Document:

Exhibit

Exhibit 10.2
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

This Employment Agreement (“Agreement”) is made as of the Effective Date between Cincinnati Bell Inc. (“Employer”) and Andrew R. Kaiser (“Employee”).  For purposes of this Agreement, the “Effective Date” means September 1, 2016. 
Employer and Employee agree as follows: 
1.    Employment.  By this Agreement, Employer and Employee set forth the terms of Employer’s employment of Employee on and after the Effective Date.  Any prior agreements or understandings with respect to Employee’s employment by Employer are canceled as of the Effective Date.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, except as provided in Section 13 of this Agreement, all stock options, restricted shares and other long term incentive awards granted to Employee prior to the Effective Date, benefit plans in which Employee is eligible for participation and any Employer policies to which Employee is subject shall continue in effect in accordance with their respective terms and shall not be modified, amended or cancelled by this Agreement. 
2.    Term of Agreement.  The term of this Agreement initially shall be the one year period commencing on the Effective Date.  On the first anniversary of the Effective Date and on each subsequent anniversary of the Effective Date, the term of this Agreement automatically shall be extended for a period of one additional year.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of this Agreement is subject to termination as provided in Section 13. 
3.    Duties. 
A.    Employee will serve as Chief Financial Officer for Cincinnati Bell Inc. or in such other equivalent capacity as may be designated by the Chief Executive Officer of Employer.  Employee will report to the Chief Executive Officer of Employer or to such other officer as the Chief Executive Officer of Employer may direct. 
B.    Employee shall furnish such managerial, executive, financial, technical and other skills, advice, and assistance in operating Employer and its Affiliates as Employer may reasonably request.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Affiliate” means each corporation or organization that is deemed to be a single employer with Employer under Section 414(b) or (c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) (i.e., as part of a controlled group of corporations that includes Employer or under common control with Employer).  
C.    Employee shall also perform such other duties, consistent with the provisions of Section 3.A., as are reasonably assigned to Employee by the Chief Executive Officer of Employer.  
D.    Employee shall devote Employee’s entire time, attention and energies to the business of Employer and its Affiliates.  The words “entire time, attention and energies” are intended to mean that Employee shall devote Employee’s full effort during reasonable working hours to the business of Employer and its Affiliates and shall devote at least 40 hours per week to the business of Employer and its Affiliates.  Employee shall travel to such places as are necessary in the performance of Employee’s duties. 

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4.    Compensation. 
A.    Employee shall receive a base salary (the “Base Salary”) of at least $300,000 per year, payable not less frequently than monthly, for each year during the term of this Agreement, subject to proration for any partial year.  Such Base Salary, and all other amounts payable under this Agreement, shall be subject to withholding as required by law. 
B.    In addition to the Base Salary, Employee shall be eligible to receive an annual bonus (the “Bonus”) for each calendar year for which services are performed under this Agreement.  Any Bonus for a calendar year shall be payable after the conclusion of the calendar year in accordance with Employer’s regular bonus payment policies.  Each year, Employee shall be given a Bonus target of not less than $195,000, subject to proration for a partial year.  The Bonus target shall be established from time to time by Employer’s Compensation Committee if Employee is a named executive officer for purposes of Employer’s annual proxy statement or is otherwise an executive officer whose compensation is determined by the Compensation Committee, or, if Employee is not so subject, then in accordance with the provisions of Employer’s then existing annual incentive plan or any similar plan made available to employees of Employer (“annual incentive plan”) in which Employee participates.  Any Bonus award to Employee shall further be subject to the terms and conditions of any such applicable annual incentive plan. 
C.    On at least an annual basis, Employee shall receive a formal performance review and be considered for Base Salary and/or Bonus target increases. 
5.    Expenses.  All reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by Employee in the course of the performance of Employee’s duties to Employer shall be reimbursable in accordance with Employer’s then current travel and expense policies. 
6.    Benefits. 
A.    While Employee remains in the employ of Employer, Employee shall be eligible to participate in all of the various employee benefit plans and programs, which are made available to similarly situated officers of Employer, in accordance with the eligibility provisions and other terms and conditions of such plans and programs. 
B.    Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Base Salary and any Bonuses otherwise payable to Employee shall be reduced by any benefits paid to Employee by Employer under any disability plans made available to Employee by Employer (“Disability Plans”). 
C.    In each year of this Agreement, Employee will be eligible to be considered for a grant of awards under Employer’s 2007 Long Term Incentive Plan and/or any similar plan made available to employees of Employer. 
7.    Confidentiality.  Employer and its Affiliates are engaged in the telecommunications industry within the U.S. Employee acknowledges that in the course of employment with the Employer, Employee will be entrusted with or obtain access to information proprietary to Employer and its Affiliates with respect to the following (all of which information is referred to hereinafter collectively as the “Information”); the organization and management of Employer and its Affiliates; the names, addresses, buying habits and other special information regarding past, present and potential customers, employees and suppliers of Employer and its Affiliates; customer and supplier contracts and transactions or price lists of Employer, its Affiliates and their suppliers; products, services, programs and processes sold, licensed or developed by Employer or its Affiliates; technical data, plans and specifications, and present and/or future development projects of 

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Employer and its Affiliates; financial and/or marketing data respecting the conduct of the present or future phases of business of Employer and its Affiliates; computer programs, systems and/or software; ideas, inventions, trademarks, trade secrets, business information, know-how, processes, improvements, designs, redesigns, discoveries and developments of Employer and its Affiliates; and other information considered confidential by any of the Employer, its Affiliates or customers or suppliers of Employer and its Affiliates.  At all times during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Employee agrees to retain the Information in absolute confidence and not to disclose the Information to any person or organization except as required in the performance of Employee’s duties for Employer, without the express written consent of Employer; provided that Employee’s obligation of confidentiality shall not extend to any Information which becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of disclosure by Employee. 
8.    New Developments.  All ideas, inventions, discoveries, concepts, trade secrets, trademarks, service marks or other developments or improvements, whether patentable or not, conceived by Employee, alone or with others, at any time during the term of Employee’s employment, whether or not during working hours or on Employer’s premises, which are within the scope of or related to the business operations of Employer or its Affiliates (“New Developments”), shall be and remain the exclusive property of Employer.  Employee agrees that any New Developments which, within one year after the cessation of employment with Employer, are made, disclosed, reduced to a tangible or written form or description or are reduced to practice by Employee and which are based upon, utilize or incorporate Information shall, as between Employee and Employer, be presumed to have been made during Employee’s employment by Employer.  Employee further agrees that Employee will not, during the term of Employee’s employment with Employer, improperly use or disclose any proprietary information or trade secrets of any former employer or other person or entity and that Employee will not bring onto Employer premises any unpublished document or proprietary information belonging to any such employer, person or entity unless consented to in writing by such employer, person or entity. 
At all times during the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Employee shall do all things reasonably necessary to ensure ownership of such New Developments by Employer, including the execution of documents assigning and transferring to Employer all of Employee’s rights, title and interest in and to such New Developments and the execution of all documents required to enable Employer to file and obtain patents, trademarks, service marks and copyrights in the United States and foreign countries on any of such New Developments. 
9.    Surrender of Material Upon Termination.  Employee hereby agrees that upon cessation of Employee’s employment, for whatever reason and whether voluntary or involuntary, Employee will immediately surrender to Employer all of the property and other things of value in his possession or in the possession of any person or entity under Employee’s control that are the property of Employer or any of its Affiliates, including without any limitation all personal notes, drawings, manuals, documents, photographs or the like, including copies and derivatives thereof, and e-mails and other electronic and digital information of all types regardless of where or the type of device on which such materials may be stored by Employee, relating directly or indirectly to any Information, materials or New Developments, or relating directly or indirectly to the business of Employer or any of its Affiliates. 
10.    Remedies. 
A.    Employer and Employee hereby acknowledge and agree that the services rendered by Employee to Employer, the information disclosed to Employee during and by virtue of Employee’s employment and Employee’s commitments and obligations to Employer and its Affiliates herein are of a special, unique and extraordinary character, and that the breach of any provision of this Agreement by Employee will cause Employer irreparable injury and damage, and consequently the Employer shall be 

