SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
nov
Exhibit
99.4
AGREEMENT
effective as of August 22, 2008 between Nalco Company, (the “Company”) and Xxxx
X. Xxxxx (“Executive”).
WHEREAS,
Executive has been offered employment with the Company, and an opportunity to
receive certain equity grants relating to Executive’s commencement of employment
with the Company; and
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to promote the good performance of Executive by offering
this Severance Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the parties desire to enter into this Severance Agreement;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants herein and for
other good and valuable consideration, the parties agree as
follows:
1.
Definitions.
For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated.
“Agreement” means this
Severance Agreement.
“Base Salary” means
Executive’s annual base salary immediately prior to the Termination
Date.
“Beneficial Owner” or “Beneficial Ownership” shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time
to time.
“Board” means the Board of
Directors of the Company.
“Cause” means any of the
following:
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(a)
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the
Executive’s conviction of i) a felony, or ii) misdemeanor,
excluding a xxxxx offense (as defined in Illinois or a comparable
misdemeanor under the laws of another state), involving fraud, dishonesty
or moral turpitude;
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(b)
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the
Executive’s material breach of this Agreement, provided that such breach
is not cured within ten (10) days after delivery to the Executive of a
notice from the Board requesting
cure;
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(c)
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the
willful or intentional misconduct by the Executive in the performance of
his duties under this Agreement, including a material breach of the
Company’s Code of Conduct;
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(d)
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the
willful or intentional failure by the Executive to comply (to the best of
his ability) with a specific, written direction of the
Board;
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(e)
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the
Executive’s failure to cooperate in any audit or investigation of the
Company’s financial statements or reports and filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission, or the business practices of the Company or its
direct or indirect subsidiaries;
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(f)
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the
Executive’s continued failure to perform his substantial job functions
after written notice from the Board requesting such performance;
or
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(g)
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the
Executive’s material violation of a material written policy of the
Company.
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“Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
“Company”
means Nalco Company and any successor (whether direct or indirect) to all or
substantially all of the stock, assets or business of Nalco
Company.
“Employment
Letter Agreement” means the employment letter agreement between Executive
and the Company, dated as of August 22, 2008, as may be amended from time to
time.
“Executive”
shall have the meaning indicated above.
“Person”
means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company,
an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an
unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency
or political subdivision thereof.
“Target
Bonus” means, with respect to any fiscal year of the Company, the
target annual bonus, assuming achievement of 100% of target, under the
applicable Company annual incentive plan, (currently known as the Amended and
Restated Management Incentive Plan) for Executive for such
year.
“Term”
has the meaning set forth in Section 2 of this
Agreement.
“Termination
Date” has the meaning set forth in Section 3 of this
Agreement.
2.
Term of
Agreement. This Agreement shall be in effect from the date hereof until
December 31, 2010 (the “Initial Term”). After the expiration of the
Initial Term, this Agreement shall be automatically extended for a three-year
period, and thereafter further automatic extensions for three years (the
“Additional Terms”). If the Company notifies Executive during the six
month period immediately before the expiration of the Initial Term or any
Additional Term that the Company has determined in its reasonable discretion
that the benefits offered in this Agreement no longer represent the majority
practice for similarly situated public, chemical companies (the “Notice”), this
Agreement shall expire without further renewal one year after the date of the
Notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive’s employment at all
times shall be deemed to be an employment at-will and Executive’s employment may
be terminated by Executive or the Company for any reason or no
reason.
3.
Severance Upon
Termination Without Cause by the Company. If Executive’s employment with
the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated during the Term by the Company
without Cause (the effective date of either such termination hereafter referred
to as the “Termination Date”), Executive shall be entitled to the following
payments and benefits subject to the Executive’s timely execution of a General
Release as provided in Section 6 herein:
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(a)
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The
Company shall pay Executive, within fifteen business days after the
Termination Date in a lump sum payment (i) accrued but unpaid Base Salary
through the Termination Date, and (ii) any prior year bonus earned but not
paid.
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(b)
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The
Company shall pay Executive, six months and one day after the Termination
Date, severance equal to one and one-half (1.5x) times his Base Salary and
Target Bonus. Notwithstanding the above, to the extent permitted by
Section 409A of the Code, a portion of the payment equal to two times the
compensation limit specified in Code Section 401(a)(17) shall be paid
within fifteen days of the Termination
Date.
