EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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Exhibit 10.7
THIS AGREEMENT is made and entered into as of the 1st day of June, 2006 by and between Xxxxxxxx.xxx Inc. (the "Company") and Xxxx Xxxxxx (the "Employee").
WHEREAS the Company wishes to employ Employee and desires to enter into an agreement (the "Agreement") embodying the terms of such employment;
AND WHEREAS Employee has accepted such employment on the basis of the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;
IN CONSIDERATION of the recitals and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:
- 1.
- Employment:
- (a)
- The
Company hereby employs Employee and Employee hereby accepts employment with the Company for the term of this Agreement set forth in Section 2 below, in a position and with
the duties and responsibilities set forth in Section 3 below, and upon all other terms and conditions in this Agreement set forth.
- (b)
- Employee
shall be headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, provided that Employee shall render such services within and outside of Canada, as shall from time to time be necessary for
the performance of his duties hereunder.
- 2.
- Term:
- (a)
- The
term of Employee's employment pursuant to this Agreement (the "term") shall begin on June 1, 2006 and shall continue for an indefinite period, subject to the
provisions of this Agreement providing for termination of Employee's employment in certain circumstances.
- 3.
- Position,
Responsibilities:
- (a)
- It
is intended that at all times during the term of this Agreement, Employee shall serve as the Chief Technology Officer of the Company with responsibility for performing such duties
for the Company and its subsidiaries as Employee shall reasonably be directed to perform by the Company's President and board of directors.
- (b)
- Throughout the term of this Agreement, Employee shall devote a substantial amount of his full business time and attention to the business and affairs of the Company, except for vacations and except for illness or incapacity. In addition, nothing in this Agreement shall preclude Employee from devoting reasonable periods required for serving, as appropriate, on boards of directors of other corporations, from engaging in charitable and public service activities, and from managing his personal investments, provided such activities do not materially interfere with the performance of his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
- 4.
- Salary: For
services rendered by Employee during the term of this Agreement, Employee shall be paid a base salary payable monthly, at an
annual rate of CAD$137,800 during the first year of the term, subject, during the second and the third years of the term and for subsequent years, if any, to annual review and increase at the sole
discretion of the board of directors of the Company, taking into account, among other things, individual performance and general business conditions.
- 5.
- Additional
Compensation: Employee shall also receive additional compensation during the term of this Agreement as follows:
- (a)
- An
amount equal to 2.5% of annual base salary, payable quarterly, not to exceed 10% in any fiscal year, if the downtime for the Company's services, as set out in the Company's
standard services agreement, does not exceed .16% in each of the three months in a fiscal quarter as confirmed by the President or Chief Executive Officer; and
- (b)
- An
amount equal to 10% of annual base salary, not to exceed 10% in any fiscal year, payable annually no later than the March 31 date immediately following the Assessment
Date, if:
- (i)
- a
new service ("New Service") is made available to Company's customers or Company's customers' customers ("End-Users"),
- (ii)
- Employee
was responsible for overseeing the development and delivery of the New Service, and
- (iii)
- the
Adoption Rate (as defined below) for the New Service is no less than 2%.
- (A)
- "Adoption
Rate" means the percentage calculated as follows:
- (a)
- total number of End-Users that use the New Service on the Assessment Date (as defined below)
- (b)
- total
number of Hosted Websites (as defined below).
- (B)
- "Assessment
Date" means the date that is 12 months following the Launch Date (as defined below)
- (C)
- "Hosted Websites" means the total number of websites, (excluding parked websites, domain forwards and email accounts), that are hosted on Company's computer servers, on the date that is 1 day immediately preceding the Launch Date.
divided by
2
- (D)
- "Launch
Date" means the date that the New Service is first made available to Company's customers for delivery or sale to End-Users.
- 6.
- Business
Expenses: Employee will be reimbursed for all reasonable expenses incurred by him in connection with the conduct of the Company's
business upon presentation of sufficient evidence of such expenditures provided such expenditures are deductible to the Company for tax purposes or are authorized expenditures pursuant to policies
adopted by the board of directors of the Company from time to time.
- 7.
- Benefits
and Vacation:
- (a)
- Employee
will be entitled to participate in all employee benefit programs of the Company from time to time in effect under the terms and conditions of such programs, including, but
not limited to, pension and other retirement plans, group life insurance, hospitalization and surgical and major medical coverages, dental insurance, sick leave, including salary continuation
arrangements, long-term disability, and such other fringe benefits as are or may be available from time to time to employees of the Company.
- (b)
- The
Company may obtain a key-man life insurance policy covering Employee for the benefit of Employee or the Company in such amount as the Company considers appropriate,
and Employee hereby agrees to take all necessary actions to facilitate the issuance and maintenance of such insurance policy.
- (c)
- Employee
shall be entitled to all usual public holidays and, in addition, to three weeks paid vacation during each year of Employee's employment hereunder. Such vacation shall be
utilized by Employee at such time or times as do not materially interfere with the ongoing conduct of the Company's business and operations.
- 8.
- Termination
of Employment:
- (a)
- Death. In
the event of the death of Employee during the term of this Agreement, Employee's salary will be paid to Employee's designated
beneficiary, and in the absence of such designation, to the estate or other legal representative of Employee, through the end of the month in which death occurs. Rights and benefits of Employee under
employee benefit plans and programs of the Company, including life insurance, will be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plans and programs.
- (b)
- Disability. Employee's employment shall terminate automatically upon written notice from the Company in the event of Employee's absence or inability to render the services required hereunder due to disability, illness, incapacity or otherwise for an aggregate of 60 days during any one year period, in accordance with Section 8(c) below. Prior to termination of Employment, in the event of any such absence or inability, Employee shall be entitled to receive the compensation provided for herein for the first 30 days thereof, whereafter Employee shall be entitled to receive compensation in accordance with the Company's long-term disability plan together with such compensation, if any, as may be determined by the board of directors of the Company.
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- (c)
- Termination
by the Company Other Than for Cause. In the event of termination by the Company of Employee employment hereunder other than for
cause, Employee shall be entitled to continued salary payments, payable monthly, for a period equal to the greater of i) 26 weeks, and ii) 2 weeks multiplied by the number
of years employed by the Company ("Severance Period"), following such termination (notwithstanding that the balance of the term of this Agreement may exceed the Severance Period) at the rate in effect
immediately prior to such termination. Any rights and benefits of Employee under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and
programs, provided that all unvested options of Employee or similar awards shall immediately vest upon such termination.
- (d)
- Termination
by the Company for Cause. In the event of a termination for cause, there will be no continued salary payments by the Company to
Employee and any rights and benefits of Employee under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs. For purposes of
this Section 8(d) and of Employees employment with the Company, "cause" shall mean that:
- (i)
- Employee
has committed a felony or indictable offence or has improperly enriched himself at the expense of the Company or has committed an act evidencing dishonesty or
moral turpitude including without limitation an act of theft; or
- (ii)
- Employee,
in carrying out his duties hereunder, (i) has been wilfully and grossly negligent, or (ii) has committed wilful and gross misconduct or,
(iii) has failed to comply with an instruction or directive from the board of directors of the Company;
- (iii)
- Employee
has breached a material term of this Agreement;
- (iv)
- Employee
becomes bankrupt or in the event a receiving order (or any analogous order under any applicable law) is made against Employee or in the event Employee
makes any general disposition or assignment for the benefit of his creditors; or
- (v)
- Employee commits any other act giving the Company cause to terminate Employee's employment, including, but not limited to, chronic alcoholism or drug addiction, material malfeasance or nonfeasance with respect to Employee's duties hereunder.
Prior to any termination of Employee for cause due to any occurrence described in subparagraphs 8(d)(ii), (iii) and (v) above, the Company shall notify Employee in writing of the particulars of the occurrence upon which termination would be based and shall in such notice advise Employee as to whether in the Company's sole discretion the default of Employee occasioned by such occurrence is capable of being cured or rectified in full without loss or damage to the Company, in which case the Company shall afford Employee a reasonable period of not less than five business days in which to cure or rectify such default. In such event and provided Employee cures or rectifies such default in full without loss or damage to the Company, Employee's employment shall not be terminated on the basis of such occurrence.
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- (e)
- Termination
by the Employee. In the event of termination by the Employee hereunder, Employee shall provide the Company with no less than
4 weeks written notice of termination ("Employee Notice Period"). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall be entitled to terminate this Agreement before the expiry of the Employee
Notice Period if the Company continues salary payments at the rate in effect immediately prior to such termination, for the number of weeks remaining in the Employee Notice Period. Any rights and
benefits of Employee under employee benefit plans and programs of the Company will be determined in accordance with the terms of such plans and programs.
- 9.
- Non-Competition: Employee agrees that during the period of Employee's employment with the Company and for a period of 18 months from the last payment of compensation to Employee by the Company, Employee shall not engage in or participate in any business activity that competes, directly or indirectly, with the businesses of the Company, or its subsidiaries or affiliates, provided that Employee shall not be precluded from competing with the business of the Company in the event of a termination of Employee's employment as a result of a material breach by the Company of the provisions of this Agreement or in the event that Employee's employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause.
For purposes of this Section 9, Employee shall be deemed to "compete, directly or indirectly" with the businesses of the Company, or its subsidiaries or affiliates if Employee is or becomes engaged, otherwise than at the request of the Company, as an officer, director or employee of, or is or becomes associated in a management or ownership, consultant or agent, capacity with, any corporation, partnership or other enterprise or venture the business of which includes wholesale, private label web hosting and email services in Canada or the United States, or any other business engaged in from time to time by the Company and is responsible for the performance of functions similar to those performed by Employee during the 12 month period immediately preceding Employee's termination.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein Employee may, without being deemed to compete, directly or indirectly, with the businesses of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates own not more than 5% of any class of the outstanding securities of any such corporation listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market.
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It is the desire and the intent of the parties that the provisions of this Section 9 shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular portion of this Section 9 is adjudicated unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such adjudication shall apply only in that particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made.
The parties recognize that the Company will have no adequate remedy at law for the breach by Employee of the covenants provided in this Section 9, and, in the event of such breach, the Company and Employee hereby agree that the Company will be entitled to an injunction, a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce such covenants.
- 10.
- Non-Solicitation: Employee
agrees that for a period of 24 months following the last payment of salary to Employee,
Employee will not, whether as principal, agent, employee, employer, director, officer, shareholder or in any other individual or representative capacity, solicit or attempt to retain in any way
whatsoever any of the employees of the Company or its subsidiaries or affiliates.
- 11.
- Confidential
Information:
- (a)
- Employee
agrees not to disclose either while in the Company's employ or at any time thereafter to any person not employed by the Company or not engaged to render services to the
Company, any trade secrets or confidential information of or relating to the Company or its subsidiaries and affiliates or its business obtained by Employee while in the employ of the Company;
provided, however, that this provision shall not preclude Employee from the use or disclosure of information known generally to the public (other than that which Employee may have disclosed in breach
of this Agreement) or of information not generally considered confidential or from disclosure required by law or court order in the proper conduct of the Company's business.
- (b)
- Employee
also agrees that upon leaving the Company's employ, Employee will not take, without the prior written consent of the board of directors of the Company, any document, whether
in paper or electronic form, of the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates and divisions, which is of a confidential nature relating to the Company or its subsidiaries, affiliates
and divisions.
- (c)
- The
parties recognize that the Company will have no adequate remedy at law for breach by Employee of the covenants provided in this Section 11, and in the event of such breach,
the Company and Employee hereby agree that the Company shall be entitled to an injunction, a decree of specific performance, mandamus or other appropriate remedy to enforce such covenants.
- 12.
- Ownership of Trade Secrets: All results of services performed by Employee hereunder including without limitation all ideas, copyrights, trade secrets or otherwise, shall be owned by and be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Employee hereby transfers and assigns all right, title and interest of every nature and kind whatsoever therein to the Company and agrees to execute and deliver such further documents and instruments as may be necessary to fully and effectually give effect thereto.
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- 13.
- Withholding: Anything
to the contrary notwithstanding, all payments required to be made by the Company hereunder to Employee or his estate or
beneficiaries, shall be subject to the withholding of such amounts relating to taxes as the Company may reasonably determine, after consultation with Employee, it should withhold pursuant to any
applicable law or regulation. In lieu of withholding such amounts, in whole or in part, the Company may, in its sole discretion, accept other provisions for payment of taxes and withholdings as
required by law, provided the Company is satisfied that all requirements of law affecting the Company's responsibilities to withhold have been complied with.
- 14.
- Notices: Any notices, requests, demands or other communications provided for by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficiently given when and if sent by personal delivery, overnight courier or by facsimile to the party entitled thereto at the address stated below or at such other address as the addresses may have given by similar notice:
To the Company:
Xxxxxxxx.xxx Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxx, 00xx Xxxxx
Xxxxxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxx X0X 0X0
Attention: Secretary
Fax No.: 0 000 000-0000
To Employee:
Xxxx
Xxxxxx
000 Xxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx.
Xxxxxxx, XX
X0X 0X0
Fax No.: 000-0000-0000
Any such notice shall be deemed delivered if given by means of personal delivery on the day of delivery thereof or if given by means of overnight courier or facsimile transmission on the first business day following the dispatch thereof.