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entitled to, in addition to all other remedies available to it, injunctive and equitable relief to prevent a breach of Sections 7, 8, 9, 11 and 12 of this Agreement and to secure the enforcement of this Agreement. 
B.    Except as provided in Section 10.A., the parties hereto agree to submit to final and binding arbitration any dispute, claim or controversy, whether for breach of this Agreement or for violation of any of Employee’s statutorily created or protected rights, arising between the parties that either party would have been otherwise entitled to file or pursue in court or before any administrative agency (herein “claim”), and each party waives all right to sue the other party. 
(i)    This agreement to arbitrate and any resulting arbitration award are enforceable under and subject to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. § 1 et seq. (“FAA”).  If the FAA is held not to apply for any reason, then Ohio Revised Code Chapter 271l regarding the enforceability of arbitration agreements and awards will govern this Agreement and the arbitration award. 
(ii)    (a)    All of a party’s claims must be presented at a single arbitration hearing.  Any claim not raised at the arbitration hearing is waived and released.  The arbitration hearing will take place in Cincinnati, Ohio. 
(b)    The arbitration process will be governed by the Employment Dispute Resolution Rules of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) except to the extent they are modified by this Agreement.  In the event that any provisions of this Section 10 are determined by AAA to be unenforceable or impermissibly contrary to AAA rules, then this Section 10 shall be modified as necessary to comply with AAA requirements. 
(c)    Employee has had an opportunity to review the AAA rules and the requirements that Employee must pay a filing fee for which Employer has agreed to split on an equal basis. 
(d)    The arbitrator will be selected from a panel of arbitrators chosen by the AAA.  After the filing of a Request for Arbitration, the AAA will send simultaneously to Employer and Employee an identical list of names of five persons chosen from the panel.  Each party will have 10 days from the transmittal date in which to strike up to two names, number the remaining names in order of preference and return the list to the AAA. 
(e)    Any pre-hearing disputes will be presented to the arbitrator for expeditious, final and binding resolution. 
(f)    The award of the arbitrator will be in writing and will set forth each issue considered and the arbitrator’s finding of fact and conclusions of law as to each such issue. 
(g)    The remedy and relief that may be granted by the arbitrator to Employee are limited to lost wages, benefits, cease and desist and affirmative relief, compensatory, liquidated and punitive damages and reasonable attorney’s fees, and will not include reinstatement or promotion.  If the arbitrator would have awarded reinstatement or promotion, but for the prohibition in this Agreement, the arbitrator may award front pay.  The arbitrator may assess to either party, or split, the arbitrator’s fee and expenses and the cost of the transcript, if any, in accordance with the arbitrator’s determination of the merits of each party’s position, but each party will bear any cost for its witnesses and proof. 
            

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(h)    Employer and Employee recognize that a primary benefit each derives from arbitration is avoiding the delay and costs normally associated with litigation.  Therefore, neither party will be entitled to conduct any discovery prior to the arbitration hearing except that: (i) Employer will furnish Employee with copies of all non-privileged documents in Employee’s personnel file; (ii) if the claim is for discharge, Employee will furnish Employer with records of earnings and benefits relating to Employee’s subsequent employment (including self-employment) and all documents relating to Employee’s efforts to obtain subsequent employment; (iii) the parties will exchange copies of all documents they intend to introduce as evidence at the arbitration hearing at least 10 days prior to such hearing; (iv) Employee will be allowed (at Employee’s expense) to take the depositions, for a period not to exceed four hours each, of two representatives of Employer, and Employer will be allowed (at its expense) to depose Employee for a period not to exceed four hours; and (v) Employer or Employee may ask the arbitrator to grant additional discovery to the extent permitted by AAA rules upon a showing that such discovery is necessary. 
(i)    Nothing herein will prevent either party from taking the deposition of any witness where the sole purpose for taking the deposition is to use the deposition in lieu of the witness testifying at the hearing and the witness is, in good faith, unavailable to testify in person at the hearing due to poor health, residency and employment more than 50 miles from the hearing site, conflicting travel plans or other comparable reason. 
(j)    Arbitration must be requested in writing no later than 6 months from the date of the party’s knowledge of the matter disputed by the claim.  A party’s failure to initiate arbitration within the time limits herein will be considered a waiver and release by that party with respect to any claim subject to arbitration under this Agreement. 
(k)    Employer and Employee consent that judgment upon the arbitration award may be entered in any federal or state court that has jurisdiction. 
(1)    Except as provided in Section 10.A., neither party will commence or pursue any litigation on any claim that is or was subject to arbitration under this Agreement. 
(m)    All aspects of any arbitration procedure under this Agreement, including the hearing and the record of the proceedings, are confidential and will not be open to the public, except to the extent the parties agree otherwise in writing, or as may be appropriate in any subsequent proceedings between the parties, or as may otherwise be appropriate in response to a governmental agency or legal process or as may be required to be disclosed by Employer pursuant to applicable law, rule or regulation to which Employer is subject, including requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any stock exchanges on which Employer’s securities are listed. 
11.    Covenant Not to Compete, No Interference; No Solicitation.  For purposes of this Section 11 only, the: term “Employer” shall mean, collectively, Employer and each of its Affiliates.  At all times during the term of this Agreement and during the one year period following cessation of Employee’s employment with Employer for any reason (or if this period is unenforceable by law, then for such period as shall be enforceable), Employee will not engage in any business offering services related to the current business of Employer, whether as a principal, partner, joint venture, agent, employee, salesman, consultant, director or officer, where such position would involve Employee in any business activity in competition with Employer.  This restriction will be limited to the geographical area where Employer is then engaged in such competing business activity or to such other geographical area as a court shall find reasonably necessary to protect the goodwill and business of Employer. 

