Document:

Exhibit 10.1

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

P R E A M B L E

This Employment Agreement defines the essential terms and conditions of our employment relationship with you.  The subjects covered in the Agreement are vitally important to you and to the Company.  Thus, you should read the document carefully and ask any questions before signing the Agreement.

This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT between John P. Groetelaars (“Executive”) and Hill‐Rom Holdings, Inc. (“Company”) is dated this  24th day of April 2018 and effective as of the 14th day of May 2018.

W I T N E S S E T H:

WHEREAS, the Company and its affiliated entities are engaged in the healthcare industry throughout the United States and abroad including, but not limited to, the design, manufacture, sale, service and rental of hospital beds and stretchers, hospital furniture, medical‐related architectural products, specialty sleep surfaces (including therapeutic surfaces), air clearing devices, biomedical and asset management services, as well as other medical-related accessories, devices, products and services;

WHEREAS, the Company is willing to employ Executive in an executive or managerial position and Executive desires to be employed by the Company in such capacity based upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement;

WHEREAS, in the course of the employment contemplated under this Agreement, it will be necessary for Executive to acquire and maintain knowledge of certain trade secrets and other confidential and proprietary information regarding the Company as well as any of its parent, subsidiary and/or affiliated entities (hereinafter jointly referred to as the “Companies”); and

WHEREAS, the Company and Executive (collectively referred to as the “Parties”) acknowledge and agree that the execution of this Agreement is necessary to memorialize the terms and conditions of their employment relationship as well as safeguard against the unauthorized disclosure or use of the Company’s confidential information and to otherwise preserve the goodwill and ongoing business value of the Company;

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of Executive’s employment, the Company’s willingness to disclose certain confidential and proprietary information to Executive and the mutual covenants contained herein as well as other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

	1.	
Employment.  As of May 14, 2018, Executive’s first date of employment with the Company as determined by, and reflected in a resolution adopted by, the Board of Directors of the Company (“Start Date”), the Company agrees to hire Executive as, and Executive agrees to serve as, President and Chief Executive Officer, reporting to the Board of Directors of the Company.  The Company shall assign Executive, and Executive agrees to perform, all duties and responsibilities traditionally assigned to, or falling within the normal responsibilities of, an individual employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.  Executive also agrees to perform any and all additional duties or responsibilities consistent with such position as may be assigned by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion.

 

 

	2.	
Efforts and Duty of Loyalty.  During the term of employment with the Company, Executive covenants and agrees to exercise reasonable efforts to perform all assigned duties in a diligent and professional manner and in the best interest of the Company.  Executive agrees to devote his full working time, attention, talents, skills and efforts to further the Company’s business interests.  Executive agrees not to engage in any outside business activity, whether or not pursued for gain, profit or other pecuniary advantage, without the express written consent of the Company other than managing his own or his families personal assets and investments.  Executive shall act at all times in accordance with the Company’s Code of Ethical Business Conduct, and all other applicable policies which may exist or be adopted by the Company from time to time.  Executive may serve on other boards of directors as shall not interfere with the proper performance of his duties and obligations hereunder consistent with the Company’s Corporate Governance Standards for Board of Directors and applicable laws, with the prior consent of the Company.  The Company’s Board of Directors has appointed Executive to the Board of Directors of the Company on the date of this Agreement subject to the requirement that he stand for re-election at the next annual meeting of shareholders of the Company at which he otherwise would have been required under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws to stand for re-election. Executive shall not be entitled to receive compensation for his service as a member of the Board of Directors of the Company.

	3.	
At-Will Employment.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth below, Executive specifically acknowledges and accepts such employment on an “at-will” basis and agrees that both Executive and the Company retain the right to terminate this relationship at any time, with or without cause, for any reason not prohibited by applicable law upon notice as required by this Agreement.  Executive acknowledges that nothing in this Agreement is intended to create, nor should be interpreted to create, an employment contract for any specified length of time between the Company and Executive.

	4.	
Compensation.  For all services rendered by Executive on behalf of, or at the request of, the Company, in his capacity as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Executive shall be compensated as follows from and after the Start Date, subject to withholding for payment of any and all applicable federal, state and local payroll and withholding taxes.

		(a)	
Base Salary.  For the services performed by him under this Agreement, the Company shall pay Executive a base salary of one million dollars ($1,000,000) per year, pro-rated for the period during which Executive serves (“Base Salary”).  The Base Salary shall be paid in the same increments as the Company’s normal payroll, but no less frequently than monthly and prorated for any period less than a full month.  Executive’s Base Salary shall be reviewed at least annually during the regular, annual review cycle which historically has taken place during the month of November.

 

2

 

		(b)	
STIC Bonus.  The Executive will be eligible for annual incentive compensation, payable solely at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the Company, pursuant to the Company’s existing Incentive Compensation Program or any other program as the Company may establish from time to time in its sole discretion.  For each fiscal year, the annual performance bonus target will be not less than 100% of base salary earned during such fiscal year.  Bonus will be based upon the performance measures and objectives established by the Board from time to time, but ultimately subject to the Compensation and Management Development Committee’s (“CMDC”) discretion.  Minimum bonus will be 0% of target and maximum bonus will be 200% of target.

		(c)	
Long-Term Incentive Plan.  The Executive will be eligible to participate in the long-term incentive plan in place at the time and as authorized by the CMDC, at the time of the normal equity grant, with an annual target value of 400% of base salary, beginning November 2018. The Award is expected to be comprised of stock options, restricted stock units and performance share units, in combination or exclusively, realizing the proportional mix may change over time in consultation with the Executive and the Board.

		(d)	
Initial Equity Grant. The Executive will also receive an initial equity grant on the Start Date, to be comprised of (i) $2,000,000 of performance share units, vesting during the performance period ending on September 30, 2020, in accordance with the form of Company’s Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement used for FY 2018; (ii) $1,000,000 of restricted stock units cliff vesting on the day after the third anniversary of the date of grant, in accordance with the form of Company’s Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement used for FY 2018; and (iii) $1,000,000 of nonqualified stock options, with a per share exercise price equal to fair market value, valued on the grant date using the Binomial Lattice valuation method applied consistent with past practice, vesting annually over four years from the date of grant, in accordance with the form of Company’s Non-Qualified Stock Option Award Agreement used for FY 2018.

		(e)	
Sign-On Equity Grant.  Executive shall receive a one-time award of non-qualified stock options on the Start Date with a value on such date of one million two hundred thousand dollars ($1,200,000) with a per share exercise price equal to fair market value, valued on the grant date using the Binomial Lattice valuation method applied consistent with past practice, vesting annually over three years from the date of grant, subject to the terms of the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the stock option grant will vest upon any termination of Executive’s employment other than (i) a termination by the Company for Cause or (ii) by the Executive without Good Reason. Such stock option grant shall be made pursuant to the Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. stock option award agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A providing the terms and additional details regarding Executive’s one-time award.

 

3

 

		(f)	
Relocation.  Executive will be compensated for his temporary housing costs of up to $10,000 per month for a period of five months.  If Executive voluntarily terminates employment with Hill-Rom without Good Reason within eighteen (18) months of the Start Date, Executive will be responsible to reimburse the Company in full for all relocation benefits paid.

		(g)	
Retirement Plans.  Commencing on the Start Date, Executive will be entitled to participate in the Company’s retirement plans (401(k) Savings Plan and Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan) consistent with the plans, programs or policies available to other senior officers of the Company and subject to satisfaction of any applicable eligibility requirements.

		(h)	
Other Benefits.  Commencing on the Start Date, Executive will be entitled to participate in and receive such additional benefits and perquisites, including health and welfare benefits (including an annual Company-paid Executive physical examination and reimbursement for tax preparation and financial planning services) as are available to other senior officers of the Company. Executive will be entitled to 26 days of paid time off.

	5.	
Changes to Compensation.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, Executive acknowledges that the Company specifically reserves the right to make changes to Executive’s compensation in its sole discretion including, but not limited to, modifying or eliminating a compensation component.  The Parties agree that such changes shall be deemed effective immediately and a modification of this Agreement unless, within thirty (30) days after receiving notice of such change, Executive exercises his right to terminate this Agreement without cause or for “Good Reason,” as provided below in Paragraphs 9 and 11.

	6.	
Direct Deposit.  As a condition of employment, and within thirty (30) days of the Start Date of this Agreement, Executive agrees to make all necessary arrangements to have all sums paid pursuant to this Agreement direct deposited into one or more bank accounts as designated by Executive.

	7.	
Predecessor Employers.  Except as otherwise disclosed in writing to the Compensation Committee of the Board prior to the date hereof Executive warrants that he is not a party to any contract, restrictive covenant, or other agreement purporting to limit or otherwise adversely affecting his ability to secure employment with any third party.  Alternatively, should any such agreement exist, Executive warrants that the contemplated services to be performed hereunder will not violate the terms and conditions of any such agreement.

 

4

 

	8.	
Restricted Duties.  Executive agrees not to disclose, or use for the benefit of the Company, any confidential or proprietary information belonging to any predecessor employer(s) that otherwise has not been made public and further acknowledges that the Company has specifically instructed him not to disclose or use such confidential or proprietary information.  Based on his understanding of the anticipated duties and responsibilities hereunder, Executive acknowledges that such duties and responsibilities will not compel the disclosure or use of any such confidential and proprietary information.

 

	9.	
Termination Without Cause.  The Parties agree that either party may terminate this employment relationship at any time, without cause, upon sixty days’ advance written notice or, if terminated by the Company, pay in lieu of notice (hereinafter referred to as “notice pay”).  In such event, Executive shall only be entitled to such compensation, benefits and perquisites that have been paid or fully accrued as of the effective date of his separation and as otherwise explicitly set forth in this Agreement.  However, in no event shall Executive be entitled to notice pay if Executive is eligible for and accepts severance payments pursuant to the provisions of Paragraphs 16 and 17, below.  Notice pay shall be paid as if the Executive remained on payroll, subject to Paragraph 14 hereof.

	10.	
Termination With Cause.  Executive’s employment may be terminated by the Company at any time “for cause” without notice or prior warning.  For purposes of this Agreement, “cause” shall mean the Company’s good faith determination that Executive has:

		(a)	
Acted with gross neglect or willful misconduct in the discharge of his duties and responsibilities, or continuously refused to follow or comply with the lawful direction of the Board of Directors of the Company or the material terms and conditions of this Agreement, provided such refusal is not based primarily on Executive’s good faith compliance with applicable legal or ethical standards.

		(b)	
Engaged in fraudulent, unethical, or illegal conduct in the performance of his duties that causes, or in the Board of Directors’ reasonable opinion has the potential to cause, the Company or its directors significant embarrassment or ridicule;

		(c)	
Willfully violated a material requirement of any written Company policy or procedure, specifically including a violation of the Company’s Code of Ethics or Employee Handbook that has been previously provided to Executive;

		(d)	
Willfully disclosed without proper authorization any material trade secrets or other material Confidential Information (as defined herein); or

		(e)	
Engaged in any act that constitutes a breach of fiduciary duty under Indiana law.

 

5

 

Upon the occurrence or discovery of any event specified above, the Company shall have the right to terminate Executive’s employment, effective immediately, by providing notice thereof to Executive without further obligation to him other than accrued wages or other accrued wages, deferred compensation or other accrued benefits of employment (collectively referred to herein as “Accrued Obligations”), which shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s past practice and applicable law.  To the extent any violation of this Paragraph is capable of being promptly cured by Executive (or cured within a reasonable period to the Company’s satisfaction), the Company agrees to provide Executive with a reasonable opportunity to so cure such defect.  Absent written mutual agreement otherwise, the Parties agree in advance that it is not possible for Executive to cure any violations of sub-paragraphs (b), (d) or (f) and, therefore, no opportunity for cure need be provided in those circumstances.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may not terminate the Executive’s employment for cause unless (A) a determination that cause exists is made and approved by a majority of the Company’s Board, (B) if the circumstance giving rise to the issue are capable of being cured the Executive is given at least ten (10) days’ written notice of the Board meeting called to make such determination, and (C) the Executive (together with counsel) is given the opportunity to address the Board at such meeting. The definition of “cause” applicable to Executive for all purposes shall be no less favorable to the Executive in any respect than the definition set forth herein.

 

	11.	
Termination by Executive for Good Reason.  Executive may terminate his employment and declare this Agreement to have been terminated “without cause” by the Company (and, therefore, for “Good Reason”) upon the occurrence, without Executive’s consent, of any of the following circumstances:

		(a)	
The material diminution of Executive’s duties, responsibilities, authorities or offices, or the assignment to Executives of duties that are materially inconsistent with Executive’s position as President and Chief Executive Officer;

		(b)	
A reduction by the Company in the amount of Executive’s base salary or target bonus percentage;

		(c)	
The discontinuation or reduction by the Company of Executive’s participation at previously existing levels of eligibility in any incentive compensation, additional compensation or equity programs, benefits, policies or perquisites; provided, however, that the Company may make such changes and/or reductions without implicating the provisions of this subsection (c) so long as such discontinuation or reduction applies to all other senior executives of the Company and the discontinuation or reduction applies at a level that no less favorable to Executive than that applicable to all other senior executives of the Company;

		(d)	
A change by the Company in the Executive’s reporting structure such that the Executive is no longer reporting directly to the Board of Directors; or

		(e)	
The relocation of the Company's principal executive offices or Executive’s place of work to a location requiring a change of more than 50 miles in Executive’s daily commute;

A failure by the Company to perform its obligations under this Employment Agreement, which, in each of subsections (a) and (b) and (c) above, is not remedied by the Company within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice of such event or breach delivered by Executive to the Company within ninety (90) days of the occurrence of the event.

 

6

 

Any termination of employment by the Executive shall be within sixty (60) days of the end of the cure period.

	12.	
Termination Due to Death or Disability.  In the event Executive dies or suffers a disability (as defined herein) during the term of employment, this Agreement shall automatically be terminated on the date of such death or disability without further obligation on the part of the Company other than the Accrued Obligations (as defined in Section 10) which shall be paid in accordance with the award agreements, benefits plans, past practice and applicable law.  For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be considered to have suffered a “disability”:  (i) upon a good faith determination by Company that, as a result of any mental or physical impairment, Executive is and will likely remain unable to perform the essential functions of his duties or responsibilities hereunder on a full-time basis for one hundred eighty (180) days, with or without reasonable accommodation, or (ii) Executive becomes eligible for or receives any benefits pursuant to the Company’s long-term disability policy.

Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied above to the contrary, the Company agrees to fully comply with its obligations under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 and the Americans with Disabilities Act as well as any other applicable federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance governing the provision of leave to individuals with serious health conditions or the protection of individuals with disabilities as well as the Company’s obligation to provide reasonable accommodation thereunder.

	13.	
Reaffirmation.  Upon termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Executive agrees, if requested to reaffirm in writing his post-employment obligation as set forth in this Agreement.

	14.	
Code Section 409A Notification.  Executive acknowledges that he  has been advised of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, which includes Internal Revenue Code Section 409A, and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Code Section 409A”), and which also significantly changed the taxation of nonqualified deferred compensation plans and arrangements.

		(a)	
The intent of the parties is that payments and benefits under this Agreement comply with, or be exempt from, Code Section 409A and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, this Agreement shall be interpreted to be in accordance therewith.  If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation, including equity compensation or benefits) would cause the Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, the Company shall, after consulting with the Executive, reform such provision to try to comply with Code Section 409A through good faith modifications to the minimum extent reasonably appropriate to conform with Code Section 409A.  To the extent that any provision hereof is modified in order to comply with Code Section 409A, such modification shall be made in good faith and shall, to the maximum extent reasonably possible, maintain the original intent and economic benefit to the Executive and the Company of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Code Section 409A.

 

7

 

		(b)	
A termination of employment shall not be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for the payment of any amounts or benefits upon or following a termination of employment that are considered “nonqualified deferred compensation” under Code Section 409A unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like terms shall mean “separation from service.”  If the Executive is deemed on the date of termination to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B), then with regard to any payment that is considered non-qualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A payable on account of a “separation from service,” and with regard to which an exemption from such section does not apply, such payment or benefit shall be made or provided at the date which is the earlier of (A) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” of the Executive, and (B) the date of the Executive’s death (the “Delay Period”).  Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments and benefits delayed pursuant to this Section 14 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) shall be paid or reimbursed to the Executive in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement shall be paid or provided in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein.

		(c)	
With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Code Section 409A, (i) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits, provided during any taxable year shall not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other taxable year, provided that the foregoing clause (ii) shall not be violated without regard to expenses reimbursed under any arrangement covered by Internal Revenue Code Section 105(b) solely because such expenses are subject to a limit related to the period the arrangement is in effect and (iii) such payments shall be made on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense occurred.

		(d)	
For purposes of Code Section 409A, the Executive’s right to receive any installment payments pursuant to this Agreement shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments.  In no event may the Executive, directly or indirectly, designate the calendar year of any payment to be made under this Agreement that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation.  In no event shall the timing of Executive’s execution of the Separation and Release Agreement, directly or indirectly, result in the Executive designating the calendar year of payment, and if a payment that is subject to execution of the Separation and Release Agreement could be made in more than one taxable year, payment shall be made in the later taxable year.

 

8

 

	15.	
Code Section 409A Acknowledgement.  Executive acknowledges that, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, both Parties shall be independently responsible for assessing their own risks and liabilities under Code Section 409A that may be associated with any payment made under the terms of this Agreement or any other arrangement which may be deemed to trigger Code Section 409A.  Further, the Parties agree that each shall independently bear responsibility for any and all taxes, penalties or other tax obligations as may be imposed upon them in their individual capacity as a matter or law.

	16.	
Severance Payments.  In the event Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company without cause (including by Executive for Good Reason), and subject to the normal terms and conditions imposed by the Company as set forth herein and in the attached Separation and Release Agreement (Exhibit B), Executive shall be eligible to receive severance pay based upon his base salary at the time of termination for a period of twenty-four (24) months.  Additionally, the Company shall arrange for the Executive to continue to participate (through COBRA or otherwise), on substantially the same terms and conditions as in effect for the Executive (including any active employee contribution) immediately prior to such termination, in the health and similar welfare benefits provided to the Executive until the earlier of (i) the end of the 12 month period beginning on the effective date of termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, or (ii) such time as the Executive is eligible to be covered by comparable benefits of a subsequent employer.  The Executive agrees to notify the Company promptly if and when he begins employment with another employer and if and when he becomes eligible to participate in any health or welfare plans of another employer.  The foregoing severance rights and obligations shall not exist if Executive voluntarily leaves the Company’s employ without “Good Reason” (as defined above) or is terminated for “cause” (as defined above).

	17.	
Severance Payment Terms and Conditions.  No severance pay shall be paid if Executive voluntarily leaves the Company’s employ without Good Reason, as defined above, or is terminated for cause.  Any severance pay made payable under this Agreement shall be paid in lieu of, and not in addition to, any other contractual, notice or statutory pay or other accrued compensation obligation (excluding accrued wages and deferred compensation).  Additionally, such severance pay is contingent upon Executive materially complying with the restrictive covenants contained herein and executing a Separation and Release Agreement in the form attached as Exhibit B. Further, the Company’s obligation to provide severance hereunder shall be deemed null and void should Executive fail or refuse to execute and deliver to the Company the Separation and Release Agreement (without modification) within any time period as may be prescribed by law or, in absence thereof, twenty-one (21) days after the Executive’s Effective Termination Date.  Except as required by Code Section 409A, the above severance pay shall be paid in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll practices (e.g. bi-weekly), except no payment shall be made until after the Separation and Release Agreement becomes effective and the first payment thereafter shall include any missed payment.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any execution and revocation period overlap two calendar years, payments will be paid in the second (2nd) calendar year.  Amounts that are nonqualified deferred compensation under Code Section 409A that would otherwise be payable during the six (6) month period immediately following termination shall be paid, with interest, settled, made, or provided, on the expiration of the Delay Period.  Notwithstanding, the foregoing Section is subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A.

 

9

 

	18.	
Assignment of Rights.

 

		(a)	
Copyrights.  Executive agrees that all works of authorship fixed in any tangible medium of expression by his during the term of this Agreement relating to the Company’s business (“Works”), either solely or jointly with others, shall be and remain exclusively the property of the Company.  Each such Work created by Executive is a “work made for hire” under the copyright law and the Company may file applications to register copyright in such Works as author and copyright owner thereof.  If, for any reason, a Work created by Executive is excluded from the definition of a “work made for hire” under the copyright law, then Executive does hereby assign, sell, and convey to the Company the entire rights, title, and interests in and to such Work, including the copyright therein, to the Company.  Executive will execute any documents that the Company deems necessary in connection with the assignment of such Work and copyright therein.  Executive will take whatever steps and do whatever acts the Company requests, including, but not limited to, placement of the Company’s proper copyright notice on Works created by Executive to secure or aid in securing copyright protection in such Works and will assist the Company or its nominees in filing applications to register claims of copyright in such Works.  The Company shall have free and unlimited access at all times to all Works and all copies thereof and shall have the right to claim and take possession on demand of such Works and copies.

		(b)	
Inventions.  Executive agrees that all discoveries, concepts, and ideas, whether patentable or not, including, but not limited to, apparatus, processes, methods, compositions of matter, techniques, and formulae, as well as improvements thereof or know-how related thereto, relating to any present or prospective product, process, or service of the Company (“Inventions”) that Executive conceives or makes during the term of this Agreement relating to the Company’s business, shall become and remain the exclusive property of the Company, whether patentable or not, and Executive will, without royalty or any other consideration:

		(i)	
Inform the Company promptly and fully of such Inventions by written reports, setting forth in detail the procedures employed and the results achieved;

		(ii)	
Assign to the Company all of his rights, title, and interests in and to such Inventions, any applications for United States and foreign Letters Patent, any United States and foreign Letters Patent, and any renewals thereof granted upon such Inventions;

		(iii)	
Assist the Company or its nominees, at the expense of the Company, to obtain such United States and foreign Letters Patent for such Inventions as the Company may elect; and

 

10

 

		(iv)	
Execute, acknowledge, and deliver to the Company at the Company’s expense such written documents and instruments, and do such other acts, such as giving testimony in support of his inventorship, as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company, to obtain and maintain United States and foreign Letters Patent upon such Inventions and to vest the entire rights and title thereto in the Company and to confirm the complete ownership by the Company of such Inventions, patent applications, and patents.

	19.	
Company Property.  All records, files, drawings, documents, data in whatever form, business equipment (including computers, PDAs, cell phones, etc.), and the like relating to, or provided by, the Company shall be and remain the sole property of the Company.  Upon termination of employment, Executive shall immediately return to the Company all such items without retention of any copies and without additional request by the Company.  De minimis items such as pay stubs, 401(k) plan summaries, employee bulletins, and the like are excluded from this requirement.  Executive may retain his address books to the extent they only contain contact information.

	20.	
Confidential Information.  Executive acknowledges that the Company and its affiliated entities (herein collectively referred to as “Companies”) possess certain trade secrets as well as other confidential and proprietary information which they have acquired or will acquire at great effort and expense.  Such information may include, without limitation, confidential information, whether in tangible or intangible form, regarding the Companies’ products and services, marketing strategies, business plans, operations, costs, current or prospective customer information (including customer identities, contacts, requirements, creditworthiness, preferences, and like matters), product concepts, designs, prototypes or specifications, research and development efforts, technical data and know‐how, sales information, including pricing and other terms and conditions of sale, financial information, internal procedures, techniques, forecasts, methods, trade information, trade secrets, software programs, project requirements, inventions, trademarks, trade names, and similar information regarding the Companies’ business(es) (collectively referred to herein as “Confidential Information”).  Executive further acknowledges that, as a result of his employment with the Company, Executive will have access to, will become acquainted with, and/or may help develop, such Confidential Information.  Confidential Information shall not include information readily available in the public so long as such information was not made available through fault of Executive or wrong doing by any other individual.

	21.	
Restricted Use of Confidential Information.  Executive agrees that all Confidential Information is and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company and/or its affiliated entities.  Except as may be expressly authorized by the Company in writing, or other than in the course of the Executive’s employment and for the benefit of the Company, Executive agrees not to disclose, or cause any other person or entity to disclose, any Confidential Information to any third party while employed by the Company and for as long thereafter as such information remains confidential (or as limited by applicable law).  Further, Executive agrees to use such Confidential Information only in the course of Executive’s duties in furtherance of the Company’s business and agrees not to make use of any such Confidential Information for Executive’s own purposes or for the benefit of any other entity or person.  The foregoing shall not apply to information that (a) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Executive; (b) becomes generally known to the public subsequent  to disclosure to the Executive through no wrongful act of the Executive or any representative of the Executive; or (c) the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Executive provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

 

11

 

	22.	
Acknowledged Need for Limited Restrictive Covenants.  Executive acknowledges that the Companies have spent and will continue to expend substantial amounts of time, money and effort to develop their business strategies, Confidential Information, customer identities and relationships, goodwill and Executive relationships, and that Executive will benefit from these efforts.  Further, Executive acknowledges the inevitable use of, or near-certain influence by his knowledge of, the Confidential Information disclosed to Executive during the course of employment if allowed to compete against the Company in an unrestricted manner and that such use would be unfair and extremely detrimental to the Company.  Accordingly, based on these legitimate business reasons, Executive acknowledges each of the Companies’ need to protect their legitimate business interests by reasonably restricting Executive’s ability to compete with the Company on a limited basis.

	23.	
Non-Solicitation.  During Executive’s employment and for a period of 18 months thereafter, Executive agrees not to directly or indirectly engage in the following prohibited conduct:

		(a)	
Solicit, offer products or services to, or accept orders for, any Competitive Products or otherwise transact any competitive business on behalf of any Competitor;

		(b)	
Attempt on behalf of any Competitor to entice or otherwise cause any third party to withdraw, curtail or cease doing business with the Company (or any Affiliate thereof), specifically including customers, vendors, independent contractors and other third-party entities;

		(c)	
Except in the course of the Executive’s employment and for the benefit of the Company to the extent such information is not publicly known, disclose to any person or entity the identities, contacts or preferences of any customers of the Company (or any Affiliate thereof), or the identity of any other persons or entities having business dealings with the Company (or any Affiliate thereof);

		(d)	
Induce any individual who has been employed by or had provided services to the Company (or any Affiliate thereof) within the six (6) month period immediately preceding the effective date of Executive’s separation to terminate such relationship with the Company (or any Affiliate thereof);

 

12

 

		(e)	
Assist, coordinate or otherwise offer employment to, accept employment inquiries from, or employ any individual who is or had been employed by the Company (or any Affiliate thereof) at any time within the six (6) month period immediately preceding such offer, or inquiry, provided that the provisions of this Section (e) shall not apply to generalized solicitations not targeted specifically at Company employees;

		(f)	
Communicate or indicate in any way to any customer of the Company (or any Affiliate thereof), prior to formal separation from the Company, any interest, desire, plan, or decision to separate from the Company; other than by way of long term retirement plans; or

		(g)	
Otherwise attempt on behalf of any Competitor to directly or indirectly interfere with the Company’s business, the business of any of the Companies or their relationship with their employees, consultants, independent contractors or customers.

	24.	
Limited Non-Compete.  For the above-stated reasons, and as a condition of employment to the fullest extent permitted by law, Executive agrees during the Relevant Non‐Compete Period not to directly or indirectly engage in the following competitive activities:

		(a)	
Executive shall not have any ownership interest in, work for, advise, consult, or have any business connection or business or employment relationship in any competitive capacity with any Competitor unless Executive provides written notice to the Company of such relationship prior to entering into such relationship and, further, provides sufficient written assurances to the Company’s satisfaction that such relationship will not, jeopardize the Company’s legitimate interests or otherwise violate the terms of this Agreement;

		(b)	
Executive shall not engage in any research, development, production, sale or distribution of any Competitive Products on behalf of a Competitor;

		(c)	
Executive shall not market, sell, or otherwise offer or provide any Competitive Products within any Geographic Territory on behalf of a Competitor;

		(d)	
Executive shall not distribute, market, sell or otherwise offer or provide any Competitive Products to any customer of the Company on behalf of a Competitor.

	25.	
Non-Compete Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the Parties agree that the following terms shall apply:

		(a)	
“Affiliate” includes any parent, subsidiary, joint venture, sister company, or other entity controlled, owned, managed or otherwise associated with the Company;

		(b)	
“Assigned Customer Base” shall include all accounts or customers formally assigned to Executive within a given territory or geographical area or contacted by him at any time during the eighteen (18) month period preceding Executive’s date of separation;

 

13

 

		(c)	
“Competitive Products” shall include any product or service that directly or indirectly competes with, is substantially similar to, or serves as a reasonable substitute for, any product or service in research, development or design, or manufactured, produced, sold or distributed by the Company;

		(d)	
“Competitor” shall mean the list of companies on Exhibit C, which can be changed at any time prior to 90 days before termination of employment by or of Executive by written notice to Executive, so long as the list does not exceed fifteen (15) companies and each of which is a material competitor of the Company.

		(e)	
“Geographic Territory” shall include any territory in which the Company has provided any services or sold any products at any time during the eighteen (18) month period preceding Executive’s date of separation;

		(f)	
“Relevant Non-Compete Period” shall include the period of Executive’s employment with the Company as well as a period of 18 months after such employment is terminated, regardless of the reason for such termination; provided, however, that this period shall be reduced to the greater of (i) twelve (12) months or (ii) the total length of Executive’s employment with the Company, including employment with any parent, subsidiary or affiliated entity, if such employment is less than eighteen (18) months;

		(g)	
“Directly or indirectly” shall be construed such that the foregoing restrictions shall apply equally to Executive whether performed individually or as a partner, shareholder, officer, director, manager, Executive, salesperson, independent contractor, broker, agent, or consultant for any other individual, partnership, firm, corporation, company, or other entity engaged in such conduct.

	26.	
Consent to Reasonableness.  In light of the above-referenced concerns, including Executive’s knowledge of and access to the Companies’ Confidential Information, Executive acknowledges that the terms of the foregoing restrictive covenants are reasonable and necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests and will not unreasonably interfere with Executive’s ability to obtain alternate employment.  As such, Executive hereby agrees that such restrictions are valid and enforceable, and affirmatively waives any argument or defense to the contrary.  Executive acknowledges that this limited noncompetition provision is not an attempt to prevent Executive from obtaining other employment in violation of IC § 22-5-3-1 or any other similar statute.  Executive further acknowledges that the Company may need to take action, including litigation, to enforce this limited non-competition provision, which efforts the Parties stipulate shall not be deemed an attempt to prevent Executive from obtaining other employment.

 

14

 

	27.	
Survival of Restrictive Covenants.  Executive acknowledges that the above restrictive covenants shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason.  Executive further acknowledges that any alleged breach by the Company of any contractual, statutory or other obligation shall not excuse or terminate the obligations hereunder or otherwise preclude the Company from seeking injunctive or other relief.  Rather, Executive acknowledges that such obligations are independent and separate covenants undertaken by Executive for the benefit of the Company.

	28.	
Post-Termination Notification.  For the duration of his Relevant Non-Compete Period or other restrictive covenant period, which ever is longer, Executive agrees to promptly notify the Company no later than five (5) business days of his acceptance of any employment or consulting engagement.  Such notice shall include sufficient information to ensure Executive compliance with his non-compete obligations and must include at a minimum the following information:  (i) the name of the employer or entity for which he is providing any consulting services; (ii) a description of his intended duties as well as (iii) the anticipated start date.  Such information is required to ensure Executive’s compliance with his non-compete obligations as well as all other applicable restrictive covenants and accordingly, such information shall be used solely for such purpose and shall not be disclosed to any third party without the prior written consent of the Executive, unless required by law.  Such notice shall be provided in writing to the Office of Senior Vice President and General Counsel of the Company at One Prudential Plaza, Suite 1000, 130 East Randolph Streeet, Chicago, Illinois 60601.  Failure to timely provide such notice shall be deemed a material breach of this Agreement and entitle the Company to return of any severance paid to Executive plus attorneys’ fees.  Executive further consents to the Company’s notification to any new employer of Executive’s rights and obligations under this Agreement.

	29.	
Scope of Restrictions.  If the scope of any restriction contained in any preceding paragraphs of this Agreement is deemed too broad to permit enforcement of such restriction to its fullest extent, then such restriction shall be enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, and Executive hereby consents and agrees that such scope may be judicially modified accordingly in any proceeding brought to enforce such restriction.

	30.	
Specific Enforcement/Injunctive Relief.  Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages to the Company from a breach of the above-referenced restrictive covenants, but acknowledges that the potential for such damages would be great, incalculable and irremediable, and that monetary damages alone would be an inadequate remedy.  Accordingly, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to immediate injunctive relief against such breach, or threatened breach, in any court having jurisdiction.  In addition, if Executive violates any such restrictive covenant, Executive agrees that the period of such violation shall be added to the term of the restriction.  In determining the period of any violation, the Parties stipulate that in any calendar month in which Executive engages in any activity in violation of such provisions, Executive shall be deemed to have violated such provision for the entire month, and that month shall be added to the duration of the non-competition provision.  Executive acknowledges that the remedies described above shall not be the exclusive remedies, and the Company may seek any other remedy available to it either in law or in equity, including, by way of example only, statutory remedies for misappropriation of trade secrets, and including the recovery of compensatory or punitive damages.  Executive further agrees that the Company shall be entitled to an award of all costs and attorneys’ fees incurred by it in any attempt to enforce the terms of this Agreement if the Company prevails.

 

15

 

	31.	
Publicly Traded Stock.  The Parties agree that nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to prohibit Executive from investing his personal assets in any stock or corporate security traded or quoted on a national securities exchange or national market system provided, however, such investments do not require any services on the part of Executive in the operation or the affairs of the business or otherwise violate the Company’s Code of Ethics.

	32.	
Contractual Limitations Period. For any dispute or claim arising under this Agreement, Executive must commence legal action within the shorter of one (1) year of accrual of the cause of action or such shorter period that may be specified by law.

	33.	
Non-Jury Trials.  Notwithstanding any right to a jury trial for any claims, Executive waives any such right to a jury trial, and agrees that any claim of any type (including but not limited to employment discrimination litigation, wage litigation, defamation, or any other claim) lodged in any court will be tried, if at all, without a jury.

	34.	
Choice of Forum.  Executive acknowledges that the Company is primarily based in Illinois, and Executive understands and acknowledges the Company’s desire and need to defend any litigation against it in Illinois.  Accordingly, the Parties agree that any claim of any type brought by Executive against the Company or any of its employees or agents must be maintained only in a court sitting in Cook County, Illinois, or, if a federal court, the Northern District of Illinois.  Executive further understands and acknowledges that in the event the Company initiates litigation against Executive, the Company may need to prosecute such litigation in such state where the Executive is subject to personal jurisdiction.  Accordingly, for purposes of enforcement of this Agreement, Executive specifically consents to personal jurisdiction in the State of Illinois.

	35.	
Choice of Law.  This Agreement shall be deemed to have been made within the County of Cook, State of Illinois and shall be interpreted and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.  Any and all matters of dispute of any nature whatsoever arising out of, or in any way connected with the interpretation of this Agreement, any disputes arising out of the Agreement or the employment relationship between the Parties hereto, shall be governed by, construed by and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to any applicable state’s choice of law provisions.

	36.	
Titles.  Titles are used for the purpose of convenience in this Agreement and shall be ignored in any construction of it.

 

16

 

	37.	
Severability.  The Parties agree that each and every paragraph, sentence, clause, term and provision of this Agreement is severable and that, in the event any portion of this Agreement is adjudged to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining portions thereof shall remain in effect and be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law.  Further, should any particular clause, covenant, or provision of this Agreement be held unreasonable or contrary to public policy for any reason, the Parties acknowledge and agree that such covenant, provision or clause shall automatically be deemed modified such that the contested covenant, provision or clause will have the closest effect permitted by applicable law to the original form and shall be given effect and enforced as so modified to whatever extent would be reasonable and enforceable under applicable law.

	38.	
Assignment-Notices.  The rights and obligations of the Company under this Agreement shall inure to its benefit, as well as the benefit of its parent, subsidiary, successor and affiliated entities, and shall be binding upon the successors and assigns of the Company.  This Agreement, being personal to Executive, cannot be assigned by Executive, but his personal representative shall be bound by all its terms and conditions.  Any notice required hereunder shall be sufficient if in writing and mailed to the last known residence of Executive or to the Company at its principal office with a copy mailed to the Office of the General Counsel.

	39.	
Amendments and Modifications.  Except as specifically provided herein, no modification, amendment, extension or waiver of this Agreement or any provision hereof shall be binding upon the Company or Executive unless in writing and signed by both Parties.  The waiver by the Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.  Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed as a limitation upon the Company’s right to modify or amend any of its manuals or policies in its sole discretion and any such modification or amendment which pertains to matters addressed herein shall be deemed to be incorporated herein and made a part of this Agreement.

	40.	
Outside Representations.  Executive represents and acknowledges that in signing this Agreement he  does not rely, and has not relied, upon any representation or statement made by the Company or by any of the Company’s employees, officers, agents, stockholders, directors or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement other than those specifically contained herein.

	41.	
Other Remedies.  The Executive agrees to execute and be bound by the terms and conditions of the Company’s Limited Recapture Agreement, and any applicable laws, rules and regulations.

	42.	
Voluntary and Knowing Execution.  Executive acknowledges that he  has been offered a reasonable amount of time within which to consider and review this Agreement; that he  has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement; and that he  has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily, with the assistance of counsel.

 

17

 

	43.	
Liability Insurance.  The Company shall cover the Executive under directors and officers liability insurance both during and, while potential liability exists, after the term of this Agreement in the same amount and to the same extent as the Company covers its other officers and non independent director.

	44.	
Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire employment agreement between the Parties hereto concerning the subject matter hereof and shall supersede all prior and contemporaneous agreements between the Parties in connection with the subject matter of this Agreement.  Any pre-existing Employment Agreements shall be deemed null and void.  Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall affect any separately‐executed written agreement addressing any other issues.

	45.	
Legal Fees.  Executive will be entitled to receive reimbursement for reasonable legal fees associated with the legal review and negotiation of this Agreement in an amount not exceeding $30,000 following his provision to the Company of reasonable supporting documentation therefor.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have signed this Agreement effective as of the day and year first above written.

 

	
EXECUTIVE

	 	
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
Signed:

	 	 	
By:

	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
Printed:  

	
John P. Groetelaars

	 	
Title:

	
Executive Chairman

	 	 	 	 	 
	
Dated:

	 	 	
Dated:  

	 

 

18

 

Exhibit A

FORM OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

 

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

(“AGREEMENT”)

 

 

	
Name of Grantee:  <<NAME>>

	
No. of Shares:  <<UNITS>>

	 	 
	
Grant Date:  <<GRANT DATE>>

	
Price per Share:  <<GRANT PRICE>>

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Grantee (referred to below as “you”), as of the Grant Date, pursuant to the provisions of the Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), a non-qualified stock option to purchase from the Company the number of shares of Common Stock set forth above, at the price per share set forth above (the “Exercise Price”) (the “Option”), upon and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, the Plan and any rules and regulations adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company or the committee of the Board which administers the Plan (collectively, the “Committee”). Capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan.

	1.	
Option Subject to Acceptance of Agreement

The Option shall be null and void unless Grantee shall accept this Agreement by executing it in the space provided therefor and returning an original execution copy of the Agreement to the Company (or electronically accepting this Agreement within the Grantee’s stock plan account with the Company’s stock plan administrator according to the procedures then in effect).

	2.	
Time and Manner of Exercising Option

(a)           Maximum Term.  In no event may your Option be exercised after the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (“Expiration Date”).

(b)           Vesting of Option.  Your Option shall become exercisable with respect to the first one-third of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option on the first anniversary of the Grant Date and your Option shall become exercisable with respect to the second and third one-third of the shares covered by your Option on the second and third anniversaries of the Grant Date, respectively, provided that you are, and have been, continuously (except for any absence for vacation, leave, etc. in accordance with the Company's or its Subsidiaries' policies) employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (as applicable, the “Employer”) from the Grant Date through and including the applicable vesting date.   The Option shall be vested and exercisable following a termination of your employment according to the following terms and conditions:

(i)           Death or Disability.  If your employment terminates by reason of death or disability (as determined by the Committee), your Option will become fully exercisable upon such termination of employment and may be exercised during the period commencing on the date of your termination of employment and ending on the earlier of (A) the third anniversary of the date of your termination of employment, and (B) the Expiration Date, and at the conclusion of such period, your Option will terminate.

 

 

 

(ii)          Retirement.  Except as noted herein, if your employment terminates by reason of retirement after attaining age fifty-five (55) and completion of ten (10) years of continuous employment (“Retirement”), your Option will become fully exercisable upon such Retirement; provided, however, if your Retirement occurs prior to the one-year anniversary of the Grant Date, your Option will vest on a pro rata basis based on the number of days employed by your Employer prior to the one-year anniversary of the Grant Date and the portion of the Option that does not vest in accordance with this Paragraph 2(b)(ii) shall be forfeited by you.  To the extent your Option becomes vested in accordance with this Paragraph 2(b)(ii), your Option may be exercised during the period commencing on the date of your Retirement and ending on the earlier of (A) the third anniversary of the date of your Retirement, and (B) the Expiration Date, and at the conclusion of such period, your Option will terminate.

(iii)         Without Cause or due to Good Reason Following a Change in Control.  In the event (a) your employment is terminated by your Employer for any reason other than on account of your death or disability or for Cause (as defined below) or (b) by you for Good Reason (as defined below),  in each case, after the occurrence, but before the third anniversary, of (y) a Change in Control or (z) a sale, transfer or disposition of substantially all of the assets or capital stock of your Employer at the time of such Change in Control, sale, transfer or disposition, then your Option will become immediately vested and exercisable in full and may be exercisable for during the period commencing on the date of your termination of employment and ending on the earlier of (A) the third anniversary of the date of your termination of employment, and (B) the Expiration Date, and at the conclusion of such period, your Option will terminate.

(iv)          Other Terminations of Employment.

		(a)	
If your employment terminates because of your voluntary resignation (other than Retirement as that term is used above or by you due to Good Reason, as defined below), your Option, to the extent vested on the effective date of your termination of employment, may be exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days after your termination of employment, but not beyond the Expiration Date.  The portion of your Option that is not vested as of the effective date of your termination of employment shall be forfeited by you.

		(b)	
if your employment is terminated involuntarily by your Employer without "Cause" (as defined below) or you terminate employment for Good Reason (as defined below), your Option will become immediately vested and exercisable in full upon such termination of employment and will remain exercisable for a period of ninety (90) days after your termination of employment, but not beyond the Expiration Date.

 

 

 

		(c)	
If your employment is terminated involuntarily by the Employer for "Cause" (as defined below), your Option (including any portion that has previously become exercisable) will immediately expire upon such termination of employment and may not be exercised.

		(d)	
Except as provided below in Paragraph 2(c), if you are employed by a Subsidiary and the Company ceases to own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the ownership interests of the Subsidiary, your employment shall be deemed terminated for purposes of this Agreement at such time.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in your employment agreement with your Employer or, if you do not have an employment agreement with your Employer that defines Cause, then Cause shall mean the Employer's good faith determination that you have:  (A)acted with gross neglect or willful misconduct in the discharge of your duties and responsibilities or refused to follow or comply with the lawful direction of the Employer or the terms and conditions of any applicable employment agreement, providing such refusal is not based primarily on your good faith compliance with applicable legal or ethical standards;   (B)acquiesced or participated in any conduct that is dishonest, fraudulent, illegal (at the felony level), unethical, involves moral turpitude or is otherwise illegal and involves conduct that has the potential, in the Employer's reasonable opinion, to cause the Company, a Subsidiary, its officers or its directors embarrassment or ridicule;  (C)violated a material requirement of any Company or Subsidiary policy or procedure, specifically including a violation of the Company's Code of Ethics or Associate Policy Manual;  (D)disclosed without proper authorization any trade secrets or other confidential information;  (E) engaged in any act that, in the reasonable opinion of the Employer, is contrary to its best interests or would hold the Company, a Subsidiary, its officers or directors up to probable civil or criminal liability, provided that, if you act in good faith in compliance with applicable legal or ethical standards, such actions shall not be grounds for termination for Cause; or (F)engaged in such other conduct recognized at law as constituting Cause.

For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" shall have the meaning set forth in your change in control agreement with your Employer or, if you do not have a change in control agreement with your Employer that defines Good Reason, then Good Reason shall mean the occurrence, without your consent, of any of the following acts by your Employer, or failures by your Employer to act (each a “Good Reason Condition”), provided you provide written notice to the Company of the occurrence of the Good Reason Condition within ten (10) business days after you have knowledge of it; your Employer fails to notify you of the Employer’s intended method of correction within thirty (30) business days after the Employer receives your notice, or the Employer fails to correct the Good Reason Condition within thirty (30) business days after such notice; and you resign within ten (10) business days after the end of the 30-business-day period after your notice:  (A)   a material diminution in your duties; (B) a material reduction in the amount of your base salary or the discontinuation or material reduction of your participation at the same level of eligibility as compared to other peer employees in any incentive compensation, subject to your understanding that such reduction(s) shall be permissible if the change applies in a similar way to other peer level employees; or (C) the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices or your place of work to a location requiring a change of more than fifty (50) miles in your daily commute.

 

 

 

(c)           Distribution of Subsidiary.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the distribution by the Company of any or all or a part of the shares of common stock of any of its Subsidiaries to Company shareholders ("Distribution") shall not constitute a termination of employment for purposes of this Agreement, and if you are employed by a Subsidiary whose shares of common stock are included in a Distribution, your employment will be deemed to continue for purposes of this Agreement until otherwise terminated as provided herein.  In addition, if you transfer employment from the Company to one of its Subsidiaries or from one of the Company’s Subsidiaries to the Company or another of the Company’s Subsidiaries in connection with or in anticipation of the Distribution, such transfer shall not constitute a termination of employment for purposes of this Agreement, and your employment will be deemed to continue for purposes of this Agreement until otherwise terminated as provided herein.

	3.	
Manner of Exercise

You may exercise your Option by giving notice to the Company or its designated administrator on a form acceptable to the Company (which may be written or electronic) specifying the number of shares of Common Stock desired to be purchased, provided that in no case may fewer than 100 shares be purchased at any one time, except to purchase a residue of fewer than 100 shares.    The notice must be accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price (or by arranging for such payment to the Company’s satisfaction) as follows: (i) in cash; (ii) by delivery to the Company (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the aggregate Exercise Price payable pursuant to the Option by reason of such exercise; (iii) by authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date of exercise, equal to the amount necessary to satisfy such obligation; (iv) except as may be prohibited by applicable law, in cash by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom you have submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (v) by a combination of (i), (ii) and (iii). No share of Common Stock or certificate representing a share of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered until the full purchase price therefor and any withholding taxes thereon, as described in Paragraph 4, have been paid.  Your Option will be deemed exercised on the date your notice of exercise (with the required payments of the Exercise Price and related taxes) is received by the Company or its designated administrator.

 

 

 

	4.	
Income Tax Withholding

In connection with the exercise of your Option, you will be required to pay, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Committee, to satisfy any applicable tax withholding liability (“Required Tax Payments”).  If you fail to satisfy your tax withholding obligation in a time and manner satisfactory to the Committee, the Company shall have the right to withhold the required amount from your salary or other amounts payable to you.  Prior to the date of the Option exercise, you may elect to satisfy your obligation to advance the Required Tax Payments by any of the following means:  (i) a cash; (ii) delivery to the Company (either actual delivery or by attestation procedures established by the Company) of previously owned whole shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the date on which such withholding obligation arises (the “Tax Date”), equal to the Required Tax Payments; (iii) authorizing the Company to withhold whole shares of Common Stock which would otherwise be delivered to you upon exercise of the Option having an aggregate Fair Market Value, determined as of the Tax Date, equal to the Required Tax Payments; (iv) except as may be prohibited by applicable law, a cash payment by a broker-dealer acceptable to the Company to whom you have submitted an irrevocable notice of exercise or (v) any combination of (i), (ii) and (iii).  Shares of Common Stock to be delivered or withheld may not have a Fair Market Value in excess of the minimum amount of the Required Tax Payments.  Any fraction of a share of Common Stock which would be required to satisfy any such obligation shall be disregarded and the remaining amount due shall be paid in cash by you.  No share of Common Stock or certificate representing a share of Common Stock shall be issued or delivered until the Required Tax Payments have been satisfied in full.

	5.	
Non-transferability of Option

The Option granted to you by this Agreement may be exercised only by you, and may not be assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred by you, with the exception that in the event of your death the Option may be exercised (at any time prior to its expiration or termination as provided in Paragraph 2) by the executor or administrator of your estate or by a person who acquired the right to exercise your Option by bequest or inheritance or by the laws of descent and distribution.

	6.	
Forfeiture

Your Option and any Common Stock acquired hereunder and any gain from the sale of any Common Stock acquired hereunder are required to be forfeited by you, including after exercise or vesting, if, during your employment or within one (1) year following your termination of employment (or any longer period specified in any applicable employment or severance agreement with the Company), you engage in Disqualifying Conduct, which shall mean:  (i) your performance of service (including service as an employee, director, or consultant) for a competitor of the Company or its Subsidiaries or the establishing by you of a business which competes with the Company or its Subsidiaries, (ii) your solicitation of employees or customers of the Company or its Subsidiaries, (iii) your improper use or disclosure of confidential information of the Company or its Subsidiaries, or (iv) your material misconduct in the performance of your duties for the Company or its Subsidiaries, as determined by the Committee.

 

 

 

	7.	
Stock Ownership Guidelines

If applicable to your position, you (or your beneficiary or legal representative upon your death or disability) shall be bound by the “Stock Ownership Guidelines” of the Company as may be in effect from time to time.

	8.	
Agreement Subject to the Plan

This Agreement is subject to the provisions of the Plan (including, without limitation, Sections 4.4, 15.1 and 16.2) and shall be interpreted in accordance therewith. In the event that the provisions of this Agreement and the Plan conflict, the Plan shall control. You hereby acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Plan.

	9.	
No Guarantee of Employment

The grant of this Option does not constitute an assurance of continued employment for any period or in any way interfere with the Company’s right to terminate your employment or to change the terms and conditions of your employment.

	10.	
Other Plans

You acknowledge that any income derived from your Option (or the sale of Common Stock underlying your Option) will not affect your participation in, or benefits under, any other benefit plan maintained by the Company.

	11.	
Administration

The Committee has the sole power to interpret the Plan and this Agreement and to act upon all matters relating to Options granted under the Plan.  Any decision, determination, interpretation, or other action taken pursuant to the provisions of the Plan by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive.

 

 

 

This Agreement contains the formal terms and conditions of your award and accordingly should be retained in your files for future reference.  Please complete the on-line agreement process to evidence your acceptance of this Option on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.

HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

ACCEPTED:  <<NAME>>_______________________

 

 

 

Exhibit B

SAMPLE SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS SEPARATION and RELEASE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between EMPLOYEE’S FULL NAME (“Executive”) and Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”).  To wit, the Parties agree as follows:

	1.	
Executive’s active employment by the Company shall terminate effective [date of termination] (Executive’s “Effective Termination Date”).  Except as specifically provided by this Agreement, or in any other non-employment agreement that may exist between the Company and Executive, Executive agrees that the Company shall have no other obligations or liabilities to him/her following his/her Effective Termination Date and that his/her receipt of the Severance Benefits provided herein shall constitute a complete settlement, satisfaction and waiver of any and all claims he/she may have against the Company.

	2.	
Executive further submits, and the Company hereby accepts, his resignation as an Executive, officer and director, as of his Effective Termination Date for any position he may hold.  The Parties agree that this resignation shall apply to all such positions Executive may hold with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliated entity thereof.  Executive agrees to execute any documents needed to effectuate such resignation.  Executive further agrees to take whatever steps are necessary to facilitate and ensure the smooth transition of his duties and responsibilities to others.

	3.	
The Company agrees to provide Executive severance pay on the termination of his employment, as provided for in his Employment Agreement.

	4.	
The Company further agrees to provide Executive with limited out-placement counseling with a company of its choice provided that Executive participates in such counseling immediately following termination of employment.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 to the contrary, the out-placement counseling shall not be provided after the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which termination of employment occurs.

	5.	
As of his/her Effective Termination Date, except as otherwise provided in the Employment Agreement, Executive will become ineligible to participate in the Company’s health insurance program and continuation of coverage requirements under COBRA (if any) will be triggered at that time.  The medical insurance provided herein does not include any disability coverage.

	6.	
Intentionally omitted

	7.	
In exchange for the foregoing Severance Benefits, EMPLOYEE FULL NAME on behalf of himself/herself, his/her heirs, representatives, agents and assigns hereby RELEASES, INDEMNIFIES, HOLDS HARMLESS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES (i) Company Name.  (ii) its parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities, (iii) in such capacity, all of their present or former directors, officers, Executives, shareholders, and agents, as well as, (iv) all predecessors, successors and assigns thereof from any and all actions, charges, claims, demands, damages or liabilities of any kind or character whatsoever, known or unknown, which Executive now has or may have had through the effective date of this Agreement.

 

1

 

	8.	
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing release, it shall include:  (i) all claims or potential claims arising under any federal, state or local laws relating to the Parties’ employment relationship, including any claims Executive may have under the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 2000(e) et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C §§ 12,101 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2101, et seq.; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, specifically including the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act, 18 U.S.C. §1514,A et seq.; and any other federal, state or local law governing the Parties’ employment relationship; (ii) any claims on account of, arising out of or in any way connected with Executive’s employment with the Company or leaving of that employment; (iii) any claims alleged or which could have been alleged in any charge or complaint against the Company; (iv) any claims relating to the conduct of any Executive, officer, director, agent or other representative of the Company; (v) any claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation on any basis; (vi) any claims arising from any legal restrictions on an employer’s right to separate its Executives; (vii) any claims for personal injury, compensatory or punitive damages or other forms of relief; and (viii) all other causes of action sounding in contract, tort or other common law basis, including (a) the breach of any alleged oral or written contract, (b) negligent or intentional misrepresentations, (c) wrongful discharge, (d) just cause dismissal, (e) defamation, (f) interference with contract or business relationship or (g) negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress.

	9.	
Executive further agrees and covenants not to sue the Company or any entity or individual subject to the foregoing General Release with respect to any claims, demands, liabilities or obligations release by this Agreement provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall:

		(a)	
prevent Executive from filing an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal state or local agency; or

		(b)	
prevent employee from challenging, under the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 626), the knowing and voluntary nature of his/her release of any age claims in this Agreement in court or before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

	10.	
Notwithstanding his/her right to file an administrative charge with the EEOC or any other federal, state, or local agency, Executive agrees that with his/her release of claims in this Agreement, he/she has waived any right he/she may have to recover monetary or other personal relief in any proceeding based in whole or in part on claims released by him/her in this Agreement.  For example, Executive waives any right to monetary damages or reinstatement if an administrative charge is brought against the Company whether by Executive, the EEOC, or any other person or entity, including but not limited to any federal, state, or local agency.  Further, with his/her release of claims in this Agreement, Executive specifically assigns to the Company his/her right to any recovery arising from any such proceeding.

 

2

 

	11.	
The Parties acknowledge that it is their mutual and specific intent that the above waiver fully complies with the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 626) and any similar law governing release of claims.  Accordingly, Executive hereby acknowledges that:

		(a)	
He/she has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement and that He/she has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily;

		(b)	
The Severance Benefits offered in exchange for Executive’s release of claims exceed in kind and scope that to which he/she would have otherwise been legally entitled absent the execution of this Agreement;

		(c)	
Prior to signing this Agreement, Executive had been advised, and is being advised by this Agreement, to consult with an attorney of his/her choice concerning its terms and conditions; and

		(d)	
He/she has been offered at least [twenty-one (21)/forty-five (45)] days within which to review and consider this Agreement.

	12.	
The Parties agree that this Agreement shall not become effective and enforceable until the date this Agreement is signed by both Parties or seven (7) calendar days after its execution by Executive, whichever is later.  Executive may revoke this Agreement for any reason by providing written notice of such intent to the Company within seven (7) days after he/she has signed this Agreement, thereby forfeiting Executive’s right to receive any Severance Benefits provided hereunder and rendering this Agreement null and void in its entirety.

	13.	
The Parties agree that nothing contained herein shall purport to waive or otherwise affect any of Executive’s rights or claims that may arise after he/she signs this Agreement.  It is further understood by the Parties that nothing in this Agreement shall affect any rights Executive may have under any Company sponsored Deferred Compensation Program, Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan, Stock Grant Award, Stock Option Grant, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Pension Plan and/or Savings Plan (i.e., 401(k) plan) provided by the Company as of the date of his/her termination, such items to be governed exclusively by the terms of the applicable agreements or plan documents.

	14.	
Similarly, notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver or release or otherwise affect Executive’s rights with respect to any vested benefits, any rights he/she has to benefits which cannot be waived by law, any coverage provided under any Directors and Officers (“D&O”) policy, any rights Executive may have under any indemnification agreement he/she has with the Company prior to the date hereof, any rights he/she has as a shareholder, or any claim for breach of this Agreement, including, but not limited to the benefits promised by the terms of this Agreement.

 

3

 

	15.	
[Option A] Executive acknowledges that his/her termination and the Severance Benefits offered hereunder were based on an individual determination and were not offered in conjunction with any group termination or group severance program and waives any claim to the contrary.

[Option B] Executive represents and agrees that he/she has been provided relevant cohort information based on the information available to the Company as of the date this Agreement was tendered to Executive.  This information is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  The Parties acknowledge that simply providing such information does not mean and should not be interpreted to mean that the Company was obligated to comply with 29 C.F.R. § 1625.22(f).

	16.	
Executive hereby affirms and acknowledges his/her continued obligations to comply with the post-termination covenants contained in his/her Employment Agreement, including but not limited to, the non-compete, trade secret and confidentiality provisions.  Executive acknowledges that a copy of the Employment Agreement has been attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A [B] or has otherwise been provided to him/her and, to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law, the terms thereof shall be incorporated herein by reference.  Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained therein are valid and reasonable in every respect and are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests.  Executive hereby affirmatively waives any claim or defense to the contrary.

	17.	
Executive acknowledges that the Company as well as its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies (“Companies” herein) possess, and he/she has been granted access to, certain trade secrets as well as other confidential and proprietary information that they have acquired at great effort and expense.  Such information includes, without limitation, confidential information regarding products and services, marketing strategies, business plans, operations, costs, current or, prospective customer information (including customer contacts, requirements, creditworthiness and like matters), product concepts, designs, prototypes or specifications, regulatory compliance issues, research and development efforts, technical data and know-how, sales information, including pricing and other terms and conditions of sale, financial information, internal procedures, techniques, forecasts, methods, trade information, trade secrets, software programs, project requirements, inventions, trademarks, trade names, and similar information regarding the Companies’ business (collectively referred to herein as “Confidential Information”).

 

4

 

	18.	
Executive agrees that all such Confidential Information is and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company.  Except as may be expressly authorized by the Company in writing, or as may be required by law after providing due notice thereof to the Company, Executive agrees not to disclose, or cause any other person or entity to disclose, any Confidential Information to any third party for as long thereafter as such information remains confidential (or as limited by applicable law) and agrees not to make use of any such Confidential Information for Executive’s own purposes or for the benefit of any other entity or person.  The Parties acknowledge that Confidential Information shall not include any information that is otherwise made public through no fault of Executive or other wrongdoing.  The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Executive provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

	19.	
On or before Executive’s Effective Termination Date or per the Company’s request, Executive agrees to return the original and all copies of all things in his/her possession or control relating to the Company or its business, including but not limited to any and all contracts, reports, memoranda, correspondence, manuals, forms, records, designs, budgets, contact information or lists (including customer, vendor or supplier lists), ledger sheets or other financial information, drawings, plans (including, but not limited to, business, marketing and strategic plans), personnel or other business files, computer hardware, software, or access codes, door and file keys, identification, credit cards, pager, phone, and any and all other physical, intellectual, or personal property of any nature that he/she received, prepared, helped prepare, or directed preparation of in connection with his/her employment with the Company.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require the return of any non-confidential and de minimis items regarding Executive’s pay, benefits or other rights of employment such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, 401(k) plan summaries, benefit statements, etc.  Additionally, Executive may retain his address books to the extent they only contain contact information.

	20.	
Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with any pending or future litigation, proceeding or other matter which has been or may be brought against or by the Company before any agency, court, or other tribunal and concerning or relating in any way to any matter falling within Executive’s knowledge or former area of responsibility.  Executive agrees to promptly notify the Company, through the Office of the General Counsel, in the event he/she is contacted by any outside attorney (including paralegals or other affiliated parties) with regard to matters related to his employment with the Company unless (i) the Company is represented by the attorney, (ii) Executive is represented by the attorney for the purpose of protecting his/her personal interests or (iii) the Company has been advised of and has approved such contact.  Executive agrees to provide reasonable assistance and completely truthful testimony in such matters including, without limitation, facilitating and assisting in the preparation of any underlying defense, responding to discovery requests, preparing for and attending deposition(s) as well as appearing in court to provide truthful testimony.  The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred at the request of the Company associated with such assistance and testimony.

 

5

 

	21.	
Executive agrees not to make any written or oral statement that may defame, disparage or cast in a negative light so as to do harm to the personal or professional reputation of (a) the Company, (b) its Executives, officers, directors or trustees or (c) the services and/or products provided by the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliate entities.  Similarly, the Company agrees not to provide any information, and the Company shall instruct the board of directors and senior officers not to make any written or oral statement, that may defame, disparage or cast in a negative light so as to do harm to the personal or professional reputation of Executive.  The Parties acknowledge, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the Company or the Executive from providing truthful information in response to any court order, discovery request, subpoena or other lawful request, rebutting statements by others or making normal competitive-type statements.

	22.	
EXECUTIVE SPECIFICALLY AGREES AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THE EXISTENCE AND TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND THAT SUCH CONFIDENTIALITY IS A MATERIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.  Accordingly, except as required by law or unless authorized to do so by the Company in writing, Executive agrees that he/she shall not communicate, display or otherwise reveal any of the contents of this Agreement to anyone other than his/her spouse, legal counsel or financial advisor provided, however, that they are first advised of the confidential nature of this Agreement and Executive obtains their agreement to be bound by the same.  The Company agrees that Executive may respond to legitimate inquiries regarding the termination of his/her employment by stating that the Parties have terminated their relationship on an amicable basis and that the Parties have entered into a Confidential Separation and Release Agreement that prohibits him/her from further discussing the specifics of his/her separation.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Executive from discussing or otherwise advising subsequent employers of the existence of any obligations as set forth in his/her Employment Agreement.  Further, nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit or otherwise restrict the Company’s ability to disclose the terms and conditions of this Agreement as may be required by business necessity.

	23.	
In the event that Executive breaches or threatens to breach any provision of this Agreement, he/she agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek any and all equitable and legal relief provided by law, specifically including immediate and permanent injunctive relief.  Executive hereby waives any claim that the Company has an adequate remedy at law.  In addition, and to the extent not prohibited by law, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to discontinue providing any additional Severance Benefits upon such breach. Executive agrees that the foregoing relief shall not be construed to limit or otherwise restrict the Company’s ability to pursue any other remedy provided by law, including the recovery of any actual, compensatory or punitive damages.  Moreover, if Executive pursues any claims against the Company subject to the foregoing General Release, Executive agrees to immediately reimburse the Company for the value of all benefits received under this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.

	24.	
Similarly, in the event that the Company breaches or threatens to breach any provision of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to seek any and all equitable or other available relief provided by law, specifically including immediate and permanent injunctive relief.

 

6

 

	25.	
Both Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is entered into solely for the purpose of terminating Executive’s employment relationship with the Company on an amicable basis and shall not be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company or Executive, both Parties having expressly denied any such liability or wrongdoing.

	26.	
Each of the promises and obligations shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and successors in interest of each of the Parties.

	27.	
The Parties agree that each and every paragraph, sentence, clause, term and provision of this Agreement is severable and that, if any portion of this Agreement should be deemed not enforceable for any reason, such portion shall be stricken and the remaining portion or portions thereof should continue to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

	28.	
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to any applicable state’s choice of law provisions.

	29.	
Executive represents and acknowledges that in signing this Agreement he/she does not rely, and has not relied, upon any representation or statement made by the Company or by any of the Company’s Executives, officers, agents, stockholders, directors or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement other than those specifically contained herein.

	30.	
This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof, shall supersede any and all prior agreements which may otherwise exist between them concerning the subject matter hereof (specifically excluding, however, the post-termination obligations contained in an Executive’s Employment Agreement, any obligations contained in an existing and valid Indemnity Agreement of Change in Control or any obligation contained in any other legally-binding document), and shall not be altered, amended, modified or otherwise changed except by a writing executed by both Parties.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.  THIS SEPARATION AND RELEASE

AGREEMENT INCLUDES A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ALL

 KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

 

7

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have themselves signed, or caused a duly authorized agent thereof to sign, this Agreement on their behalf and thereby acknowledge their intent to be bound by its terms and conditions.

 

	
[EXECUTIVE]

	 	
COMPANY NAME

	 	 	 
	 	 	 
	
Signed:

	 	 	
By:

	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
Printed:  

	
 

	 	
Title:

	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
Dated:

	 	 	
Dated:  

	 

 

8

 

Exhibit C

List of Competitors

1) Getinge Group

2) Arjo Huntleigh (Getinge Spin-Off)

3) Heine Optotechnik

4) Linet

5) Midmark

6) Mindray

7) Mizhuo/OSI

8) Omron Healthcare

9) Paramount Bed Company, Ltd

10) Riester

11) Schiller

12) Skytron

13) Steris Corporation

14) Stryker Corporation

15) Vocera

  

1Exhibit 10.2

CHANGE IN CONTROL AGREEMENT

This Change in Control Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of April 24, 2018 and effective as of May 14, 2018 by and between Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc., an Indiana corporation (the “Company”), and John P. Groetelaars (the “Executive”).

WHEREAS, the Company considers it essential to the best interests of its shareholders to foster continuous employment by the Company and its subsidiaries of their key management personnel;

WHEREAS, the Compensation and Management Development Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of the Company has recommended, and the Board has approved, that the Company enter into Change in Control Agreements with key executives of the Company and its subsidiaries who are from time to time designated by the management of the Company and approved by the Committee;

WHEREAS, the Committee and the Board believe that Executive has made valuable contributions to the productivity and profitability of the Company and consider it essential to the best interests of the Company and its shareholders that Executive be encouraged to remain with the Company; and

WHEREAS, the Board believes it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders that Executive continue in employment with the Company in the event of any proposed Change in Control (as defined below) and be in a position to provide assessment and advice to the Board regarding any proposed Change in Control without concern that Executive might be unduly distracted by the personal uncertainties and risks created by any proposed Change in Control;

NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and Executive agree as follows:

1.             Termination following a Change in Control.  After the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Company will provide or cause to be provided to Executive the rights and benefits described in Section 2 hereof in the event that Executive’s employment with the Company and its subsidiaries is terminated:

(a)          by the Company for any reason other than on account of Executive’s death, permanent disability, retirement or for Cause at any time prior to the third anniversary of a Change in Control; or

(b)          by Executive for Good Reason at any time prior to the third anniversary of a Change in Control.

Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if a Change in Control occurs and if the Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated by the Company, without Cause, prior to the date on which the Change in Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by Executive that such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has taken steps reasonably calculated to effect a Change in Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of a Change in Control which subsequently occurs within 3 months of such termination, then for purposes of this Agreement a Change in Control shall be deemed to have occurred on the day immediately prior to such termination of employment and all references in Section 2 to payments within a specified period as allowed by law following “Termination” shall instead be references to the specified period following the Change in Control.

 

 

The rights and benefits described in Section 2 hereof shall be in lieu of any severance payments otherwise payable to Executive under any employment agreement or severance plan or program of the Company or any of its subsidiaries but shall not otherwise affect Executive’s rights to compensation or benefits under the Company’s compensation and benefit programs except to the extent expressly provided herein.

2.             Rights and Benefits Upon Termination.

In the event of the termination of Executive’s employment under any of the circumstances set forth in Section 1 hereof (“Termination”), the Company shall provide or cause to be provided to Executive the following rights and benefits provided Executive executes and delivers to the Company within 45 days of the Termination a Release in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (“Release”) and such Release has not been revoked:

(a)          a lump sum payment in cash in the amount of three times Executive’s Annual Base Salary (as defined below), payable (i) on the date which is six (6) months following Termination, if the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Code Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Code”) (Section 409A of the Code is hereunder referred to as “Section 409A”), and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and such payment is not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, or (ii) on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the earlier to occur of fifteen (15) days from the Company’s receipt of an executed Release or the expiration of sixty (60) days after Executive’s Termination, if Executive is not such a “specified employee” (or such payment is exempt from Section 409A); provided, however, that if the before-stated sixty (60) day period ends in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the sixty (60) day period commenced,  then any benefits not subject to clause (i) shall only begin on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the expiration of sixty (60) days after the Executive’s Termination;

(b)          for the 36 months following Termination, continued health and medical insurance coverage for Executive and Executive’s dependents substantially comparable (with regard to both benefits and employee contributions) to the coverage provided by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control for active employees of equivalent rank.  From the end of such 36-month period until Executive attains Social Security Retirement Age, Executive shall have the right to purchase (at COBRA rates applicable to such coverage) continued coverage for himself and Executive’s dependents under one or more plans maintained by the Company for its active employees, to the extent Executive would have been eligible to purchase continued coverage under the plan in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control had Executive’s employment terminated 36 months following Termination.  The payment of any health or medical claims for the health and medical coverage provided in this subparagraph (b) shall be made to the Executive as soon as administratively practicable after the Executive has provided the appropriate claim documentation, but in no event shall the payment for any such health or medical claim be paid later than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, to the extent required by Section 409A:  (1) the amount of medical claims eligible for reimbursement or to be provided as an in-kind benefit under this Agreement during a calendar year may not affect the medical claims eligible for reimbursement or to be provided as an in-kind benefit in any other calendar year, and (2) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit;

 

2

 

(c)          continuation for Executive, for a period of three years following Termination, of the Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan (if any) provided for Executive by the Company immediately prior to the Change in Control and the group term life insurance program provided for Executive immediately prior to the Change in Control.  The payment of any claim for death benefits provided under this subparagraph (c) shall be paid in accordance with the appropriate program, provided, however that if the death benefit is subject to Section 409A, then the death benefit shall be paid, as determined by the Company in its complete and absolute discretion, no later than the later to occur of (i) the last day of calendar year in which the death of the Executive occurs or (ii) the 90th day following the Executive’s death;

(d)          a lump sum payment in cash, payable within 30 days after Termination, equal to all accrued and unpaid vacation, reimbursable business expenses, and similar miscellaneous benefits as of the Termination, provided, however, that to the extent that any such miscellaneous benefits are subject to Section 409A, such benefits shall be paid in one lump sum  (i) on the date which is six (6) months following Termination, if the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and such payment is not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, or (ii) on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the earlier to occur of fifteen (15) days from the Company’s receipt of an executed Release or the expiration of sixty (60) days after Executive’s Termination, if Executive is not such a “specified employee” (or such payment is exempt from Section 409A); provided, however, that if the before-stated sixty (60) day period ends in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the sixty (60) day period commenced,  then any benefits not subject to clause (i) shall only begin on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the expiration of sixty (60) days after the Executive’s Termination;

(e)          a lump sum payment in cash equal to the amount of Short-Term Incentive Compensation which would be payable to Executive if the Company performance targets (at 100%) with respect to such incentive compensation in effect for the entire year in which the Termination occurred had been achieved, payable (i) on the date which is six (6) months following Termination, if the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and such payment is not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, or (ii) on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the earlier to occur of fifteen (15) days from the Company’s receipt of an executed Release or the expiration of sixty (60) days after Executive’s Termination, if Executive is not such a “specified employee” (or such payment is exempt from Section 409A); provided, however, that if the before-stated sixty (60) day period ends in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the sixty (60) day period commenced,  then any benefits not subject to clause (i) shall only begin on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the expiration of sixty (60) days after the Executive’s Termination;

 

3

 

(f)          a lump sum payment in cash for amounts accrued as of the Termination under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for the payment of benefits under such plan and an additional amount equal to the amounts accrued for the last 12 months times three (3) immediately prior to the Termination Date in any of the Defined Contribution, Matching Account and/or Supplemental Contribution Account under the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, payable, (i) on the date which is six (6) months following Termination, if the Executive is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, and such payment is not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, or (ii) on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the earlier to occur of fifteen (15) days from the Company’s receipt of an executed Release or the expiration of sixty (60) days after Executive’s Termination, if Executive is not such a “specified employee” (or such payment is exempt from Section 409A); provided, however, that if the before-stated sixty (60) day period ends in a calendar year following the calendar year in which the sixty (60) day period commenced,  then any benefits not subject to clause (i) shall only begin on the next regularly scheduled payroll following the expiration of sixty (60) days after the Executive’s Termination; and

(g)          the number of shares of common stock of the Company that would be payable to Executive  under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan provided, however, that if the Change in Control involves a merger, acquisition or other corporate restructuring where the Company is not the surviving entity (or survives as a wholly-owned subsidiary of another entity), then, in lieu of such shares of common stock of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to receive the consideration Executive would have received in such transaction in exchange for such shares of common stock; and provided, further, that the Company shall in any case have the right to substitute cash for such shares of common stock of the Company or merger consideration in an amount equal to the fair market value of such shares or merger consideration as determined by the Company including:

		(i)	
immediate vesting of all Bonus Stock Awards (as defined in the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan) awarded to Executive after the date of this Agreement;

		(ii)	
immediate vesting of all outstanding Stock Options awarded to Executive after the date of this Agreement under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan and continued exercisability of such Stock Options for such period of time as though Executive’s employment had terminated by reason of retirement under the applicable award;

		(iii)	
immediate vesting of all awards of Restricted Stock awarded to Executive after the date of this Agreement under any Stock Award Agreements (as defined in the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan) with Executive and Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc.;

		(iv)	
immediate vesting of all awards of Deferred Stock (as defined in the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan) (also known as Restricted Stock Units) awarded to Executive after the date of this Agreement under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan; and

 

4

 

		(v)	
the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right (as defined in the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan) within 60 days of a Change in Control as provided by section 7.2 of the Stock Incentive Plan.

Any awards of the type described in Paragraphs (i)-(v) above which were issued prior to the date of this Agreement shall be governed by the terms of the applicable award agreements at the time such awards were issued, and shall not be affected by this Agreement.  Shares or cash payments in lieu of shares shall be paid at the time specified in the Stock Incentive Plan and the applicable award, subject to Executive’s delivery of a Release to the extent required by this Agreement or the applicable awards within 45 days of Executive’s Termination which Release has not been revoked.

3.             Payment Adjustment Due to Excise Tax.

In the event that any payment or benefits received or to be received by Executive pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement would, but for this Section, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Internal Revenue Code Section 4999, or any comparable successor provisions, then such payment shall be either: (i) provided to Executive in full, or (ii) provided to Executive as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such payment being subject to such excise tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, when taking into account applicable federal, state, local and foreign income and employment taxes, such excise tax, and any other applicable taxes, results in the receipt by Executive, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the payment, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such payment may be taxable under such excise tax.  To the extent such payment needs to be reduced pursuant to the preceding sentence, reductions shall come from taxable amounts before non-taxable amounts and beginning with the payments otherwise scheduled to occur soonest that cannot be valued under Q&A 24(c) and then those that occur later that cannot be valued under Q&A 24(c), then those that occur soonest that can be valued under Q&A 24(c).  Executive and the Company agree to cooperate fully to determine the benefits applicable under this Section and to value the services provided or to be provided for purposes of Internal Revenue Code Section 280G, including the value of any covenants not to compete. All determinations under this Section 3 shall be determined by an accounting firm with expertise in Internal Revenue Code Section 280G selected by the Company prior to the Change in Control and acceptable to the Executive and shall be final and binding upon the Executive and the Company and its affiliates.

4.             Confidentiality; Non-Competition.

(a)          Executive shall not at any time without the prior approval of the Company disclose to any person, firm, corporation or other entity any trade secret, confidential customer information, or other proprietary information not known within the industry or by the public generally regarding the business then being conducted by the Company, including, without limitation, financial information, marketing and sales information and business and strategic plans.

 

5

 

(b)          Executive shall not at any time during the term of this Agreement and within 18 months following the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, (i) solicit any persons who are employed by the Company to terminate their employment with the Company, and (ii) directly or indirectly (either individually or as an agent, employee, director, officer, stockholder, partner or individual proprietor, consultant or as an investor who has made advances of loan capital or contributions to equity capital), engage in any activity which Executive knows (or reasonably should have known) to be competitive with the business of the Company as then being carried on.  Nothing in this Agreement, however, shall prevent Executive from owning, as an investment, up to two percent (2%) of the outstanding equity capital of any competitor of the Company, shares of which are regularly traded on a national securities exchange or in over-the-counter markets.

5.             Section 409A Acknowledgement.

Executive acknowledges that Executive has been advised of Section 409A, which has significantly changed the taxation of nonqualified deferred compensation plans and arrangements.  Under proposed and final regulations as of the date of this Agreement, Executive has been advised that Executive’s severance pay and other Termination benefits may be treated by the Internal Revenue Service as “nonqualified deferred compensation,” subject to Section 409A.  In that event, several provisions in Section 409A may affect Executive’s receipt of severance compensation, including the timing thereof.  These include, but are not limited to, a provision which requires that distributions to “specified employees” (as defined in Section 409A) on account of separation from service may not be made earlier than six (6) months after the effective date of separation.  If applicable, failure to comply with Section 409A can lead to immediate taxation of such deferrals, with interest calculated at a penalty rate and a 20% excise tax.  As a result of the requirements imposed by the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004, Executive agrees that if Executive is a “specified employee” at the time of Executive’s termination and if severance payments are covered as “nonqualified deferred compensation” or otherwise not exempt, such severance pay (and other benefits to the extent applicable) due Executive at time of termination shall not be paid until a date at least six (6) months after Executive’s separation from service (as defined in Section 409A and applicable regulations). Executive acknowledges that, notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, both Executive and the Company shall each be independently responsible for accessing their own risks and liabilities under Section 409A that may be associated with any payment made under the terms of this Agreement which may be deemed to trigger Section 409A.  To the extent applicable, Executive understands and agrees that Executive shall have the responsibility for, and Executive agrees to pay, any and all appropriate income tax or other tax obligations for which Executive is individually responsible and/or related to receipt of any benefits provided in this Agreement.  Executive agrees to fully indemnify and hold the Company harmless for any taxes, penalties, interest, cost or attorneys’ fee assessed against or incurred by the Company on account of such benefits having been provided to Executive or based on any alleged failure to withhold taxes or satisfy any claimed obligation. Executive understands and acknowledges that neither the Company, nor any of its employees, attorneys, or other representatives has provided or will provide Executive with any legal or financial advice concerning taxes or any other matter, and that Executive has not relied on any such advice in deciding whether to enter into this Agreement.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, to the extent that any payment under the terms of this Agreement would constitute an impermissible acceleration of payments under Section 409A or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, such payments shall be made no earlier than at such times allowed under Section 409A.  If any provision of this Agreement (or of any award of compensation) would cause Executive to incur any additional tax or interest under Section 409A or any regulations or Treasury guidance promulgated thereunder, the Company or its successor may reform such provision; provided that it will (i) maintain, to the maximum extent practicable, the original intent of the applicable provision without violating the provisions of Section 409A and (ii) notify and consult with Executive regarding such amendments or modifications prior to the effective date of any such change.  Each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Section 409A.  To the extent required to avoid an accelerated or additional tax under Section 409A, amounts reimbursable to Executive under this Agreement shall be paid to Executive on or before the last day of the year following the year in which the expense was incurred, the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement (and in-kind benefits provided to Executive) during any one year may not effect amounts reimbursable or provided in any subsequent year, and the right to reimbursement (and in-kind benefits provided to Executive) under this Agreement shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

 

6

 

6.             Definitions.  As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

		(a)	
“Annual Base Salary” means the annualized amount of Executive’s rate of base salary in effect immediately before the Change in Control or immediately before the date of Termination, whichever is greater.

		(b)	
“Cause” shall have the same meaning set forth in any current employment agreement that the Executive has with the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(c)          A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur on:

		(i)	
the date that any person, corporation, partnership, syndicate, trust, estate or other group acting with a view to the acquisition, holding or disposition of securities of the Company, becomes, directly or indirectly, the beneficial owner, as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Beneficial Owner”), of securities of the Company representing 35% or more of the voting power of all securities of the Company having the right under ordinary circumstances to vote at an election of the Board (“Voting Securities”), other than by reason of (x) the acquisition of securities of the Company by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or any employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, (y) the acquisition of Company securities directly from the Company, or (z) the acquisition of Company securities by one or more members of the Hillenbrand Family (which term shall mean descendants of John A. Hillenbrand and their spouses, trusts primarily for their benefit or entities controlled by them);

 

		(ii)	
the consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation unless:

 

7

 

(A) the shareholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such shareholders to 50% or more of the voting power of all securities of the corporation surviving the merger or consolidation having the right under ordinary circumstances to vote at an election of directors in substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, of Voting Securities of the Company;

(B) no person, corporation, partnership, syndicate, trust, estate or other group beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 35% or more of the voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation resulting from such merger or consolidation except to the extent that such ownership existed prior to such merger or consolidation; and

(C) the members of the Company’s Board, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, constitute, immediately after the merger or consolidation, a majority of the board of directors of the corporation issuing cash or securities in the merger;

		(iii)	
the date on which a majority of the members of the Board consist of persons other than Current Directors (which term shall mean any member of the Board on the date hereof and any member whose nomination or election has been approved by a majority of Current Directors then on the Board;

		(iv)	
the consummation of a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

		(v)	
the date of approval by the shareholders of the Company of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for benefits payable upon or in relation to a Change in Control which are not otherwise exempt from Section 409A, any of the events listed above must be a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company as described in Section 409A and any regulations or other applicable guidance promulgated thereunder.

		(d)	
“Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan” shall mean a program under which the Company pays the annual premium for a whole life insurance policy  on the life of Executive.

 

8

 

		(e)	
“Good Reason” means the occurrence, without Executive’s consent, of any of the following acts by the Company, or failures by the Company to act (each a “Good Reason Condition”), provided Executive provides written notice to the Company of the occurrence of the Good Reason Condition within ten (10) business days after the Executive has knowledge of it; the Company fails to notify Executive of the Company’s intended method of correction within thirty (30) business days after the Company receives Executive’s notice, or the Company fails to correct the Good Reason Condition within thirty (30) business days after such Executive notice; and the Executive resigns within ten (10) business days after the end of the 30-business-day period after Executive’s notice:

		(i)	
a material diminution in Executive’s duties, responsibilities, authorities or offices, the assignment to Executives of duties that are materially inconsistent with Executive’s position as President and Chief Executive Officer, or a change by the Company in the Executive’s reporting structure such that the Executive is no longer reporting directly to the Board of Directors or, if the Company is no longer the ultimate parent of the Company and its affiliates, the affiliate of the Company that is the ultimate parent company of the Company and its affiliates;

		(ii)	
the failure to elect or reelect Executive as CEO and any other office of the Company that the Executive may hold from time to time (unless such failure is related in any way to the Company’s decision to terminate Executive for cause);

		(iii)	
the failure of the Company to continue to provide Executive with office space, related facilities and support personnel (including, but not limited to, administrative and secretarial assistance) within the Company’s principal executive offices commensurate with Executive’s responsibilities to, and position within, the Company;

		(iv)	
the discontinuation or reduction by the Company of Executive’s participation at previously existing levels of eligibility in any incentive compensation, additional compensation or equity programs, benefits, policies or perquisites; provided, however, that the Company may make such changes and/or reductions without implicating the provisions of this subsection (iv) so long as such discontinuation or reduction applies to all other senior executives of the Company and the discontinuation or reduction applies at a level that no less favorable to Executive than that applicable to all other senior executives of the Company;

 

9

 

		(v)	
the relocation of the Company’s principal executive offices or Executive’s place of work to a location requiring a change of more than 50 miles in Executive’s daily commute; or

		(vi)	
any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach of this Agreement.

		(f)	
“Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code.

		(g)	
“Short-Term Incentive Compensation” means the Incentive Compensation payable under the Short-Term Incentive Compensation Program, or any successor or other short-term incentive plan or program.

		(h)	
“Stock Incentive Plan” shall mean the Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan maintained by the Company, as amended from time to time.

7.             Notice.

(a)          Any discharge or termination of Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 1 shall be communicated in a written notice to the other party hereto setting forth the effective date of such discharge or termination (which date shall not be more than 30 days after the date such notice is delivered) and, in the case of a discharge for Cause or a termination for Good Reason the basis for such discharge or termination.

(b)          For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed to 1069 Highway 46 East, Batesville, Indiana 47006 provided that all notices to the Company shall be directed to the attention of the Board with a copy to Senior Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, or to such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be effective only upon receipt.

8.             No Duty to Mitigate.  Executive is not required to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate the amount of any payments to be made by the Company pursuant to this Agreement.

9.             Assignment.

(a)          This Agreement is personal to Executive and shall not be assignable by Executive other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive’s legal representatives.

(b)          This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors.  The Company shall require any successor to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company, whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation, acquisition of stock, or otherwise, to expressly assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession had taken place.

 

10

 

10.           Arbitration.  Any dispute or controversy arising under, related to or in connection with this Agreement shall be settled exclusively by arbitration before a single arbitrator in Cincinnati, Ohio, in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association.  The arbitrator’s award shall be final and binding on all parties to this Agreement.  Judgment may be entered on an arbitrator’s award in any court having competent jurisdiction.

11.           Integration.  This Agreement supersedes and replaces any prior oral or written agreements or understandings in respect of the matters addressed hereby.

12.           Amendment.  This Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal representatives.

13.           Severability.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Agreement.

14.           Withholding.  The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement such federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

15.           Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Indiana without reference to principles of conflict of laws.

16.           Attorney’s Fees.  If any legal proceeding (whether in arbitration, at trial or on appeal) is brought under or in connection with this Agreement, the Company shall pay the Executive’s reasonable expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

17.           Term of Agreement. The term of this Agreement shall be two years commencing on the date hereof; provided however, that this Agreement shall be automatically renewed for successive one-year terms commencing on each anniversary of the date of this Agreement unless the Company shall have given notice of non-renewal to Executive at least 30 days prior to the scheduled anniversary date; and further provided that notwithstanding the foregoing, this Agreement shall not terminate (i) within three years after a Change in Control or (ii) during any period of time when a transaction which would result in a Change in Control is pending or under consideration by the Board. The termination of this Agreement shall not adversely affect any rights to which Executive has become entitled prior to such termination.  In addition, Section 4(a) shall survive the termination of this Agreement.

 

11

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be executed and delivered as of the day and year first above set forth.

 

 

 

	 	
HILL-ROM HOLDINGS, INC.

	 	 
	 	 
	 	
By:

	 
	 	
Title   

	
William G. Dempsey

	 	 	
Executive Chairman

	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	 
	 	
Executive:  John P. Groetelaars

 

12

Exhibit A

SAMPLE SEPARATION AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

THIS SEPARATION and RELEASE AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into by and between EMPLOYEE’S FULL NAME (“Executive”) and Hill-Rom Holdings, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, the “Company”).  To wit, the Parties agree as follows:

	1.	
Executive’s active employment by the Company shall terminate effective [date of termination] (Executive’s “Effective Termination Date”).  Except as specifically provided by this Agreement, or in any other non-employment agreement that may exist between the Company and Executive, Executive agrees that the Company shall have no other obligations or liabilities to him/her following his/her Effective Termination Date and that his/her receipt of the Severance Benefits provided herein shall constitute a complete settlement, satisfaction and waiver of any and all claims he/she may have against the Company.

	2.	
Executive further submits, and the Company hereby accepts, his resignation as an Executive, officer and director, as of his Effective Termination Date for any position he may hold.  The Parties agree that this resignation shall apply to all such positions Executive may hold with the Company or any parent, subsidiary or affiliated entity thereof.  Executive agrees to execute any documents needed to effectuate such resignation.  Executive further agrees to take whatever steps are necessary to facilitate and ensure the smooth transition of his duties and responsibilities to others.

	3.	
The Company agrees to provide Executive severance pay on the termination of his employment, as provided for in his Employment Agreement.

	4.	
The Company further agrees to provide Executive with limited out-placement counseling with a company of its choice provided that Executive participates in such counseling immediately following termination of employment.  Notwithstanding anything in this Section 4 to the contrary, the out-placement counseling shall not be provided after the last day of the second calendar year following the calendar year in which termination of employment occurs.

	5.	
As of his/her Effective Termination Date, except as otherwise provided in the Employment Agreement, Executive will become ineligible to participate in the Company’s health insurance program and continuation of coverage requirements under COBRA (if any) will be triggered at that time.  The medical insurance provided herein does not include any disability coverage.

	
6.

	
Intentionally omitted

	7.	
In exchange for the foregoing Severance Benefits, EMPLOYEE FULL NAME on behalf of himself/herself, his/her heirs, representatives, agents and assigns hereby RELEASES, INDEMNIFIES, HOLDS HARMLESS, and FOREVER DISCHARGES (i) Company Name.  (ii) its parent, subsidiary or affiliated entities, (iii) in such capacity, all of their present or former directors, officers, Executives, shareholders, and agents, as well as, (iv) all predecessors, successors and assigns thereof from any and all actions, charges, claims, demands, damages or liabilities of any kind or character whatsoever, known or unknown, which Executive now has or may have had through the effective date of this Agreement.

 

1

 

	8.	
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing release, it shall include:  (i) all claims or potential claims arising under any federal, state or local laws relating to the Parties’ employment relationship, including any claims Executive may have under the Civil Rights Acts of 1866 and 1964, as amended, 42 U.S.C. §§ 1981 and 2000(e) et seq.; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended, 29 U.S.C. §§ 621 et seq.; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, 42 U.S.C §§ 12,101 et seq.; the Fair Labor Standards Act 29 U.S.C. §§ 201 et seq.; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. §§ 2101, et seq.; the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, specifically including the Corporate and Criminal Fraud Accountability Act, 18 U.S.C. §1514,A et seq.; and any other federal, state or local law governing the Parties’ employment relationship; (ii) any claims on account of, arising out of or in any way connected with Executive’s employment with the Company or leaving of that employment; (iii) any claims alleged or which could have been alleged in any charge or complaint against the Company; (iv) any claims relating to the conduct of any Executive, officer, director, agent or other representative of the Company; (v) any claims of discrimination, harassment or retaliation on any basis; (vi) any claims arising from any legal restrictions on an employer’s right to separate its Executives; (vii) any claims for personal injury, compensatory or punitive damages or other forms of relief; and (viii) all other causes of action sounding in contract, tort or other common law basis, including (a) the breach of any alleged oral or written contract, (b) negligent or intentional misrepresentations, (c) wrongful discharge, (d) just cause dismissal, (e) defamation, (f) interference with contract or business relationship or (g) negligent or intentional infliction of emotional distress.

	9.	
Executive further agrees and covenants not to sue the Company or any entity or individual subject to the foregoing General Release with respect to any claims, demands, liabilities or obligations release by this Agreement provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall:

		(a)	
prevent Executive from filing an administrative charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other federal state or local agency; or

		(b)	
prevent employee from challenging, under the Older Worker’s Benefit Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 626), the knowing and voluntary nature of his/her release of any age claims in this Agreement in court or before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

	10.	
Notwithstanding his/her right to file an administrative charge with the EEOC or any other federal, state, or local agency, Executive agrees that with his/her release of claims in this Agreement, he/she has waived any right he/she may have to recover monetary or other personal relief in any proceeding based in whole or in part on claims released by him/her in this Agreement.  For example, Executive waives any right to monetary damages or reinstatement if an administrative charge is brought against the Company whether by Executive, the EEOC, or any other person or entity, including but not limited to any federal, state, or local agency.  Further, with his/her release of claims in this Agreement, Executive specifically assigns to the Company his/her right to any recovery arising from any such proceeding.

 

2

 

	11.	
The Parties acknowledge that it is their mutual and specific intent that the above waiver fully complies with the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act (29 U.S.C. § 626) and any similar law governing release of claims.  Accordingly, Executive hereby acknowledges that:

		(a)	
He/she has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of this Agreement and that He/she has entered into this Agreement knowingly and voluntarily;

		(b)	
The Severance Benefits offered in exchange for Executive’s release of claims exceed in kind and scope that to which he/she would have otherwise been legally entitled absent the execution of this Agreement;

		(c)	
Prior to signing this Agreement, Executive had been advised, and is being advised by this Agreement, to consult with an attorney of his/her choice concerning its terms and conditions; and

		(d)	
He/she has been offered at least [twenty-one (21)/forty-five (45)] days within which to review and consider this Agreement.

	12.	
The Parties agree that this Agreement shall not become effective and enforceable until the date this Agreement is signed by both Parties or seven (7) calendar days after its execution by Executive, whichever is later.  Executive may revoke this Agreement for any reason by providing written notice of such intent to the Company within seven (7) days after he/she has signed this Agreement, thereby forfeiting Executive’s right to receive any Severance Benefits provided hereunder and rendering this Agreement null and void in its entirety.

	13.	
The Parties agree that nothing contained herein shall purport to waive or otherwise affect any of Executive’s rights or claims that may arise after he/she signs this Agreement.  It is further understood by the Parties that nothing in this Agreement shall affect any rights Executive may have under any Company sponsored Deferred Compensation Program, Executive Life Insurance Bonus Plan, Stock Grant Award, Stock Option Grant, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Pension Plan and/or Savings Plan (i.e., 401(k) plan) provided by the Company as of the date of his/her termination, such items to be governed exclusively by the terms of the applicable agreements or plan documents.

	14.	
Similarly, notwithstanding any provision contained herein to the contrary, this Agreement shall not constitute a waiver or release or otherwise affect Executive’s rights with respect to any vested benefits, any rights he/she has to benefits which cannot be waived by law, any coverage provided under any Directors and Officers (“D&O”) policy, any rights Executive may have under any indemnification agreement he/she has with the Company prior to the date hereof, any rights he/she has as a shareholder, or any claim for breach of this Agreement, including, but not limited to the benefits promised by the terms of this Agreement.

 

3

 

	15.	
[Option A] Executive acknowledges that his/her termination and the Severance Benefits offered hereunder were based on an individual determination and were not offered in conjunction with any group termination or group severance program and waives any claim to the contrary.

[Option B] Executive represents and agrees that he/she has been provided relevant cohort information based on the information available to the Company as of the date this Agreement was tendered to Executive.  This information is attached hereto as Exhibit A.  The Parties acknowledge that simply providing such information does not mean and should not be interpreted to mean that the Company was obligated to comply with 29 C.F.R. § 1625.22(f).

	16.	
Executive hereby affirms and acknowledges his/her continued obligations to comply with the post-termination covenants contained in his/her Employment Agreement, including but not limited to, the non-compete, trade secret and confidentiality provisions.  Executive acknowledges that a copy of the Employment Agreement has been attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A [B] or has otherwise been provided to him/her and, to the extent not inconsistent with the terms of this Agreement or applicable law, the terms thereof shall be incorporated herein by reference.  Executive acknowledges that the restrictions contained therein are valid and reasonable in every respect and are necessary to protect the Company’s legitimate business interests.  Executive hereby affirmatively waives any claim or defense to the contrary.

	17.	
Executive acknowledges that the Company as well as its parent, subsidiary and affiliated companies (“Companies” herein) possess, and he/she has been granted access to, certain trade secrets as well as other confidential and proprietary information that they have acquired at great effort and expense.  Such information includes, without limitation, confidential information regarding products and services, marketing strategies, business plans, operations, costs, current or, prospective customer information (including customer contacts, requirements, creditworthiness and like matters), product concepts, designs, prototypes or specifications, regulatory compliance issues, research and development efforts, technical data and know-how, sales information, including pricing and other terms and conditions of sale, financial information, internal procedures, techniques, forecasts, methods, trade information, trade secrets, software programs, project requirements, inventions, trademarks, trade names, and similar information regarding the Companies’ business (collectively referred to herein as “Confidential Information”).

 

4

 

	18.	
Executive agrees that all such Confidential Information is and shall remain the sole and exclusive property of the Company.  Except as may be expressly authorized by the Company in writing, or as may be required by law after providing due notice thereof to the Company, Executive agrees not to disclose, or cause any other person or entity to disclose, any Confidential Information to any third party for as long thereafter as such information remains confidential (or as limited by applicable law) and agrees not to make use of any such Confidential Information for Executive’s own purposes or for the benefit of any other entity or person.  The Parties acknowledge that Confidential Information shall not include any information that is otherwise made public through no fault of Executive or other wrongdoing.  The foregoing shall not apply to information that the Executive is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that the Executive provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).

	19.	
On or before Executive’s Effective Termination Date or per the Company’s request, Executive agrees to return the original and all copies of all things in his/her possession or control relating to the Company or its business, including but not limited to any and all contracts, reports, memoranda, correspondence, manuals, forms, records, designs, budgets, contact information or lists (including customer, vendor or supplier lists), ledger sheets or other financial information, drawings, plans (including, but not limited to, business, marketing and strategic plans), personnel or other business files, computer hardware, software, or access codes, door and file keys, identification, credit cards, pager, phone, and any and all other physical, intellectual, or personal property of any nature that he/she received, prepared, helped prepare, or directed preparation of in connection with his/her employment with the Company.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to require the return of any non-confidential and de minimis items regarding Executive’s pay, benefits or other rights of employment such as pay stubs, W-2 forms, 401(k) plan summaries, benefit statements, etc.  Additionally, Executive may retain his address books to the extent they only contain contact information.

	20.	
Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company in connection with any pending or future litigation, proceeding or other matter which has been or may be brought against or by the Company before any agency, court, or other tribunal and concerning or relating in any way to any matter falling within Executive’s knowledge or former area of responsibility.  Executive agrees to promptly notify the Company, through the Office of the General Counsel, in the event he/she is contacted by any outside attorney (including paralegals or other affiliated parties) with regard to matters related to his employment with the Company unless (i) the Company is represented by the attorney, (ii) Executive is represented by the attorney for the purpose of protecting his/her personal interests or (iii) the Company has been advised of and has approved such contact.  Executive agrees to provide reasonable assistance and completely truthful testimony in such matters including, without limitation, facilitating and assisting in the preparation of any underlying defense, responding to discovery requests, preparing for and attending deposition(s) as well as appearing in court to provide truthful testimony.  The Company agrees to reimburse Executive for all reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred at the request of the Company associated with such assistance and testimony.

 

5

 

	21.	
Executive agrees not to make any written or oral statement that may defame, disparage or cast in a negative light so as to do harm to the personal or professional reputation of (a) the Company, (b) its Executives, officers, directors or trustees or (c) the services and/or products provided by the Company and its subsidiaries or affiliate entities.  Similarly, the Company agrees not to provide any information, and the Company shall instruct the board of directors and senior officers not to make any written or oral statement, that may defame, disparage or cast in a negative light so as to do harm to the personal or professional reputation of Executive.  The Parties acknowledge, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent or prohibit the Company or the Executive from providing truthful information in response to any court order, discovery request, subpoena or other lawful request, rebutting statements by others or making normal competitive-type statements.

	22.	
EXECUTIVE SPECIFICALLY AGREES AND UNDERSTANDS THAT THE EXISTENCE AND TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT ARE STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL AND THAT SUCH CONFIDENTIALITY IS A MATERIAL TERM OF THIS AGREEMENT.  Accordingly, except as required by law or unless authorized to do so by the Company in writing, Executive agrees that he/she shall not communicate, display or otherwise reveal any of the contents of this Agreement to anyone other than his/her spouse, legal counsel or financial advisor provided, however, that they are first advised of the confidential nature of this Agreement and Executive obtains their agreement to be bound by the same.  The Company agrees that Executive may respond to legitimate inquiries regarding the termination of his/her employment by stating that the Parties have terminated their relationship on an amicable basis and that the Parties have entered into a Confidential Separation and Release Agreement that prohibits him/her from further discussing the specifics of his/her separation.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent Executive from discussing or otherwise advising subsequent employers of the existence of any obligations as set forth in his/her Employment Agreement.  Further, nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit or otherwise restrict the Company’s ability to disclose the terms and conditions of this Agreement as may be required by business necessity.

	23.	
In the event that Executive breaches or threatens to breach any provision of this Agreement, he/she agrees that the Company shall be entitled to seek any and all equitable and legal relief provided by law, specifically including immediate and permanent injunctive relief.  Executive hereby waives any claim that the Company has an adequate remedy at law.  In addition, and to the extent not prohibited by law, Executive agrees that the Company shall be entitled to discontinue providing any additional Severance Benefits upon such breach. Executive agrees that the foregoing relief shall not be construed to limit or otherwise restrict the Company’s ability to pursue any other remedy provided by law, including the recovery of any actual, compensatory or punitive damages.  Moreover, if Executive pursues any claims against the Company subject to the foregoing General Release, Executive agrees to immediately reimburse the Company for the value of all benefits received under this Agreement to the fullest extent permitted by law.

	24.	
Similarly, in the event that the Company breaches or threatens to breach any provision of this Agreement, Executive shall be entitled to seek any and all equitable or other available relief provided by law, specifically including immediate and permanent injunctive relief.

 

6

 

	25.	
Both Parties acknowledge that this Agreement is entered into solely for the purpose of terminating Executive’s employment relationship with the Company on an amicable basis and shall not be construed as an admission of liability or wrongdoing by the Company or Executive, both Parties having expressly denied any such liability or wrongdoing.

	26.	
Each of the promises and obligations shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, administrators, assigns and successors in interest of each of the Parties.

	27.	
The Parties agree that each and every paragraph, sentence, clause, term and provision of this Agreement is severable and that, if any portion of this Agreement should be deemed not enforceable for any reason, such portion shall be stricken and the remaining portion or portions thereof should continue to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.

	28.	
This Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois without regard to any applicable state’s choice of law provisions.

	29.	
Executive represents and acknowledges that in signing this Agreement he/she does not rely, and has not relied, upon any representation or statement made by the Company or by any of the Company’s Executives, officers, agents, stockholders, directors or attorneys with regard to the subject matter, basis or effect of this Agreement other than those specifically contained herein.

	30.	
This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof, shall supersede any and all prior agreements which may otherwise exist between them concerning the subject matter hereof (specifically excluding, however, the post-termination obligations contained in an Executive’s Employment Agreement, any obligations contained in an existing and valid Indemnity Agreement of Change in Control or any obligation contained in any other legally-binding document), and shall not be altered, amended, modified or otherwise changed except by a writing executed by both Parties.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.  THIS SEPARATION AND RELEASE

AGREEMENT INCLUDES A COMPLETE RELEASE OF ALL

 KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

 

7

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have themselves signed, or caused a duly authorized agent thereof to sign, this Agreement on their behalf and thereby acknowledge their intent to be bound by its terms and conditions.

 

	
[EXECUTIVE]

	 	
COMPANY NAME

	 	 	 
	
Signed:

	 	 	
By:

	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
Printed:  

	
 

	 	
Title:

	 
	 	 	 	 	 
	
Dated:

	 	 	
Dated:  

	 

 

8

 

Exhibit B

ILLUSTRATIVE COMPETITOR LIST

The following is an illustrative, non‐exhaustive list of Competitors with whom Employee may not, during Executive’s relevant non‐compete period, directly or indirectly engage in any of the competitive activities proscribed by the terms of Executive’s Employment Agreement.

1) Getinge Group

2) Arjo Huntleigh (Getinge Spin-Off)

3) Heine Optotechnik

4) Linet

5) Midmark

6) Mindray

7) Mizhuo/OSI

8) Omron Healthcare

9) Paramount Bed Company, Ltd

10) Riester

11) Schiller

12) Skytron

13) Steris Corporation

14) Stryker Corporation

15) Vocera

While the above list is intended to identify the Company’s primary competitors, it should not be construed as all encompassing so as to exclude other potential competitors falling within the Non-Compete definitions of “Competitor.”  The Company reserves the right to amend this list at any time in its sole discretion to identify other or additional Competitors based on changes in the products and services offered, changes in its business or industry as well as changes in the duties and responsibilities of the individual employee.  An updated list will be provided to Employee upon reasonable request.  Employees are encouraged to consult with the Company prior to accepting any position with any potential competitor.

1

Source: [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00282-of-00352.parquet"}, [{"source": "alea-institute/alea-institute/kl3m-data-edgar-agreements/train-00282-of-00352.parquet"}]]