Document:

staf-ex1097_163.htm

Exhibit 10.97

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of June 19, 2018 and is entered into by and between Alicia Barker (the "Executive") and Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. (the "Company"). The Company and the Executive shall be referred to herein as the "Parties".

 

RECITALS

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive as its Chief Operating Officer, at an Executive Vice President level, and the Executive desires to be employed by the Company as its Chief Operating Officer;

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to set forth in writing the terms and conditions of their agreement and understandings with respect to the employment of the Executive as its Chief Operating Officer; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts employment with the Company for the period and upon the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the executive, and the executive desires to be employed by the Company, on a part-time basis from July 1st, 2018, until September 16th 2018 and on a full-time basis from September 17th 2018, on a salary of $75,000 per annum, after which the Base Salary and benefits outlined in Article II shall commence.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and intending to be legally bound, the Parties hereby agree as follows:

 

 

ARTICLE I.

SERVICES TO BE PROVIDED BY EXECUTIVE

 

A.Position and Responsibilities.The Executive shall be employed and serve as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company. The Executive shall report directly to the Chairman of the Board of Directors (the "Chairman") and Chief Executive Officer (the "CEO"), or as otherwise directed by the Board of Directors (the "Board'). The Executive shall have such duties and responsibilities commensurate with such title, and as the Board, Chairman or CEO may require of the Executive from time to time.

 

B.Performance.During the Executive's employment with the Company, the Executive shall devote on a full-time basis all of the Executive's time, energy, skill and reasonable best efforts to the performance of the Executive's duties hereunder in a manner that will faithfully and diligently further the business and interests of the Company, and shall exercise reasonable best efforts to perform the Executive's duties in a diligent, trustworthy, good faith and business-like manner, all for the purpose of advancing the business of the Company. The Executive shall at all times act in a manner consistent with the Executive's position. During the Executive's employment, the Executive shall not engage in any other non-Company related business activities of any nature whatsoever, whether or not competitive, except that the Executive may be involved in civic and charitable activities with the 

prior written approval of the Company so long as such activities do not interfere with the Executive's duties for Company.

 

C.Location.The Executive shall work from the offices of Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., 641 Lexington Avenue, NY10022, New York, USA, three days each week. The Executive shall be permitted to work remotely and flexibly for two days each week when it is suitable to the Company. 

 

 

ARTICLE II.

COMPENSATION FOR SERVICES

 

As compensation for all services the Executive will perform under this Agreement, the Company will pay the Executive, and the Executive shall accept as full compensation, the following:

 

A.Base Salary.The Company shall pay the Executive a monthly salary of

$20,833.33 ($250,000 annualized), less applicable payroll deductions and tax withholdings (the "Base Salary") for all services rendered by the Executive under this Agreement. The Company shall pay the Base Salary in accordance with the normal payroll policies of the Company. The Board shall review the Base Salary on an annual basis, and may increase the amount, in its sole discretion.

 

B.Performance Bonus.The Executive shall be entitled to receive annual bonuses (“Performance Bonuses”) in an amount and based upon the criteria set forth in Schedule A. Any Performance Bonus shall be paid in the calendar year after the calendar year to which the Performance Bonus relates within thirty (30) days of the Company's issuance of its audited financial statements on Form 10-K. All criteria shall be established reasonably and in good faith by the Board. The evaluation of the applicable performance criteria and the awarding of bonuses, if any, shall be determined reasonably and in good faith by the Board.

 

C.Stock.The Executive may be eligible to receive, certain grants of stock options to purchase shares of common stock of the Company, awards for Restricted Stock Units, and grants of Restricted Stock Awards made available to other executives at a comparable level, set forth separately in those certain agreements.

 

D.Expenses.The Company agrees that, during the Executive's employment, it will reimburse the Executive for out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred in connection with the Executive's performance of the Executive's services hereunder, upon the presentation by the Executive of an itemized accounting of such expenditures, with supporting receipts in compliance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies. Reimbursement shall be in compliance with the Company's expense reimbursement policies. Notwithstanding the foregoing, during her employment, the Executive shall receive from the Company a vehicle allowance in the amount of $1200 per month which amount shall be grossed up to cover any regular income taxes required to be paid on such amount by the Executive. For the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall the Company be obligated to gross up the Executive for any taxes that may be imposed upon the Executive under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

 

E.Paid Time Off.The Executive shall be entitled, all on a paid basis, to annual paid time off of 25 days (excluding public holidays) and subject to a maximum carry-over from calendar year to calendar year of no more than five (5) days. The Executive shall also be entitled to any paid holidays as designated by the Company.

 

F.Other Benefits.The Executive is entitled to participate in any group health insurance plan, option or similar incentive compensation plan, 401(k) plan, disability plan, group life plan, and any other benefit or welfare program or policy that is made generally available, from time to time, to other senior corporate executives of the Company, on a basis consistent with such participation and subject to the terms of the plan documents, as such plans may be modified, amended, terminated, or replaced from time to time. For the avoidance of any doubt, the Executive shall be entitled to the benefits set forth in Schedule B. The Group may, at its sole discretion, change service providers from time to time.

 

 

ARTICLE III.

TERM; TERMINATION

 

A.Term of Employment.The term of the Executive's employment under this Agreement shall continue in effect until terminated by either party.

 

B.Termination.Either party may terminate the Executive's employment at any time upon written notice provided that the Executive will be required to provide the Company at least three (3) months' advance written notice of the Executive's voluntary resignation. Upon termination of the Executive's employment, the Company shall pay the Executive (i) any unpaid Base Salary accrued through the date of termination, (ii) any accrued and unpaid vacation or similar pay to which the Executive is entitled as a matter of law or Company policy, and (iii) any unreimbursed expenses properly incurred prior to the date of termination (the "Accrued Obligations").

 

(i)Termination for Cause, Voluntary Resignation, or as a Result of Death or Disability.In the event the Executive voluntarily resigns without Good Reason (defined below), the Company may, in its sole discretion, shorten the notice period and determine the date of termination without any obligation to pay the Executive any additional compensation other than the Accrued Obligations and without triggering a termination of the Executive's employment without Cause (as defined below). In the event the  Company terminates the Executive's employment for Cause or the Executive voluntarily resigns without Good Reason, or as a result of the Executive's Disability (defined below) or death, the Company shall have no further liability or obligation to the Executive under this Agreement or in connection with the Executive's employment hereunder, except for the Accrued Obligations, and in the case of Disability or death, any benefits otherwise owed to the Executive or the Executive's estate pursuant to Schedule A or any disability plan or group life plan as set forth in Article 11.F. The Accrued Obligations shall be payable in a lump sum within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" means termination because of: (a) an act or acts of gross negligence, dishonesty, fraud, or wilful malfeasance by the Executive; (b) the Executive's indictment or conviction of, or pleading nolo contendere or guilty to, a felony, or a crime involving moral turpitude; (c) a material breach by the Executive of this Agreement or any other agreement to which the Executive and the Company are parties; (d) the Executive's failure to meet any performance criteria set by the Board and discussed in advance with the Executive; and (e) the Executive's refusal or failure to perform, or intentional disregard of, in any material respect, the Executive's duties and responsibilities hereunder after the Company has given the Executive written notice thereof and the Executive has failed to cure such circumstances within thirty (30) days after such notice. For purposes of this Agreement, "Disability" means termination as a result of Executive's incapacity or inability, Executive's failure to have performed Executive's duties and responsibilities as contemplated herein for one hundred twenty (120) business days or more within any one (1) year period (cumulative or consecutive), because Executive's physical or mental health has become so impaired as to make it 

impossible or impractical for Executive to perform the duties and responsibilities contemplated hereunder, with or without reasonable accommodation.

 

(ii)Termination Without Cause or for Good Reason. In the event the Executive's employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, the Executive shall receive the following, subject to the execution and timely return by the Executive of a release of claims in the form to be delivered by the Company, which release shall, by its terms, be irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th day following the termination of employment: (a) the Accrued Obligations, payable in a lump sum within the time period required by applicable law, and in no event later than thirty (30) days following termination of employment; (b) severance pay in an amount equal to the Executive's Base Salary as of the date of termination for twelve (12) months payable in equal instalments in accordance with the normal  payroll  policies of  the  Company, with the first instalment being paid on the Company's first regular pay date on or after the sixtieth (60th  day following the termination of employment, which initial payment shall include all instalment amounts that would have been paid during the first sixty (60) days following the termination of employment had instalments commenced immediately following the termination date; and (c) any unpaid Performance Bonus earned and accrued as set forth in Schedule A, payable as set forth therein. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" means termination because of: (a) a materially adverse change without the Executive's consent in the Executive's title; (b) a materially adverse diminution in the Executive's duties; provided, however that a change in the Executive's reporting lines or the Company's employment of another officer or employee in a newly created position or otherwise shall not be deemed to constitute, or result in, a material adverse diminution of the Executive's duties for purposes hereunder; (c) the Executive's principal duties are required to be performed, on a permanent basis, at a principal business location no more than fifty (50) miles from New York City, New York; and (d) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement or any other agreement to which the Executive and the Company are parties. In each such event listed above, the Executive shall give the Company written notice thereof which shall specify in reasonable detail the circumstances constituting Good Reason, and there shall be no Good Reason with respect to any such circumstances if cured by the Company within thirty (30) days after such notice.

 

C.Survival.The Executive's post-termination obligations in Article IV shall continue as provided in this Agreement.

 

 

ARTICLE IV.

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

A.Confidentiality.

 

(i)Confidential Information.During the Executive's employment with the Company, the Company shall grant the Executive otherwise prohibited access to its trade secrets and confidential information which is not known to the Company's competitors or within the Company's industry generally, which was developed by the Company over a long period of time and/or at its substantial expense, and which is of great competitive value to the Company, and access to the Company's customers and clients. For purposes of this Article IV, the "Company" shall also include its parents, subsidiaries and affiliates. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information" includes any trade secrets or confidential or proprietary information of the Company, including, but not limited to, the following: methods of operation, products, inventions, services, processes, equipment, know-how, technology, technical data, policies, strategies, designs, formulas, developmental or experimental work, improvements, discoveries, research, plans for research or future products and services, corporate transactions, database schemas or tables, software, 

development tools or techniques, training procedures, training techniques, training manuals, business information, marketing and sales methods, plans and strategies, competitors, markets, market surveys, techniques, production processes, infrastructure, business plans, distribution and installation plans, processes and strategies, methodologies, budgets, financial data and information, customer and client information, prices and costs, fees, customer and client lists and profiles, employee, customer and client non-public personal information, supplier lists, business records, product construction, product specifications, audit processes, pricing strategies, business strategies, marketing and promotional practices, management methods and information, plans, reports, recommendations and conclusions, information regarding the skills and compensation of employees and contractors of the Company, and other business information disclosed to the Executive by the Company, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or by drawings or observation. "Confidential Information" does not include, and there shall be no obligation hereunder with respect to, information that (a) is generally available to the public on the date of this Agreement or (b) becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of a disclosure not otherwise permissible hereunder.

 

(ii)No Unauthorized Use or Disclosure.The Executive acknowledges and agrees that Confidential Information is proprietary to and a trade secret of the Company and, as such, is a special and unique asset of the Company, and that any disclosure or unauthorized use of any Confidential Information by the Executive will cause irreparable harm and loss to the Company. The Executive understands and acknowledges that each and every component of the Confidential Information (a) has been developed by the Company at significant effort and expense and is sufficiently secret to derive economic value from not being generally known to other parties, and (b) constitutes a protectable business interest of the Company. The Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company owns the Confidential Information. The Executive agrees not to dispute, contest, or deny any such ownership rights either during or after the Executive's employment with the Company. The Executive agrees to preserve and protect the confidentiality of all Confidential Information. The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not during the period of the Executive's employment with the Company and thereafter, directly or indirectly, disclose to any unauthorized person or use for the Executive's own account any Confidential Information without the Company's consent. Throughout the Executive's employment with the Company thereafter: (a) the Executive shall hold all Confidential Information in the strictest confidence, take all reasonable precautions to prevent its inadvertent disclosure to any unauthorized person, and follow all Company policies protecting the Confidential Information; and (b) the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, utilize, disclose or make available to any other person or entity, any of the Confidential Information, other than in the proper performance of the Executive's duties.

 

(iii)Return of Property and Information.Upon the termination of the Executive's employment for any reason, the Executive shall immediately return and deliver to the Company any and all Confidential Information, software, devices, cell phones, personal data assistants, credit cards, data, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, materials, equipment, computers, hard drives, papers, books, records, documents, memoranda, manuals, e-mail, electronic or magnetic recordings or data, including all copies thereof, which belong to the Company or relate to the Company's business and which are in the Executive's possession, custody or control, whether prepared by the Executive or others. If at any time after termination of the Executive's employment the Executive determines that the Executive has any Confidential Information in the Executive's possession or control, the Executive shall immediately return to the Company all such Confidential Inf01mation in the Executive's possession or control, including all copies and portions thereof.

 

B.Restrictive Covenants. In consideration for (i) the Company's promise to provide Confidential Information to the Executive, (ii) the substantial economic investment made by the Company in the Confidential Information and goodwill of the Company, and/or the business 

opportunities disclosed or entrusted to the Executive, (iii) possible access to the Company's customers and clients, and (iv) the Company's employment of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement and the compensation and other benefits provided by the Company to the Executive, to protect the Company's Confidential Information and business goodwill of the Company, the Executive agrees to the following restrictive covenants:

 

(i)Non-Solicitation. The Executive agrees that during the Restricted Period, other than in connection with Executive's duties under this Agreement, the Executive shall not, and shall not use any Confidential Information to, directly or indirectly, either as a principal, manager, agent, employee, consultant, officer, director, stockholder, partner, investor or lender or in any other capacity, and whether personally or through other persons:

 

(a)Solicit business from, interfere with, induce, attempt to solicit business from, interfere with, induce or do business with any actual or prospective customer, client, business partner or affiliate, supplier, vendor, licensor or licensee of the Company with whom the Company did business prior to or during the Executive's employment with the Company or entice or suggest to such individual or entity to terminate the business relationship with the Company; or

 

(b)Solicit, induce or attempt to solicit or induce, engage or hire, on behalf of the Executive or any other person or entity, any person who is an employee or consultant of the Company or who was employed or engaged by the Company within the preceding twelve (12) months or entice or suggest to such individual to terminate his or her employment or services with the Company.

 

(ii)Non-Disparagement.During the Executive's employment with the Company and any time thereafter, the Executive shall not make, publish, or otherwise transmit any false, disparaging or defamatory statements, whether written or oral, regarding the Company and any of its employees, members, agents, investors, procedures, investments, products, policies, or services. During the Executive's employment with the Company and any time thereafter, the Company, through its executives, officers and/or Board members, shall not make, publish, or otherwise transmit any false, disparaging or defamatory statements, whether written or oral, regarding the Executive.

 

C.No Interference. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, (i) the Executive may disclose Confidential Information when required to do so by a court of competent jurisdiction, by any governmental agency having authority over the Executive or the business of the Company or by any administrative body or legislative body (including a committee thereof) with jurisdiction to order the Executive to divulge, disclose or make accessible such information; and (ii) nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with the Executive's right to (1) report possible violations of state or federal law or regulation to any governmental or law enforcement agency or entity; (2) make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of state or federal law or regulation; (3) file a claim or charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission ("EEOC”), any state human rights commission, or any other governmental agency or entity; or (4) testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by the EEOC, any state human rights commission , any other governmental or law enforcement agency or entity, or any court. For purposes of clarity, in making or initiating any such reports or disclosures or engaging in any of the conduct outlined in subsection (ii) above, the Executive may disclose Confidential Information to the extent necessary to such governmental or law enforcement agency or entity or such court, need not seek prior authorization from the Company, and is not required to notify the Company of any such reports, disclosures or conduct.

 

D.Defend Trade Secrets Act.The Executive is hereby notified in accordance with the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 that the Executive will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or is made in a complaint or other document that is filed under seal in a lawsuit or other proceeding.  If the Executive files a lawsuit for retaliation against the Company for reporting a suspected violation of law, the Executive may disclose the Company's trade secrets to the Executive's attorney and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding if the Executive files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

 

E.Tolling.If the Executive violates any of the restrictions contained in this Article IV, the Restricted Period shall be suspended and shall not run in favour of the Executive from the time of the commencement of any violation until the time when the Executive cures the violation to the satisfaction of the Company.

 

F.Remedies.The Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Article IV of this Agreement, in view of the nature of the Company's business and the Executive's position with the Company, are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company's legitimate business interests and that any violation of Article IV of this Agreement would result in irreparable injury to the Company. In the event of a breach by the Executive of Article IV of this Agreement, then the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief restraining the Executive from the commission of any breach. Such remedies shall not be deemed the exclusive remedies for a breach or threatened breach of this Article IV but shall be in addition to all remedies available at law or in equity, including the recovery of damages from the Executive, the Executive's agents, any future employer of the Executive, and any person that conspires or aids and abets the Executive in a breach or threatened breach of this Agreement.

 

G.Reasonableness.The Executive hereby represents to the Company that the Executive has read and understands, and agrees to be bound by, the terms of this Article IV. The Executive acknowledges that the scope and duration of the covenants contained in this Article IV are fair and reasonable in light of (i) the nature and wide geographic scope of the operations of the Company's business; (ii) the Executive's level of control over and contact with the Company's business; and (iii) the amount of compensation, trade secrets and Confidential Information that the Executive is receiving in connection with the Executive’s employment by the Company.

 

H.Reformation.If any of the aforesaid restrictions are found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unreasonable, or overly broad as to geographic area or time, or otherwise unenforceable, the Parties intend for the restrictions herein set forth to be modified by the court making such determination so as to be reasonable and enforceable and, as so modified, to be fully enforced. By agreeing to this contractual modification prospectively at this time, the Company and the Executive intend to make this provision enforceable under the law or laws of all applicable jurisdictions so that the entire agreement not to compete and this Agreement as prospectively modified shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be rendered void or illegal.

 

I.No Previous Restrictive Agreements.The Executive represents that, except as disclosed to the Company, the Executive is not bound by the terms of any agreement with any previous employer or other party to refrain from using or disclosing any trade secret or confidential or proprietary information in the course of the Executive's employment with the Company or to refrain from competing, directly or indirectly, with the business of such previous employer or any other party. The Executive further represents that the Executive's performance of all 

the terms of this Agreement and the Executive's work duties for the Company do not and will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information, knowledge or data acquired by the Executive in confidence or in trust prior to the Executive's employment with the Company. The Executive shall not disclose to the Company or induce the Company to use any confidential or proprietary information or material belonging to any previous employer or others.

 

 

ARTICLE V. 

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

 

A.Governing Law.The Parties agree that the Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the internal laws of the State of New York. In the event of any dispute regarding this Agreement, the parties hereby irrevocably agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts situated in New York, New York, and Employee agrees that the Executive shall not challenge personal or subject matter jurisdiction in such courts. The Parties also hereby waive any right to trial by jury in connection with any litigation or disputes under or in connection with this Agreement.

 

B.Headings.The paragraph headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall in no way or manner be construed as a part of this Agreement.

 

C.Severability.In the event that any court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision in this Agreement to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, the remaining provisions shall not be affected or invalidated and shall remain in full force and effect.

 

D.Reformation.In the event any court of competent jurisdiction holds any restriction in this Agreement to be unreasonable and/or unenforceable as written, the court may reform this Agreement to make it enforceable, and this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as reformed by the court.

 

E.Entire Agreement.This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties, and fully supersedes any and all prior agreements, understanding or representations between the Parties pertaining to or concerning the subject matter of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the Executive's employment with the Company. No oral statements or prior written material not specifically incorporated in this Agreement shall be of any force and effect, and no changes in or additions to this Agreement shall be recognized, unless incorporated in this Agreement by written amendment, such amendment to become effective on the date stipulated in it. Any amendment to this Agreement must be signed by all parties to this Agreement. The Executive acknowledges and represents that in executing this Agreement, the Executive did not rely, and has not relied, on any communications, promises, statements, inducements, or representation(s), oral or written, by the Company, except as expressly contained in this Agreement. The Parties represent that they relied on their own judgment in entering into this Agreement.

 

F.Waiver.No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be construed to be a waiver as to succeeding breaches. The failure of either party to insist in any one or more instances upon performance of any terms or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of future performance of any such term, covenant or condition but the obligations of either party with respect thereto shall continue in full force and effect. The breach by one party to this Agreement shall not preclude equitable relief or the obligations in Article IV.

 

G.Modification.The provisions of this Agreement may be amended, modified or waived only with the prior written consent of the Company and the Executive, and no course of conduct or failure or delay in enforcing the provisions of this Agreement shall be construed as a waiver of such provisions or affect the validity, binding effect or enforceability of this Agreement or any provision hereof.

 

H.Assignment.This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties hereto and their respective heirs, successors and permitted assigns. The Executive may not assign this Agreement to a third party. The Company may assign its rights, together with its obligations hereunder, to any affiliate and/or subsidiary of the Company or any successor thereto or any purchaser of substantially all of the assets of the Company.

 

I.Code Section 409A.

 

(i)To the extent (A) any payments to which the Executive becomes entitled under this Agreement, or any agreement or plan referenced herein, in connection with the Executive's termination of employment with the Company constitute deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); (B) the Executive is deemed at the time of his separation from service to be a "specified employee" under Section 409A of the Code; and (C) at the time of the Executive's separation from service the Company is publicly traded (as defined in Section 409A of Code), then such payments (other than any payments permitted by Section 409A of the Code to be paid within six (6) months of the Executive's separation from service) shall not be made until the earlier of (1) the first day of the seventh month following the Executive's separation from service or (2) the date of the Executive's death following such separation from service. Upon the expiration of the applicable deferral period, any payments which would have otherwise been made during that period (whether in a single sum or in instalments) in the absence of this Article V, Section I shall be paid to the Executive or the Executive's beneficiary in one lump sum, plus interest thereon at the Delayed Payment Interest Rate (as defined below) computed from the date on which each such delayed payment otherwise would have been made to the Executive until the date of payment. For purposes of the foregoing, the "Delayed Payment Interest Rate" shall mean the national average annual rate of interest payable on jumbo six-month bank ce1tificates of deposit, as quoted in the business section of the most recently published Sunday edition of The New York Times preceding the Executive's separation from service.

 

(ii)To the extent any benefits provided under Article III, Section B(ii) above are otherwise taxable to the Executive, such benefits shall, for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, be provided as separate in-kind payments of those benefits, and the provision of in-kind benefits during one calendar year shall not affect the in-kind benefits to be provided in any other calendar year.

 

(iii)In the case of any amounts payable to the Executive under this Agreement, or under any plan of the Company, that may be treated as payable in the form of "a series of instalment payments," as defined in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii), the Executive's right to receive such payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments for purposes of Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii).

 

(iv)It is intended that this Agreement comply with or be exempt from the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and guidance of general applicability issued thereunder, and in furtherance of this intent, this Agreement shall be interpreted, operated, and administered in a manner consistent with such intent.

 

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SCHEDULE A - BONUS ARRANGEMENTS

 

1.The Company agrees to pay you an annual bonus (the "Bonus") of up to fifty (50%) of the Salary.

 

2.Performance is measured by way of growth in Adjusted EBITDA of the consolidated group of Staffing 360 Solutions Inc. (“Group”) set out in clause 3 below year on year, based on the Base Number approved by the Board of Directors of the Parent annually, generally before the end of January but usually no later than by the end of February.

 

3.The amount of the Bonus in any particular Financial Year (if any payable) shall be determined by the Board of the Parent, based on a comparison between the Base Number and the AEBITDA of the consolidated Group as follows:

 

		
	
 
	
Total Bonus (as a percentage of Salary)

	
On target percentage of Salary is achieved if the actual AEBITDA is 120% or more of the Base Number
	
50%

	
If the actual AEBITDA is less than 90% of the Base Number
	
Zero bonus

	
If actual AEBITDA is between 90% and 100% of the Base Number
	
2.5% for

each percentage

point achieved over 90% of the Base

Numbers

 

	
If actual AEBITDA is greater than 100% of the Base Number
	
1.25% for

each percentage point achieved up to 120% of the Base Number

 

 

 

4.The decision of the Board as to the Base Numbers, the AEBITDA figures and the level of your Bonus, if any, shall be final and binding.

 

5.The Bonus (if any) shall be paid in cash within thirty days following the Parent's filing of its Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission containing the Parent's and Company's consolidated audited financial statements ("Form 10-K Filing") (the "Payment Date");

 

6.If you: (a) commence the employment part way through the Financial Year; or (b) work on a part-time basis in any Financial Year, the Bonus shall be pro-rated, as appropriate.

 

7.In the Financial Year in which the employment commences, you will be entitled to receive a guaranteed Bonus of 25% of Salary, pro-rated to reflect the number of days that you have been employed in that Financial Year.

 

8.If, as at the Payment Date, you are no longer employed by the Company or either you or the Company has given notice to terminate the employment, you shall have no right to a Bonus or a pro-rated Bonus, except where such termination of employment:

 

8.1.is by reason of death;

 

8.2.is without Cause or for Good Reason; or

 

8.3.is by reason of Disability.

 

In such circumstances, you shall be entitled to a pro-rated Bonus in respect of the period of service in the Financial Year in which the employment terminates, calculated at the end of that year and payable on the Payment Date.

 

9.This Bonus schedule shall be administered under the direction of the Board who may at any time by resolution amend its terms in any respect.

 

10.The Company will deduct applicable taxes and other withholdings from any Bonus payable to you. Any Bonus payable to you will not be taken into account for the purpose of calculating pension contributions.

 

11.In this Schedule, the following term is as defined below:

 

11.1."Adjusted EBITDA" / "AEBITDA" means earnings (or loss) from continuing operations before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, and amortisation of non-cash stock-based compensation, non-recurring acquisition and restructuring expenses and goodwill impairment charges;

 

11.2."Base Number" means the final adjusted AEBITDA number for the previous Financial Year;

 

11.3."Financial Year" means the Company's financial year ending on 31 December each year;

 

11.4."Group" in this Schedule only has the meaning given to it in clause 2 of this Schedule 1;

 

11.5."Parent" means Staffing 360 Solutions Inc.; and

 

"Salary": means your basic salary as at the beginning of the Financial Year or the start of the employment, if later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule B

 

Schedule of Other Benefits

 

 

 

Medical:Aetna High Plan consistent with other senior corporate executives on family coverage, employee contributions and company contributions.

 

Dental:Guardian Dental Guard Pref consistent with other senior corporate executives.

 

Vision:Guardian VSP Full Feature consistent with other senior corporate executives.

 

Short-term Guardian consistent with other senior corporate executives.

Disability:

 

Long-term Guardian consistent with other senior corporate executives.

Disability:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have caused this Agreement to be executed on the date first set forth above, to be effective as of that date

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

__________________________________

Alicia Barker

 

 

 

COMPANY

 

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

 

                      

By:__________________________________

Brendan Flood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 25th June 2018

 

From:Brendan Flood

To:Alicia Barker

 

Amendment to Employment Agreement Dated June 19th, 2018

Further to our discussions about the need for your involvement to be accelerated beyond your role as an Independent Director between your start date of July 1st, 2018 and the assumption of a full-time role of September 17th, 2018 the following outlines what we have agreed as an interim compensation adjustment;

Amendment to Recitals on Page 1 to the following:

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the executive, and the executive desires to be employed by the Company, on a part-time basis from July 1st, 2018, until September 16th, 2018 and on a full-time basis from September 17th, 2018 on a salary of $145,000 per annum, after which the Base Salary and benefits outlined in Article II shall commence.

 

All other items in the Employment Agreement remain the same. Can you please sign this amendment as confirmation of your agreement to it, and I will arrange for the internal administration to reflect this?

Kind regards

 

Brendan Flood

Chairman and CEODate:June 25th, 2018

 

 

Alicia Barker

Chief Operating OfficerDate: June 26th, 2018   

 

 

 

Tuesday August 31st, 2018

 

From:Brendan Flood

To:Alicia Barker

 

Second Amendment to Employment Agreement Dates June 19th, 2018

Further to our discussions about the need for your involvement to be accelerated beyond your role as an Independent Director between your start date of July 1st, 2018 and the assumption of a full-time role of September 17th, 2018, and in recognition of the fact that your contribution has been exceeding the agreed two days per week we have agreed the following as an interim compensation adjustment;

 

Amendment to Recitals on Page 1 to the following;

Whereas, the Company desires to employ the executive, and the executive desires to be employed by the Company, on a part-time basis from July 1st, 2018, until September 16th, 2018, and on a full-time basis from September 17th, 2018, on a salary of $180,000 per annum, such adjustment to take effect from August 1st, 2018. From September 17th, 2018, the Base Salary and benefits outlined in Article II shall commence. Your Annual Bonus calculation will come into effect as if you have been in full-time Employment from July 1st, 2018.

 

All other items in the Employment Agreement remain the same. Can you please sign this amendment as confirmation of your agreement to it, and I will arrange for the internal administration to reflect this?

 

Sincerely,

 

Brendan Flood

Chairman and CEODated:July 31st, 2018

 

 

Alicia Barker

Chief Operating OfficerDated: July 31st, 2018staf-ex1098_64.htm

 

Exhibit 10.98

 

GENERAL RELEASE AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This General Release and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”), dated as of July 31, 2018, is made and entered into by and between Christopher Lutzo, his heirs, successors and assigns (collectively, “Employee”) and Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., and any of its parents, predecessors, successors, subsidiaries, affiliates or related companies (collectively, the “Company”).

For good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, in order to effect a mutually satisfactory and amicable separation of employment from the Company and to resolve and settle finally, fully and completely all matters and disputes that now or may exist between them, as set forth below, Employee and the Company agree as follows:

1.Separation from Employment.  Effective August 10, 2018 (the “Separation Date”), Employee’s employment with the Company shall cease and he shall relinquish all positions, offices, and authority with the Company.  Employee acknowledges and agrees, except for the payments and benefits described herein, Employee has no and will have no rights to any other wages and other compensation or remuneration of any kind due or owed from the Company, including, but not limited, to all wages, reimbursements, bonuses, advances, vacation pay, severance pay, vested or unvested equity or stock options, awards, and any other incentive-based compensation or benefits to which Employee was or may become entitled or eligible.  The parties acknowledge and agree that any equity awards granted to Employee by the Company during the term of Employee’s employment, with the exception of any awards granted under the Company’s Long-Term Incentive Plan which shall remain subject to its terms, shall be 100% vested and retained by Employee, notwithstanding any terms in an award agreement or plan document regarding forfeiture of such awards on termination of employment (provided that the foregoing shall not in any way extend the awards beyond their original term). 

2.Employment Agreement.  The employment agreement between Employee and the Company dated January 27, 2017 (the “Employment Agreement”) has terminated forever and no party shall have any further obligation or liability thereunder, except that Employee acknowledges and agrees that Section 4 Right of First Offer; Confidential Information; Non-Solicitation; Non-Disparagement; and Return of Company Property of the Employment Agreement, and all provisions thereunder, shall remain in full force and effect in accordance with their terms. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee may retain the Lenovo Yoga laptop in his current use and ensure that all work product created during his term of employment remains on the Company’s network drive.

3.Consideration.  In consideration of this Agreement and the release herein, and his compliance with his obligations hereunder, the Company will provide Employee with the following: (i) severance pay in an amount equal to Employee’s annual base salary for six (6) months, payable in equal installments in accordance with the normal payroll policies of the Company, with the first installment being paid on the Company’s first regular pay date following the Effective Date (defined below); and (ii) for a period of six (6) months following the Separation Date, all health insurance plan benefits to which Employee was entitled prior to the 

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Separation Date under any such benefit plans or arrangements maintained by the Company in which Employee participated, shall be provided to the same extent of coverage, pursuant to COBRA, to be paid directly by the Company.  The Company shall deduct or withhold any applicable taxes and other withholdings from the foregoing consideration as required by applicable law or regulation.

4.Transition Services.  For a period of six (6) months following the Separation Date, Employee shall perform such services as the Executive Committee of the Company may reasonably request, including, without limitation, those relating to the transition of his positions, offices, authority, duties, or responsibilities with the Company.  Employee also agrees to assist with the execution of all documents and all other instruments which the Executive Committee of the Company shall deem necessary to accomplish any such transition.

5.Release of Claims.  For and in consideration of the right to receive the consideration described in Section 3 of this Agreement, Employee fully and irrevocably releases and discharges the Company, including all of its affiliates, parent companies, subsidiary companies, employees, owners, directors, officers, principals, agents, insurers, and attorneys (the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims arising or existing on, or at any time prior to, the date this Agreement is signed by Employee.  Such released claims include, without limitation, claims relating to or arising out of: (i) Employee’s hiring, compensation, benefits and employment with the Company, (ii) Employee’s separation from employment with the Company, and (iii) all claims known or unknown or which could or have been asserted by Employee against the Released Parties, at law or in equity, or sounding in contract (express or implied) or tort, including claims arising under any federal, state, or local laws of any jurisdiction that prohibit age, sex, race, national origin, color, disability, religion, veteran, military status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, including, without limitation, claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act; the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Rehabilitation Act; the Equal Pay Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act, 42 U.S.C. §1981; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Civil Rights Act of 1866 and/or 1871; the Occupational Safety and Health Act; the Sarbanes Oxley Act; the Employee Polygraph Protection Act; the Uniform Services and Employment and Re-Employment Rights Act; the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act; the National Labor Relations Act and the Labor Management Relations Act; the Connecticut Human Rights and Opportunities Act, and any other similar or equivalent state laws; the New York City and State Human Rights Laws, and any other similar or equivalent state laws; and any other federal, state, local, municipal or common law whistleblower protection claim, discrimination or anti-retaliation statute or ordinance; claims arising under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; claims arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act; or any other statutory, contractual or common law claims.  For and in consideration of the releases described in this Section 5 of this Agreement, the Company fully and irrevocably releases and discharges Employee from any and all claims arising or existing on, or at any time prior to, the date this Agreement is signed by the Company.  The parties do not release their rights to enforce the terms of this Agreement.

6.No Interference.  Nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with Employee’s right to report possible violations of federal, state or local law or regulation to any governmental or law enforcement agency or entity (including, without limitation, the Securities 

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and Exchange Commission), or to make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal or state law or regulation.  Employee further acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement is intended to interfere with Employee’s right to file a claim or charge with, or testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or proceeding conducted by, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”), any state human rights commission, or any other government agency or entity.  However, by executing this Agreement, Employee hereby waives the right to recover any damages or benefits in any proceeding Employee may bring before the EEOC, any state human rights commission, or any other government agency or in any proceeding brought by the EEOC, any state human rights commission, or any other government agency on Employee’s behalf with respect to any claim released in this Agreement; provided, however, for purposes of clarity, Employee does not waive any right to any whistleblower award pursuant to Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other similar provision. 

7.Review and Consultation.  Employee acknowledges that: (i) this Agreement is written in terms and sets forth conditions in a manner which he understands; (ii) he has carefully read and understands all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement; (iii) he agrees with the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and (iv) he enters into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily.  Employee acknowledges that he does not waive rights or claims that may arise after the date this Agreement is executed, that he has been given twenty-one (21) days from receipt of this Agreement in which to consider whether he wanted to sign it, that any modifications, material or otherwise made to this Agreement do not restart or affect in any manner the original twenty-one (21) day consideration period, and that the Company advises Employee to consult with an attorney before he signs this Agreement, and Employee represents that he understands, that he may revoke his acceptance of this Agreement at any time for seven (7) days following his execution of the Agreement and must provide notice of such revocation by giving written notice to the Company.  If not revoked by written notice received on or before the eighth (8th) day following the date of his execution of the Agreement, this Agreement shall be deemed to have become enforceable and on such eighth (8th) day (the “Effective Date”).  

8.Confidentiality.  Employee agrees that he will keep both the fact of this Agreement and the terms of this Agreement confidential, and will not disclose the fact of this Agreement or the terms of this Agreement to anyone other than Employee's spouse/registered domestic partner, attorney or accountant/tax advisor, unless otherwise required to under applicable law or regulation after providing reasonable notice in writing to the Company and a reasonable opportunity to challenge any such disclosure.

9.Non-Disparagement.  Employee and the Company agree that their goodwill and reputation are assets of great value to them which were obtained through great costs, time and effort.  Therefore, Employee and the Company agree that after the Separation Date, they shall not in any way, directly or indirectly, disparage, libel or defame the other.

10.No Further Services.  Employee agrees that he will not seek, apply for, accept, or otherwise pursue employment, engagement, or arrangement to provide further services with or for the Company, as an employee, independent contractor or otherwise.

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11.Governing Law/Venue.  The parties agree that the Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the internal laws of the State of New York.  In the event of any dispute regarding this Agreement, the parties hereby irrevocably agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal and state courts situated in New York, New York, and Employee agrees that he shall not challenge personal or subject matter jurisdiction in such courts.  The parties also hereby waive any right to trial by jury in connection with any litigation or disputes under or in connection with this Agreement. 

12.Voluntary.  This Agreement is executed voluntarily and without any duress or undue influence on the part or behalf of the parties hereto. The parties acknowledge that they have had ample opportunity to have this Agreement reviewed by the counsel of their choice.

13.Acknowledgment.  Employee acknowledges and agrees that the consideration provided herein is consideration to which Employee is not otherwise entitled except pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, and are being provided in exchange for Employee’s compliance with his obligations set forth hereunder.  

14.No Admission of Liability.  This Agreement shall not in any way be construed as an admission by the Company or the Employee of any acts of wrongdoing or violation of any statute, law, the Employment Agreement or legal right.

15.Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.  Delivery of an executed signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or by electronic mail in portable document format (PDF) will be effective as delivery of a manually executed signature page of this Agreement.

16.Sole Agreement and Severability.  Except as set forth herein, this Agreement is the sole, entire and complete agreement of the parties relating in any way to the subject matter hereof.  No statements, promises or representations have been made by any party to any other party, or relied upon, and no consideration has been offered, promised, expected or held out other than as expressly set forth herein, provided only that the release of claims in any prior agreement or release shall remain in full force and effect.  The covenants contained in this Agreement are intended by the parties hereto as separate and divisible provisions, and in the event that any or all of the covenants expressed herein shall be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining parts, terms or provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected and such provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

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PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.  THIS GENERAL RELEASE AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, AGAINST THE COMPANY.

 

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.CHRISTOPHER LUTZO

 

By:_________________________________

 

Title:Date: 

 

Date:

 

 

 

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