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During the one year period following cessation of Employee’s employment with Employer for any reason (or if this period is unenforceable by law, then for such period as shall be enforceable), Employee will not interfere with or adversely affect, either directly or indirectly, Employer’s relationships with any person, firm, association, corporation or other entity which is known by Employee to be, or is included on any listing to which Employee had access during the course of employment, as a customer, client, supplier, consultant or employee of Employer and that Employee will not divert or change, or attempt to divert or change, any such relationship to the detriment of Employer or to the benefit of any other person, firm, association, corporation or other entity. 
During the one year period following cessation of Employee’s employment with Employer for any reason (or if this period is unenforceable by law, then for such period as shall be enforceable), Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of Employer, accept employment, as an employee, consultant or otherwise, with any company or entity which is a supplier of Employer at any time during the final year of Employee’s employment with Employer. 
Employee will not, during or at any time within one year after the cessation of Employee’s employment with Employer, induce or seek to induce any other employee of Employer to terminate his or her employment relationship with Employer. 
Employee acknowledges and agrees that the covenants, restrictions, agreements and obligations set forth herein are founded upon valuable consideration and, with respect to the covenants, restrictions, agreements and obligations set forth in this Section 11, are reasonable in duration and geographic scope.  The time period and geographical area set forth in this Section 10 are each divisible and separable, and, in the event that the covenants not to compete and/or not to divert business or employees contained therein are judicially held invalid or unenforceable as to such time period and/or geographical area, they will be valid and enforceable in such geographical area(s) and for such time period(s) which the court determines to be reasonable and enforceable.  Employee agrees that in the event that any court of competent jurisdiction determines that the above covenants are invalid or unenforceable to join with Employer in requesting such court to construe the applicable provision by limiting or reducing it so as to be enforceable to the extent compatible with the then applicable law.  Furthermore, it is agreed that any period of restriction or covenant hereinabove stated shall not include any period of violation or period of time required for litigation or arbitration to enforce such restrictions or covenants. 
12.    Goodwill.  During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Employee will not disparage Employer or any of its Affiliates in any way which could adversely affect the goodwill, reputation and business relationships of Employer or any of its Affiliates with the public generally, or with any of their customers, suppliers or employees, and Employer will not disparage Employee.  Employee understands and agrees that Employer shall be entitled to make any such public disclosures as are required by applicable law, rule or regulation regarding Employee, including termination of Employee’s employment with Employer, and that any public disclosures so made by Employer and other statements materially consistent with such public disclosures shall not be restricted in any manner by this Section 12. 
13.    Termination. 
A.    (i)    Employer or Employee may terminate this Agreement upon Employee’s failure or inability to perform the services required hereunder, because of any physical or mental infirmity for which Employee receives disability benefits under any Disability Plans, over a period of one hundred twenty consecutive working days during any twelve consecutive month period (a “Terminating Disability”). 

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(ii)    If Employer or Employee elects to terminate this Agreement in the event of a Terminating Disability, such termination shall be effective immediately upon the giving of written notice by the terminating party to the other. 
(iii)    Upon termination of this Agreement on account of Terminating Disability, Employer shall pay Employee Employee’s accrued compensation hereunder, whether Base Salary, Bonus or otherwise (subject to offset for any amounts received pursuant to the Disability Plans), to the date of termination.  In the event of a Terminating Disability, Employer also shall provide Employee with disability benefits and all other benefits according to the provisions of the applicable Disability Plans and any other Employer plans in which Employee is then participating.  Furthermore, Employee shall continue to accrue service as an employee in accordance with the provisions of the applicable Disability Plans and pension plan(s), and for purposes of vesting under any outstanding incentive awards granted to Employee, as may be set forth in the applicable incentive plan or related award letter. 
(iv)    If the parties elect not to terminate this Agreement upon an event of a Terminating Disability and Employee returns to active employment with Employer prior to such a termination, or if such disability exists for less than one hundred twenty consecutive working days, the provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. 
B.    This Agreement terminates immediately and automatically on the death of Employee, provided, however, that Employee’s estate shall be paid Employee’s accrued compensation hereunder, whether Base Salary, Bonus or otherwise, to the date of death. 
C.    Employer may terminate this Agreement immediately, upon written notice to Employee, for Cause.  For purposes of this Agreement, Employer shall have “Cause” to terminate this Agreement only if Employer’s Board of Directors determines that there has been fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or misconduct constituting serious criminal activity on the part of Employee.  Upon termination for Cause, Employee shall be entitled to receive only Employee’s accrued compensation hereunder, whether Base Salary, Bonus or otherwise, to the date of termination. 
D.    Employer may terminate this Agreement immediately, upon written notice to Employee for any reason other than those set forth in Sections 13.A., B. and C., provided, however, that Employer shall have no right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 13.D. within one year after a Change in Control.  In addition, Employee may terminate this Agreement immediately, upon written notice to Employer, as a result of a Constructive Termination, provided, however, that Employee shall have no right to terminate this Agreement under this Section 13.D. within one year after a Change in Control.  In the event of a termination of this Agreement by Employer, or by Employee as a result of a Constructive Termination, under this Section 13.D.: 
(i)    within five days after (and not before) the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer, Employer shall pay Employee in a lump sum cash payment an amount equal to two times the Employee’s annual Base Salary rate in effect at the time of the termination of this Agreement;
(ii)    for purposes of any outstanding stock option issued by Employer to Employee, outstanding restricted stock issued by Employer to Employee or other outstanding incentive award granted by Employer to Employee, Employee’s employment with Employer shall not be deemed to have terminated until the end of the Current Term;

