SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND FULL AND FINAL RELEASE
EXHIBIT
10.2
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND
FULL AND FINAL RELEASE
This
agreement is made, by and between Xxxxx Xxxxxxxxxxxx (“You” or “Executive”) and
Hooker Furniture Corporation (“Employer”) (each a “Party” and collectively, the
“Parties”) (the “Agreement”).
Reasons for
Agreement
1.
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Executive’s
employment has been terminated without cause by Employer effective
November 30, 2009, thereby discontinuing any employer/employee
relationship between the Employer and
Executive.
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2.
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This
Agreement is designed to provide Executive with additional benefits above
and beyond the benefits he is already entitled to receive prior to and
upon his termination in exchange for the consideration from Executive, as
specified below.
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Terms of the
Agreement
1.
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Termination
Date. Your termination date will be November 30, 2009
(“Termination Date”). For purpose of the Consolidated Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act (“COBRA”), 29 U.S.C. § 1161 et seq., your
Termination Date shall serve as the “qualifying event” for the purpose of
any rights you might have under
COBRA.
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2.
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Special Severance
Benefits. Employer agrees to provide you with the
following benefits following your termination of
employment:
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a.
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Employer
will continue to pay you your normal salary, as of your Termination Date,
less required and authorized withholdings and deductions, for a period of
two months ($ 41,666.66). The salary continuation payments will
be made to you no later than January 15, 2010. The salary
continuation payments described in this sub-paragraph are compensation to
which you would not otherwise be entitled except under the terms of this
Agreement with Employer.
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b.
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In
addition to the two-month salary continuation payments described above,
Employer will waive the service vesting requirements under your Deferred
Bonus Agreement though January 31, 2010, thereby entitling you to receive
a payment of $50,000 on January 31, 2010 and a payment of $33,334 on
January 30, 2011. The $33,334 payment on January 30, 2011 shall
be expressly conditioned on your compliance with the requirements of
Paragraph 8 of this Agreement. Failure to comply with the
requirements of that paragraph will cause you to forfeit your right to
that payment.
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c.
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You
are entitled (in accordance with the provisions of the plan) to your
interest in the Company’s 401(k) Plan; please contact Fidelity Investments
at 800-835-5097 for instructions on distribution or rollover
options.
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3.
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Employee’s
Release. In consideration for the Special Severance
Benefits set forth above in Paragraph 2, and other consideration set forth
in this Agreement, you agree, on behalf of yourself, heirs, descendants,
executors, administrators, assigns and successors, to waive, release,
covenant not to xxx, and forever discharge Employer, its parents,
subsidiaries, affiliates, owners, trustees, officers, directors,
attorneys, agents, employees, shareholders, and each of them individually
or collectively (“Released Parties”), from any and all claims, known or
unknown, liquidated or unliquidated, that you may have relating to or
arising out of your employment with Employer and termination thereof as of
the effective date of this Agreement (the
“Release”).
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This
Release includes, but is not limited to, any claims of wrongful discharge,
breach of express or implied contract, claims for wages, commissions or
expenses, fraud, misrepresentation, defamation, slander and libel, liability in
tort, claims of any kind that may be brought in any court or administrative
agency, any claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and 1991, as
amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee
Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985, Sections 1981 and 1983 of Title 42 of the United
States Code, the National Labor Relations Act, as amended, the Immigration
Reform and Control Act, as amended, the Workers Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act, as amended, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, as
amended, or any other federal, state or local law relating to your employment,
employee benefits or the termination of your employment.
Except to
the extent such agreement is prohibited by applicable law or regulation,
Executive agrees that if he attempts to avoid or set aside the terms of the
Agreement or if any Released Party successfully asserts the Agreement as a
defense or bar to any suit or claim asserted by Executive, Executive shall be
liable for reimbursing the Released Party for its reasonable costs and
attorneys’ fees in defending against such claims or asserting such
defense. Should any third party bring any action or claim against a
Released Party on Executive’s behalf, Executive acknowledges and agrees that the
Agreement provides him with full relief and he will not accept any additional
relief. If the release of any one claim described herein is found
invalid, Executive acknowledges and agrees that such invalidity has no affect on
the validity of any other release of claim.
4.
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Special Release
Notification. Paragraph 3 includes a release of all
claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”) and,
therefore, pursuant to the requirements of the ADEA, you acknowledge and
understand the following: (a) you have been advised that this release
includes, but is not limited to, all claims under the ADEA arising up to
and including the date of execution of this release; (b) that you have
been advised to consult with an attorney and/or other advisor of your
choosing concerning your rights and obligations under this release; (c)
that you have been advised to consider fully this release before executing
it; (d) that you have been offered ample time and opportunity, in excess
of twenty-one days, to do so; and (e) that this release shall become
effective and enforceable seven days following your execution of this
Agreement (the “Effective Date”), during which seven day period you may
revoke your acceptance of this Agreement by delivering written notice to
Xxxx Xxxxxxxx, Vice President of Human Resources, at Hooker Furniture
Corporation, X.X. Xxx 0000, Xxxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx
00000.
