EXHIBIT 10(xx)
April 30, 1996
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Termination Protection Agreement and Related General Release
Dear Xxxx:
On April 17 I announced my plans for retirement as well as the Board's
decision to commence an external search to find my replacement.
I recognize that your situation is different from that of others at
Xxxxxxx with respect to job security inasmuch as you have been here at Xxxxxxx
only a short while. Moreover it is always possible that the new CEO may (a)
want to hire a person to head up strategic planning and development who is to
the liking of the new CEO, or (b) the new CEO may change the strategic
direction of Xxxxxxx (even though you accepted your position with Xxxxxxx based
in part on your understanding of Xxxxxxx'x current strategic direction).
In recognition of these issues summarized in clauses (a) and (b) above,
Xxxxxxx is willing to provide you with certain financial protection as set
forth in this Termination Protection Agreement in the event either of these
situations occurs, in return for your making certain agreements as set forth
below and in return for your signing and delivering to Xxxxxxx the Agreement
and General Release attached as Exhibit A to this letter and your signing and
delivering the letter attached as Exhibit B to this letter. Subject to the
foregoing, you and Xxxxxxx agree as follows.
1. Termination on or before April 17, 2001. This Termination Protection
Agreement covers any "termination" of which the "termination date" is on or
before April 17, 2001.
2. "Termination" and "Termination Date". For purposes of this Termination
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxx -2- April 30, 1996
Protection Agreement your "termination" shall mean either of the following:
a. The actual termination of your employment by Xxxxxxx. In the
case of your "termination" as described in this section 2a, your
"termination date" will be the date your employment actually
terminates.
x. Xxxxxxx substantially changes its strategic direction from
the strategy summarized on pages 2-13 of Xxxxxxx'x Annual Report for
1995, and you terminate your Xxxxxxx employment. In the case of your
"termination" as described in this section 2b, your "termination
date" will be the date your employment actually terminates. In the
event Xxxxxxx disagrees with your opinion that Xxxxxxx'x strategic
direction has so changed it will promptly refer the matter to
Xxxxxxxx X. Xxxxx (or if he is unable to act, to the member of
Xxxxxxx'x Board of Directors who is then chair of its Audit
Committee) for final determination in his sole discretion as to
whether or not Xxxxxxx'x strategic direction has so changed.
3. Benefits Following Termination. Subject to the requirement
that on or before the 30th day following your "termination"you shall have
executed and delivered to Xxxxxxx the Agreement and General Release in the form
of Exhibit A to this letter and that not less than 7 days thereafter you shall
have signed and delivered to Xxxxxxx the letter in the form of Exhibit B to
this letter, in the event of your "termination" your "benefits" will be
continued until the first anniversary of your "termination date" (in the case
of "termination" covered by section 2b, your benefits will be continued until
the earlier of the first anniversary of your "termination date" or your having
become gainfully employed). Your "benefits" will consist of the following.
a. Monthly payments equal to your base salary, less lawful
deductions, as in effect at your "termination date". You agree that
such payments will be deemed to include any entitlement you may have
under Xxxxxxx'x vacation and severance pay policies.
b. Coverage under the medical and dental plans in which you are
enrolled on your "termination date", subject to your contributions as
if you were an employee.
c. Coverage under Xxxxxxx'x life and accidental death and
dismemberment insurance in which you are enrolled on your
"termination date", subject to your contributions as if you were an
employee.
d. Coverage under Xxxxxxx'x short-term and long-term disability
plans in which you are enrolled on your "termination date", subject
to your contributions as if you were an employee.
Xx. Xxxx X. Xxxxx -3- April 30, 1996
e. Use of the company-provided automobile, if any, which you are
using immediately prior to your "termination date".
f. Participation in the Management Incentive Plan on a prorated
basis.
g. For purposes of the Stock Option Plan you will be deemed to
be an employee until such anniversary (in the case of "termination"
covered by section 2b, until the earlier of the first anniversary of
your "termination date" or your having become gainfully employed),
whereupon your employment will be deemed to have terminated for
purposes of the Stock Option Plan. You will receive no further stock
option grants after your "termination".
h. Out placement services, if they are needed, through Drake,
Beam, Xxxxx until such anniversary.
i. For purposes of Xxxxxxx'x pension and savings plans your
employment will cease as of your "termination date".
x. Xxxxxxx will not contest your receipt of unemployment
compensation benefits.
4. Notice to Xxxxxxx of Gainful Employment. You agree to promptly advise
Xxxxxxx by faxed notice sent to Xxxxxxx'x General Counsel at 000-000-0000 if,
on or before the first anniversary of your "termination date", you become
gainfully employed.
If you are in agreement with the foregoing, please sign and return a copy
of this letter.
Sincerely yours,
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Agreed:
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-------------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
Exhibit A
Agreement and General Release
I, Xxxx X. Xxxxx, as a condition to my receiving the "benefits" provided
for in the Termination Protection Agreement (the "Termination Protection
Agreement"), dated March 25, 1998, between The Xxxxxxx Works ("Xxxxxxx") and
me, and in consideration therefor and for the performance of The Xxxxxxx Works
thereunder, agree with The Xxxxxxx Works as follows (all defined terms used
without definition have the meaning assigned to them in the Termination
Protection Agreement).
1. I understand that I would not receive the benefits specified in
sections 2a through 2j of the Termination Protection Agreement except for my
execution of this Agreement and General Release and my fulfillment of the
promises contained herein.
2. I understand that I may revoke this Agreement and General Release for a
period of 7 business days following the day I execute this Agreement and
General Release and this Agreement and General Release shall not become
effective or enforceable until the revocation period has expired. Any
revocation within this period must be submitted, in writing, to The Xxxxxxx
Works, to the attention of its General Counsel and state, "I hereby revoke my
acceptance of the Agreement and General Release." Such revocation must be
personally delivered to such General Counsel or mailed by certified or express
mail to such General Counsel at The Xxxxxxx Works, and postmarked within seven
7 business days of execution of this Agreement and General Release.
3. I, of my own free will, knowingly and voluntarily release and forever
discharge Xxxxxxx, of and from any and all actions or causes of action, suits,
claims, charges, complaints, contracts (whether oral or written, express or
implied from any source), and promises, whatsoever, in law or equity, which,
against Xxxxxxx, I, my heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and
assigns (referred to collectively throughout this Agreement as "PWR") ever had,
now have, may now have or hereafter can, shall or may have, as of my
"termination date", including all known, undisclosed and unanticipated losses,
wrongs, injuries, debts, claims, or damages to PWR, for, upon, or by reason of
any matter, cause or thing whatsoever including, but not limited to, any and
all matters arising out of my employment by Xxxxxxx or the cessation of such
employment, and including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of the
National Labor Relations Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the
Civil Rights Act of 1991, Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United
States Code, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, The Americans
with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Connecticut Human Rights and
Opportunities Law, the Connecticut Minimum Wage Law, the Connecticut Equal Pay
Law, and any other federal, state or local civil or human rights law, or any
other alleged violation of any
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local, state, or federal law, regulation or ordinance, and/or public policy,
contract or tort or common-law and any allegations for costs, fees, or other
expenses, including attorneys' fees, incurred in these matters; provided that
nothing contained herein is intended to prevent me from enforcing the terms and
conditions of this Agreement or of the Termination Protection Agreement,
pursuing claims for unemployment compensation benefits, or pursuing claims
under any retirement, savings or other employee benefit programs to the extent
that I have any accrued rights (subject to any modification thereof by the
provisions of this Agreement or of the Termination Protection Agreement)
thereunder as of my "termination date".
4. I waive my right to file any charge or complaint nor will I accept any
relief or recovery from any charge or complaint before any federal, state, or
local administrative agency against Xxxxxxx, based on any claims, demands,
suits, charges, complaints, actions, causes of action, or legal proceedings
waived or released pursuant to this Agreement and General Release, except as
such waiver is prohibited by law. I further waive all rights to file any action
before any federal, state, or local court against Xxxxxxx based on any claims,
demands, suits, charges, complaints, actions, causes of action, or legal
proceedings waived or released pursuant to this Agreement and General Release.
I confirm that no such charge, complaint, or action exists in any forum or
form. Except as prohibited by law, in the event that any such claim is filed,
it shall be dismissed with prejudice upon presentation hereof and I shall
reimburse Xxxxxxx for the costs, including reasonable attorneys' fees, of
defending any such action.
5. I agree not only to release Xxxxxxx from any and all claims as stated
above which I could make on my own behalf, but also those which may be made by
any other person or organization on my behalf. I specifically waive any right
to become, and promise not to become, a member of any class in a case in which
a claim or claims against Xxxxxxx are made involving any events up to and
including my "termination date", except where such waiver is prohibited by law.
I further waive any right voluntarily to assist in any way any individual or
entity in commencing or prosecuting any action or proceeding including, but not
limited to, any administrative agency claims, charges, or complaints and/or any
lawsuit against Xxxxxxx, or in any way to participate or cooperate voluntarily
in any such action or proceeding.
6. With respect to any secret or confidential information obtained by me
during my employment at Xxxxxxx, except with the prior written agreement of
Xxxxxxx, as required by law, or as may be necessary to defend myself in a legal
proceeding (I agree to make every reasonable effort to have any such
information covered by a protective order of confidentiality before any such
disclosure not covered by the prior written agreement of Xxxxxxx), I will not
disclose or use for any purpose any such secret or confidential information.
For purposes hereof, secret or confidential information shall include, but not
be limited to, any process, technique, formula, recipe, drawing, apparatus,
method for or result of cost calculation, result of any investigation or
experiment made by or on behalf of Xxxxxxx, and any sales, production,
strategic, or other competitive information, acquired by me during the course
of my employment by Xxxxxxx and all other information that Xxxxxxx itself does
not disclose to the public.
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I further agree that any work, design, discovery, invention, or
improvement conceived, made, developed, or received by me during the period of
my employment with Xxxxxxx, which relates to the actual or anticipated (as of
my "termination date") business, operations, or research of Xxxxxxx, including
but not limited to any process, art, machine, manufacture, materials, or
composition of matter, which could be manufactured or used by Xxxxxxx, whether
patentable or not, is the sole and exclusive property of Xxxxxxx. The terms
invention and improvement as used herein, in addition to their customary
meaning, shall mean creative concepts and ideas relating to advertising,
marketing, promotional, and sales activities.
I further state that I have assigned or hereby do assign to Xxxxxxx or its
designee all right, title, and interest in any or to any idea, work, design,
discovery, invention, or improvement made or created during my employment at
Xxxxxxx and to any application for letters patent or for trademark registration
made thereon, and to any common law or statutory copyright therein. I further
agree that I will cooperate with Xxxxxxx in order to enable it to secure any
patent, trademark, copyright, or other property right therefor in the United
States or any foreign country, and any division, renewal, continuation, or
continuation-in-part thereof, or for any reissue of any patent issued thereon.
I also agree that Xxxxxxx has all rights to, possession of, and all title
in and to, all electronic files, papers, documents, and drawings, including
copies thereof, which I may have originated or which came into my possession
during my employment with Xxxxxxx and which related to the business of Xxxxxxx,
regardless of whether such electronic files, papers, documents, and drawings
are kept at my office, at my home, or somewhere else, without retaining any
copies thereof.
7. I agree that I shall not make any disparaging remarks or demeaning
comment, of any kind or nature, regarding Xxxxxxx or any of its officers,
directors, agents, or employees.
8. I agree not to disclose any information regarding the substance of this
Agreement and General Release. Notwithstanding this agreement of
non-disclosure, I may disclose the substance of this Agreement and General
Release to my spouse, my children, my accountant, and other financial advisers,
and to my attorney or other person with whom I choose to consult concerning the
execution of this Agreement and General Release (I agree that I will obtain for
the benefit of Xxxxxxx the agreement of any such person not to disclose such
substance); and I may disclose this Agreement and General Release in connection
with any claim I may file for unemployment compensation benefits, to defend
myself in a legal proceeding, or as otherwise required by law (I agree to make
every reasonable effort to have this Agreement and General Release covered by a
protective order of confidentiality before any such disclosure is made in
connection with any such defense, or any such requirement of law).
9. I shall not apply in the future for any employment with Xxxxxxx.
10. This Agreement and General Release is made in the State of Connecticut
and shall
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be interpreted under the laws of such state. If any portion of this Agreement
and General Release is declared illegal or unenforceable by any court of
competent jurisdiction and cannot be modified to be enforceable, including the
general release language, such portion shall immediately become null and void,
leaving the remainder of this Agreement and General Release in full force and
effect. However, if in any proceeding it is asserted by me or anyone else on my
behalf and with my approval that any portion of the general release language of
paragraphs 3, 4, or 5 is unenforceable and any portion of such language is, in
fact, ruled to be unenforceable in such proceeding for any reason, I shall
return to Xxxxxxx the consideration paid by Xxxxxxx under the Termination
Protection Agreement.
11. I agree that neither this Agreement and General Release nor the
furnishing of the consideration for this Agreement and General Release shall be
deemed or construed at any time for any purpose as an admission by Xxxxxxx of
any liability or unlawful conduct of any kind.
12. This Agreement and General Release may not be modified, altered, or
changed except upon express written consent of both Xxxxxxx and me wherein
specific reference is made to this Agreement and General Release.
13. This Agreement and General Release, together with the Termination
Protection Agreement, sets forth the entire agreement between Xxxxxxx and me
and fully supersedes any prior agreements or understandings between us.
I HAVE READ AND FULLY CONSIDERED THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AND I
AM DESIROUS OF ENTERING INTO THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE. THE TERMS OF
THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE ARE THE PRODUCT OF MUTUAL NEGOTIATION AND
COMPROMISE BETWEEN XXXXXXX AND ME AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS AGREEMENT AND
GENERAL RELEASE SETTLES, BARS, AND WAIVES CLAIMS THAT I HAVE OR COULD POSSIBLY
HAVE AGAINST XXXXXXX. I HAVE BEEN AFFORDED AT LEAST 21 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS
AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE AND HAVE BEEN ADVISED IN WRITING TO CONSULT WITH
AN ATTORNEY PRIOR TO EXECUTION OF THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE. HAVING
ELECTED TO EXECUTE THIS AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE, TO FULFILL THE PROMISES
SET FORTH HEREIN, AND TO RECEIVE THEREBY THE SUMS AND BENEFITS SET FORTH IN
PARAGRAPHS 2a THROUGH 2j OF THE TERMINATION PROTECTION
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AGREEMENT, I FREELY AND KNOWINGLY, AND AFTER DUE CONSIDERATION, ENTER INTO THIS
AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE INTENDING TO WAIVE, SETTLE, AND RELEASE CLAIMS I
HAVE OR MIGHT HAVE AGAINST XXXXXXX.
---------------------
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
-----------------------
Date
Signed and sworn before me this day of .
---------------------------------
(Notary Public)
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Exhibit B
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
----------------------
Date
Xx. Xxxxxxx X. Xxxxxx
Vice President and General Counsel
The Xxxxxxx Works
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxxxxx, XX 00000
Agreement and General Release
Dear Xxxxx:
On , I executed an Agreement and General Release in favor of
The Xxxxxxx Works. I was advised by The Xxxxxxx Works, in writing, to consult
with an attorney of my choosing prior to executing such Agreement and General
Release.
More than 7 days have elapsed since I executed such Agreement and General
Release. I have at no time revoked my acceptance or execution of such Agreement
and General Release and I reaffirm my acceptance of such Agreement and General
Release. Therefore, in accordance with the terms of such Agreement and General
Release, I request payment of the benefits described in paragraphs 2a through
2j of the Termination Protection Agreement referred to therein.
Very truly yours,
Xxxx X. Xxxxx
