EXHIBIT 10.4
REHABCARE GROUP,
INC.
TERMINATION COMPENSATION
AGREEMENT
This agreement ("Agreement") has
been entered into as of the 10 th day of March, 2006, by
and between RehabCare Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and _________________________, an individual (the
"Executive").
RECITALS
The Board of Directors of the
Company has determined that it is in the best interests of the
Company and its stockholders to reinforce and encourage the
continued attention and dedication of the Executive to the Company
as the Company's _________________________ and to assure that the
Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility or occurrence of a Change in
Control (as defined below). The Board desires to provide for the
continued employment of the Executive as
_________________________on terms competitive with those of other
corporations, and the Executive is willing to rededicate himself
and continue to serve the Company as its _________________________.
Additionally, the Board believes it is imperative to diminish the
inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the personal
uncertainties and risks created by a potential or pending Change in
Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and
dedication to the Company currently and in the event of any
potential or pending Change in Control, and to provide the
Executive with compensation and benefits arrangements upon any
termination after a Change in Control and certain terminations of
employment prior to a Change in Control which ensure that the
compensation and benefits expectations of the Executive will be
satisfied. Therefore, in order to accomplish these objectives, the
Board has caused the Company to enter into this
Agreement.
IT IS AGREED AS
FOLLOWS:
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Section 1:
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Definitions and
Construction.
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1.1
Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement, the following
words and phrases, whether or not capitalized, shall have the
meanings specified below, unless the context plainly requires a
different meaning.
1.1(a)
"Accrued Obligations" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.1(a) of this Agreement.
1.1(b)
"Annual Base Salary" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.4(a) of this Agreement.
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1.1(c)
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"Board" means the Board of Directors of the
Company.
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1.1(d)
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"Cause" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.3 of
this Agreement.
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1.1(e)
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"Change in Control"
means:
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(i) The
acquisition by any individual, entity or group, or a Person (within
the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) of
ownership of thirty percent (30%) or more of either (a) the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the "Outstanding
Company Common Stock") or (b) the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company
Voting Securities"); or
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EXHIBIT 10.4
(ii) Individuals
who, as the date hereof, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent
Board") cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of
the Board; provided, however , that any individual becoming
a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election, by the Company's stockholders was approved
by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising
the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual
were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, as a member of
the Incumbent Board, any such individual whose initial assumption
of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened
election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual
or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf
of a Person other than the Board; or
(iii) Approval
by the stockholders of the Company of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation, in each case, unless, following such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, (a) more than fifty percent (50%) of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or
consolidation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation in substantially the same proportions as their
ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (b) no
Person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, thirty percent
(30%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of
common stock of the corporation resulting from such reorganization,
merger or consolidation or the combined voting power of the then
outstanding voting securities of such corporation, entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors and (c) at least a majority
of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were
members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the
initial agreement providing for such reorganization, merger or
consolidation;
(iv) Approval
by the stockholders of the Company of (a) a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or (b) the sale or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than
to a corporation, with respect to which following such sale or
other disposition, (1) more than forty percent (40%) of,
respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of such
corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and
entities who were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the
Outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting
Securities immediately prior to such sale or other disposition in
substantially the same proportion as their ownership, immediately
prior to such sale or other disposition, of the Outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case
may be, (2) no Person beneficially owns, directly or indirectly,
thirty percent (30%) or more of, respectively, the then outstanding
shares of common stock of such corporation and the combined voting
power of the then outstanding voting securities of such corporation
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (3) at
least a majority of the members of the board of directors of such
corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the
execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing
for such sale or other disposition of assets of the
Company.
1.1(f)
"Change in Control Date" means the date that the Change in
Control first occurs.
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EXHIBIT 10.4
1.1(g)
"Company" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph
of this Agreement and, with regard to successors, in Section 6.2 of
this Agreement.
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1.1(h)
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"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
as amended.
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1.1(i)
"Date of Termination" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.7 of this Agreement. In all cases, a "Date of Termination" shall
only occur upon separation from service from the Company and all of
its affiliates, as defined in Treasury regulations under Section
409A of the Code.
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1.1(j)
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"Disability"
has the meaning set forth in Section
3.2 of this Agreement.
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1.1(k)
"Disability Effective Date" has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.2 of this Agreement.
1.1(l)
"Effective Date" means the date of this Agreement specified
in the first paragraph of this Agreement.
1.1(m)
"Employment Period" means the period beginning on the
Effective Date and ending on the later of (i) December 31, 2006, or
(ii) December 31 of any succeeding year during which notice is
given by either party (as described in Section 2.1 of this
Agreement) of such party's intent not to renew this
Agreement.
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1.1(n)
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"Exchange Act"
means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
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1.1(o)
"Excise Tax" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(f)(i)
of this Agreement.
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1.1 (p)
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"Good Reason"
has the meaning set forth in Section
3.4 of this Agreement.
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1.1(q)
"Gross-Up Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.2(f)(i) of this Agreement.
1.1(r)
"Incumbent Board" has the meaning set forth in Section
1.1(e)(ii) of this Agreement.
1.1(s)
"Notice of Termination" has the meaning set forth in Section
3.6 of this Agreement.
1.1(t)
"Other Benefits" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(e)
of this Agreement.
1.1(u)
"Outstanding Company Common Stock" has the meaning set forth
in Section 1.1(e)(i) of this Agreement.
1.1(v)
"Outstanding Company Voting Securities" has the meaning set
forth in Section 1.1(e)(i) of this Agreement.
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1.1(w)
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"Payment" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.2(f)(i)
of this Agreement.
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1.1(x)
"Person" means any "person" within the meaning of Sections
13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act.
1.1(y)
"Prorated Target Bonus" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.2(a) of this Agreement.
1.1(z)
"Specified Employee" has the meaning set forth in Section
4.9 of this Agreement.
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EXHIBIT 10.4
1.1(aa) "Target
Bonus" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.4(b) of this
Agreement.
1.1(bb)
"Term" means the period that begins on the Effective Date
and ends on the earlier of: (i) the Date of Termination, or (ii)
the close of business on the later of December 31, 2006 or December
31 of any renewal term.
1.2
Gender and Number. When appropriate, pronouns in this
Agreement used in the masculine gender include the feminine gender,
words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural
include the singular.
1.3
Headings. All headings in this Agreement are included solely
for ease of reference and do not bear on the interpretation of the
text. Accordingly, as used in this Agreement, the terms "Article"
and "Section" mean the text that accompanies the specified Article
or Section of the Agreement.
1.4
Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of
Missouri, without reference to its conflict of law
principles.
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Section 2:
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Terms and Conditions of
Employment.
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2.1
Period of Employment. The Executive shall remain in the
employ of the Company throughout the Term of this Agreement in
accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement. This
Agreement will automatically renew for annual one-year periods
unless either party gives the other written notice, by September
30, 2006, or September 30 of any succeeding year, of such party's
intent not to renew this Agreement.
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2.2
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Positions and
Duties.
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2.2(a) Throughout
the Term of this Agreement, the Executive shall serve as
_________________________ of the Company subject to the reasonable
directions of the Board. The Executive shall have such authority
and shall perform such duties as are specified by the Bylaws of the
Company and the Board for the office of _________________________,
subject to the control exercised by the Board from time to
time.
2.2(b) Throughout
the Term of this Agreement (but excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled), the Executive
shall devote reasonable attention and time during normal business
hours to the business and affairs of the Company and shall use his
reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities as are assigned to him under or in accordance with
this Agreement; provided that, it shall not be a violation of this
Section 2.2(b) for the Executive to (i) serve on corporate, civic
or charitable boards or committees with or without compensation,
(ii) deliver lectures or fulfill speaking engagements, with or
without compensation, or (iii) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the
performance of the Executive's responsibilities as an employee of
the Company in accordance with this Agreement, violate the terms of
this Agreement or any other agreement between Executive and the
Company, or violate the Company's conflict of interest policy or
any applicable law.
2.3
Situs of Employment. Throughout the Term of this Agreement,
the Executive's services shall be performed at and out of the
Company's executive offices located in the greater St. Louis,
Missouri metropolitan area or such other office as shall be agreed
to between the Executive and the President and Chief Executive
Officer of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 10.4
2.4(a)
Annual Base Salary. At the date of this Agreement, the
Executive will be paid a base salary ("Annual Base Salary") at an
annual rate of ________________________ Dollars ($__________),
which shall be paid in equal or substantially equal semi-monthly
installments. During the Term of this Agreement, the Annual Base
Salary payable to the Executive shall be reviewed at least annually
after the end of the first calendar quarter (starting with calendar
year 2006) and shall be increased at the discretion of the Board or
the Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee of
the Board but shall not be reduced.
2.4(b)
Incentive Bonuses. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
Executive shall be awarded the opportunity to earn an incentive
bonus on an annual basis under any incentive compensation plan
which is generally available to other peer executives of the
Company. The Board of Directors or the Compensation and
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee shall establish at the
beginning of each calendar year a target incentive award equal to a
designated percentage of the Executive's Annual Base Salary paid
during that plan year (the "Target Bonus"). The Board and/or the
Compensation and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee may also
establish minimum and maximum incentive bonus opportunities on an
annual basis in addition to the Target Bonus. The Board of
Directors shall be exclusively responsible for decisions relating
to administration of the executive incentive plans.
2.4(c)
Incentive, Savings and Retirement Plans. Throughout the Term
of this Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to participate
in all equity incentive, savings and retirement plans generally
available to other peer executives of the Company; provided,
however, that the nature and level of any equity incentive awards
shall be solely determined by the Board or the Compensation and
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. Also,
during the Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in
the Company's long term cash incentive plan. During the Term, the
percentage of Annual Base Salary upon which a potential award shall
be based shall be established by the Board or the Compensation and
Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee in its discretion. For
each three (3) year performance period during the Term and under
the plan, the financial metrics for receiving a payout will be
established by the Board or the Committee in its discretion and
otherwise determined by the terms of the plan. Payment of awards
under the long term cash incentive plan, and eligibility to receive
any payment, will be determined under and according to the terms of
that plan and based upon performance criteria established annually
by the Board or the Committee under the plan. Nothing herein
prevents the Company from terminating or changing the long term
cash incentive plan in its discretion, subject to a participant's
right under the plan as to any incentive award which has already
been earned.
2.4(d)
Welfare Benefit Plans. Throughout the Term of this Agreement
(and thereafter, subject to Section 4.1(d) or 4.2(d) hereof), 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 (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 generally available to other peer
executives of the Company.
2.4(e)
Expenses. Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the
Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all
reasonable business expenses incurred by the Executive in
accordance with the policies, practices and procedures of the
Company.
2.4(f)
Fringe Benefits. Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the
Executive shall be entitled to such fringe benefits as generally
are provided to other peer executives of the Company.
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EXHIBIT 10.4
2.4(g)
Office and Support Staff. Throughout the Term of this
Agreement, the Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices
at the Company's executive offices in the greater St. Louis,
Missouri metropolitan area and/or at such other location as the
Executive and the President and Chief Executive Officer of the
Company shall agree of a size and with furnishings and other
appointments, and to personal secretarial and other assistance, as
are generally provided to other peer executives of the
Company.
2.4(h)
Vacation. Throughout the Term of this Agreement, the
Executive shall be entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the
plans, policies, programs and practices as are generally provided
to other peer executives of the Company.
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Section 3:
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Termination of
Employment.
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3.1
Death. The Executive's employment shall terminate
automatically upon the Executive's death during the Employment
Period.
3.2
Disability. 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),
the Company may give to the Executive written notice in accordance
with Section 7.2 of its intention to terminate the Executive's
employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the
Company shall terminate effective on the thirtieth (30th) day after
receipt of such notice by the Executive (the "Disability Effective
Date"), provided that, within the thirty (30) days after such
receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Disability" shall mean that the Executive has been
unable with reasonable accommodation to perform the services
required of the Executive hereunder on a full-time basis for a
period of one hundred eighty (180) consecutive business days by
reason of a physical and/or mental condition. "Disability" shall be
deemed to exist when certified by a physician selected by the
Company and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be
withheld unreasonably). The Executive will submit to such medical
or psychiatric examinations and tests as such physician deems
necessary to make any such Disability determination.
3.3
Termination for Cause or without Cause. The Company may
terminate the Executive's employment during the Employment Period
for "Cause," which shall mean termination based upon: (i) the
Executive's willful and continued failure to substantially perform
his duties with the Company (other than as a result of incapacity
due to physical or mental condition), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the
Company, which specifically identifies the manner in which the
Executive has not substantially performed his duties, (ii) the
Executive's commission of an act constituting a criminal offense
that would be classified as a felony under the applicable criminal
code or involving moral turpitude, dishonesty, or breach of trust,
or (iii) the Executive's material breach of any provision of this
Agreement. For purposes of this Section, no act or failure to act
on the Executive's part shall be considered "willful" unless done,
or omitted to be done, without good faith and without reasonable
belief that the act or omission was in the best interest of the
Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall not be
deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until (i) he
receives a Notice of Termination from the Company, (ii) he is given
the opportunity, with counsel, to be heard before the Board, and
(iii) the Board finds, in its good faith opinion, that the
Executive was guilty of the conduct set forth in the Notice of
Termination. The Company also may terminate the Executive's
employment at any time during the Employment Period without
Cause.
3.4
Termination by Executive for Good Reason. The Executive may
terminate his employment with the Company during the Employment
Period for "Good Reason," which shall mean termination based upon:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent in
any respect
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EXHIBIT 10.4
with the position (including status,
offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and
responsibilities held by the Executive as of the date of this
Agreement or any other action by the Company which results in a
material diminution in such position, authority, duties and
responsibilities; (ii) the Company's requiring the Executive to
have any office arrangements for performing his duties which are
different than the arrangements in effect as of the date of this
Agreement; (iii) any reduction in Executive's Annual Base Salary;
(iv) any reduction in Executive's annual Target Bonus; or (v) a
material breach by the Company of any provision of this Agreement.
Any termination of the Executive's employment based upon a good
faith determination of "Good Reason" made by the Executive shall be
subject to a delivery of a Notice of Termination by the Executive
to the Company in the manner prescribed in Section 3.6 and subject
further to the ability of the Company to remedy promptly any action
not taken in bad faith by the Company that may otherwise constitute
Good Reason under this Section 3.4.
3.5
Voluntary Termination by the Executive. The Executive may
voluntarily terminate his employment with the Company for any
reason or for no reason at any time during the Employment
Period.
3.6
Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for
Cause, without Cause, or Disability, or by the Executive for any
reason or no reason, shall be communicated by Notice of Termination
to the other party, given in accordance with Section 7.2. 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 in Section 3.7 hereof) is
other than the date of receipt of such notice, specifies the
termination date (which date shall be not more than fifteen (15)
days after the giving of such notice). The failure of the Company
to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance
which contributes to a showing of Cause shall not waive any right
of the Company hereunder or preclude the Company from asserting
such fact or circumstance in enforcing the Company's rights
hereunder.
3.7
Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the
Date of Termination shall be the date of receipt by the Executive
of the Notice of Termination or any later date specified therein,
as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of
Termination shall be the date of death of the Executive or the
Disability Effective Date, as the case may be, or (iii) if the
Executive's employment is voluntarily terminated by the Executive
for any reason or no reason, the Date of Termination shall be a
date specified in the Notice of Termination, (iv) if the
Executive's employment is terminated by the Company other than for
Cause, death, or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be the
date of receipt by the Executive of the Notice of
Termination.
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Section 4:
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Certain Benefits Upon
Termination.
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4.1
Termination Without Cause or Timely Termination for Good Reason
Prior to a Change in Control. Subject to the provisions of
Section 4.9, if, prior to a Change in Control during the Employment
Period, the Company terminates the Executive's employment without
Cause or the Executive terminates his employment with the Company
for Good Reason within forty-five (45) days o