Exhibit 10.37
ACCRUE SOFTWARE, INC.
SEPARATION AGREEMENT AND MUTUAL RELEASE
This Separation Agreement ("AGREEMENT") is made by and between Accrue
Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "COMPANY"), and Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx ("XX.
XXXXXX" or "EMPLOYEE").
WHEREAS, Xx. Xxxxxx is employed by the Company pursuant to the terms of
an offer letter dated March 8, 2001 (the "OFFER LETTER"); and
WHEREAS, the Company and Xx. Xxxxxx have mutually agreed to terminate
the employment relationship, to release each other from any claims arising from
or related to the employment relationship and to enter into a consulting
arrangement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises made herein,
the Company and Xx. Xxxxxx (collectively referred to as the "PARTIES") hereby
agree as follows:
1. RESIGNATION AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT. Xx. Xxxxxx and the
Company acknowledge and agree that Xx. Xxxxxx resigned as President and Chief
Executive Officer and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company (and
as an officer and/or director of any other entity which was deemed to be an
affiliate of the Company) effective on April 17, 2002 (the "RESIGNATION DATE")
and that Xx. Xxxxxx will terminate his employment with the Company effective on
April 19,2002 (the "TERMINATION DATE").
2. SEPARATION BENEFITS. In consideration for the release of claims set
forth below and other obligations under this Agreement, and provided this
Agreement is signed by Xx. Xxxxxx and not revoked under Section 7 herein, and
further provided that Xx. Xxxxxx remains in full compliance with his obligations
to the Company under this Agreement, the Company agrees to provide the following
separation benefits to Xx. Xxxxxx:
(a) Following the Termination Date, the Company shall continue
to pay as severance to Xx. Xxxxxx his regular base salary for a six-month period
(the "Severance Period"). Each severance payment shall be reduced by applicable
tax withholding and shall be paid in accordance with the Company's regular
payroll schedule and practices. The first severance payment shall be made on the
first regular payroll date following the Effective Date of this Agreement;
(b) The Company shall retain Xx. Xxxxxx as a consultant for
the period from April 19, 2002 through October 19, 2002 (the "CONSULTING
PERIOD"), to perform such services as may reasonably be requested in writing by
the Company (the "Consulting Arrangement"). The terms of the Consulting
Arrangement are more fully described in Exhibit A attached hereto;
(c) If Xx. Xxxxxx accurately and timely elects to continue his
health insurance benefits under COBRA, as described in Section 3(a) below, the
Company shall pay the applicable COBRA premiums through the end of the
Consulting Period.
3. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS.
(a) Xx. Xxxxxx shall continue to receive the Company's life,
medical, dental and vision insurance benefits at Company expense until April 30,
2002, which date shall be the "qualifying event" date under the Consolidated
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended ("COBRA"). If Xx. Xxxxxx
timely and accurately elects to continue his health insurance benefits under
COBRA following such date, the Company shall pay the applicable COBRA premiums
through the end of the Consulting Period. Following such date, Xx. Xxxxxx has
the right to continue the COBRA coverage at his own expense.
(b) Except as otherwise provided above, Xx. Xxxxxx shall not
be entitled to participate in any of the Company's benefit plans or programs
offered to employees of the Company after the Termination Date.
4. STOCK OPTION.
(a) VESTING. Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company acknowledge and agree
that Xx. Xxxxxx holds a stock option granted to him by the Company on April 2,
2001 to purchase 900,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock under the terms of
the Company's 1996 Stock Plan. Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company further acknowledge
and agree that, in accordance with the terms of the Stock Option Agreement
issued to Xx. Xxxxxx, the option shall continue to vest and be exercisable by
Xx. Xxxxxx through the end of the Consulting Period. Xx. Xxxxxx acknowledges and
agrees that any vested option shares must be exercised within the time period
following the end of the Consulting Period set forth in the Stock Option
Agreement.
(b) CHANGE OF CONTROL. Xx. Xxxxxx acknowledges and agrees that
termination of his employment under this Agreement is not in connection with a
Change of Control of the Company, as such term is defined in certain documents
related to a Change of Control, including without limitation, the Offer Letter,
and the Stock Option Agreement (collectively, the "CHANGE OF CONTROL
DOCUMENTS"). Accordingly, in the event there is a Change of Control of the
Company following the Termination Date, Xx. Xxxxxx shall not be entitled to any
of the benefits described in the Change of Control Documents.
Except as set forth in this Section 4, the Stock Option
Agreement and the Change of Control Documents, Xx. Xxxxxx acknowledges that he
has no right, title or interest in or to any shares of the Company's capital
stock under the Offer Letter, the Stock Option Agreement, the Change of Control
Documents or any other agreement (oral or written) with the Company.
5. NO OTHER PAYMENTS DUE. Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company agree that the
Company shall pay to Xx. Xxxxxx on or before the Termination Date all salary,
accrued vacation and other sums as are then due to Xx. Xxxxxx. By executing this
Agreement, Xx. Xxxxxx hereby acknowledges receipt of all such payments as
received and acknowledges that, in light of the payment by the Company of all
wages due to Xx. Xxxxxx, California Labor Code Section 206.5 is not applicable
to the Parties hereto. That section provided in pertinent part as follows:
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No employer shall require the execution of any release of any claim
or right on account of wages due, or to become due, or made as an
advance on wages to be earned, unless payment of such wages has been
made.