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(iii)    an amount equal to the sum of (a) any forfeitable benefits of Employee under any nonqualified (i.e., not qualified under Code Section 401(a)) pension, profit sharing, savings or deferred compensation plan of Employer or any Affiliate which would have vested prior to the end of the Current Term if this Agreement had not terminated, plus (b) any additional vested benefits which would have accrued for Employee under any nonqualified defined benefit pension plan if this Agreement had not terminated prior to the end of the Current Term and if Employee’s annual Base Salary and annual Bonus target had neither increased nor decreased after such termination, shall be payable by Employer at the same time and in the same manner as such benefits would have been paid under such plan or plans had such benefits become vested and accrued under such plan or plans at the time of the termination of this Agreement;
(iv)    an amount equal to the sum of (a) any forfeitable benefits of Employee under any qualified (i.e., qualified under Code Section 401(a)) pension, profit sharing, 401(k) or deferred compensation plan of Employer or any Affiliate which would have vested prior to the end of the Current Term if this Agreement had not terminated, plus (b) any additional vested benefits which would have accrued for Employee under any qualified defined benefit pension plan if this Agreement had not terminated prior to the end of the Current Term and if Employee’s annual Base Salary and annual Bonus target had neither increased nor decreased after such termination, shall be paid by Employer from its general assets (and not under such plan or plans) in one lump sum within five days after (and not before) the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer; and 
(v)    for the remainder of the Current Term, Employer shall continue to provide Employee with medical, dental, vision and group term life coverage comparable to the medical, dental, vision and group term life coverage in effect for Employee immediately prior to the termination of this Agreement (with the cost of such benefits shared between Employee and Employer on a basis comparable to the cost-sharing of such benefits immediately prior to the termination of this Agreement), and, to the extent that Employee would have been eligible for any post-retirement medical, dental, vision or group term life benefits from Employer if Employee had continued in employment through the end of the Current Term, Employer shall provide such post-retirement benefits to Employee after the end of the Current Term. 
E.    This Agreement shall terminate automatically in the event and at the time that both there is a Change in Control and either (1) Employee elects to terminate his employment with Employer within one year after the Change in Control as a result of a Constructive Termination or (2) Employee’s employment with Employer is actually terminated by Employer within one year after the Change in Control for any reason other than those set forth in Sections 13.A., B. and C.  In the event of a termination of this Agreement under this Section 13.E.:   
(i)    within five days after (and not before) the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer, Employer shall pay Employee in a lump sum cash payment an amount equal to the product obtained by multiplying (a) the sum of the annual Base Salary rate in effect at the time of the termination of this Agreement and the annual Bonus target in effect at the time of such termination by (b) 2.5;
(ii)    all outstanding stock options and other incentive awards issued by Employer to Employee that are not vested and exercisable at the time of the termination of this Agreement shall become immediately vested and exercisable (and Employee shall be afforded the opportunity to exercise them until the earlier of (a) the latest date, determined in accordance with the terms of such stock options or awards, that would apply if such stock options or awards had become vested and exercisable immediately before the termination of this Agreement or (b) the end of the Current Term and the restrictions applicable to all outstanding restricted stock issued by Employer to Employee shall lapse upon the termination of this Agreement; 

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(iii)    an amount equal to the sum of (a) any forfeitable benefits of Employee under any nonqualified (i.e., not qualified under Code Section 401(a)) pension, profit sharing, savings or deferred compensation plan of Employer or any Affiliate which would have vested prior to the end of the Current Term if this Agreement had not terminated, plus (b) any additional vested benefits which would have accrued for Employee under any nonqualified defined benefit pension plan if this Agreement had not terminated prior to the end of the Current Term and if Employee’s annual Base Salary and annual Bonus target had neither increased nor decreased after such termination, shall be payable by Employer at the same time and in the same manner as such benefits would have been paid under such plan or plans had such benefits become vested and accrued under such plan or plans at the time of the termination of this Agreement; 
(iv)    an amount equal to the sum of (a) any forfeitable benefits of Employee under any qualified (i.e., qualified under Code Section 401(a)) pension, profit sharing, 401(k) or deferred compensation plan of Employer or any Affiliate which would have vested prior to the end of the Current Term if this Agreement had not terminated, plus (b) any additional vested benefits which would have accrued for Employee under any qualified defined benefit pension plan if this Agreement had not terminated prior to the end of the Current Term and if Employee’s annual Base Salary and annual Bonus target had neither increased nor decreased after such termination, shall be paid by Employer from its general assets (and not under such plan or plans) in one lump sum within five days after (and not before) the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer; and
(v)    for the remainder of the Current Term, Employer shall continue to provide Employee with medical, dental, vision and group term life coverage comparable to the medical, dental, vision and group term life coverage in effect for Employee immediately prior to the termination of this Agreement (with the cost of such benefits shared between Employee and Employer on a basis comparable to the cost-sharing of such benefits immediately prior to the termination of this Agreement), and, to the extent that Employee would have been eligible for any post-retirement medical, dental, vision or group term life benefits from Employer if Employee had continued in employment through the end of the Current Term, Employer shall provide such post-retirement benefits to Employee after the end of the Current Term.  
F.    Employee may resign upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Employer.  In the event of a resignation under this Section 13.F., this Agreement shall terminate and Employee shall be entitled to receive Employee’s Base Salary through the date of termination, any Bonus earned but not paid at the time of termination and any other vested compensation or benefits called for under any compensation plan or program of Employer. 
G.    Upon termination of this Agreement as a result of an event of termination described in this Section 13 and except for Employer’s payment of the required payments under this Section 13 (including any Base Salary accrued through the date of termination, any Bonus earned for the year preceding the year in which the termination occurs and any nonforfeitable amounts payable under any employee plan), all further compensation under this Agreement shall terminate.  Employee further agrees that as a condition precedent to Employee’s receipt of payments under this Section 13 (other than any Base Salary accrued through the date of termination, any Bonus earned for the year preceding the year in which the termination occurs and all payments pursuant to Section 13.E.), upon the request of Employer and by a reasonable deadline set by Employer (to ensure that payments can be made by the dates specified in this Section 13 following the expiration of the time for revocation of such release as permitted by law), Employee will execute and not revoke a release of claims against Employer, which release shall contain customary and appropriate terms and conditions as determined in good faith by Employer. 

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H.    The termination of this Agreement shall not amend, alter or modify the rights and obligations of the parties under Sections 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 hereof, the terms of which shall survive the termination of this Agreement.  
I.    To the extent provided below, the following provisions apply under this Section 13 and the other provisions of the Agreement.
(i)    Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, for purposes of
Sections 13.D and 13.E, "Current Term" means the two year period beginning at the time of the termination of this Agreement.

