NETAPP, INC. FORM OF CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE AGREEMENT (NON-CEO EXECUTIVES)
Exhibit
10.09
(NON-CEO EXECUTIVES)
This Change of Control Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into by and
between (“Executive”) and NetApp, Inc. (the “Company”), effective as of
June 19, 2008 (the “Effective Date”).
RECITALS
1. It is expected that the Company from time to time will consider the possibility of an
acquisition by another company or other change of control. The Compensation Committee of the Board
of Directors of the Company (the “Committee”) recognizes that such consideration can be a
distraction to Executive and can cause Executive to consider alternative employment opportunities.
The Committee has determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders
to assure that the Company will have the continued dedication and objectivity of Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control of the Company.
2. The Committee believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its
stockholders to provide Executive with an incentive to continue his or her employment and to
motivate Executive to maximize the value of the Company upon a Change of Control for the benefit of
its stockholders.
3. The Committee believes that it is imperative to provide Executive with certain severance
benefits upon Executive’s termination of employment following a Change of Control. These benefits
will provide Executive with enhanced financial security and incentive and encouragement to remain
with the Company notwithstanding the possibility of a Change of Control.
4. Certain capitalized terms used in the Agreement are defined in Section 5 below.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, the parties hereto
agree as follows:
1. Term of Agreement. This Agreement will have an initial term of three (3) years
commencing on the Effective Date (the “Initial Term”). On the third anniversary of the Effective
Date, this Agreement will renew automatically for an additional one (1) year term (the “Additional
Term”) unless either party provides the other party with written notice of non-renewal at least
sixty
(60) days prior to the date of automatic renewal. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, if
a Change of Control occurs at any time during either the Initial Term or an Additional Term, the
term of this Agreement will extend automatically through date that is twelve (12) months following
the effective date of the Change of Control. If Executive becomes entitled to severance benefits
under
Section 3 during the term of this Agreement, the Agreement will not terminate until all of
the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.
2. At-Will Employment. The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s
employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law. If Executive’s
employment terminates for any reason, including (without limitation) any termination that occurs
other than during the period that is on or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control as
provided herein, Executive will not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or
compensation other than as provided by this Agreement and the payment of accrued but unpaid wages,
as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses.
3. Severance Benefits.
(a) Termination without Cause or Resignation for Good Reason in Connection with a Change
of Control. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment with the Company without Cause or
if Executive resigns from such employment for Good Reason, and such termination occurs during the
period that is on or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control, and Executive signs and
does not revoke a separation agreement and release of claims with the Company (in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit A and effective no later than March 15 of the year
following the year in which the termination occurs), then Executive will receive the following from
the Company:
(i) Accrued Compensation. The Company will pay Executive all accrued but unpaid
vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, and other benefits due to Executive under any
Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements; provided, however, that if Executive is
eligible to receive any payments or benefits pursuant to this Section 3, Executive will not be
eligible to receive any payments or benefits pursuant to any Company severance plan, policy, or
other arrangement).
(ii) Severance Payment. Executive will receive a lump sum severance payment (less
applicable withholding taxes) equal to the sum of (A) 200% of Executive’s annual base salary as in
effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date or (if greater) at the level in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control, and (B) 100% of Executive’s target annual bonus as in
effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination date or (if greater) at the level in effect
immediately prior to the Change of Control.
(iii) Equity Awards. All outstanding equity awards subject to time-based vesting will
vest as to that portion of the equity award that would have vested through the twenty-four (24)
month period from Executive’s termination date had Executive remained employed through such period.