- 15.
- Entire Agreement: This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to matters herein and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral or written, between the parties hereto relating to such matters.
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- 16.
- Assignment: Except
as herein expressly provided, the respective rights and obligations of Employee and the Company under this Agreement shall
not be assignable by either party without the written consent of the other party and shall enure to the benefit of and be binding upon Employee and the Company and their permitted successors or
assigns, including, in the case of the Company, any other corporation or entity with which the Company may be merged or otherwise combined or which may acquire the Company or its assets in whole or in
substantial part, and, in the case of Employee, his estate or other legal representatives. Nothing herein expressed or implied is intended to confer on any person other than the parties hereto any
rights, remedies, obligations or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement.
- 17.
- Legal
Fees: In the event of any dispute or legal proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, the party succeeding in such
action, whether by judicial decision or settlement, shall be reimbursed by the other party for all legal fees and expenses incurred by the successful party with respect to such dispute
or proceeding.
- 18.
- Applicable
Law: This Agreement shall be deemed a contract under, and for all purposes shall be governed by and construed in accordance with,
the laws of the Province of Ontario without regard to the conflict of laws rules thereof. The Company and Employee hereby each irrevocably consent and attorn to the jurisdiction of the courts of the
Province of Ontario with respect to any dispute or proceeding arising in connection with this Agreement.
- 19.
- Amendment
or Modification; Waiver: No provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived unless such amendment or waiver is authorized by
the Company (including any authorized officer or committee by the board of directors) and is in a writing signed by Employee and by a duly authorized officer of the Company. Except as otherwise
specifically provided in this Agreement, no waiver by either party hereto of any breach by the other party of any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be
deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar breach, condition or provision at the same time or at any prior or subsequent time.
- 20.
- Resignation: Employee
hereby agrees that, upon termination of his employment for any reason whatsoever, Employee shall thereupon be deemed,
upon the request of the Company, to have immediately resigned any position Employee may have as an officer and/or director of the Company together with any other office, position or directorship which
Employee may hold with any of the Company's subsidiaries or related entities in connection with or arising from the performance of Employee's duties of employment under this Agreement. In such event,
Employee shall, at the reasonable request of the Company, forthwith execute any and all documents appropriate to evidence such resignations which are consistent with the terms of
this Agreement.
- 21.
- Damages: In the event that Employee is awarded any damages as compensation for any breach of this Agreement, a breach of any covenant contained in this Agreement (whether express or implied by either law or fact), or any other cause of action based in whole or in part on a breach of any provision of this Agreement or related in any way to Employee's employment hereunder, such damages shall be limited to contractual damages and shall exclude punitive damages and any other type of tort damages resulting from any such breach of any such term, covenant or condition of the Agreement.
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- 22.
- Provisions
Surviving Termination: It is expressly agreed that notwithstanding termination of Employee's employment with and by the Company
for any reason or cause or in any circumstances whatsoever, such termination shall be without prejudice to the rights and obligations of Employee and the Company, respectively, in relation to or
arising up to the time of and including the date of termination, and the provisions of Sections 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, of this Agreement, all of which shall remain
and continue in full force and effect unless and until the board of directors of the Company at its absolute discretion resolves otherwise and so notifies Employee in writing.
- 23.
- Indemnity: The
Company hereby indemnifies Employee and agrees to hold Employee safe, harmless, defended and indemnified (to the
maximum extent permissible under applicable law, as now exists or as may be hereafter amended) against all claims and liabilities incurred by Employee relative to his lawful and authorized performance
of the services under this Agreement, except where such claims and liabilities arise because of Employee's intentional default or malfeasance, gross negligence, habitual neglect, unlawful conduct or
breach of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement.
- 24.
- Severability: In
the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason,
the remaining provisions and portions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
- 25.
- Counterparts: This
Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
- 26.
- References: In
the event of Employee's death or a judicial determination of his incompetency, reference in this Agreement to Employee shall
be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his legal representatives, or, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary or beneficiaries.
- 27.
- Captions: Captions to the Sections of this Agreement are solely for convenience and no provision of this Agreement is to be construed by reference to the captions of that Section.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF this Agreement has been executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company and Employee as of the day and year first above written.
XXXXXXXX.XXX INC. | ||||||
By: |
/s/ XXXXXXX XXXXXXXX |
|||||
/s/ XXXXX XXXXXXXX Witness |
) ) ) ) ) |
/s/ XXXX XXXXXX Xxxx Xxxxxx |
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT