxes on the Payment, the Executive is in the same after-tax position as if no Excise Tax had been imposed upon the Executive.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether or when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by the accounting firm of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (the “Accounting Firm”) which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm’s determination. If the Accounting Firm determines that no Excise Tax is payable by the Executive, it shall furnish the Executive with a written opinion that failure to report the Excise Tax on the Executive’s applicable federal income tax return would not result in the imposition of a negligence or similar penalty. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is required
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to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive knows of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and,
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either pay the tax claimed to the appropriate taxing authority on behalf of the Executive and direct the Executive to xxx for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the Company pays such claim and directs the Executive to xxx for a refund, the Company shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such payment or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such payment; and further provided that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control
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of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of a Gross-Up Payment or payment by the Company of an amount on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to the Excise Tax to which such Gross-Up Payment relates or with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Company’s complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after payment by the Company of an amount on the Executive’s behalf pursuant to Section 9(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then the amount of such payment shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 9, the Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold and pay over to the Internal Revenue Service or any other applicable taxing authority, for the benefit of the Executive, all or any portion of any Gross-Up Payment, and the Executive hereby consents to such withholding.
10. Confidential Information. The Executive shall hold in a fiduciary capacity for the benefit of the Company all secret or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company or any of its affiliated companies, and their respective businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Executive during the Executive’s employment by the Company or any of its affiliated companies and which shall not be or become public knowledge (other than by acts by the Executive or representatives of the Executive in violation of this Agreement). After termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company, the Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company or as may otherwise be required by law or legal process, communicate or divulge any such information, knowledge or data to anyone other than the Company and those designated by it. In no event shall an asserted violation of the provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Section 409A. If any compensation or benefits provided by this Agreement may result in the application of Section 409A of the Code, the Company shall, in consultation with the Executive, modify the Agreement in the least restrictive manner necessary in order to, where applicable, (a) exclude such compensation from the definition of “deferred compensation” within the meaning of such Section 409A or (b) comply with the provisions of Section 409A, other applicable provision(s) of the Code and/or any rules, regulations or other regulatory guidance issued under such statutory provisions and to make such modifications, in each case, without any diminution in the value of the payments to the Executive.
12. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or by application of the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Executive’s legal representatives.
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(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place. As used in this Agreement, “Company” shall mean the Company as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of law, or otherwise.
13. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
If to the Executive:
_____________________________
c/o Tupperware Brands Corporation
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
If to the Company:
TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION
00000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000
Attention: General Counsel
Mailing Address:
X.X. Xxx 0000
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx 00000-0000
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.
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(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such Federal, state or local taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive’s or the Company’s failure to insist upon strict compliance with any provision hereof shall not be deemed to be a waiver of such provision or any other provision of this Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is “at will” and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, may be terminated by either the Executive or the Company at any time. Moreover, if prior to the Effective Date, the Executive’s employment with the Company terminates, then the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. From and after the Effective Date this Agreement shall supersede any other agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive’s hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of the day and year first above written.
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| (Executive) | ||
| TUPPERWARE BRANDS CORPORATION | ||
| By |
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