Additionally, Executive will be entitled to accelerated vesting as to an additional 50% of the
then unvested portion of all of Executive’s outstanding equity awards that are scheduled to vest
pursuant to performance-based criteria, if any. Executive will have one (1) year
following the date of his or her termination in which to exercise any outstanding stock
options or other similar rights to acquire Company common stock; provided, however, that such
post-
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termination exercise period will not extend beyond the original maximum term of the stock
option or other similar right to acquire Company common stock.1
(iv) Continued Employee Benefits. If Executive elects continuation coverage pursuant
to the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) for Executive
and Executive’s eligible dependents, within the time period prescribed pursuant to COBRA, the
Company will reimburse Executive for the COBRA premiums for such coverage (at the coverage levels
in effect immediately prior to Executive’s termination) until the earlier of (A) a period of
eighteen (18) months from the last date of employment of the Executive with the Company, or (B) the
date upon which Executive and/or Executive’s eligible dependents becomes covered under similar
plans. COBRA reimbursements will be made by the Company to Executive consistent with the Company’s
normal expense reimbursement policy.
(b) Timing of Severance Payments. Unless otherwise required by Section 3(g), the
Company will pay any severance payments in a lump sum as soon as practicable following Executive’s
termination date; provided, however, that no severance or other benefits will be paid or provided
until the separation agreement and release of claims becomes effective, and any severance amounts
or benefits otherwise payable between Executive’s termination date and the date such release
becomes effective will be paid on the effective date of such release. If Executive should die
before all of the severance amounts have been paid, such unpaid amounts will be paid in a lump-sum
payment promptly following such event to Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living, or
otherwise to the personal representative of Executive’s estate.
(c) Voluntary Resignation; Termination for Cause. If Executive’s employment with the
Company terminates (i) voluntarily by Executive (other than for Good Reason during the period that
is on or within twelve (12) months after a Change of Control) or (ii) for Cause by the Company,
then Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except for those (if
any) as may then be established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans and
practices or pursuant to other written agreements with the Company.
(d) Disability; Death. If the Company terminates Executive’s employment as a result
of Executive’s Disability, or Executive’s employment terminates due to his or her death, then
Executive will not be entitled to receive severance or other benefits except for those (if any) as
may then be established under the Company’s then existing written severance and benefits plans and
practices or pursuant to other written agreements with the Company.
| 1 | Section 3(a)(iii) of the Agreement for each of Messrs. Gomo and Xxxxxxx reads as follows: “Any outstanding equity awards granted on or before June 19, 2008 will vest in full as to 100% of the unvested portion of the award. All outstanding equity awards granted after June 19, 2008 and subject to time-based vesting will vest as to that portion of the equity award that would have vested through the twenty-four (24) month period from Executive’s termination date had Executive remained employed through such period. Additionally, Executive will be entitled to accelerated vesting as to an additional 50% of the then unvested portion of all of Executive’s outstanding equity awards granted after June 19, 2008 that are scheduled to vest pursuant to performance-based criteria, if any. Executive will have one (1) year following the date of his or her termination in which to exercise any outstanding stock options or other similar rights to acquire Company common stock; provided, however, that such post-termination exercise period will not extend beyond the original maximum term of the stock option or other similar right to acquire Company common stock.” |
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(e) Termination not in Connection with a Change of Control. In the event Executive’s
employment is terminated for any reason other than as provided in Section 3(a), then Executive will
be entitled to receive severance and any other benefits only as may then be established under the
Company’s existing written severance and benefits plans and practices or pursuant to other written
agreements with the Company.
(f) Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a termination of Executive’s employment as set
forth in Section 3(a), the provisions of Section 3 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu
of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Company may otherwise be entitled,
whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement (other than the payment of
accrued but unpaid wages, as required by law, and any unreimbursed reimbursable expenses).
Executive will be entitled to no benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon
termination of employment following a Change of Control other than those benefits expressly set
forth in this Section 3.
(g) Section 409A.
(i) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified
employee” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and any guidance
promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) at the time of Executive’s termination (other than due to
death), and the severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement, when considered
together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred
compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits”) that
are payable within the first six (6) months following Executive’s termination of employment, will
become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one
(1) day following the date of Executive’s termination of employment. All subsequent Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule
applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if
Executive dies following his termination but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of his
termination, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump
sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death and all other
Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule
applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under this Agreement is
intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury
Regulations.
(ii) Any amount paid under the Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the “short-term
deferral” rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations shall not constitute
Deferred Compensation Separation Benefits for purposes of clause (i) above.
(iii) Amount paid under the Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an
involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the
Treasury Regulations that do not exceed the Section 409A Limit shall not constitute Deferred
Compensation Separation Benefits for purposes of clause (i) above.
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(iv) The foregoing provisions are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so
that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the
additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so
comply. The Company and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to
this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to
avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive
under Section 409A.
4. Limitation on Payments. In the event that the severance and other benefits
provided for in this Agreement or otherwise payable to Executive (i) constitute “parachute
payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this Section 4, would be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, then Executive’s severance benefits
under
Section 3(a) will be either:
| (a) | delivered in full, or | ||
| (b) | delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such severance benefits being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, |
whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local
income taxes and the excise tax imposed by Section 4999, results in the receipt by Executive on an
after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of severance benefits, notwithstanding that all or some
portion of such severance benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code. Unless the
Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determination required under this Section 4
will be made in writing by the Company’s independent public accountants immediately prior to a
Change of Control or such other person or entity to which the parties mutually agree (the
“Accountants”), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company
for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 4, the
Accountants may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may
rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999
of the Code. The Company and Executive will furnish to the Accountants such information and
documents as the Accountants may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this
Section. The Company will bear all costs the Accountants may incur in connection with any
calculations contemplated by this Section 4.
5. Definition of Terms. The following terms referred to in this Agreement will have
the following meanings:
| (a) | Cause. “Cause” will mean: |
(i) Executive’s continued intentional and demonstrable failure to perform his or her duties
customarily associated with Executive’s position as an employee of the Company or its respective
successors or assigns, as applicable (other than any such failure resulting from
Executive’s mental or physical Disability) after Executive has received a written demand of
performance from the Company with specifically sets forth the factual basis for the Company’s
belief that Executive has not devoted sufficient time and effort to the performance of his or her
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duties and has failed to cure such non-performance within thirty (30) days after receiving such
notice (it being understood that if Executive is in good-faith performing his or her duties, but is
not achieving results the Company deems satisfactory for Executive’s position, it will not be
considered to be grounds for termination of Executive for “Cause”);
(ii) Executive’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony that the Board of
Directors of the Company (the “Board”) reasonably believes has had or will have a material
detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business; or
(iii) Executive’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, willful
misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty against, and causing material harm to, the Company or its
respective successors or assigns, as applicable.
Executive will receive notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Board with Executive’s
own attorney before any termination for Cause is deemed effective. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary, the Board may immediately place Executive on administrative leave (with full pay and
benefits to the extent legally permissible) but will allow reasonable access to Company
information, employees and business should Executive wish to avail himself and prepare for his or
her opportunity to be heard before the Board prior to the Board’s termination for Cause. If
Executive avails himself of his or her opportunity to be heard before the Board, and then fails to
make himself or herself available to the Board within thirty (30) days of such request to be heard,
the Board may thereafter cancel the administrative leave and terminate Executive for Cause.
Likewise, if the Board fails to make itself available to Executive and his or her counsel within
thirty (30) days of Executive’s request to be heard, Executive will be entitled to terminate his or
her employment with the Company and such termination will be treated as a resignation by Executive
for Good Reason.
(b) Change of Control. “Change of Control” will mean the occurrence of any of the
following events:
(i) Change in Ownership of the Company. A change in the ownership of the Company
which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”),
acquires ownership of the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person,
constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company, except that any
change in the ownership of the stock of the Company as a result of a private financing of the
Company that is approved by the Board will not be considered a Change of Control; or
(ii) Change in Effective Control of the Company. A change in the effective control of
the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any
twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority
of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election. For purposes of this
clause (ii), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company,
the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered
a Change of Control; or
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(iii) Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets. A change
in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets which occurs on the date that any
Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most
recent acquisition by such person or persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair
market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of
the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions. For purposes of this subsection
(iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the
assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For these purposes, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a
corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar
business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this definition, a transaction will not be deemed
a Change of Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the
meaning of Section 409A.