(ii)    For purposes of Sections 13.D. and 13.E., “Change in Control” means a Change in Control as defined under the Cincinnati Bell Inc. Executive Deferred Compensation Plan (as such plan is amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005 and as it may thereafter be amended).
(iii)    For purposes of Section 13.D. and 13.E., “Constructive Termination” shall be deemed to have occurred if, without Employee’s consent, there is a material reduction by Employer in Employee’s authority, reporting relationship or responsibilities, there is a reduction by Employer in Employee’s Base Salary or Bonus target or Employee is required by Employer to relocate from the Greater Cincinnati, Ohio Area by 50 or more miles.
(iv)    When an amount (referred to in this Section 13.I.(iv) as the “principal sum”) that is payable under Section 13.D.(i), 13.D.(iv), 13.E.(i), or 13.E.(iv) within five days after the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer is paid, such payment shall also include an amount that is equal to the amount of interest that would have been earned by such principal sum for the period from the date of Employee’s termination of employment with Employer to the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment had such principal sum earned interest for such period at an annual rate of interest of 3.5%.  
(v)    To the extent that any of the benefits applicable to medical, dental and vision coverage provided to Employee under Section 13.D.(v) or 13.E.(vi) (referred to in this Section 13.I. as “healthcare plan benefits”) are subject to federal income taxation, the following conditions shall apply:
(a)    the amount of healthcare plan benefits provided or paid during any tax year of Employee under Section 13.D.(v) or 13.E.(vi) shall not affect the amount of healthcare plan benefits that are provided or eligible for payment in any other tax years of Employee (disregarding any limit on the amount of medical expenses, as defined in Code Section 213(d), that may be paid or reimbursed over some or all of the period in which such coverage is in effect because of a lifetime, annual or similar limit on any covered person’s expenses that can be paid or reimbursed under Employer’s health care plans under which the terms of such coverage is determined);
(b)    the payment or reimbursement of an expense for healthcare plan benefits that is eligible for payment or reimbursement shall not be made prior to the date immediately following the date which is six months after Employee’s termination of employment with Employer and shall in any event be made no later than the last day of the tax year of Employee next following the tax year of Employee in which the expense is incurred; and
(c)    Employee’s right to healthcare plan benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

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(vi)    For purposes of this Agreement (including but not limited to Sections 13.D.(iii), (iv) and (v) and 13.E.(iii), (iv), and (v)), any reference to the termination of this Agreement or to the termination of Employee’s employment with Employer shall mean and require that, as of the date of such termination, Employee’s services for Employer and its Affiliates shall have completely ceased or that Employee shall have otherwise separated from service with Employer and its Affiliates within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409-1(h).
14.    Assignment.  As this is an agreement for personal services involving a relation of confidence and a trust between Employer and Employee, all rights and duties of Employee arising under this Agreement, and the Agreement itself, are non-assignable by Employee. 
15.    Notices.  Any notice required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be sufficient if in writing and if delivered personally or by certified mail to Employee at Employee’s place of residence as then recorded on the books of Employer or to Employer at its principal office. 
16.    Waiver.  No waiver or modification of this Agreement or the terms contained herein shall be valid unless in writing and duly executed by the party to be charged therewith.  The waiver by any party hereto of a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the other party shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach by such party. 
17.    Governing Law.  This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Ohio and, to the extent applicable, federal law.  
18.    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to Employee’s employment by Employer.  There are no other contracts, agreements or understandings, whether oral or written, existing between them except as contained or referred to in this Agreement. 
19.    Severability.  In case anyone or more of the provisions of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality or other enforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions have never been contained herein. 
20.    Successors and Assigns.  Subject to the requirements of Paragraph 14 above, this Agreement shall be binding upon Employee, Employer and Employer’s successors and assigns. 
21.    Confidentiality of Agreement Terms.  The terms of this Agreement shall be held in strict confidence by Employee and shall not be disclosed by Employee to anyone other than Employee’s spouse, Employee’s legal counsel and Employee’s other advisors, unless required by law.  Further, except as provided in the preceding sentence, Employee shall not reveal the existence of this Agreement or discuss its terms with any person (including but not limited to any employee of Employer or its Affiliates) without the express authorization of the President of Employer, provided that Employee shall advise any prospective new employer of the existence of Employee’s non-competition, confidentiality and similar obligations under this Agreement.  To the extent that the terms of this Agreement have been disclosed by Employer, in a public filing or otherwise, the confidentiality requirements of this Section 21 shall no longer apply to such terms. 

11

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.
	
			
	CINCINNATI BELL INC.
	 
	EMPLOYEE

	 
	 
	 

	By:  /s/ Theodore H. Torbeck
	 
	/s/ Andrew R. Kaiser

	Title:  Chief Executive Officer
	 
	 

	Date:  August 30, 2016
	 
	Date:  August 30, 2016

12Exhibit 10.1

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

(Performance Based)

 

Tuesday Morning Corporation

2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan

 

This RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is entered into between Tuesday Morning Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and                  (the “Participant”) effective as of                (the “Date of Grant”), pursuant to the Tuesday Morning Corporation 2014 Long-Term Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Participant the shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share (“Common Stock”), as an inducement for the Participant’s continued and effective performance of services for the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, the Participant desires to have the opportunity to hold the Common Stock subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement;

 

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

 

1.                                      Grant of Restricted Stock.  Effective as of the Date of Grant, the Company shall cause to be issued in the Participant’s name               shares of Common Stock (the “Restricted Stock”).  The Company shall electronically register the Restricted Stock, and any Retained Distributions issued with respect to the Restricted Stock, in the Participant’s name and note that such shares are Restricted Stock.  If certificates evidencing the Restricted Stock, or any Retained Distributions, are issued to the Participant during the Restricted Period, such certificates shall bear a restrictive legend, substantially as provided in Section 15.10 of the Plan, to the effect that ownership of such Restricted Stock (and any such Retained Distributions), and the enjoyment of all rights appurtenant thereto, are subject to the restrictions, terms, and conditions provided in the Plan and this Agreement.  The Participant shall have the right to vote the Restricted Stock awarded to the Participant and to receive and retain all regular cash dividends, and to exercise all other rights, powers and privileges of a holder of Common Stock, with respect to such Restricted Stock, with the exception that (a) the Participant shall not be entitled to delivery of a stock certificate or certificates representing such Restricted Stock until the Forfeiture Restrictions applicable thereto shall have expired and the Participant requests delivery of a certificate as described in Section 6.4(a) of the Plan, (b) the Company shall retain custody of all Retained Distributions made or declared with respect to the Restricted Stock (and such Retained Distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions, terms and conditions as are applicable to the Restricted Stock) until such time, if ever, as the Restricted Stock with respect to which such Retained Distributions shall have been made, paid, or declared shall have become vested, and such Retained

 

 

Distributions shall not bear interest or be segregated in separate accounts and (c) the Participant may not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, exchange, encumber, or dispose of the Restricted Stock or any Retained Distributions during the Restricted Period.  Upon issuance, the certificates for the Restricted Stock shall be delivered to the Secretary of the Company or to such other depository as may be designated by the Committee as a depository for safekeeping until the forfeiture of such Restricted Stock occurs or the Forfeiture Restrictions lapse, together with stock powers or other written instruments or electronic agreements of assignment, each endorsed in blank, which will permit transfer to the Company of all or any portion of the Restricted Stock and any securities constituting Retained Distributions which shall be forfeited in accordance with the Plan and this Agreement.  In accepting the award of Restricted Stock set forth in this Agreement, the Participant accepts and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.                                      Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated below:

 

(a)                                 “Forfeiture Restrictions” shall mean any prohibitions and restrictions set forth herein with respect to the sale or other disposition of Restricted Stock issued to the Participant hereunder and the obligation to forfeit and surrender such Restricted Stock to the Company.

 

(b)                                 “Restricted Period” shall mean the period designated by the Committee during which Restricted Stock is subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions and may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or otherwise encumbered.

 

(c)                                  “Retained Distributions” shall mean any securities or other property (other than regular cash dividends) distributed by the Company in respect of the Restricted Stock during any Restricted Period.

 

Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings given to such terms in the Plan.

 

3.                                      Transfer Restrictions.  Except as otherwise authorized by the Committee, the Restricted Stock granted hereby may not be sold, assigned, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred, encumbered or disposed of (other than by will or the applicable laws of descent and distribution) to the extent then subject to the Forfeiture Restrictions.  Any such attempted sale, assignment, pledge, exchange, hypothecation, transfer, encumbrance or disposition in violation of this Agreement shall be void and the Company shall not be bound thereby.  Further, the Restricted Stock granted hereby that is no longer subject to Forfeiture Restrictions may not be sold or otherwise disposed of in any manner that would constitute a violation of any applicable federal or state securities laws.  The Participant also agrees (a) that the Company may refuse to cause the transfer of the Restricted Stock to be registered on the applicable stock transfer records if such proposed transfer would, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, constitute a violation of any applicable securities law and (b) that the Company may give related instructions to the transfer agent, if any, to stop registration of the transfer of the Restricted Stock.

 

2

 

The Restricted Stock is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission under a Registration Statement on Form S-8.  A Prospectus describing the Plan and the Stock is available from the Company.

 

4.                                      Vesting.  The Restricted Stock that is granted hereby shall be subject to Forfeiture Restrictions.  The Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock that is granted hereby in accordance with the provisions of subsections (a) through (e) of this Section 4.

 

(a)                                 Generally.  The Forfeiture Restrictions shall lapse as to the Restricted Stock that is granted hereby as provided in subsection (b), provided that the Participant has not incurred a Termination of Service prior to the applicable date provided in subsection (b).  If the Participant has incurred a Termination of Service before a date provided in subsection (b) then, except as otherwise specified in subsections (c) or (d) below, the Forfeiture Restrictions then applicable to any of the Restricted Stock shall not lapse and all of the Restricted Stock with respect to which Forfeiture Restrictions have not then lapsed shall be forfeited to the Company upon such Termination of Service.

 

(b)                                 Vesting Date and Criteria.  The Restricted Shares will vest, and the Forfeiture Restrictions will lapse, as specified herein and upon the satisfaction of the conditions contained in Exhibit A.

 

(c)                                  Death or Total and Permanent Disability.  Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 4 to the contrary, in the event the Participant’s Termination of Service is due to the Participant’s death or Total and Permanent Disability prior to a date provided in subsection (b), the Forfeiture Restrictions for all of the Restricted Stock with respect to which Forfeiture Restrictions have not then lapsed shall lapse on the date of such Termination of Service due to death or Total and Permanent Disability.

 

(d)                                 [Change in Control.  Notwithstanding any provisions of Section 4 to the contrary, in the event a Change in Control occurs prior to the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, the Forfeiture Restrictions for all of the Restricted Stock with respect to which Forfeiture Restrictions have not then lapsed shall lapse upon the occurrence of such Change in Control.]

 

(e)                                  Forfeiture Upon Violation of Confidentiality/Nonsolicitation Provisions.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event the Participant fails to comply with the confidentiality and non-solicitation provisions of Exhibit B, or the non-solicitation and/or confidentiality provisions contained in any written agreement by and between the Participant and the Company, then (i) the Forfeiture Restrictions shall not lapse, and any unvested Restricted Stock shall be immediately forfeited to the Company as of the date of such violation, and (ii) any Restricted Stock for which the Forfeiture Restrictions have lapsed, but that had not yet been delivered to the Participant shall be immediately forfeited and this Agreement (other than the provisions of this subsection (e) and the provisions of Exhibit B) will be terminated on the date of such violation.

 

3

 

5.                                      Effect of Lapse of Restrictions.  Upon the lapse of the Forfeiture Restrictions with respect to the Restricted Stock granted hereby, if requested by the Participant as described in Section 6.4(a) of the Plan, the Company shall cause to be delivered to the Participant a stock certificate representing such Restricted Stock, and such Restricted Stock shall be transferable by the Participant (except to the extent that any proposed transfer would, in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company, constitute a violation of applicable securities law).

 

6.                                      Capital Adjustments and Reorganizations.  The existence of the Restricted Stock shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, engage in any merger or consolidation, issue any debt or equity securities, dissolve or liquidate, or sell, lease, exchange or otherwise dispose of all or any part of its assets or business, or engage in any other corporate act or proceeding.

 

7.                                      Section 83(b) Election.  The Participant shall not exercise the election permitted under section 83(b) of the Code with respect to the Restricted Stock without the written approval of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company.

 

8.                                      No Fractional Shares.  All provisions of this Agreement concern whole shares of Common Stock.  If the application of any provision hereunder would yield a fractional share, such fractional share shall be rounded down to the next whole share if it is less than 0.5 and rounded up to the next whole share if it is 0.5 or more.

 

9.                                      Not an Employment Agreement.  This Agreement is not an employment or service agreement, and no provision of this Agreement shall be construed or interpreted to create an employment or service relationship between the Participant and the Company or guarantee the right to continue in the employment of the Company or a Subsidiary for any specified term.

 

10.                               Limit of Liability.  Under no circumstances will the Company or an Affiliate be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential or special damages (including lost profits or taxes) of any form incurred by any person, whether or not foreseeable and regardless of the form of the act in which such a claim may be brought, with respect to the Plan, this Agreement or the Restricted Stock.

 

11.                               Legend.  The Participant consents to the placing on the certificate for the Restricted Stock of an appropriate legend restricting resale or other transfer of the Restricted Stock except in accordance with the Securities Act of 1933 and all applicable rules thereunder.

 

12.                               Notices.  Any notice, instruction, authorization, request or demand required hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be delivered either by personal delivery, telegram, telex, telecopy or similar facsimile means, by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by courier or delivery service, addressed to the Company at the Company’s

 

4

 

principal business office address and to the Participant at the Participant’s residential address as shown in the records of the Company, or at such other address and number as a party shall have previously designated by written notice given to the other party in the manner hereinabove set forth.  Notices shall be deemed given when received, if sent by facsimile means (confirmation of such receipt by confirmed facsimile transmission being deemed receipt of communications sent by facsimile means); and when delivered (or upon the date of attempted delivery where delivery is refused), if hand-delivered, sent by express courier or delivery service, or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

 

13.                               Amendment and Waiver.  Except as otherwise provided herein or in the Plan, or as necessary to implement the provisions of the Plan, this Agreement may be amended, modified or superseded only by written instrument executed, or an electronic agreement agreed to, by the Company and the Participant.  Only a written instrument executed and delivered by, or an electronic agreement agreed to by, the party waiving compliance hereof shall waive any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement.  Any waiver granted by the Company shall be effective only if executed and delivered by a duly authorized director or officer of the Company other than the Participant.  The failure of any party at any time or times to require performance of any provisions hereof shall in no manner effect the right to enforce the same.  No waiver by any party of any term or condition, or the breach of any term or condition contained in this Agreement, in one or more instances, shall be construed as a continuing waiver of any such condition or breach, a waiver of any other condition, or the breach of any other term or condition.

 

14.                               Governing Law and Severability.  The validity, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, excluding any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of this Agreement to the substantive law of another jurisdiction.  The invalidity of any provision of this Agreement shall not affect any other provision of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

15.                               Successors and Assigns.  Subject to the limitations which this Agreement imposes upon the transferability of the Restricted Stock granted hereby, this Agreement shall bind, be enforceable by and inure to the benefit of the Company and its successors and assigns, and to the Participant, the Participant’s permitted assigns and upon the Participant’s death, the Participant’s estate and beneficiaries thereof (whether by will or the laws of descent and distribution), executors, administrators, agents, legal and personal representatives.

 

16.                               Miscellaneous.  This Agreement is awarded pursuant to and is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan, including amendments to the Plan, if any.

 

17.                               Tax Withholding.  The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 17, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall be entitled to deduct from other compensation payable to the Participant any sums required by federal, state or local tax law to be withheld with respect to the vesting of, or lapse of restrictions on, this Award.  Alternatively, the Company may require the

 

5

 

Participant (or other person validly exercising the Award) to pay such sums for taxes directly to the Company in cash or by check within one (1) day after the date of vesting or lapse of restrictions.  Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the removal of any restrictions on such shares or the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock, if such certificate is requested by the Participant in accordance with Section 6.4(a) of the Plan.  Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior thereto, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the vesting of the Restricted Stock, which shares so withheld have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c).

 

18.                               Acceptance.  The Participant, by his or her acceptance of the Restricted Stock, agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Agreement, including, without limitation, the provisions of Exhibit A, Exhibit B and the Plan, and further consents to and agrees to be bound by the Irrevocable Stock Power presented herewith.

 

19.                               Disclaimer of Reliance.  Except for the specific representations expressly made by the Company in this Agreement and Exhibit A, the Participant specifically disclaims that the Participant is relying upon or has relied upon any communications, promises, statement, inducements or representation(s) that may have been made, oral or written regarding the subject matter of this Agreement.  The Participant represents that the Participant relied solely and only on the Participant’s own judgment in making the decision to enter into this Agreement.

 

6

 

EXHIBIT A

 

[Describe vesting dates and performance criteria here]

 

 

EXHIBIT B

 

1.                                      Confidential Information, the Participant’s Non-Disclosure Agreement and Work Product Ownership.

 

(a)                                 Confidential Information.  During the Participant’s employment with the Company, the Company shall provide the Participant otherwise prohibited access to certain of its Confidential Information which is not known to the Company’s competitors or within the Company’s industry generally, which was developed by the Company over a long period of time and/or at its substantial expense, and which is of great competitive value to the Company.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Confidential Information” includes all trade secrets and confidential and proprietary information of the Company, including, but not limited to, the following: all documents or information, in whatever form or medium, concerning or relating to the Company’s operations; procedures; computer systems; customer information; methods of doing business; merchandise; marketing plans and methods; financial and accounting information; policies and practices; product information and strategy; project and prospect locations and leads; developmental or experimental work; research; development; know-how; technical data; designs; plans for research or future products; improvements; discoveries; database schemas or tables; development tools or techniques; finances; business plans; sales plans and strategies; budgets; pricing and pricing strategies and techniques; costs; customer and client lists and profiles; customer and client nonpublic personal information; supplier lists; business records; audits; management methods and information; reports, recommendations and conclusions; business practices; strategies; training manuals; vendors; suppliers; contractual relationships; and other business information disclosed or made available to the Participant by the Company, either directly or indirectly, in writing, orally, or by drawings or observation, that is not known to the public or any of the Company’s competitors or within the Company’s industry generally, which was developed by the Company at its expense, and which is of value to the Company. Confidential Information prepared or compiled by the Participant and/or the Company or furnished to the Participant during the Participant’s employment with the Company shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company, and none of such Confidential Information or copies thereof, shall be retained by the Participant.  The Participant acknowledges that the Company does not voluntarily disclose Confidential Information, but rather takes precautions to prevent dissemination of Confidential Information beyond those employees such as the Participant entrusted with such information.  The Participant further acknowledges that the Confidential Information: (i) is entrusted to the Participant because of the Participant’s position with the Company; and (ii) is of such value and nature as to make it reasonable and necessary for the Participant to protect and preserve the confidentiality and secrecy of the Confidential Information.  The Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Confidential Information is a valuable, special, and a unique asset of the Company, the disclosure of which could cause substantial injury and loss of profits and goodwill to the Company.

 

 

While the Participant may not disclose any such Confidential Information, the Participant has the right to discuss wages, benefits or other terms and conditions of employment.  Nothing in this Agreement, including the definition of “Confidential Information” above and the nondisclosure requirements in Section 1(b) is intended to restrict the Participant’s right to have such discussions.

 

(b)                                 Non-Disclosure.

 

(i)                                    The Participant shall hold all Confidential Information in strict confidence.  The Participant shall not, during the period of the Participant’s employment or at any time thereafter, disclose to anyone, or publish, use for any purpose, exploit, or allow or assist another person to use, disclose or exploit, except for the benefit of the Company, without prior written authorization, any Confidential Information or part thereof, except as permitted:  (1) in the ordinary course of the Company’s business or the Participant’s work for the Company; or (2) by law.  The Participant shall use all reasonable precautions to assure that all Confidential Information is properly protected and kept from unauthorized persons.  Further, the Participant shall not directly or indirectly, use the Company’s Confidential Information or information regarding the names, contact information, skills and compensation of employees and contractors of the Company to: (1) call upon, solicit business from, attempt to conduct business with, conduct business with, interfere with or divert business away from any customer, client, vendor or supplier of the Company with whom or which the Company conducted business within the eighteen (18) months prior to the Participant’s termination from employment with the Company; and/or (2)  recruit, solicit, hire or attempt to recruit, solicit, or hire, directly or by assisting others, any persons employed by or associated with the Company.  The Participant agrees that the Participant shall take all steps necessary to safeguard all Confidential Information and prevent its wrongful use, disclosure, or dissemination of any other person or entity.  The Participant further agrees that in the event the Participant is subpoenaed, served with any legal process or notice or otherwise requested to produce or divulge, directly or indirectly, any Confidential Information by any entity, agency, or person in any formal or informal proceeding including, but not limited to, any interview, deposition, administrative or judicial hearing and/or trial, and upon the Participant’s receipt of such subpoena, process, notice or request, the Company requests that the Participant notify and deliver via overnight delivery service a copy of the subpoena, process, notice or other request to: the Company’s General Counsel at 6250 LBJ Freeway, Dallas, Texas 75240.

 

(ii)                                 The Participant shall immediately notify the Company’s General Counsel if the Participant learns of or suspects any unauthorized disclosure of Confidential Information concerning the Company.

 

B-2

 

(iii)                              Subject to Section 1(b)(iv), the Participant agrees that the Participant shall not use or disclose any confidential or trade secret information belonging to any former employer or third party, and the Participant shall not bring onto the premises of the Company or onto any the Company property any confidential or trade secret information belonging to any former employer or third party without such third parties’ consent.

 

(iv)                             During the Participant’s employment, the Company will receive from third parties their confidential and/or proprietary information, subject to a duty on the Company’s part to maintain the confidentiality of and to use such information only for certain limited purposes.  The Participant agrees to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person or organization or to use it except as necessary in the course of the Participant’s employment with the Company and in accordance with the Company’s agreement with such third party.

 

(c)                                  Return of the Company Property.  Upon the termination of the Participant’s employment for any reason, the Participant shall immediately return and deliver to the Company any and all property, including, without limitation, Confidential Information, software, devices, data, reports, proposals, lists, correspondence, materials, equipment, computers, hard drives, papers, books, records, documents, memoranda, manuals, e-mail, electronic or magnetic recordings or data, including all copies thereof, books of account, drawings, prints, plans, and the like which belong to the Company or which relate to the Company’s business and which are in the Participant’s possession, custody or control, whether prepared by the Participant or others.  If at any time after termination of the Participant’s employment, for any reason, the Participant determines that the Participant has any Confidential Information in the Participant’s possession or control, the Participant shall immediately return to the Company all such Confidential Information in the Participant’s possession or control, including all copies and portions thereof.  Further, the Participant shall not retain any property, including, without limitation, Confidential Information, data, information, or documents, belonging to the Company or any copies thereof (in electronic or hard copy format).

 

2.                                      Non-Solicitation.  In Section 1, the Company promised to provide the Participant certain Confidential Information.  The Participant recognizes and agrees that:  (i) the Company has devoted a considerable amount of time, effort, and expense to develop its Confidential Information and business goodwill; (ii) the Company’s Confidential Information and business goodwill are valuable assets to the Company; and (iii) any unauthorized use or disclosure of the Confidential Information would cause irreparable harm to the Company for which there is no adequate remedy at law, including damage to the Company’s business goodwill.  To protect the Confidential Information and business goodwill of the Company, the Participant agrees to the following restrictive covenants.

 

B-3

 

(a)                                 Non-Solicitation.  The Participant agrees that, as part of the Participant’s employment or association with the Company, the Participant will become familiar with the salary, pay scale, capabilities, experiences, skill and desires of the Company’s employees and consultants.  For these reasons, the Participant agrees that to protect the Company’s Confidential Information, legitimate business interests, and business goodwill, it is necessary to enter into the following restrictive covenant.  The Participant agrees that, during the Participant’s employment and for a period of twelve (12) months following the date on which the Participant’s employment with the Company terminates for any reason (“Restrictive Covenant Period”), the Participant, whether directly or indirectly, shall not recruit, solicit, hire or attempt to recruit, solicit, or hire, directly or by assisting others, any persons employed by or associated with the Company, nor shall the Participant contact or communicate with any such persons for the purpose of inducing such persons to terminate their employment or association with the Company.  For purposes of this paragraph, the “persons” covered by this prohibition include current employees and persons who were employed by the Company within twelve (12) months of the time of the attempted recruiting, solicitation, or hiring.

 

(b)                                 Remedies.  The Participant acknowledges that the restrictions contained in Section 1 and Section 2, in view of the nature of the Company’s business, are reasonable and necessary to protect their legitimate business interests, business goodwill and reputation, and that any violation of these restrictions would result in irreparable injury and continuing damage to the Company, and that money damages would not be a sufficient remedy to the Company for any such breach or threatened breach.  Therefore, the Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to a temporary restraining order and injunctive relief restraining the Participant from the commission of any breach or threatened breach of Section 1 or Section 2, without the necessity of establishing irreparable harm or the posting of a bond, and to recover from the Participant damages incurred by the Company as a result of the breach, as well as the Company’s attorneys’ fees, costs and expenses related to any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement and enforcement of this Agreement.  Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from pursuing any other remedies available to it for any breach or threatened breach, including, without limitation, the recovery of money damages, attorneys’ fees, and costs.  The existence of any claim or cause of action by the Participant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the restrictive covenants contained in Section 1 or Section 2, or preclude injunctive relief.

 

(c)                                  Tolling.  If the Participant violates any of the restrictions contained in this Section 2, the Restrictive Covenant Period shall be suspended and shall not run in favor of the Participant until such time that the Participant cures the violation to the satisfaction of the Company; the period of time in which the Participant is in breach shall be added to the Restrictive Covenant Period.

 

B-4

 

(d)                                 Notice.  If the Participant, in the future, seeks or is offered employment, or any other position or capacity with another company or entity, the Participant agrees to inform each new employer or entity, before accepting employment, of the existence of the restrictions in Section 1 and Section 2. The Company shall be entitled to advise such person or subsequent employer of the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2 and to otherwise deal with such person to ensure that the provisions of Section 1 and Section 2 are enforced and duly discharged.

 

B-5

 

IRREVOCABLE STOCK POWER

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, That For Value Received, the Participant (as defined in the Award Agreement) has bargained, sold, assigned and transferred and by these presents does bargain, sell, assign and transfer unto Tuesday Morning Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Restricted Stock transferred pursuant to the RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT dated as of and effective                , between the Company and the Participant granting such Restricted Stock to the Participant (the “Award Agreement”); and subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Award Agreement the Participant does hereby constitute and appoint the Secretary of the Company the Participant’s true and lawful attorney, IRREVOCABLY, to sell, assign, transfer, hypothecate, pledge and make over all or any part of such Restricted Stock and for that purpose to make and execute all necessary acts of assignment and transfer thereof, and to substitute one or more persons with like full power, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney or his or her substitutes shall lawfully do by virtue hereof.

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