Exhibit 10.38
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
This
SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND RELEASE (“Agreement”) is
entered into by and between Thomas M. Walker
(“Employee”) and Alliant Energy Corporate Services,
Inc. (“Employer”). In consideration for the mutual
promises set forth herein, the parties agree as follows:
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1.
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Severance Date
. Employee’s employment with
Employer will terminate effective November 15, 2003
(“Severance Date”). Employee shall receive
Employee’s current salary and benefits, including payment for
unused vacation, through the Severance Date. Except as expressly
provided herein, all obligations of Employer to Employee will
terminate as of the Severance Date.
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2.
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Severance Benefits
. In consideration for the release
set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement and the restrictions set
forth in Paragraph 8 of this Agreement, Employer will pay to
Employee the sum of six hundred eighty thousand dollars
($680,000.00), subject to appropriate federal and state
withholdings, by the next regular pay period following the
expiration of the seven (7) day revocation period specified in
Paragraph 12.
Employer will also pay Employee reasonable attorneys fees, as
determined by Employer, incurred by Employee in the negotiation of
this Agreement.
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3.
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Outplacement Services
or Tuition Reimbursement . In further consideration for the
release set forth in Paragraph 5 of this Agreement and the
restrictions set forth in Paragraph 8 of the Agreement, Employer
will provide Employee with up to twenty thousand dollars
($20,000.00) in either outplacement services or tuition
reimbursement. Outplacement services must be used within six (6)
months of the Severance Date and tuition reimbursement benefits
must be used within twenty-four (24) months of the Severance
Date.
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4.
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Other Benefits .
Employee will cease to be eligible to participate under any stock
option, bonus, equity, incentive compensation, medical, dental,
life insurance, retirement, pension, and other compensation or
benefit plans of Employer following the Severance Date except as
set forth below. Thereafter, Employee will have no rights under
such plans, except as follows:
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a.
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If Employee is currently enrolled
in a medical plan and/or dental plan of Employer, such coverage
shall continue through November 30, 2003. Thereafter, Employee may
elect to continue coverage under federal COBRA provisions for up to
eighteen (18) months. If Employee elects continued coverage,
Employer will pay for the COBRA coverage for up to eighteen (18)
months.
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b.
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If Employee is currently enrolled
in any life insurance, spouse life insurance or child life
insurance plans, such coverage shall continue through November 30,
2003. Thereafter, Employee may elect to continue coverage in
accordance with the provisions of those plans at his own
cost.
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c.
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If Employee is currently enrolled
in any accidental death & dismemberment or long term disability
insurance plans, such coverage will cease on the Severance
Date.
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d.
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Employee will retain any vested
rights under all qualified retirement plans of Employer in which
Employee is a participant and all rights associated with such
benefits, as determined by the official terms of those plans
including the Alliant Energy Cash Balance Plan, the Alliant Energy
Excess Plan and the Alliant Energy 401 (k) Plan. Employee’s
balances in the Alliant Energy Cash Balance Plan and the Alliant
Energy Excess Plan as of January 1, 2003, were $68,056.35 and
$57,100.18, respectively, for a total of $125,156.53.
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e.
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Employee will retain his rights
under the Alliant Energy Corporation Key Employee Deferred
Compensation Plan. Employee’s entire balance in this plan is
in the Company stock account and is currently approximately 17,833
shares. The balance of this account will be paid to Employee in
accordance with the terms of the plan.
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5.
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Employee’s
Release . In exchange for the promises made by Employer
contained in this Agreement, Employee hereby releases and forever
discharges Employer, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, agents,
employees, officers, directors, shareholders, successors, and
assigns from all claims, liabilities, demands and causes of action
whether known or unknown, fixed or contingent, arising out of or in
any way connected with Employee’s employment with Employer or
the termination thereof. This Agreement includes, but is not
limited to, all matters in law, in equity, in contract, or in tort,
pursuant to statute, including any claim arising under the Age
Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act
of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, or any other applicable federal, state, or local law
or ordinance. This Agreement does not apply to any claim or rights
that may arise under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act after
the date this Agreement is executed. It is expressly agreed
Employee will not institute, cause to be instituted, prosecute, or
take any award of money or other damages from any action, lawsuit,
complaint, or proceeding against Employer which relates to, or
arises out of, Employee’s employment with Employer or the
termination thereof; provided, however, that this provision shall
not be deemed to prohibit either party from taking such steps as
are necessary to enforce the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.
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6.
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Employer’s
Release . In exchange for the promises made by Employee
contained in this Agreement, Employer hereby releases and forever
discharges Employee, his heirs, executors, estates, personal
representatives, legal representatives, successors and assigns from
all claims, liabilities, demands and causes of action of whatsoever
kind or nature which Employer now has or may hereafter have as a
result of Employee’s employment with Employer except as
provided in this paragraph and elsewhere in this Agreement. This
release does not preclude Employer from seeking damages from
Employee for any actions of Employee which occur after the date of
execution of this Agreement or for any actions of Employee which
occurred prior to the date of execution of this Agreement if said
actions were not known to Employer or its attorneys at the time of
execution of this Agreement.
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7.
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Indemnification;
Cooperation . In the event that Employee is named as an
individual under investigation or named as a party in any
litigation arising out of Employee’s employment with
Employer, Employer shall, to the fullest extent permitted or
required by Sections 180
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