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(c)
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In
addition, the Executive shall be entitled to a pro-rata portion of the
annual management incentive plan amount for the year of termination based
on the portion of the year elapsed through the termination and the
pro-rata portion shall be calculated based on actual performance over the
entire performance period and any such payment shall be made on March 15
of the year following termination or, to the extent required by Section
409A of the Code, six months and one day following termination, if
later.
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(d)
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Except
as otherwise indicated herein, Executive shall receive any other benefits
he is otherwise eligible for under other plans or programs of the Company
in accordance with their terms. Executive shall have the right to
continue medical and/or dental benefits for a period of eighteen months
following the Termination Date at the active employee
rate.
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(e)
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The
Company will provide the Executive with reasonable outplacement services
during the twenty-four (24) month period following the Termination Date
(for these purposes, reasonable outplacement services would not exceed a
cost to the Company of $10,000).
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(f)
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Other
than the benefits set forth in this Section 3, the Company and its
affiliates will have no further obligations hereunder with respect to
Executive following the Termination
Date.
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(g)
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Executive
shall not be required to mitigate damages or the amount of any payment
provided for under this Agreement by seeking other employment or
otherwise, nor shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in
this Section 3 be reduced by any compensation earned as a result of
Executive’s employment with another
employer.
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4.
Other
Terminations. Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to
prevent the Company or any of its subsidiaries from terminating Executive’s
employment for any reason or no reason. If Executive’s employment is terminated
(a) by the Company for Cause, (b) due to Executive’s death or permanent
disability, or (c) due to Executive’s resignation, the Company shall have no
obligation to make any payments or provide any benefits under this
Agreement.
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5.
Covenants and
Release. As a condition precedent to payment under this Agreement
or payment of severance or grant of any other benefit hereunder, Executive must
comply with, and continue to comply with, the Covenants and Terms attached
hereto as Exhibit
A, and sign and deliver a general release to the Company within one week
after the termination of Executive’s employment in the form of General Release, attached
hereto as Exhibit
B, it being understood and agreed that the Executive shall not be
entitled to any benefits provided hereunder unless and until he has signed and
delivered such General Release to the Company and any revocation period
applicable to such General Release expires without revocation by the
Executive.
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6.
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Miscellaneous.
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(a)
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Governing Law. This
Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws
of Illinois without reference to the principles of conflict of
laws.
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(b)
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Entire
Agreement/Amendments. This Agreement contains the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter herein.
There are no restrictions, agreements, promises, warranties,
covenants or undertakings between the parties with respect to the subject
matter herein other than those expressly set forth herein. This
Agreement may not be altered, modified, or amended except by written
instrument signed by the parties
hereto.
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(c)
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No Waiver. The failure
of a party to insist upon strict adherence to any term of this Agreement
on any occasion shall not be considered a waiver of such party’s rights or
deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon strict adherence
to that term or any other term of this
Agreement.
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(d)
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Severability. If any
one or more of the provisions of this Agreement shall be or become
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the validity, legality
and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not
be affected thereby.
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(e)
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Assignment. This
Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive. This Agreement
may be assigned by the Company to any successor to all or substantially
all of the business and/or assets of the Company provided the Company
shall require such successor to expressly assume and agree to perform this
Agreement.
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(f)
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Successors; Binding
Agreement. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators, successors, including successors to all or substantially
all of the stock, business and/or assets of the Company, heirs,
distributees, devisees and legatees of the
parties.
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(g)
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Notice. For the purpose
of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in
the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly
given when delivered or mailed by United States certified mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
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4
If
to the Executive:
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At
the address (or to facsimile number) shown
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on
the records of the Company
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If
to the Company:
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Nalco
Company
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0000
Xxxx Xxxxx Xxxx
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Xxxxxxxxxx,
XX 00000-0000
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Attention:
Vice President and General Counsel
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Fax
No.: 000-000-0000
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(h)
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Withholding Taxes. The
Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such
U.S. federal, state and local taxes as may be required to be withheld
pursuant to any applicable law or
regulation.
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(i)
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Counterparts. This
Agreement may be signed in counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto
were upon the same instrument.
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(j)
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Resignations. Executive
agrees to immediately resign any positions held by him with the Company
and its affiliates upon the termination of Executive’s
employment.
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(k)
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Award of Fees Against
Executive. If the Company files suit against the
Executive to enforce any provision of the Agreement and a court of
competent jurisdiction finds or holds in favor of the Company on any
matter, Executive shall reimburse the Company its court costs, litigation
expenses and reasonable attorneys fees incurred in prosecuting and
maintaining such suit.
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* * * * *
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IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.
NALCO
COMPANY
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By:
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Name:
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Xxxxxxx
X. Xxxxxxxx
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Title:
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Vice
President and General Counsel
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Executive
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By:
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Xxxx
X. Xxxxx
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6
EXHIBIT
A
Covenants
of the Executive
1.
As a condition for the payments under this
Agreement, during the Executive’s employment with the Company hereunder and for
a period of two (2) years thereafter, (i) the Executive shall not, within any
jurisdiction or marketing area in which the Company (or its subsidiaries and
affiliates) is doing business, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate,
control, consult with, profit from, be employed by, or participate in
the ownership, management, operation or control of any business of the type and
character engaged in or competitive with that conducted by the Company (or its
subsidiaries and affiliates); (ii) the Executive shall not, directly or
indirectly, employ, solicit for employment or otherwise contract for the
services of (or assist any other company, business or person in employing,
soliciting for employment or otherwise contracting for the services of) any
individual who is an employee of the Company (or its subsidiaries and
affiliates) at the time of this Agreement or who shall subsequently become an
employee of the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates).
2.
During the Executive’s employment with the Company
hereunder and thereafter, (i) the Executive will not divulge, transmit or
otherwise disclose (except as legally compelled by court order, and then only to
the extent required, after prompt notice to the Company of any such order),
directly or indirectly, other than in the regular and proper course of business
of the Company, any confidential knowledge or information with respect to the
operations, finances, organization or employees of the Company (or its
subsidiaries and affiliates) or with respect to confidential or secret
processes, services, techniques, customers or plans with respect to the Company
(or its subsidiaries and affiliates); and (ii) the Executive will not use,
directly or indirectly, any confidential information for the benefit of anyone
other than the Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates); provided,
however, that the Executive has no obligation,
express or implied, to refrain from using or disclosing to others any such
knowledge or information which is or hereafter shall become available to the
public other than through disclosure by the Executive. All new
processes, techniques, know-how, inventions, plans, products, patents and
devices developed, made or invented by the Executive, alone or with others,
while an employee of the Company which are related to the business of the
Company (or its subsidiaries and affiliates) shall be and become the sole
property of the Company, unless released in writing by the Company, and the
Executive hereby assigns any and all rights therein or thereto to the
Company.
3.
All files, records, correspondence, memoranda, notes or
other documents (including, without limitation, those in computer-readable form)
or property relating or belonging to the Company (or its affiliates and
subsidiaries), whether prepared by the Executive or otherwise coming into his
possession in the course of the performance of his services under this
Agreement, shall be the exclusive property of Company and shall be delivered to
Company and not retained by the Executive (including, without limitations, any
copies thereof) upon termination of this Agreement for any reason
whatsoever.
4.
(a) The Executive will
communicate and disclose in writing to the Company both during the term of his
Agreement and thereafter, all inventions, discoveries, improvements, machines,
devices, designs, processes, products, software, treatments, formulae, mixtures
and/or compounds whether patentable or not as well as patents and patent
applications (all collectively referred to as “Inventions”) made, conceived,
developed or acquired by the Executive or under which the Executive acquired the
right to grant licenses or become licensed, whether alone or jointly with
others, during the term of this Agreement. All of the Executive’s
right, title and interest in, to and under such Inventions, including licenses
and right to grant licenses shall be the sole property of the Company and the
same are hereby assigned to the Company. Any Invention disclosed by
the Executive to have been made and conceived and developed after the
termination of this Agreement.
(b) For
all of the Executive’s Inventions, the Executive will, upon request of the
Company, during the term of this Agreement and thereafter:
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(i)
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execute
and deliver all documents which the Company shall deem necessary or
appropriate to assign, transfer and convey to the Company, all of the
Executive’s right, title, interest in and to such Inventions, and enable
the Company to file and prosecute applications for Letters Patent of the
United States and any foreign countries on Inventions as to which the
Company wishes to file patent applications;
and
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(ii)
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do
all other things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other
proceedings) which the Company shall deem necessary or appropriate to
obtain, maintain, and assert patents for any and all such Inventions and
to assert its rights in any Inventions not
patented.