6. RELEASE OF CLAIMS. In consideration for the obligations of both
parties set forth in this Agreement, Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company, on behalf of
themselves, and their respective heirs, executors, officers, directors,
employees, investors, stockholders, administrators and assigns, hereby fully and
forever release each other and their respective heirs, executors, officers,
directors, employees, investors, stockholders, administrators, parent and
subsidiary corporations, predecessor and successor corporations and assigns, of
and from any claim, duty, obligation or cause of action relating to any matters
of any kind, whether presently known or unknown, suspected or unsuspected, that
any of them may possess arising from any omissions, acts or facts that have
occurred up until and including the date of this Agreement including, without
limitation:
(a) any and all claims relating to or arising from Xx.
Xxxxxx'x employment relationship with the Company and the termination of that
relationship;
(b) any and all claims relating to, or arising from, Xx.
Xxxxxx'x right to purchase, or actual purchase of shares of stock of the
Company;
(c) any and all claims for wrongful discharge of employment;
breach of contract, both express and implied; breach of a covenant of good faith
and fair dealing, both express and implied, negligent or intentional infliction
of emotional distress; negligent or intentional misrepresentation; negligent or
intentional interference with contract or prospective economic advantage;
negligence; and defamation;
(d) any and all claims for violation of any federal, state or
municipal statute, including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights
Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Age Discrimination in Employment
Act of 1967, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
(e) any and all claims arising out of any other laws and
regulations relating to employment or employment discrimination; and
(f) any and all claims for attorneys' fees and costs.
Excepted from the above release are Xx. Xxxxxx'x rights of indemnity,
statutory and contractual, as a former executive of the Company. The Company and
Xx. Xxxxxx agree that the release set forth in this Section 6 shall be and
remain in effect in all respects as a complete general release as to the matters
released. This release does not extend to any obligations incurred or specified
under this Agreement.
7. ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WAIVER OF CLAIMS UNDER ADEA. Xx. Xxxxxx
acknowledges that he is waiving and releasing any rights he may have under the
Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 ("ADEA") and that this waiver and
release is knowing and voluntary. Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company agree that this
waiver and release does
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not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under ADEA after the Effective
Date of this Agreement. Xx. Xxxxxx acknowledges that the consideration given for
this waiver and release Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which
Xx. Xxxxxx was already entitled. Xx. Xxxxxx further acknowledges that he has
been advised by this writing that (a) he should consult with an attorney prior
to executing this Agreement; (b) he has at least twenty-one (21) days within
which to consider this Agreement; (c) he has seven (7) days following his
execution of this Agreement to revoke the Agreement (the "Revocation Period").
This Agreement shall not be effective until the Revocation Period has expired.
Nothing in this Agreement prevents or precludes Xx. Xxxxxx from challenging or
seeking a determination in good faith of the validity of this waiver under the
ADEA, nor does it impose any condition precedent, penalties or costs for doing
so, unless specifically authorized by federal law.
8. CIVIL CODE SECTION 1542. The Parties represent that they are not
aware of any claim by either of them other than the claims that are released by
this Agreement. Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company acknowledge that they are familiar
with the provisions of California Civil Code Section 1542, which provides as
follows:
A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR
DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS FAVOR AT THE TIME OF
EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM MUST HAVE
MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.
Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company, being aware of said Code section, agree to
expressly waive any rights they may have thereunder, as well as under any other
statute or common law principles of similar effect.
9. EMPLOYEE COVENANTS.
(a) GENERAL. Xx. Xxxxxx agrees that for all periods described
in this Agreement, he shall continue to conduct himself in a professional manner
that is supportive of the business of the Company.
(b) CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION. Xx. Xxxxxx represents and
warrants that he has not breached his obligations to the Company under the terms
of the Proprietary Information and Assignment of Inventions Agreement he
executed on April 1, 2001 (the "PROPRIETARY AGREEMENT"), a copy of which is
attached hereto as Exhibit B. Xx. Xxxxxx understands and agrees that his
obligations to the Company under the Proprietary Agreement continue through the
Consulting Period and survive the termination of his relationship with the
Company under this Agreement.
(c) CONFIDENTIALITY OF THIS AGREEMENT. The Parties each agree
to use their best efforts to maintain in confidence the existence of this
Agreement, the contents and terms of this Agreement, and the consideration for
this Agreement (hereinafter collectively referred to as "SEPARATION
INFORMATION"). Each Party hereto agrees to take every reasonable precaution to
prevent disclosure of any Separation Information to third parties, except as may
be or has been
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disclosed in a press release and except for disclosures required by law or
necessary to effectuate the terms of this Agreement. Xx. Xxxxxx understands and
acknowledges that Company may be required to file a copy of this Agreement with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and to disclose its terms in Company's
next proxy statement. The Parties agree to take every precaution to disclose
Separation Information only to those employees, officers, directors, attorneys,
accountants, governmental entities, and family members who have a reasonable
need to know of such Separation Information.
(d) SEC REPORTING/XXXXXXX XXXXXXX COMPLIANCE. Xx. Xxxxxx will
cooperate with the Company in providing information with respect to all reports
required to be filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission
as they relate to required information with respect to Xx. Xxxxxx. Further, Xx.
Xxxxxx will remain in compliance with the terms of the Company's xxxxxxx xxxxxxx
program with respect to purchases and sales of the Company's stock.
10. AUTHORITY. The Company represents and warrants that the undersigned
has the authority to act on behalf of the Company and to bind the Company and
all who may claim through it to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Xx.
Xxxxxx represents and warrants that he has the capacity to act on his own behalf
and on behalf of all who might claim through his to bind them to the terms and
conditions of this Agreement. Each Party warrants and represents that there are
no liens or claims of lien or assignments in law or equity or otherwise of or
against any of the claims or causes of action released herein.
11. NO REPRESENTATIONS. Neither Party has relied upon any
representations or statements made by the other Party hereto which are not
specifically set forth in this Agreement.
12. SEVERABILITY. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is
declared by a court or other tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be illegal,
unenforceable or void, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect
without said provision.
13. ARBITRATION. The Parties shall attempt to settle all disputes
arising in connection with this Agreement through good faith consultation. In
the event no agreement can be reached on such dispute within fifteen (15) days
after notification in writing by either Party to the other concerning such
dispute, the dispute shall be settled by binding arbitration to be conducted in
Contra Costa County, California before the American Arbitration Association
under its California Employment Dispute Resolution Rules, or by a judge to be
mutually agreed upon. The arbitration decision shall be final, conclusive and
binding on both Parties and any arbitration award or decision may be entered in
any court having jurisdiction. The Parties agree that the prevailing party in
any arbitration shall be entitled to injunctive relief in any court of competent
jurisdiction to enforce the arbitration award. The Parties further agree that
the prevailing Party in any such proceeding shall be awarded reasonable
attorneys' fees and costs. This Section 13 shall not apply to the Proprietary
Agreement. THE PARTIES HEREBY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS THEY MAY HAVE TO TRIAL BY JURY IN
REGARD TO ARBITRABLE CLAIMS.
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14. INDEMNIFICATION. The Indemnification Agreement entered into by Xx.
Xxxxxx and the Company on March 9, 2001, a copy of which is attached hereto as
Exhibit C, shall remain in effect following the Termination Date in accordance
with the terms of such agreement.
15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, and the exhibits hereto,
represent the entire agreement and understanding between the Company and Xx.
Xxxxxx concerning Xx. Xxxxxx'x separation from the Company, and supersede and
replace any and all prior agreements and understandings concerning Xx. Xxxxxx'x
relationship with the Company and his compensation by the Company.
16. NO ORAL MODIFICATION. This Agreement may only be amended in writing
signed by Xx. Xxxxxx and the Company.
17. GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of California, without regard to its conflicts of law provisions.
18. EFFECTIVE DATE. This Agreement is effective upon the expiration of
the Revocation Period described in Section 7 and such date is referred to herein
as the "EFFECTIVE DATE."
19. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, and
each counterpart shall have the same force and effect as an original and shall
constitute an effective, binding agreement on the part of each of the
undersigned.
20. ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement may not be assigned by Xx. Xxxxxx or the
Company without the prior written consent of the other party. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, this Agreement may be assigned by the Company to a corporation
controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Company without the
consent of Xx. Xxxxxx.
21. VOLUNTARY EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement is executed
voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of
the Parties hereto, with the full intent of releasing all claims. The Parties
acknowledge that:
(a) they have read this Agreement;
(b) they have been represented in the preparation,
negotiation, and execution of this Agreement by legal counsel of their own
choice or that they have voluntarily declined to seek such counsel;
(c) they understand the terms and consequences of this
Agreement and of the releases it contains; and
(d) they are fully aware of the legal and binding effect of
this Agreement.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Separation Agreement
and Mutual Release on the respective dates set forth below.
Accrue Software, Inc.
Dated as of ________, 2002 By: ____________________________________
Title: _________________________________
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx, an individual
Dated as of ________, 2002 ________________________________________
Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
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EXHIBIT A
TERMS OF CONSULTING ARRANGEMENT
SCOPE OF SERVICES: Consulting services on issues or projects that the
Company may request. The scope, timing and cash compensation, if any, will be
defined in writing for specific projects. Xx. Xxxxxx also agrees to make himself
available for general consultations and advice on general corporate matters to
the Company.
AVAILABLITY AND COMPENSATION: Xx. Xxxxxx agrees to make his services
available to the Company on an as requested/as available basis for the term of
this Consulting arrangement. Compensation for services to Xx. Xxxxxx includes
continued vesting of Xx.Xxxxxx'x outstanding stock options as defined in this
agreement, and cash compensation as may be agreed between the parties.
TERM: April 22, 2002 - October 19, 2002, subject to extension by mutual
written agreement of the Company and Xx. Xxxxxx.
EXHIBIT B
CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT C
INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT
