Exhibit 10.38
EMPLOYMENT
AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (the
“ Agreement ”) is entered into by and
between TV Guide Networks, Inc. (the “ Company
”) and Ryan O’Hara having a residential address
at [ address ] (“ Employee
”), as of the 15th day of August, 2005 (“
Effective Date ”). This Agreement, when
executed by both parties, will supersede any and all prior
agreements, understandings, arrangements and/or communications,
whether express or implied oral or written, between Employee and
the Company and/or its affiliates relative to the Company’s
employment of Employee.
I. EMPLOYMENT .
A. The Company hereby employs
Employee and Employee hereby accepts such employment, upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, from August 15,
2005, through August 14, 2008, unless earlier terminated as
provided herein (the “ Term ”). This
Agreement may be renewed by mutual written agreement of the
parties, but only by an express written agreement signed by both
parties. Employee acknowledges and agrees that the Company has no
obligation to renew this Agreement or to continue Employee’s
employment after any termination of, or the expiration of, this
Agreement, and expressly acknowledges that no promises or
understandings to the contrary have been made or
reached.
B. In the event that Employee
continues in the employ of the Company after the expiration of the
Term, Employee’s employment shall be solely on an at will
basis and this Agreement shall no longer be in effect for any
purpose except for those provisions that are expressly stated
herein to survive the expiration or earlier termination of this
Agreement.
C. Notwithstanding any other
provision in this Agreement, the Company may terminate
Employee’s employment or determine that Employee’s
services are no longer needed or desired, at any time, for any or
no reason, without prior written notice; provided, however, that if
such termination or determination occurs during the Term, such
termination or determination shall be subject to the provisions of
Section IV below.
II. DUTIES .
A. On the Effective Date and during
the Term, Employee shall (1) serve as President, TV Guide
Channel and in that position oversee (a) the business unit
operations associated with the TV Guide Channel service and
(b) the business unit operations associated with the
Company’s video on demand service known as TV Guide Spot;
(2) continue to oversee the business unit operations of ODS
Technologies, L. P. (d/b/a TVG Network) (“ ODS
”) until ODS’ governing body appoints a successor to
oversee that business operation or determines that Employee’s
services in that regard are no longer needed; and (3) have
such other duties and responsibilities as the governing body of the
Company shall determine from time to time.
B. Employee shall render full-time
services to the Company and shall devote substantially all his time
and ability necessary to fulfill the duties and responsibilities
referenced above. Nothing herein shall prevent Employee, upon prior
written approval of the governing body of the Company, from serving
as a director or trustee of other corporations or businesses which
are not in competition with the business of the Company or in
competition with any affiliate of the Company. Nothing herein shall
prevent Employee from (1) investing in real estate for
Employee’s own account, (2) owning less than two percent
(2%) of any publicly traded corporation whether or not in
competition with the business of the Company or in competition with
any affiliate of the Company, (3) owning less than ten percent
(10%) of any privately held company not in competition with
the business of the Company or in competition with any affiliate of
the Company, or (4) continuing membership in the Young
Presidents Organization.
C. During the Term, Employee’s
principal place of employment shall be at the principal offices of
the Company in Los Angeles, CA offices, or such other greater Los
Angeles metropolitan area location as determined by the Company,
subject to such travel as the rendering of Employee’s
services may reasonably require.
III. COMPENSATION
.
A. During the Term, Employee shall
receive on regular pay dates as then in effect under applicable
Company policy a base salary at the annualized rate of:
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1.
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$500,000 from
August 15, 2005 through August 14, 2006;
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2.
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$525,000 from
August 15, 2006 through August 14, 2007; and
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3.
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$560,000 from
August 15, 2007 through August 14, 2008.
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Any adjustments to Employee’s
compensation, including but not limited to Employee’s base
salary, following the Term of this Agreement shall be made at the
Company’s sole discretion.
B. Bonuses/Stock Options .
During the Term, Employee shall be eligible to earn a bonus under
the Company’s bonus plan then in effect. Bonuses, if any,
will be paid at the Company’s sole discretion and, to the
extent paid, shall be based upon such factors or criteria as the
Company and/or its parent (currently Gemstar-TV Guide
International, Inc. (“ Gemstar ”))
determine in its or their sole discretion which may include, but
are not limited to, the performance of parent, the Company, the TV
Guide Channel, TV Guide Spot and the Employee’s performance.
During the Term, Employee shall also be eligible to be considered
for grants of non-qualified stock options under the Gemstar-TV
Guide International, Inc. 1994 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended
and/or restated from time to time, or under any successor plan as
may thereafter be in effect and applicable to Employee (the “
Plan ”).
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Also during the Term, to the extent
not prohibited by or inconsistent with the bonus plan then in
effect for the Company and Employee, the targeted amount of the
bonus for Employee is fifty percent (50%) of Employee’s
annualized base salary; provided, however, notwithstanding the
foregoing, the payment of any bonus and the amount of any such
payment shall be entirely at the discretion of the Company and/or
its parent and provided further that the targeted bonus percentage
shall be commensurate with the bonus percentages paid to other
comparable executives of the Company.
Additionally, subject to the
approval of Gemstar’s Compensation Committee in its sole
discretion and the satisfaction of the other conditions described
herein, Employee shall receive a one-time grant of nonqualified
stock options (the “ Options ”) under the
Plan to acquire three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of
Gemstar’s Common Stock (“ Common Shares
”). Each Option shall represent the right to acquire one
(1) Common Share. Subject to earlier termination of the
Options as described below, the Options shall vest in equal
installments of twenty percent (20%) on each anniversary of
the “Grant Date” (as defined below) over a five
(5) year period; provided, however, that if Employee’s
employment is terminated concurrently with the expiration of the
Term, such employment shall be deemed terminated at 12:01 a.m. on
August 15, 2008 solely for purposes of vesting of the Options.
The Options shall expire on the first to occur of (i) the
close of business on the last business day of Gemstar coinciding
with or immediately preceding the day before the tenth anniversary
of the Grant Date, (ii) the termination of the Options
pursuant to Section 4.2 and/or other provisions of the Plan,
or (iii) the termination of the Options in connection with a
termination of Employee’s employment with the Company as
contemplated by the “Option Agreement” (as defined
below) except as expressly provided in Section IV-E-1 below. The
exercise price per Common Share under each Option shall equal the
closing price for a Common Share on the NASDAQ National Market
Reporting System (or successor system) on the date (the “
Grant Date ”) which is the later of
(i) the date the Compensation Committee approves the grant of
Options or (ii) the Effective Date. Any grant of Options shall
be subject to Employee’s execution and delivery of
Gemstar’s written stock option agreement (the “
Option Agreement ”) and shall, except as
expressly provided in Section IV-E-1 below, be subject to the terms
and conditions set forth in the Plan and the Option
Agreement.
The Company acknowledges and agrees
that Employee previously has been granted nonqualified stock
options (“ Prior Options ”), and that
notwithstanding any contrary provisions in the agreements granting
Employee such Prior Options, such Prior Options shall continue to
vest during the Term of this Agreement in accordance with the
schedules set forth in the controlling stock option agreements
containing the grants to Employee of such Prior Options.
C. Welfare Benefit Plans .
During the Term, Employee shall be eligible for all employee
benefits applicable to the Company’s employees from time to
time, which may include but are not limited to, paid holidays,
medical and dental health insurance, 401(k) plan, life insurance,
accidental death and travel accident insurance plans, educational
reimbursement and long-term disability insurance.
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D. Expenses . During the
Term, the Company shall pay or reimburse Employee for all
reasonable business expenses actually incurred or paid by Employee
in the scope of employment in connection with the performance of
Employee’s services hereunder upon the presentation of such
supporting documentation as the Company requires. Payment or
reimbursement of such expenses shall be subject to all Company
policies regarding the reporting of and payment of business
expenses as in effect generally from time to time with respect to
other comparable executives of the Company.
E. Car Allowance . During the
Term, the Company shall provide Employee with a car allowance of
eight hundred dollars ($800.00) per month to be used for the
purchase, lease and maintenance of an appropriate automobile for
Employee’s use during the Term of the Agreement.
F. Vacation . During the
Term, Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks paid
vacation per calendar year in accordance with the plans, practices,
programs and policies then in effect for the Company with respect
to other comparable executives of the Company; provided, however,
since vacation time for Employee is not accrued, Employee shall not
be eligible to receive payment, or be paid, for any unused vacation
time and no unused vacation time shall be carried over from one
year to the next or otherwise accumulated.
G. Company Right to Modify
Plans . The Company and/or its parent reserves the right to
modify, suspend or discontinue any and all of the above plans,
practices, policies and programs at any time without advance notice
(except as mandated by applicable law) or recourse by Employee so
long as such action is taken with respect to other comparable
executives of the Company and does not single out
Employee.
IV. TERMINATION .
A. Death or Disability .
Employee’s employment shall terminate automatically upon
Employee’s death. If a “Disability” of Employee
has occurred (pursuant to the definition of Disability set forth
below), the Company may give to Employee written notice of its
intention to terminate Employee’s employment. In such event,
Employee’s employment with the Company shall terminate
effective on the 90th day after receipt of such notice by Employee,
provided that, within the ninety (90) days after such receipt,
Employee shall not have returned to full-time performance of
Employee’s duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
“Disability” shall mean either (i) a physical or
mental impairment which substantially limits a major life activity
of Employee and which renders Employee unable to perform the
essential functions of Employee’s position, even with
reasonable accommodation which does not impose an undue hardship on
the Company for an aggregate of ninety (90) days in any
twelve-month period or (ii) Employee becomes eligible to
receive benefits under any long term disability insurance provided
by the Company or its parent. The determination of Disability under
subsection (i) of the preceding sentence shall be based upon
information supplied by Employee and/or Employee’s medical
personnel, as well as information from medical personnel (or
others) selected by the Company or its insurers. In the event
Employee’s health care provider and the Company do not agree
as to whether Employee has a Disability, Employee and the Company
shall appoint a third-party qualified physician who shall evaluate
Employee and provide a determination of whether Employee has a
Disability.
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B. Cause . The Company may
terminate Employee’s employment for Cause. For purposes of
this Agreement, “Cause” shall mean that Employee has
engaged in or committed: willful misconduct; gross negligence;
theft, fraud or other illegal conduct; refusal or unwillingness to
perform the duties assigned to Employee; violation of any policy or
procedure applicable to the Company and Employee, including but not
limited to the standards of business conduct and the policy
prohibiting unlawful discrimination, including sexual harassment;
conduct which reflects adversely upon, or making any remarks
disparaging of, the Company, its board of directors or other
governing body, officers, directors, advisors or employees or its
parent, subsidiaries or affiliates; insubordination; any willful
act that is likely to and/or which does in fact have the effect of
injuring the reputation, business or a business relationship of the
Company; violation of any fiduciary duty including any duty of
loyalty; or breach of any term of this Agreement. In the event the
Company determines that Cause for termination exists based upon any
of the foregoing grounds and such ground is curable, Employee shall
be given thirty (30) days to cure such ground for Cause. After
the expiration of any such cure period, the Company shall make a
determination as to whether Employee has cured such ground for
termination for Cause.
C. Good Reason. Employee may
terminate employment for Good Reason. For purposes of this
Agreement, “ Good Reason ” shall mean any
of the following: (i) the Company requires Employee to
relocate his principal office more than fifty (50) miles away
from the greater Los Angeles, CA metropolitan area without
Employee’s consent; or (ii) the Company substantially
diminishes Employee’s duties or responsibilities as relates
to the TV Guide Channel or TV Guide Spot, or the Company eliminates
the word “President” from Employee’s title, in
either case without Employee’s consent. Before terminating
his employment for Good Reason under subsections (i) or (ii),
Employee shall give the Company written notice of his intent to
terminate for Good Reason and the basis therefor, and the Company
shall have thirty (30) days to cure (the “ Cure
Period ”). If the Company fails to cure the Good
Reason within the Cure Period, Employee may terminate his
employment and this Agreement upon an additional ten
(10) days’ written notice. For all purposes under this
Agreement, any termination by Employee with Good Reason shall be
treated as if a determination had been made by the Company that
Employee’s services are no longer needed or desired under
Section IV-E-3 of this Agreement, and Employee shall be entitled to
the payments and benefits set forth in Section IV-E-3 pursuant to
its terms.
D. [This Section is omitted
intentionally.]
E. Obligations of the Company
Upon Certain Events .
1. Death or Disability . If
Employee’s employment is terminated by reason of
Employee’s death or Disability, this Agreement shall
terminate without further obligations to Employee or
Employee’s legal representatives under this Agreement, other
than for (a) payment of the sum of (i) Employee’s
annual base salary through the date of termination to the extent
not theretofore paid and (ii) Employee’s pro rata bonus
for the calendar year
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during which the Employee’s
death or Disability occurs (the sum of the amounts described in
clauses (i) and (ii) shall be hereinafter referred to as
the “ Accrued Obligations ”), which shall
be paid to Employee or Employee’s estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within thirty (30) days of
the date of termination; and (b) payment to Employee or
Employee’s estate or beneficiary, as applicable, any amounts
due pursuant to the terms of any applicable welfare benefit plans.
Upon a termination as a result of death or Disability, the Options,
and any other options granted to Employee by the Company during his
employment, to the extent outstanding and not previously vested at
the time of such termination, shall thereupon vest in full and
shall, subject to earlier termination pursuant to Section 4.2
and/or other provisions of the Plan, continue to be exercisable for
a period of three (3) years after such termination.
2. Cause . If
Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause,
this Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to
Employee other than for the timely payment of Accrued Obligations.
If it is subsequently determined that the Company did not have
Cause for termination under this Section IV-E-2, then the
Company’s decision to terminate shall be deemed instead to
have been a determination that Employee’s services are no
longer needed or desired under Section IV-E-3 and the amounts
payable thereunder shall be the only amounts Employee may
receive.
3. Other than Cause or Death or
Disability . If the Company determines that it no longer needs
or desires the services of Employee during the Term for other than
Cause or Employee’s death or Disability, Employee’s
employment shall be subject to, and the Company shall have no
further obligations to Employee except as provided in, the Contract
Payout Status Policy attached hereto as Exhibit A .
Furthermore, if the Company determines that it no longer needs or
desires the services of Employee during the Term under this Section
IV-E-3, or if Employee terminates his employment with the Company
for Good Reason, (i) the Options and any other options granted
to Employee by the Company (and having a Grant Date) prior to
August 15, 2005, to the extent outstanding and not previously
vested at the time of such termination, shall thereupon vest in
full and shall, subject to earlier termination pursuant to
Section 4.2 and/or other provisions of the Plan, continue to
be exercisable for a period of three (3) years after such
termination; and (ii) any other options granted (and having a
Grant Date) on or after August 15, 2005 (including without
limitation the Options described in Section III-B above) shall vest
and be exercisable in accordance with and subject to the terms of
the controlling stock option plan(s) and stock option agreement(s).
Employee understands and agrees that, notwithstanding any other
contract, agreement, provision, plan or policy, no additional or
accelerated rights or vesting, and no extended term(s) for
exercise, with respect to stock options granted (i.e., having a
Grant Date) on or after the August 15, 2005 (including without
limitation the Options described in
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Section III-B above), are being or
will be conferred as a result of any termination of
Employee’s employment, or of a determination by the Company
that it no longer needs or desires the services of Employee, or of
a termination by Employee of his employment with the Company for
Good Reason. During any period of time, however, that Employee is
placed on “contract payout status” in accordance with
Option #1 of Exhibit A and remains on the
Company’s payroll as an active employee, Employee’s
stock options will continue to vest normally.
4. Exclusive Remedy . In
consideration of the making of this Agreement, as well as of the
other consideration stated herein, Employee expressly agrees that
any contract, agreement or understanding between Employee and the
Company and/or its affiliates with respect to severance or
termination pay, notice of severance or termination, or pay in lieu
of notice of severance or termination previously extended to
Employee, whether by way of contract, letter, or any termination or
severance policy, program, practice or arrangement, is hereby
rescinded and waived. Employee agrees that the payments
contemplated by this Agreement shall constitute the exclusive and
sole remedy for any termination of Employee’s employment and
Employee covenants not to assert or pursue any other remedies, at
law or in equity, with respect to any termination of employment. If
Employee violates this Agreement by bringing or maintaining any
charges, claims, grievances, or lawsuits contrary to this
provision, Employee shall pay all costs and expenses of the Company
and/or related persons or affiliated entities in defending against
such charges, claims or actions brought by Employee or on
Employee’s behalf, including but not limited to reasonable
attorneys’ fees, in addition to all damages suffered or
incurred by the Company and/or its affiliates.
V. ARBITRATION .
Any Dispute between Employee and
Company shall be resolved exclusively and finally by arbitration
administered by the National Arbitration Forum (NAF) and conducted
under its rules, except as otherwise provided below. Employee and
Company will agree on another arbitration forum if NAF ceases
operations. The term “Dispute”, for purposes of this
provision, shall mean any dispute, controversy, or claim arising
out of or relating to (i) this Agreement, its enforcement,
interpretation, termination, applicability or validity thereof,
(ii) an alleged breach, default, or misrepresentation in
connection with any of its provisions, or
(iii) Employee’s employment, including, but not limited
to, any state or federal statutory claims. The arbitration shall be
conducted before a single arbitrator and will be limited solely to
the Dispute between Employee and the Company. The arbitration, or
any portion of it, shall not be consolidated with any other
arbitration and shall not be conducted on a class-wide or class
action basis. The arbitration shall be held in Los Angeles,
California and shall be conducted in accordance with the NAF rules
for the resolution of Employment Disputes as the exclusive forum
for the resolution of such Dispute; provided, however, that
provisional injunctive relief may, but need not, be sought by
either party to this Agreement in a court of law while arbitration
proceedings are pending, and any provisional injunctive
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relief granted by such court shall remain
effective until the matter is finally determined by the arbitrator.
This arbitration agreement shall be enforceable pursuant to the
Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-14 et seq., and
final resolution of any dispute through arbitration may include any
remedy or relief that the Arbitrator deems just and equitable,
including any and all remedies provided by applicable state or
federal statutes. At the conclusion of the arbitration, the
Arbitrator shall issue a written decision that sets forth the
essential findings and conclusions upon which the
Arbitrator’s award or decision is based. Any award or relief
granted by the Arbitrator hereunder shall be final and binding on
the parties hereto and may be enforced by any court of competent
jurisdiction. Except as specifically provided for herein, should
either party bring a Dispute in a forum other than the NAF, the
arbitrator may award the other party its reasonable costs and
expenses, including attorneys fees, incurred in staying or
dismissing such other proceedings or in otherwise enforcing
compliance with this dispute resolution provision. The parties
acknowledge, agree and understand that they are hereby
unequivocally waiving any rights to litigate disputes through a
court, including the right to litigate claims on a class-wide or
class action basis, and that they have expressly and knowingly
waived those rights and agree to resolve any Disputes through
binding arbitration in accordance with the provisions of this
paragraph. Employee and Company further agree that in any
proceeding to enforce the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing
party shall be entitled to its or her reasonable attorneys’
fees and costs (including forum costs associated with the
arbitration) incurred by it or her in connection with resolution of
the dispute in addition to any other relief granted. Information
may be obtained from the NAF on line at www.arb-forum.org, by
calling 800-474-2371, or writing to P.O. Box 50191, Minneapolis,
MN, 55405.
VI. NON-SOLICITATION/EMPLOYER
INTERESTS .
Employee promises and agrees that
during Employee’s employment and for twelve (12) months
following the termination of Employee’s employment, for any
reason whatsoever, Employee will not (1) influence or attempt
to influence customers of the Company or any of its affiliates,
either directly or indirectly, to divert their business to any
individual, partnership, firm, corporation or other entity then in
competition with the business of the Company, or any affiliate of
the Company; or (2) take any action which is intended, or
would reasonably be expected to, adversely affect the Company
and/or its affiliates, or adversely affect the businesses,
reputation, or relationship the Company and/or its affiliates with
its or their customers, business partners, or vendors; provided,
however, it shall not be a breach of this provision, after
termination of this Agreement, to solicit future business from any
person or entity with whom he had conducted business, on behalf of
himself or any other entity, prior to the Effective Date, provided
that such solicitation is not otherwise in violation of this
Section VI.
VII. SOLICITING EMPLOYEES
.
Employee promises and agrees that
during Employee’s employment and for twelve (12) months
following the termination of Employee’s employment, for any
reason whatsoever, Employee will not directly or indirectly solicit
any employees of the Company or its affiliates to work for any
business, individual, partnership, firm, corporation, or other
entity; provided, however, that this provision shall not prohibit
Employee from employing personnel from the Company or its
affiliates who respond (without other solicitation of any kind
whatsoever) to general solicitations of employment directed to the
public at large.
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VIII. CONFIDENTIAL
INFORMATION .
A. Employee, in the performance of
Employee’s duties on behalf of the Company, shall have access
to, receive and be entrusted with confidential information,
including but in no way limited to development, marketing,
organizational, financial, management, administrative, production,
distribution and sales information, data, specifications and
processes presently owned or at any time in the future developed,
by the Company or its affiliates, or its or their agents or
consultants, or used presently or at any time in the future in the
course of its business that is not otherwise part of the public
domain (collectively, the “Confidential Material”). All
such Confidential Material is considered secret and will be
available to Employee in confidence. Except in the performance of
duties on behalf of the Company, Employee shall not, directly or
indirectly for any reason whatsoever, disclose or use any such
Confidential Material, unless such Confidential Material ceases
(through no fault of Employee’s) to be confidential because
it has become part of the public domain. All records, files,
drawings, documents, equipment and other tangible items, wherever
located, relating in any way to the Confidential Material or
otherwise to the Company’s business, which Employee prepares,
uses or encounters, shall be and remain the Company’s sole
and exclusive property and shall be included in the Confidential
Material. Upon termination of this Agreement by any means, or
whenever requested by the Company, Employee shall promptly deliver
to the Company any and all of the Confidential Material, not
previously delivered to the Company, that may be or at any previous
time has been in Employee’s possession or under
Employee’s control; provided, however, that Employee may
retain in his possession any Confidential Material that reflects
the terms of his employment with the Company or the terms or amount
of his compensation and benefits.
B. Employee hereby acknowledges that
the sale or unauthorized use or disclosure of any of the
Company’s Confidential Material by any means whatsoever and
any time before, during or after Employee’s employment with
the Company shall constitute unfair competition. Employee agrees
that Employee shall not engage in unfair competition either during
the time employed by the Company or any time thereafter.
C. Until this Agreement ceases
(through no fault of Employee’s) to be confidential because
it has become part of the public domain, Employee further agrees to
keep the terms and contents of this Agreement completely
confidential, except to consult with Employee’s legal, tax or
other financial advisors or immediate family members, or as
otherwise required by law.
IX. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS
.
Employee hereby assigns to the
Company, to the extent not previously assigned to the Company
and/or its affiliates, all of Employee’s rights, title and
interest in and to any and all inventions (and all proprietary
rights with respect thereto) whether or not patentable or
registrable under copyright or similar statutes, made or conceived
or reduced to practice
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or learned by Employee, either alone or jointly
with others, during the period of Employee’s employment with
the Company or its affiliates. Emplo