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(c) The
Executive’s obligation under paragraphs (a) and (b) above do not apply to
Inventions for which no equipment, supplies, facility or confidential
information of the Company was used, and which were developed entirely on the
Executive’s own time unless:
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(i)
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the
Inventions relate
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(A)
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to
the business of the Company; or,
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(B)
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to
the Company’s actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development;
or,
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(C)
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the
Inventions result from any work performed by the Executive for the
Company.
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(d) The
Executive herby assigns to the Company the copyright in all works prepared by
the Executive which are either:
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(i)
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within
the scope of the Executive’s employment;
or,
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(ii)
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based
upon information acquired from the Company not normally made available to
the public; or,
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(iii)
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commissioned
by the Company but not within the Executive’s scope of
employment.
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The
Executive agrees to submit all such works to the Board for approval prior to
publication or oral dissemination. The Executive also agrees to do
all things (including the giving of evidence in suits and other proceedings)
which the Company shall deem necessary or appropriate to obtain, maintain, and
enable the Company to protect its rights and to such works.
(e) The
Executive hereby releases and allows the Company to use, for any lawful purpose,
any voice reproduction, photograph, or other video likeness of the Executive
made in the scope of the Executive’s employment.
(f) All
expenses incident to any action required by the Company to assign Inventions or
copyrights to the Company or so taken in its behalf pursuant to the terms of
this Agreement shall be borne by the Company, including a reasonable payment for
the Executives time and expenses involved if not then in the Company’s employ,
which payment for such time at the rate being paid to the Executive by the
Company at the time termination of employment.
5.
The Executive acknowledges that a breach of his covenants contained
herein may cause irreparable damage to the Company (or its subsidiaries and
affiliates), the exact amount of which will be difficult to ascertain, that the
remedies at law for any such breach will be inadequate and that the payments and
other benefits, in the Agreement, are additional consideration for the covenants
contained in herein. Accordingly, the Executive agrees that if he
breaches any of the covenants contained herein, in addition to any other remedy
which may be available at law or in equity, the Company shall be entitled to
specific performance and injunctive relief. In addition, the breach
of any of the covenants contained herein shall entitle the Company to
permanently withhold, and, if applicable, to recover from the Executive any
payments, benefits, or other than entitlements, of any type owed or paid by the
Company to Executive under the Employment Letter Agreement or this Agreement,
any other agreement or plan. The Company and the Executive further
acknowledge that the time, scope, geographic area and other provisions herein
have been specifically negotiated by sophisticated commercial parties and agree
that all such provisions are reasonable under the circumstances of the
activities contemplated by this Agreement. In the event that the
covenants herein shall be determined by any court of competent jurisdiction to
be unenforceable by reason of their extending for too great a period of time or
over too great a geographical area or by reason of their being too extensive in
any other respect, they shall be interpreted to extend only over the maximum
period of time for which they may be enforceable and/or over the maximum
geographical area as to which they may be enforceable and/or to the maximum
extent in all other respects as to which they may be enforceable, all as
determined by such court in such action.
6.
The Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company during his employment
hereunder and thereafter (including following the Executive’s termination of
employment for any reason), by making himself reasonably available to testify on
behalf of the Company in any action, suit, or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative, or investigative, and to assist the Company, in any
such action, suit, or proceeding, by providing information and meeting and
consulting with the Company’s Board of Directors or its representatives or
counsel, or representatives or counsel to the Company, as reasonably
requested; provided
however that the same
does not materially interfere with his then current professional activities or
important personal activities. The
Company agrees to reimburse the Executive, on an after-tax basis, for all
expenses, including pre-approved legal expense, actually incurred in connection
with his provision of testimony or assistance.
7.
The Executive agrees that, during his employment and
thereafter (including following the Executive’s termination of employment for
any reason) he will not make statements or representations, or otherwise
communicate, directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or otherwise, or take
any action which may, directly or indirectly, disparage the Company, its
subsidiaries or its respective officers, directors, employees, advisors,
business or reputations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in
this Agreement shall preclude the Executive from making truthful statements or
disclosures that are required by applicable law, regulation or legal
process.
8.
The covenants, agreements and restrictions undertaken by or imposed on
Executive in this Agreement, which are stated to exist or continue after
termination of his employment with the Company shall exist and continue
irrespective of the method or circumstances of such termination.
9.
Executive agrees that, (except for benefits in which Executive has become
vested under the terms of a benefit plan or as required by law) the Company, in
its sole discretion may modify or eliminate any or all employment benefits plans
which now or hereafter may exist.
EXHIBIT
B
General
Release
I,
______________, do hereby release and forever discharge as of the date hereof
(i) Nalco Holdings Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)
and all of its affiliates and (ii) all present and former directors, officers,
agents, representatives, employees, successors and assigns of the Company and
its affiliates (collectively, the "Released
Parties") to the extent provided below.
1.
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I
understand that my Severance Agreement with the Company dated ____, 2008
(the “Agreement”) includes consideration for signing this General Release
and such consideration is not salary, wages or benefits to which I was
already entitled. I also acknowledge and represent that I have
received all payments and benefits that I am entitled to receive (as of
the date hereof) by virtue of any employment by the
Company.
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2.
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Except
as provided in paragraphs 4 and 11 below, I knowingly and voluntarily (for
myself, my heirs, executors, administrators and assigns) release and
forever discharge the Company and the other Released Parties from any and
all claims, suits, controversies, actions, causes of action, cross-claims,
counter-claims, demands, debts, compensatory damages, liquidated damages,
punitive or exemplary damages, other damages, claims for costs and
attorneys' fees, or liabilities of any nature whatsoever in law and in
equity, both past and present (through the date this General Release
becomes effective and enforceable) and whether known or unknown,
suspected, or claimed against the Company or any of the Released Parties
which I, my spouse, or any of my heirs, executors, administrators or
assigns, may have, which arise out of or are connected with my employment
with, compensation by, or my separation or termination from, the Company;
Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Civil Rights
Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended
(including the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act); the Equal Pay Act of
1963, as amended; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; the Family
and Medical Leave Act of 1993; the Worker Adjustment Retraining and
Notification Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974; any
applicable Executive Order Programs; the Fair Labor Standards Act; or
their state or local counterparts; or under any other federal, state or
local civil or human rights law, or under any other local, state, or
federal law, regulation or ordinance; or under any public policy, contract
or tort, or under common law; or arising under any policies, practices or
procedures of the Company; or any claim for wrongful discharge, breach of
contract, infliction of emotional distress, defamation; or any claim for
costs, fees, or other expenses, including attorneys' fees incurred in
these matters) (all of the foregoing collectively referred to herein as
the "Claims").
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3.
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I
represent that I have made no assignment or transfer of any right, claim,
demand, cause of action, or other matter covered by paragraph 2
above.
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4.
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I
agree that this General Release does not waive or release any rights or
claims that I may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967 which arise after the date I execute this General Release. I
acknowledge and agree that my separation from employment with the Company
in compliance with the terms of the Agreement shall not serve as the basis
for any claim or action (including, without limitation, any claim under
the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967).
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B-1
5.
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I
agree that I am waiving all rights to xxx or obtain equitable, remedial or
punitive relief from any or all Released Parties of any kind whatsoever,
including, without limitation, reinstatement, back pay, front pay,
attorneys’ fees and any form of injunctive
relief. Notwithstanding the above, I further acknowledge that I
am not waiving and am not being required to waive any right that cannot be
waived under law, including the right to file an administrative charge or
participate in an administrative investigation or
proceeding; provided, however, that I disclaim and waive any
right to share or participate in any monetary award resulting from the
prosecution of such charge or investigation or
proceeding.
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6.
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In
signing this General Release, I acknowledge and intend that it shall be
effective as a bar to each and every one of the Claims hereinabove
mentioned or implied. I expressly consent that this General Release shall
be given full force and effect according to each and all of its express
terms and provisions, including those relating to unknown and unsuspected
Claims (notwithstanding any state statute that expressly limits the
effectiveness of a general release of unknown, unsuspected and
unanticipated Claims), if any, as well as those relating to any other
Claims hereinabove mentioned or implied. I acknowledge and agree that this
waiver is an essential and material term of this General Release and that
without such waiver the Company would not have agreed to the terms of the
Agreement. I further agree that in the event I should bring a
Claim seeking damages against the Company, or in the event I should seek
to recover against the Company in any Claim brought by a governmental
agency on my behalf, this General Release shall serve as a complete
defense to such Claims to the maximum extent permitted by law. I further
agree that I am not aware of any pending claim of the type described in
paragraph 2 as of the execution of this General
Release.
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7.
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I
agree that neither this General Release, nor the furnishing of the
consideration for this General Release, shall be deemed or construed at
any time to be an admission by the Company, any Released Party or myself
of any improper or unlawful
conduct.
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8.
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I
agree that I will forfeit all amounts payable by the Company pursuant to
the Agreement if I challenge the validity of this General Release. I also
agree that if I violate this General Release by suing the Company or the
other Released Parties, I will pay all costs and expenses of defending
against the suit incurred by the Released Parties, including reasonable
attorneys' fees, and return all payments received by me pursuant to the
Agreement.
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9.
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I
agree to reasonably cooperate with the Company in any internal
investigation, any administrative, regulatory, or judicial proceeding or
any dispute with a third party. I understand and agree that my cooperation
may include, but not be limited to, making myself available to the Company
upon reasonable notice for interviews and factual investigations;
appearing at the Company's request to give testimony without requiring
service of a subpoena or other legal process; volunteering to the Company
pertinent information; and turning over to the Company all relevant
documents which are or may come into my possession all at times and on
schedules that are reasonably consistent with my other permitted
activities and commitments. I understand that in the event the Company
asks for my cooperation in accordance with this provision, the Company
will reimburse me solely for reasonable travel expenses, (including
lodging and meals), upon my submission of
receipts.
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B-2
10.
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I
agree not to disparage the Company, its past and present investors,
officers, directors or employees or its affiliates and to keep all
confidential and proprietary information about the past or present
business affairs of the Company and its affiliates confidential unless a
prior written release from the Company is obtained. I further
agree that as of the date hereof, I have returned to the Company any and
all property, tangible or intangible, relating to its business, which I
possessed or had control over at any time (including, but not limited to,
company-provided credit cards, building or office access cards, keys,
computer equipment, manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer
data base and other data) and that I shall not retain any copies,
compilations, extracts, excerpts, summaries or other notes of any such
manuals, files, documents, records, software, customer data base or other
data.
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11.
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Notwithstanding
anything in this General Release to the contrary, this General Release
shall not relinquish, diminish, or in any way affect any rights or claims
arising out of any breach by the Company or by any Released Party of the
Agreement after the date hereof and nothing herein shall release the
Company from its obligations under the Agreement or impair the Executive’s
right to enforce the Agreement.
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12.
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Whenever
possible, each provision of this General Release shall be interpreted in,
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any
provision of this General Release is held to be invalid, illegal or
unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any
jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not
affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this General
Release shall be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as
if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been
contained herein.
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BY
SIGNING THIS GENERAL RELEASE, I REPRESENT AND AGREE THAT:
A.
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I
HAVE READ IT CAREFULLY;
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B.
|
I
UNDERSTAND ALL OF ITS TERMS AND KNOW THAT I AM GIVING UP IMPORTANT RIGHTS,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO, RIGHTS UNDER THE AGE DISCRIMINATION IN
EMPLOYMENT ACT OF 1967, AS AMENDED, TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF
1964, AS AMENDED; THE EQUAL PAY ACT OF 1963, THE AMERICANS WITH
DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990; AND THE EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT INCOME SECURITY ACT
OF 1974, AS AMENDED;
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C.
|
I
VOLUNTARILY CONSENT TO EVERYTHING IN
IT;
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B-3
D.
|
I
HAVE BEEN ADVISED TO CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE EXECUTING IT AND I
HAVE DONE SO OR, AFTER CAREFUL READING AND CONSIDERATION I HAVE CHOSEN NOT
TO DO SO OF MY OWN VOLITION;
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E.
|
I
HAVE HAD AT LEAST 21 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF MY RECEIPT OF THIS RELEASE
SUBSTANTIALLY IN ITS FINAL FORM ON _________ __, _____ TO CONSIDER
IT;
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F.
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I
UNDERSTAND THAT I HAVE SEVEN DAYS AFTER THE EXECUTION OF THIS RELEASE TO
REVOKE IT AND THAT THIS RELEASE SHALL NOT BECOME EFFECTIVE OR ENFORCEABLE
UNTIL THE REVOCATION PERIOD HAS
EXPIRED;
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G.
|
I
HAVE SIGNED THIS GENERAL RELEASE KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY AND WITH THE
ADVICE OF ANY COUNSEL RETAINED TO ADVISE ME WITH RESPECT TO IT;
AND
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H.
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I
AGREE THAT THE PROVISIONS OF THIS GENERAL RELEASE MAY NOT BE AMENDED,
WAIVED, CHANGED OR MODIFIED EXCEPT BY AN INSTRUMENT IN WRITING SIGNED BY
AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COMPANY AND BY
ME.
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DATE:
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B-4