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5.
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No Other
Payments. Executive understands and agrees that Employer
and the other Released Parties shall neither make nor cause to be made any
other payments him, his beneficiaries or dependents, or otherwise on his
behalf, except as specifically referenced herein. Executive
represents and warrants that he has not assigned to any person any of the
claims released herein.
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6.
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Taxes. To
the extent any taxes may be due on the payments provided in this Agreement
beyond any withheld (including, without limitation, any taxes due under
Code Section 409A), Executive agrees to pay such taxes and to indemnify
and hold Employer and its agents and affiliates harmless for any tax
payments owed, interest, penalties, levies or assessments resulting from
the payments provided hereunder or from any failure by you to pay such
taxes, interest, penalties, levies or
assessments.
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7.
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Company
Property. Executive acknowledges that you have returned
or will return on or before the Termination Date to Employer all property
of the Employer. For purposes of this paragraph, “property of
the Employer” includes, but is not limited to, keys, corporate credit
cards, equipment, books, supplies, computer programs, originals and copies
of all corporate documents, including financial records and information,
and any other materials, whether prepared by you or by others, but
excludes anything owned by you
individually.
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8.
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Non-Disparagement. The
Parties agree that they will not in any way disparage, make statements or
take action that could discredit each other or in any way damage their
respective reputations or ability to do business. Executive
understands and agrees that Employer is unable to guarantee compliance
with this provision by all employees of Employer, but Employer will take
reasonable steps to ensure that all upper management of Hooker Furniture
Corporation and its subsidiaries have been informed of and will comply
with this non-disparagement provision. A violation of this
provision constitutes a material breach of the terms of this Agreement and
voids any compensation or benefits provided under the terms of this
Agreement.
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Additionally,
you agree not to interfere with Employer’s property or employees in any
manner. A breach of the terms of this paragraph also would constitute
a material breach of this Agreement, and would void any compensation or benefits
provided under the terms of this Agreement.
9.
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No
admission. You understand and agree that Employer has
admitted no liability or obligation to provide any of the consideration
contemplated herein.
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10.
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Severability and
Consequences of Invalid Terms. Should any portion or
provision of this Agreement be found void or unenforceable for any reason
by a Court of competent jurisdiction, the Court should enforce all
portions and provisions of this Agreement to the maximum extent which
would have been enforceable in the original Agreement. If such
portion or provision cannot be so modified to be enforceable, the
unenforceable portion shall be deemed severed from the remaining portions
and provisions of this Agreement, which shall otherwise remain in full
force and effect. If any portion or provision of this Agreement
is so found to be void or unenforceable for any reason in regard of any
one or more persons, entities, or subject matters, such portion or
provision shall remain in full force and effect with respect to all other
persons, entities, and subject
matters.
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11.
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Complete
Agreement. This Agreement represents the complete
agreement between Executive and Employer regarding Executive’s employment
and separation of employment and supersedes any prior existent agreements,
whether oral or written. Notwithstanding the foregoing, this
Agreement is not intended to void any common law duties including, but not
limited to, duties or obligations to maintain confidentiality or refrain
from adverse use of any of Employer’s trade secrets or other confidential
information that you may have acquired in the course of your
employment.
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12.
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Governing Law and
Interpretation. This Agreement shall in all respects be
interpreted, enforced, and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of
Virginia. The language of this Agreement shall be construed as
a whole, according to its fair meaning, and shall not be construed
strictly for or against either of the
parties.
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13.
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Understanding and
Authority. The Parties understand and agree that all
terms of this Agreement are contractual and are not a mere recital, and
represent and warrant that they are competent to covenant and agree as
herein provided. You understand, agree and represent that the
covenants made herein and the releases herein executed may affect rights
and liabilities of substantial extent and agrees that the covenants and
releases provided herein are in your best interest. You
represent and warrant that in negotiating and executing this Agreement,
you have had an opportunity to consult with competent legal counsel of
your choosing concerning the meaning and effect of each term and provision
hereof, and that there are no representations, promises, or agreements
between Employer and you other than those referenced or expressly set
forth in writing herein. The Parties have carefully read this
Agreement in its entirety, fully understand and agree to its terms and
provisions, and intend and agree that it be final and
binding.
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14.
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Counterparts;
Headings. This Agreement may be executed in a number of
identical counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original for all
purposes. The paragraph headings in this Agreement are for
reference and convenience only, and shall not modify or effect its
substantive terms.
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DELIVERED
TO EXECUTIVE ON OCTOBER 28, 2009.
EXECUTIVE
/s/ Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Date:
11-09-09
Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxxx
HOOKER
FURNITURE COPORATION
By: /s/ E. Xxxxx
Xxxxx Date: 11-10-09
Title: Executive
V.P.