Exhibit 10.8.3.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT is
entered into by and between Avery Dennison Corporation, a Delaware
corporation (the “Company”) and
(the
“Executive”), effective as of
.
The Board of Directors of the
Company (the “Board”) has determined that it is in the
best interests of the Company and its shareholders to enter into an
Employment Agreement with Executive to assure that the Company will
have the continued dedication of the Executive. The Board further
believes it is imperative to diminish the inevitable distraction of
the Executive by virtue of the personal uncertainties and risks
created by a pending or threatened Change of Control (as defined
below) and to encourage the Executive’s full attention and
dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any
threatened or pending Change of Control, and has therefore
determined to extend the term of the employment period upon a
Change of Control to provide the Executive with compensation and
benefits arrangements upon a Change of Control which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order
to accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to
enter into this Employment Agreement.
This Agreement contains the
entire agreement between the parties with respect to the matters
specified herein and supersedes all prior oral and written
employment agreements, understandings and commitments between the
Company and Executive.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY
AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain
Definitions
(a) The “Effective
Date” shall mean the date hereof, which is set forth in the
first paragraph of this Agreement.
(b) The “Employment
Period” shall mean the period commencing on the Effective
Date and ending on the first anniversary of the Effective Date;
provided, however, that commencing on the first day of the month
next following the Effective Date and on the first day of each
month thereafter prior to a Change of Control (the most recent of
such dates is hereinafter referred to as the “Renewal
Date”), the Employment Period shall be automatically extended
so as to terminate on the earlier of the first anniversary of such
Renewal Date or (ii) the Executive’s “Normal
Retirement Age” as such concept is defined under the Company
sponsored qualified retirement plan, unless the Company or
Executive shall give notice to the other that the Employment Period
shall not be further extended prior to any such Renewal Date.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any of the provisions of this
Agreement to the contrary, if a Change of Control (as defined in
Section 2) occurs, the Employment Period shall be
automatically extended so as to terminate on the earlier of three
years from the date on which the Change of Control occurs or the
Executive’s Normal Retirement Age.
If the Executive’s
employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on
which a Change of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably
demonstrated by the Executive that such termination of employment
(i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps
reasonably calculated to effect a Change of Control or
(ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a
Change of Control, then for all purposes of this Agreement the
“Employment Period” for such Executive shall be the
earlier of three years from the date of such termination of
employment or the Executive’s Normal Retirement
Age.
2. Change of
Control
Change of Control
. “Change of Control”
means “a change in the ownership or effective control,”
or in “the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets
of” the Company, within the meaning of Code
Section 409A, and shall include any of the following events as
such concepts are interpreted under Code
Section 409A:
(i) the date on which a majority of members
of the Company’s Board of Directors is replaced during any
twelve-month period by directors whose appointment or election is
not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Company’s
Board of Directors before the date of the appointment or election;
or
(ii) the acquisition, by any one person, or
by a corporation owned by a group of persons that has entered into
a merger, acquisition, consolidation, purchase, stock acquisition,
asset acquisition, or similar business transaction with the
Company, of:
A. ownership of stock of the Company, that,
together with any stock previously held by such person or group,
constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of either (i) the
total fair market value or (ii) the total voting power of the
stock of the Company;
B. ownership of stock of the Company
possessing percent (30%) or more of the total voting power of the
Company, during the twelve-month period ending on the date of such
acquisition; or
C. assets from the Company that have a
total gross fair market value equal to or more than forty percent
(40%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of
the Company during the twelve-month period ending on the date of
such acquisition; provided, however, that any transfer of assets to
a related person as defined under Section 409A shall not
constitute a Change of Control.
3. Employment
Period
The Company hereby agrees to
continue the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby
agrees to remain in the employ of the Company subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, for the period commencing on the
“Effective Date” and continuing during the
“Employment Period,” as defined in Sections 1(a) and
(b) above.
4. Terms of
Employment
(a) Position and
Duties
(i) During the Employment Period, the
Executive’s position (including titles), authority, duties
and responsibilities shall be at least commensurate with the most
significant of those held, exercised and assigned to the Executive
at any time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and
excluding any periods of vacation and sick leave to which the
Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to devote reasonable
attention and time during normal business hours to the business and
affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use
the Executive’s reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully
and efficiently such responsibilities. During the Employment Period
it shall not be a violation of this Agreement for the Executive to
(A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable boards or committees,
(B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or teach at
educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments,
so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of
the Executive’s responsibilities as an employee of the
Company in accordance with this Agreement. It is expressly
understood and agreed that to the extent that any such activities
have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective Date,
the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of
activities similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the
Effective Date shall not thereafter be deemed to interfere with the
performance of the Executive’s responsibilities to the
Company.
(b)
Compensation
(i)
Base Salary
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary (“Annual Base
Salary”) which shall be paid at a monthly rate at least equal
to twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable,
including any base salary which has been earned but deferred, to
the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in
respect of the twelve-month period immediately preceding the month
in which the Effective Date occurs. During the Employment Period,
the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed no more than
12 months after the last salary increase awarded to the
Executive prior to the Effective Date and thereafter at least
annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to
limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this
Agreement. Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such
increase, and the term “Annual Base Salary” as utilized
in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base Salary as so
increased; provided, however, that Executive’s Annual Base
Salary may be reduced prior to a Change of Control as part of any
general, across the board salary reduction which applies in a
comparable manner to other officers or senior executives of the
Company, but not by more than ten percent (10%) (unless Executive
agrees to accept a larger reduction) during any calendar year. As
used in this Agreement, the term “affiliated companies”
shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under
common control with the Company.
(ii)
Annual Bonus
In addition to Annual Base
Salary, the Executive shall be eligible to receive, for each fiscal
year ending during the Employment Period, an annual bonus (the
“Annual Bonus”) under the Company’s Executive
Leadership Compensation Plan or Senior Executive Incentive
(Leadership) Compensation Plan, or any comparable bonus under any
successor plan (such plans, collectively, the “Annual Bonus
Plans”), including any Annual Bonus which has been earned but
deferred. After a Change of Control, the Executive shall be awarded
for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period an Annual
Bonus in cash at least equal to the Executive’s average
Annual Bonus for the last three full fiscal years prior to the
Change of Control (annualized in the event that the Executive was
not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the
“Recent Annual Bonus”). Each such Annual Bonus shall be
paid no later than twp and one-half (2 1/2 )
months after the end of the fiscal year next following the fiscal
year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive
shall make a timely election to defer the receipt of such Annual
Bonus pursuant to a Company sponsored deferred compensation
plan.
(iii)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings, retirement, deferral (including the plans described in
Section 6(a)(v) below), and nonqualified supplemental pension
(including the Benefit Restoration Plan) plans, practices, policies
and programs applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies. In no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive after a
Change of Control with incentive opportunities (measured with
respect to both regular and special incentive opportunities, to the
extent, if any, that such distinction is applicable), savings
opportunities and retirement benefit opportunities, in each case,
which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most favorable
of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for
the Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as
in effect at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the Change of
Control to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv)
Welfare Benefit Plans
During the Employment Period, the
Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as the case may be,
shall be eligible for participation in and shall receive all
benefits under welfare benefit plans, practices, policies and
programs provided by the Company and its affiliated companies
(including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life,
accidental death and travel accident insurance plans and programs)
to the extent applicable generally to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies. In no event shall such plans,
practices, policies and programs provide the Executive after a
Change of Control with benefits which are less favorable, in the
aggregate, than the most favorable of such plans, practices,
policies and programs in effect for the Executive at any time
during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of
Control or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided
generally at any time after the Change of Control to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(v)
Expenses
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable expenses incurred by the Executive in accordance with
the policies, practices and procedures of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive from time to time.
After a Change of Control, such reimbursement shall be made in
accordance with the most favorable policies, practices and
procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(vi)
Fringe Benefits
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, if applicable, tax and financial planning services,
payment of club dues, and automobile lease and payment of related
expenses, in accordance with the plans, practices, programs and
policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect for
the Executive from time to time. After a Change of Control, such
fringe benefits shall be provided in accordance with the most
favorable plans, practices, programs and policies of the Company
and its affiliated companies in effect for the Executive at any
time during the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of
Control or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer
executives of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii)
Office and Support Staff
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office and support staff in
accordance with the practices and policies of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive from time to time.
After a Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled to an
office or offices of a size and with furnishings and other
appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and other
assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing
provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated
companies at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(viii) Vacation
During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
plans, policies, programs and practices of the Company and its
affiliated companies in effect for the Executive from time to time.
After a Change of Control, the Executive shall be entitled to
vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans, policies,
programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies
as in effect for the Executive at any time during the 120-day
period immediately preceding the Change or Control or, if more
favorable to the Executive, as in effect generally at any time
thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the Company and
its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of
Employment
(a) Death or
Disability
The Executive’s employment
shall terminate automatically upon the Executive’s death
during the Employment Period. If the Company determines in good
faith that the Disability of the Executive has occurred during the
Employment Period (pursuant to the definition of Disability set
forth below), it may give to the Executive written notice in
accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement of its intention to
terminate the Executive’s employment. In such event, the
Executive’s employment with the Company shall terminate
effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice by the
Executive (the “Disability Effective Date”), provided
that, within the 30 days after such receipt, the Executive
shall not have returned to full-time performance of the
Executive’s duties with or without reasonable accommodation.
For purposes of this Agreement, “Disability” shall mean
the absence of the Executive from the Executive’s duties with
the Company on a full-time basis for a period of (i) ninety
(90) consecutive calendar days or (ii) an aggregate of
one hundred fifty (150) calendar days in any fiscal year of
the Company as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical
illness which is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to
the Executive or the Executive’s legal representative
(subject to compliance with all applicable laws).
(b) Cause
The Company may terminate the
Executive’s employment during the Employment Period for
Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, “Cause” shall
mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of
the Executive to perform substantially the Executive’s duties
with the Company or one of its affiliates (other than any such
failure resulting from incapacity due to physical or mental
illness), after a written demand for substantial performance is
delivered to the Executive by the Board or the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company which specifically identifies the manner in
which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that the
Executive has not substantially performed the Executive’s
duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive
in illegal conduct or gross misconduct which is materially and
demonstrably injurious to the Company.
For purposes of this provision,
no act or failure to act, on the part of the Executive, shall be
considered “willful” unless it is done, or omitted to
be done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief
that the Executive’s action or omission was in the best
interests of the Company. Any act, or failure to act, based upon
authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Board
or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or a senior
officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of
the Company. The cessation of employment of the Executive shall not
be deemed to be for Cause unless and until there shall have been
delivered to the Executive a notice that the Executive is guilty of
the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) above,
and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good
Reason
The Executive’s employment
may be terminated by the Executive during the Employment Period for
Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, “Good
Reason” shall mean a “separation from service for good
reason” as set forth in Code Section 409A, which shall
mean that, without the express written consent of the Executive,
one or more of the following shall have occurred without being
timely remedied in the manner set forth below:
(i) A material diminution in the
Executive’s base compensation (except as provided for
herein).
(ii) A material diminution in the
Executive’s authority, duties, or
responsibilities.
(iii) A material diminution in the
authority, duties, or responsibilities of the supervisor to whom
the Executive is required to report.
(iv) A material change in the geographic
location at which the Executive must perform the
services.
(v) Any other action or inaction that
constitutes a material breach by the Company of the agreement under
which the Executive provides services.
The Executive shall have
“Good Reason” in connection with any or all of the
above solely if (A) the Executive provides notice to the
Company of the existence of the particular condition, action or
inaction which the Executive considers to give the Executive
“Good Reason” within ninety (90) days of the
initial existence of the condition, or the action or inaction, and
(B) the Company shall not have remedied the condition, action
or inaction within thirty (30) days of its receipt of the
Executive’s notice. The effective date of any termination for
“Good Reason” shall be no later than twelve
(12) months after the initial existence of such condition,
action or inaction constituting “Good
Reason.”
(d) Notice of
Termination
Any termination during the
Employment Period by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive for
Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination to the
other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice of
Termination” means a written notice which (i) indicates
the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon,
(ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable detail
the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for
termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision
so indicated, and (iii) if the Date of Termination (as defined
below) is other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies
the termination date (which date shall be not more than thirty days
after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or
the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or
circumstance which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause
shall not waive any right of the Executive or the Company,
respectively, hereunder or preclude the Executive or the Company,
respectively, from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing
the Executive’s or the Company’s rights
hereunder.