(c) Disability. “Disability” will mean that the Employee has been unable to perform
his or her Company duties as the result of his or her incapacity due to physical or mental illness,
and such inability, at least twenty-six (26) weeks after its commencement or 180 days in any
consecutive twelve (12) month period, is determined to be total and permanent by a physician
selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to Executive or Executive’s legal
representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld). Termination
resulting from Disability may only be effected after at least thirty (30) days’ written notice by
the Company of its intention to terminate the Employee’s employment. In the event that the
Employee resumes the performance of substantially all of his or her duties hereunder before the
termination of his or her employment becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate will
automatically be deemed to have been revoked.
(d) Good Reason. “Good Reason” will mean Executive’s termination of employment within
ninety (90) days following the expiration of any cure period (discussed below) following the
occurrence of one or more of the following, without Executive’s consent:
(i) A material reduction of Executive’s authority or responsibilities, relative to Executive’s
authority or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or a change in the
Executive’s reporting position such that Executive no longer reports directly to the officer
position or its functional equivalent to which Executive was reporting immediately prior to
such change in reporting position (unless Executive is reporting to the comparable officer
position of the parent corporation in a group of controlled corporations following a Change of
Control);2
| 2 | Section 5(d)(i) of Xx. Xxxx’x Agreement reads as follows: “A material reduction of Executive’s authority or responsibilities, relative to Executive’s authority or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or a change in the Executive’s reporting position such that Executive no longer reports directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the parent corporation in a group of controlled corporations following a Change of Control;” |
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(ii) A material reduction in Executive’s base salary or target annual incentive (“Base
Compensation”) as in effect immediately prior to such reduction, unless the Company (or Executive’s
employer or the parent corporation in a group of controlled corporations following a Change of
Control) also similarly reduces the Base Compensation of all other employees of the Company (or
Executive’s employer or the parent corporation in a group of controlled corporations following a
Change of Control) with positions, duties and responsibilities comparable to Executive’s;
(iii) A material change in the geographic location at which Executive must perform services
(in other words, the relocation of Executive to a facility that is more than thirty-five (35) miles
from Executive’s current location);
(iv) Any purported termination of the Executive’s employment for “Cause” without first
satisfying the procedural protections, as applicable, required by the definition of “Cause” set
forth in that definition; or
(v) The failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the agreement by a successor and/or
acquirer and an agreement that Executive will retain the substantially similar responsibilities in
the acquirer or the merged or surviving company as he or she had prior to the transaction.
The notification and placement of Executive on administrative leave pending a potential
determination by the Board that Executive may be terminated for Cause will not constitute Good
Reason.
Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Company with written
notice within sixty (60) days of the event that Executive believes constitutes “Good Reason”
specifically identifying the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for Good Reason and a
reasonable cure period of not less than thirty (30) days following the date of such notice.
(e) Section 409A Limit. “Section 409A Limit” will mean the lesser of two (2) times:
(i) Executive’s annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during
the Executive’s taxable year preceding the Executive’s taxable year of Executive’s termination of
employment as determined under, and with such adjustments as are set forth in, Treasury Regulation
1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or
(ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Section
401(a)(17) of the Code for the year in which Executive’s employment is terminated.
6. Successors.
(a) The Company’s Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or
indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) or to all or
substantially all of the Company’s business and/or assets will assume the obligations under this
Agreement and agree expressly to perform the obligations under this Agreement in the same manner
and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence
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of a succession. For all purposes under this Agreement, the term “Company” will include any
successor to the Company’s business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption
agreement described in this Section 6(a) or which becomes bound by the terms of this Agreement by
operation of law.
(b) Executive’s Successors. The terms of this Agreement and all rights of Executive
hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executive’s personal or legal
representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees.
7. Arbitration.
(a) The Company and Executive each agree that any and all disputes arising out of the terms of
this Agreement, Executive’s employment by the Company, Executive’s service as an officer or
director of the Company, or Executive’s compensation and benefits, their interpretation and any of
the matters herein released, will be subject to binding arbitration under the arbitration rules
set forth in California Code of Civil Procedure Sections 1280 through 1294.2, including Section
1281.8 (the “Act”), and pursuant to California law. Disputes that the Company and Executive agree
to arbitrate, and thereby agree to waive any right to a trial by jury, include any statutory claims
under local, state, or federal law, including, but not limited to, claims under Title VII of the
Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act, the
Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act,
the Family and Medical Leave Act, the California Family Rights Act, the California Labor Code,
claims of harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination, and any statutory or common law
claims. The Company and Executive further understand that this Agreement to arbitrate also applies
to any disputes that the Company may have with Executive.
(b) Procedure. The Company and Executive agree that any arbitration will be
administered by Judicial Arbitration & Mediation Services, Inc. (“JAMS”), pursuant to its
Employment Arbitration Rules & Procedures (the “JAMS Rules”). The Arbitrator will have the power
to decide any motions brought by any party to the arbitration, including motions for summary
judgment and/or adjudication, motions to dismiss and demurrers, and motions for class
certification, prior to any arbitration hearing. The Arbitrator will have the power to award any
remedies available under applicable law, and the Arbitrator will award attorneys’ fees and costs to
the prevailing party, except as prohibited by law. The Company will pay for any administrative or
hearing fees charged by the Arbitrator or JAMS except that Executive will pay any filing fees
associated with any arbitration that Executive initiates, but only so much of the filing fees as
Executive would have instead paid had he or she filed a complaint in a court of law. The
Arbitrator will administer and conduct any arbitration in accordance with California law, including
the California Code of Civil
Procedure, and the Arbitrator will apply substantive and procedural California law to any
dispute or claim, without reference to rules of conflict of law. To the extent that the JAMS Rules
conflict with California law, California law will take precedence. The decision of the Arbitrator
will be in writing. Any arbitration under this Agreement will be conducted in Santa Xxxxx County,
California.
(c) Remedy. Except as provided by the Act and this Agreement, arbitration will be the
sole, exclusive, and final remedy for any dispute between Executive and the Company.
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Accordingly,
except as provided for by the Act and this Agreement, neither Executive nor the Company will be
permitted to pursue court action regarding claims that are subject to arbitration.
(d) Administrative Relief. Executive understand that this Agreement does not prohibit
him or her from pursuing any administrative claim with a local, state, or federal administrative
body or government agency that is authorized to enforce or administer laws related to employment,
including, but not limited to, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, or the Workers’ Compensation Board.
This Agreement does, however, preclude Executive from pursuing court action regarding any such
claim, except as permitted by law.
(e) Voluntary Nature of Agreement. Each of the Company and Executive acknowledges and
agrees that such party is executing this Agreement voluntarily and without any duress or undue
influence by anyone. Executive further acknowledges and agrees that he or she has carefully read
this Agreement and has asked any questions needed for him or her to understand the terms,
consequences, and binding effect of this Agreement and fully understand it, including that
Executive is waiving his or her right to a jury trial. Finally, Executive agrees that he or she
has been provided an opportunity to seek the advice of an attorney of his or her choice before
signing this Agreement.
8. Notice.
(a) General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement will
be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or when mailed
by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of
Executive, mailed notices will be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most
recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the Company, mailed notices will
be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices will be directed to the attention of
its President.
(b) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for Cause or by Executive
for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the other party hereto given in
accordance with Section 8(a) of this Agreement. Such notice will indicate the specific termination
provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will
specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the giving of such
notice). The failure by Executive to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Good Reason will not waive any right of Executive hereunder or preclude
Executive from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his or her rights hereunder.
9. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) No Duty to Mitigate. Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any
payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any such payment be reduced by any earnings that
Executive may receive from any other source.
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(b) Other Requirements. Executive’s receipt of any payments or benefits under Section
3 will be subject to Executive continuing to comply with the terms of any confidential information
agreement executed by Executive in favor of the Company and the provisions of this Agreement.
(c) Waiver. No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged
unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by
an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive). No waiver by either party of any
breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party
will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or
provision at another time.
(d) Headings. All captions and section headings used in this Agreement are for
convenient reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement of the parties
hereto and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or
agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect
to the subject matter hereof, including, without limitation, the Addendum to Stock Option Agreement
applicable to any stock option award of Executive. No waiver, alteration, or modification of any
of the provisions of this Agreement will be binding unless in writing and signed by duly authorized
representatives of the parties hereto and which specifically mention this Agreement.
(f) Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this
Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of California (with the exception of its
conflict of laws provisions). Any claims or legal actions by one party against the other arising
out of the relationship between the parties contemplated herein (whether or not arising under this
Agreement) will be commenced or maintained in any state or federal court located in the
jurisdiction where Executive resides, and Executive and the Company hereby submit to the
jurisdiction and venue of any such court.
(g) Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions
of this Agreement will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof,
which will remain in full force and effect.
(h) Withholding. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement will be subject to
withholding of applicable income, employment and other taxes.
(i) Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will
be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties has executed this Agreement, in the case of the
Company by its duly authorized officer, as of the day and year set forth below.
| COMPANY | NETAPP, INC. | |||||
| By: | ||||||
| Title: | ||||||
| Date: | ||||||
EXECUTIVE
|
By: | |||||
| Title: | ||||||
| Date: | ||||||
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Exhibit A
Separation Agreement and Release of Claims
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[NETAPP LETTERHEAD]
[DATE]
[NAME]
[Street Address at termination]
[City, State & Zip at termination]
[Street Address at termination]
[City, State & Zip at termination]
Dear [NAME]:
This letter confirms the agreement between NetApp, Inc., (the “Company”) and you regarding the
terms of your separation from the Company as of [insert date] (your “Termination Date”).
1. Severance Benefits. In consideration for your signing this agreement, you will
receive the severance benefits set forth in Section 3 of the Change of Control Severance Agreement
between you and the Company effective as of June 19, 2008 (the “Change of Control Severance
Agreement”), subject to the conditions set forth herein and the Change of Control Severance
Agreement.
2. Return of Company Property. You have returned to the Company all Company property
in your possession.
3. Maintaining Confidential Information. You agree not to disclose any confidential
information you acquired, while an employee of the Company, to any other person or use such
information in any manner that is detrimental to the Company’s interests, per NetApp’s Proprietary
Information and Inventions Agreement (the “Proprietary Information Agreement”), which you signed
when you were hired and you further agree to honor the terms of that agreement, including those
terms which survive your employment with the Company.
4. Acknowledgement of Payment of Wages. Except for any severance benefits set forth
in Section 1, by your last day worked you will have received your final paycheck which will include
a final payment for wages through your Termination Date, salary, bonuses, if any, employee stock
purchase plan reimbursement, accrued but unused vacation pay and any similar payments due from
NetApp, less applicable taxes and 401k deduction, if applicable, as of the Termination Date. You
acknowledge that NetApp does not owe you any other amounts, except any valid un-reimbursed business
expenses that you will submit to the Company.
5. General Release of the Company. You understand that by agreeing to this release
you are agreeing not to xxx, or otherwise file any claim against, the Company or any of its
employees or other agents for any reason whatsoever based on anything that has occurred as of the
date you sign this agreement.
a) On behalf of yourself and your heirs and assigns, you hereby release and
forever discharge the “Releasees” hereunder, consisting of the Company, and each of
its owners, shareholders, affiliates, divisions, predecessors, successors,
assigns, agents, directors, officers, partners, employees, and insurers, and
all persons acting by, through, under or in concert with them, or any of them, of
and from any and all manner of action or actions, cause or causes of action, in law
or in equity, suits, debts, liens, contracts, agreements, promises, liability,
claims, demands, damages, loss, cost or expense, of any nature whatsoever, known or
unknown, fixed or contingent (hereinafter called “Claims”), which you now have or
may hereafter have against the Releasees, or any of them, by reason of any matter,
cause, or thing whatsoever from the beginning of time to the date hereof, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any Claims arising out of, based
upon, or relating to your hire, employment, remuneration or resignation by the
Releasees, or any of them, including any Claims arising under Title VII of the Civil
Rights Act of 1964, as amended; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as
amended; the Equal Pay Act, as amended; the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended;
the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended; the California Fair
Employment and Housing Act, as amended; the California Labor Code; and/or any other
local, state or federal law governing discrimination in employment and/or the
payment of wages and benefits.
Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, you do not release the
following claims:
(i) Claims for unemployment compensation or any state disability
insurance benefits pursuant to the terms of applicable state law;
(ii) Claims for workers’ compensation insurance benefits under the terms
of any workers’ compensation insurance policy or fund of the Company;
(iii) Claims to continued participation in certain of the Company’s
group benefit plans pursuant to the terms and conditions of the federal law
known as COBRA;
(iv) Claims to any benefit entitlements vested as the date of your
employment termination, pursuant to written terms of any Company employee
benefit plan;
(v) Claims to any severance benefits due and owing pursuant to Section
1;
(vi) Claims that cannot be released as a matter of law, including, but
not limited to: (1) your right to file a charge with or participate in a
charge by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other local,
state, or federal administrative body or government agency that is authorized
to enforce or administer laws related to employment, against the Company
(with the understanding that any such filing or participation does not give
you the right to recover any monetary damages against the Company; your
release of claims herein bars you from recovering such monetary relief from
the
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Company); (2) claims under Division 3, Article 2 of the California Labor
Code (which includes California Labor Code section 2802 regarding indemnity
for necessary expenditures or losses by employee); and (3) claims prohibited
from release as set forth in California Labor Code section 206.5
(specifically “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”); and
(vii) Claims under the terms of any indemnification agreement entered
into between you and the Company.
b) YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU 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.
BEING AWARE OF SAID CODE SECTION, YOU HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS YOU MAY HAVE
THEREUNDER, AS WELL AS UNDER ANY OTHER STATUTES OR COMMON LAW PRINCIPLES OF SIMILAR
EFFECT.
c) You acknowledge that you are waiving and releasing any rights you may have
under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”) and that this waiver
and release is knowing and voluntary. You and the Company agree that this waiver
and release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise under ADEA after
the effective date of this agreement. You acknowledge that the consideration given
for this release is in addition to anything of value to which you were already
entitled. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this agreement that
(a) you should consult with an attorney before signing this agreement; (b) you have
up to twenty-one (21) days within which to consider this agreement; (c) you have
seven (7) days following your signing this agreement to revoke it; (d) this release
will not be effective until the revocation period has expired; and (e) nothing in
this agreement prevents or precludes you 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 from doing so, unless specifically
authorized by federal law. In the event you sign this agreement and return it to
the Company in less than the 21-day period identified above, you hereby acknowledge
that you have freely and voluntarily chosen to waive the time period allotted for
considering this agreement.
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6. Severability. The provisions of this agreement are severable. If any provision is
held to be invalid or unenforceable, it shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision.
7. Choice of Law/Venue. This agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of
California, without regard for choice-of-law provisions. You consent to personal and exclusive
jurisdiction and venue in the State of California.
8. Voluntary and Knowing Agreement. You represent that you have thoroughly read and
considered all aspects of this agreement, that you understand all its provisions and that you are
voluntarily entering into this agreement.
9. Effective Date. You have seven (7) days after you sign this agreement to revoke
it. This agreement will become effective on the eighth (8th) day after you sign this agreement, so
long as it has been signed by both parties and has not been revoked by you before that date.
10. Entire Agreement; Amendment. This agreement, together with the Change of Control
Severance Agreement, Proprietary Information Agreement, and agreements relating to your equity
incentive awards, set forth the entire agreement between you and the Company and supersedes any and
all prior oral or written agreements or understanding between you and the Company concerning the
subject matter. This agreement may not be altered, amended or modified, except by a further
written document signed by you and the Company.
If the above accurately reflects your understanding, please date and sign the enclosed copy of
this letter in the places indicated below and return it to Human Resources.
| Respectfully, | ||||
[Job Title] |
Accepted and agreed to on |
. | |||
[NAME] |
||||
Current Mailing Address (Severance check(s) will be mailed to this address and NetApp will update
your records to reflect this address if it is different than the address on file).
Encl.
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