(e) Date of
Termination
“Date of Termination”
means “termination of service” as such term is defined
under Code Section 409A and shall be (i) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for
Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, the effective date of
termination specified in the Notice of Termination, (ii) if
the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company other
than for Cause or Disability, the date on which the Company
notifies the Executive of such termination, and (iii) if the
Executive’s employment is terminated by reason of death or
Disability, the date of death of the Executive or the Disability
Effective Date, as the case may be.
6. Obligations of the
Company upon Termination
(a) Good Reason; Other
Than for Cause, Death or Disability
If, during the Employment Period,
the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment other
than for Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate
employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive
in a lump sum in cash within 30 days after the Date of
Termination an amount equal to the present value, determined in
accordance with Section 280G(d)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the “Code”), of the aggregate of the
following amounts under A, B and C below ; provided however that
some or all of such payment shall be delayed if necessary to comply
with Code Section 409A as provided in
Section 12..
A. the Executive’s Annual Base Salary
through the Date of Termination to the extent not theretofore paid
(“Accrued Obligation”); and
B. (a) if the Date of Termination
occurs prior to a Change of Control, the amount equal to the
product of (1) one and (2) the Executive’s highest
combined Annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus during any of the last
three full fiscal years prior to the Date of Termination, or
(b) if the Date of Termination occurs after a Change of
Control (or the Executive’s Employment Period is extended to
three years under the last paragraph of Section 1(b)), the
amount equal to the product of (1) three (or the number of years,
including partial years, until the end of the Employment Period, if
less) and (2) the Executive’s highest combined Annual
Base Salary and Annual Bonus during any of the last three full
fiscal years prior to the Date of Termination, plus the product of
(x) (i) if a Change of Control does not occur during the
fiscal year which includes the Date of Termination, the highest
Annual Bonus paid to the Executive during the three (3) year
period ending on the Date of Termination or (ii) if a Change
of Control does occur during the fiscal year which includes the
Date of Termination, the higher of (I) the Recent Annual Bonus
and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable, including any bonus
or portion thereof which has been earned but deferred (and
annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full
months or during which the Executive was employed for less than
twelve full months), for the most recently completed fiscal year
during the Employment Period, if any (such higher amount being
referred to as the “Highest Annual Bonus”) and
(y) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
in the current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365; and
C. an amount equal to the difference
between (a) the aggregate benefit under the Company’s
qualified defined benefit retirement plans (collectively, the
“Retirement Plan”) and any excess or supplemental
defined benefit retirement plans (including the Benefit Restoration
Plan) in which the Executive participates (collectively, the
“SRP”) which the Executive would have accrued (whether
or not vested) if the Executive’s employment had continued
for one year (or three years if the Date of Termination occurs
after a Change of Control or the Executive’s Employment
Period is extended to three years under the last paragraph of
Section 1(b)) after the Date of Termination, but not after the
date on which the Executive attains age 65, and (b) the actual
vested benefit, if any, of the Executive under the Retirement Plan
and the SRP, determined as of the Date of Termination (with the
foregoing amounts to be computed on an actuarial present value
basis, based on the assumption that the Executive’s
compensation in the year (or, if applicable, each of the three
years) following such termination would have been that required by
Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), and using the
actuarial assumptions in effect for purposes of computing benefit
entitlements under the Retirement Plan and the SRP at the Date of
Termination or, following a Change of Control, using actuarial
assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than the most
favorable assumptions which were in effect for such purposes at any
time from the day before the Change of Control through the Date of
Termination;
(ii) for one year (or three years if the
Date of Termination occurs after a Change of Control or the
Executive’s Employment Period is extended to three years
under the last paragraph of Section 1(b)) after the
Executive’s Date of Termination, or such longer period as may
be provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice
or policy, subject to compliance with Code Section 409A as provided
in Section 12, the Company shall continue benefits to the
Executive and/or the Executive’s family at least equal to
those which would have been provided to them in accordance with the
plans, programs, practices and policies described in
Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the Executive’s
employment had not been terminated or, if more favorable to the
Executive, as in effect generally at any time thereafter with
respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies and their families; provided, however, that if the
Executive becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible
to receive medical or other welfare benefits under another
employer-provided plan, the medical and other welfare benefits
described herein shall be secondary to those provided under such
other plan during such applicable period of eligibility, and for
purposes of determining eligibility (but not the time of
commencement of benefits) of the Executive for retiree benefits
pursuant to such plans, programs, practices and policies, the
Executive shall be considered to have remained employed until one
year (or three years if the Date of Termination occurs after a
Change of Control or the Executive’s Employment Period is
extended to three years under the last paragraph of
Section 1(b)) after the Date of Termination and to have
retired on the last day of such period;
(iii) if the Date of Termination occurs
after a Change of Control or the Executive’s Employment
Period is extended to three years under the last paragraph of
Section 1(b), the Company shall, at its sole expense as
incurred (but in no event to exceed $50,000), provide the Executive
with outplacement services the scope and provider of which shall be
selected by the Executive in the Executive’s sole discretion
and any payments shall be subject to compliance with
Section 12;
(iv) within two and one-half (2
1/2 ) months after the Date of Termination, the
Executive shall be entitled to purchase at depreciated book value
the automobile (if any) which the Company was providing for the use
of such Executive, and to the extent not theretofore paid or
provided, the Company shall timely pay or provide to the Executive
any other amounts or benefits required to be paid or provided or
which the Executive is eligible to receive under any plan, program,
practice or policy or contract or agreement of the Company and its
affiliated companies (such other amounts and benefits shall be
hereinafter referred to as the “Other Benefits”);
and
(v) the Executive shall be treated, for
purposes of the Company’s Executive Deferred Compensation
Plan, Executive Variable Deferred Compensation Plan, Executive
Deferred Retirement Plan, Executive Variable Deferred Retirement
Plan, and any successor or similar plans, as if he had one more
year of service, and attained an age one year older, than his
actual years of service and age as of the Date of Termination;
provided, however, that Executive shall be credited with the number
of years of service and attained age (in addition to his actual
years of service and attained age on the Date of Termination) which
are required in order to satisfy the eligibility requirements for
“early retirement” benefits and to receive the
retirement interest rate under such plans, if the Date of
Termination occurs after a Change of Control or the
Executive’s Employment Period is extended to three years
under the last paragraph of Section 1(b).
If the Executive should die while
receiving payments pursuant to this Section 6(a), the
remaining payments which would have been made to the Executive if
he had lived shall be paid to the beneficiary designated in writing
by the Executive; or if there is no effective written designation,
then to his spouse; or if there is neither an effective written
designation nor a surviving spouse, then to his estate. Designation
of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the balance of any
such payments shall be made by written notice to the Company, and
the Executive may revoke or change any such designation of
beneficiary at any time by a later written notice to the
Company.
(b) Death
If the Executive’s
employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s death
during the Employment Period, this Agreement shall terminate
without further obligations to the Executive’s legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other
Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the
Executive’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With
respect to the provision of Other Benefits, after a Change of
Control the term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this
Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive’s estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to
receive, benefits at least equal to the most favorable benefits
provided by the Company and affiliated companies to the estates and
beneficiaries of peer executives of the Company and such affiliated
companies under such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to death benefits, if any, as were in effect with respect
to other peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during
the 120-day period immediately preceding the Change of Control or,
if more favorable to the Executive’s estate and/or the
Executive’s beneficiaries, as in effect on the date of the
Executive’s death with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their
beneficiaries.
(c)
Disability
If the Executive’s
employment is terminated by reason of the Executive’s
Disability during the Employment Period in accordance with
Section 5(a), this Agreement shall terminate without further
obligations to the Executive, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits.
Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum in
cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With respect
to the provision of Other Benefits, after a Change of Control the
term “Other Benefits” as utilized in this Section 6(c)
shall include, and the Executive shall be entitled after the
Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other benefits
at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives
and/or their families in accordance with such plans, programs,
practices and policies relating to disability, if any, as were in
effect generally with respect to other peer executives and their
families at any time during the 120-day period immediately
preceding the Change of Control or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive’s family, as in effect at any
time thereafter generally with respect to other peer executives of
the Company and its affiliated companies and their
families.
(d) Cause; Other than
for Good Reason
If the Executive’s
employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment
Period, this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations
to the Executive other than the obligation to pay to the Executive
(x) the Annual Base Salary through the Date of Termination,
(y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred by the
Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent
theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates
employment during the Employment Period, excluding a termination
for Good Reason, or retires at age 65 or thereafter, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. In such case, all Accrued obligations shall be paid
to the Executive in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the
Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of
Rights
Nothing in this Agreement shall
prevent or limit the Executive’s continuing or future
participation in any plan, program, policy or practice provided by
the Company or any of its affiliated companies and for which the
Executive may qualify, nor shall anything herein limit or otherwise
affect such rights as the Executive may have under any contract or
agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies.
Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or
program of or any contract or agreement (other than this Agreement)
with the Company or any of its affiliated companies at or
subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in
accordance with such plan, policy, practice or program or contract
or agreement except as explicitly modified by this
Agreement.
8. Full Settlement;
Offsets
Except as provided in this
Section 8, the Company’s obligation to make the payments
provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off,
counterclaim, recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action
which the Company may have against the Executive or
others.
Executive shall not be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of
mitigation of the amounts payable to the Executive under any of the
provisions of this Agreement. However, the amount of any payments
and benefits provided for in this Agreement shall be reduced by one
hundred percent (100%) of any benefits and earned income (within
the meaning of Section 911(d)(2)(A) of the Code) which is earned by
the Executive for services rendered to persons or entities other
than the Company or its affiliates during or with respect to the
Employment Period or, after a Change of Control, during the
36-month period after the Date of Termination. Medical and welfare
benefits shall be offset as provided in
Section 6(a)(ii).
Not less frequently than annually
(by December 31 of each year), the Executive shall account to
the Company with respect to all benefits and earned income earned
by the Executive which are required hereunder to be offset against
payments or benefits received by the Executive from the Company. If
the Company has paid amounts in excess of those to which the
Executive is entitled (after giving effect to the offsets provided
above), the Executive shall reimburse the Company for such excess
by December 31 of such year. The requirements imposed under
this paragraph shall terminate on December 31 of the calendar
year in which the Employment Period ends or, after a Change of
Control, December 31 of the calendar year which includes the
third anniversary of the Date of Termination.
9. Certain Additional
Payments by the Company
(a) Anything in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event it shall be
determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or
for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or
distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any
additional payments required under this Section 9) (a
“Payment”) would be subject to the excise tax imposed
by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such
excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are
hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Excise
Tax”), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an
additional payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) in an amount
such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including
any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes),
including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest
and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed
upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the
Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments.
(b) Subject to the
provisions of Section 9(c), all determinations required to be
made under this Section 9, including whether and when a
Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up
Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such
determination, shall be made by the certified public accounting
firm which serves as the Company’s auditor immediately prior
to the Change of Control (the “Accounting Firm”), which
shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company
and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice
from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier
time as is requested by the Company or the Executive. In the event
that such Accounting Firm declines to act, the Company shall
appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm (which is
acceptable to the Executive) to make the determinations required
hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the
Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as
determined pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the
Company to the Executive within five days of the receipt of the
Accounting Firm’s determination and, in all events, by the
end of the calendar year next following the calendar year in which
the Executive pays the Excise Tax. Any determination by the
Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial
determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that
Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company
should have been made (“Underpayment”), consistent with
the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that
the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the
Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise
Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the
Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be
promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
and in all events, by the end of the calendar year next following
the year in which the Executive pays the Excise Tax..
(c) The Executive shall
notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue
Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the
Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than fifteen days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise
the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such
claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such
claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the
date on which it gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter
period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in
writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to
contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information
reasonably requested by the Company relating to such
claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in
writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting
legal representation with respect to such claim by an attorney
reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good
faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in
any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the
Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses
(including additional interest and penalties) incurred in
connection with such contest and shall defend, indemnify and hold
the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax
or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect
thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of
costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings
taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may
pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings,
hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of
such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive
to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in
any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a
court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts,
as the Company shall determine; provided, however, that if the
Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a
refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the
Executive, on an interest-free basis (subject to compliance with
all applicable laws) and shall defend, indemnify and hold the
Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto)
imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed
income with respect to such advance; and further provided that any
extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of
taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which
such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to
such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company’s control of
the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a
Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder, and the Executive
shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any
other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other
taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by
the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to
Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive