Document:

Exhibit 10.4

 

TYCO INTERNATIONAL

 

SEVERANCE PLAN FOR U.S. OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVES

 

Amended and Restated as of October 1, 2012

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	
 
    	
 
    	
Page
    
	
ARTICLE I
    	
BACKGROUND,   PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.01
    	
Purpose of the Plan
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.02
    	
Term of the Plan
    	
1
    
	
Section 1.03
    	
Compliance with Code Section 409A
    	
1
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE II
    	
DEFINITIONS
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.01
    	
“Alternative Position”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.02
    	
“Annual Bonus”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.03
    	
“Base Salary”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.04
    	
“Board”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.05
    	
“Cause”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.06
    	
“COBRA”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.07
    	
“Code”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.08
    	
“Committee”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.09
    	
“Company”
    	
2
    
	
Section 2.10
    	
“Effective Date”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.11
    	
“Eligible Employee”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.12
    	
“Employee”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.13
    	
“Employer”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.14
    	
“ERISA”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.15
    	
“Exchange Act”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.16
    	
“Involuntary Termination”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.17
    	
“Key Employee”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.18
    	
“Notice Pay”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.19
    	
“Officer”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.20
    	
“Participant”
    	
3
    
	
Section 2.21
    	
“Permanent Disability”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.22
    	
“Plan”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.23
    	
“Plan Administrator”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.24
    	
“Postponement Period”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.25
    	
“Release”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.26
    	
“Separation from Service”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.27
    	
“Separation from Service Date”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.28
    	
“Service”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.29
    	
“Severance Benefits”
    	
4
    
	
Section 2.30
    	
“Severance Period”
    	
5
    
	
Section 2.31
    	
“Subsidiary”
    	
5
    
	
Section 2.32
    	
“Voluntary Termination”
    	
5
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE III
    	
PARTICIPATION   AND ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS
    	
6
    
	
Section 3.01
    	
Participation
    	
6
    
	
Section 3.02
    	
Conditions
    	
6
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IV
    	
DETERMINATION   OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS
    	
8
    
	
Section 4.01
    	
Amount of Severance Benefits Upon Involuntary   Termination
    	
8
    
	
Section 4.02
    	
Voluntary Termination; Termination for Death or   Permanent Disability
    	
10
    
	
Section 4.03
    	
Termination for Cause
    	
10
    
	
Section 4.04
    	
Reduction of Severance Benefits
    	
10
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE V
    	
METHOD   AND DURATION OF SEVERANCE BENEFIT PAYMENTS
    	
11
    
	
Section 5.01
    	
Method of Payment
    	
11
    
	
Section 5.02
    	
Other Arrangements
    	
11
    
	
Section 5.03
    	
Code Section 409A
    	
11
    

 

i

 

	
Section 5.04
    	
Termination of Eligibility for Benefits
    	
12
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VI
    	
CONFIDENTIALITY,   COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AND NOT TO SOLICIT
    	
13
    
	
Section 6.01
    	
Confidential Information
    	
13
    
	
Section 6.02
    	
Non-Competition
    	
13
    
	
Section 6.03
    	
Non-Solicitation
    	
13
    
	
Section 6.04
    	
Non-Disparagement
    	
14
    
	
Section 6.05
    	
Reasonableness
    	
14
    
	
Section 6.06
    	
Equitable Relief
    	
14
    
	
Section 6.07
    	
Survival of Provisions
    	
15
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VII
    	
THE   PLAN ADMINISTRATOR
    	
16
    
	
Section 7.01
    	
Authority and Duties
    	
16
    
	
Section 7.02
    	
Compensation of the Plan Administrator
    	
16
    
	
Section 7.03
    	
Records, Reporting and Disclosure
    	
16
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE VIII
    	
AMENDMENT,   TERMINATION AND DURATION
    	
17
    
	
Section 8.01
    	
Amendment, Suspension and Termination
    	
17
    
	
Section 8.02
    	
Duration
    	
17
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE IX
    	
DUTIES   OF THE COMPANY AND THE COMMITTEE
    	
18
    
	
Section 9.01
    	
Records
    	
18
    
	
Section 9.02
    	
Payment
    	
18
    
	
Section 9.03
    	
Discretion
    	
18
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE X
    	
CLAIMS   PROCEDURES
    	
19
    
	
Section 10.01
    	
Claim
    	
19
    
	
Section 10.02
    	
Initial Claim
    	
19
    
	
Section 10.03
    	
Appeals of Denied Administrative Claims
    	
19
    
	
Section 10.04
    	
Appointment of the Named Appeals Fiduciary
    	
20
    
	
Section 10.05
    	
Arbitration; Expenses
    	
20
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
ARTICLE XI
    	
MISCELLANEOUS
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.01
    	
Nonalienation of Benefits
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.02
    	
Notices
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.03
    	
Successors
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.04
    	
Other Payments
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.05
    	
No Mitigation
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.06
    	
No Contract of Employment
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.07
    	
Severability of Provisions
    	
21
    
	
Section 11.08
    	
Heirs, Assigns, and Personal Representatives
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.09
    	
Headings and Captions
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.10
    	
Gender and Number
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.11
    	
Unfunded Plan
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.12
    	
Payments to Incompetent Persons
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.13
    	
Lost Payees
    	
22
    
	
Section 11.14
    	
Controlling Law
    	
22
    
	
 
    	
 
    	
 
    
	
SCHEDULE   A
    	
SEVERANCE   BENEFITS
    	
A-1
    

 

ii

 

ARTICLE I

 

BACKGROUND, PURPOSE AND TERM OF PLAN

 

Section 1.01         Purpose of the Plan.  The purpose of the Plan is to provide Eligible Employees with certain compensation and benefits as set forth in the Plan in the event the Eligible Employee’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary is terminated due to an Involuntary Termination.  The Plan is not intended to be an “employee pension benefit plan” or “pension plan” within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA.  Rather, this Plan is intended to be a “welfare benefit plan” within the meaning of Section 3(1) of ERISA and to meet the descriptive requirements of a plan constituting a “severance pay plan” within the meaning of regulations published by the Secretary of Labor at Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, section 2510.3-2(b).  Accordingly, the benefits paid by the Plan are not deferred compensation and no employee shall have a vested right to such benefits.

 

Section 1.02         Term of the Plan.  The Plan shall generally be effective as of the Effective Date and shall supersede any prior plan, program or policy under which the Company or any Subsidiary provided severance benefits prior to the Effective Date of the Plan.  The Plan shall continue until terminated pursuant to Article VIII of the Plan.

 

Section 1.03         Compliance with Code Section 409A.  The terms of this Plan are intended to, and shall be interpreted so as to, comply in all respects with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the regulations and rulings promulgated thereunder.

 

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ARTICLE II

 

DEFINITIONS

 

Section 2.01         “Alternative Position” shall mean a position with the Company, or any other entity specified in Section 3.02(b) that:

 

(a)           is not more than 50 miles each way from the location of the Employee’s current position (for positions that are essentially mobile, the mileage does not apply); and

 

(b)           provides the Employee with pay and benefits (not including perquisites or long term incentive compensation) that are comparable in the aggregate to the Employee’s current position.

 

The Plan Administrator has the exclusive discretionary authority to determine whether a position is an Alternative Position.

 

Section 2.02         “Annual Bonus” shall mean 100% of the Participant’s target annual bonus.

 

Section 2.03         “Base Salary” shall mean the annual base salary in effect as of the Participant’s Separation from Service Date.

 

Section 2.04         “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company, or any successor thereto, or a committee thereof specifically designated for purposes of making determinations hereunder.

 

Section 2.05         “Cause” shall mean an Employee’s (i) substantial failure or refusal to perform duties and responsibilities of his or her job as required by the Company, (ii) material violation of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company, (iii) conviction of, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere with respect to, a felony, (iv) conviction of, or entry of a plea of nolo contendere with respect to, a misdemeanor which involves dishonesty, fraud or morally repugnant behavior, (v) dishonesty, (vi) theft, (vii) violation of Company rules or policy, or (viii) other egregious or morally repugnant conduct that has, or could have, a serious and detrimental impact on the Company and its employees.  The Plan Administrator, in its sole and absolute discretion, shall determine Cause.

 

Section 2.06         “COBRA” shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 2.07         “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 2.08         “Committee” shall mean the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board or such other committee appointed by the Board to assist the Company in making determinations required under the Plan in accordance with its terms.  The “Committee” may delegate its authority under the Plan to an individual or another committee.

 

Section 2.09         “Company” shall mean Tyco International Ltd.  Unless it is otherwise clear from the context, Company shall generally include participating Subsidiaries.

 

Section 2.10         “Effective Date” shall mean October 1, 2012.

 

Section 2.11         “Eligible Employee” shall mean an Employee employed in the United States who is designated within one of the employee classification categories specified on Schedule A and who is not covered under any other severance plan or program sponsored by the Company or a Subsidiary.  If there is any question as to whether an Employee is deemed an Eligible Employee for purposes of the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall make the determination.

 

2

 

Section 2.12         “Employee” shall mean an individual employed by Tyco International Ltd. or a Subsidiary as a common law employee on the United States payroll of Tyco International Ltd. or a Subsidiary, and shall not include any person working for the Company through a temporary service or on a leased basis or who is hired by the Company as an independent contractor, consultant, or otherwise as a person who is not an employee for purposes of withholding federal employment taxes, as evidenced by payroll records or a written agreement with the individual, regardless of any contrary governmental or judicial determination or holding relating to such status or tax withholding.

 

Section 2.13         “Employer” shall mean the Company or any Subsidiary with respect to which this Plan has been adopted.

 

Section 2.14         “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 2.15         “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 2.16         “Involuntary Termination” shall mean the date that a Participant experiences a Company-initiated Separation from Service for any reason other than Cause, Permanent Disability or death, as provided under and subject to the conditions of Article III.

 

Section 2.17         “Key Employee” shall mean an Employee who, at any time during the 12-month period ending on the identification date, is a “specified employee” under Code Section 409A, as determined by the Committee or its delegate.  The determination of Key Employees, including the number and identity of persons considered specified employees and the identification date, shall be made by the Committee or its delegate in accordance with the provisions of Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

Section 2.18         “Notice Pay” shall mean the amounts that a Participant is eligible to receive pursuant to Section 4.01(a) of the Plan.

 

Section 2.19         “Officer” shall mean any individual who is an officer, as such term is defined pursuant to Rule 16a-1(f) as promulgated under the Exchange Act, of the Company.

 

Section 2.20         “Participant” shall mean any Eligible Employee who meets the requirements of Article III and thereby becomes eligible for salary continuation and other benefits under the Plan.

 

Section 2.21         “Permanent Disability” shall mean that an Employee has a permanent and total incapacity from engaging in any employment for the Employer for physical or mental reasons.  A “Permanent Disability” shall be deemed to exist if the Employee meets the requirements for disability benefits under the Employer’s long-term disability plan or under the requirements for disability benefits under the Social Security law (or similar law outside the United States, if the Employee is employed in that jurisdiction) then in effect, or if the Employee is designated with an inactive employment status at the end of a disability or medical leave.

 

Section 2.22         “Plan” means the Tyco International Severance Plan for U.S. Officers and Executives, as set forth herein, and as the same may from time to time be amended.

 

Section 2.23         “Plan Administrator” shall mean the individual(s) appointed by the Committee to administer the terms of the Plan as set forth herein and if no individual is appointed by the Committee to serve as the Plan Administrator for the Plan, the Plan Administrator shall be the Executive Vice President, Human Resources of the Company (or the equivalent).  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, in the event the Plan Administrator is entitled to Severance Benefits under the Plan, the Committee or its delegate shall act as the Plan Administrator for purposes of administering the terms of the Plan with respect to the Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator may delegate all or any portion of its authority under the Plan to any other person(s).

 

Section 2.24         “Postponement Period” shall mean, for a Key Employee, the period of six months after 

 

3

 

the Key Employee’s Separation from Service Date (or such other period as may be required by Code Section 409A) during which deferred compensation may not be paid to the Key Employee under Code Section 409A.

 

Section 2.25         “Release” shall mean the Separation of Employment Agreement and General Release, as provided by the Company.

 

Section 2.26         “Separation from Service” shall mean “separation from service” within the meaning of Code Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) and applicable regulations and rulings thereunder.

 

Section 2.27         “Separation from Service Date” shall mean, with respect to a Participant, the date on which such Participant experiences a Separation from Service.

 

Section 2.28         “Service” shall mean the total number of years and completed months the Participant was an Employee of the Company.  Service with any predecessor employer or with a Subsidiary prior to the Subsidiary’s becoming part of the Company shall be recognized only to the extent specified in the merger, acquisition or other documentation pursuant to which the Subsidiary became part of the Company.  Periods of authorized leave of absence, such as military leave, will be included in Service only to the extent required by applicable law.  Any period of employment with the Company, a Subsidiary, or a predecessor employer for which an Eligible Employee previously received severance benefits, shall be excluded from Service.

 

Section 2.29         “Severance Benefits” shall mean the salary continuation and other benefits that a Participant is eligible to receive pursuant to Article IV of the Plan.

 

Section 2.30         “Severance Period” shall mean the period during which a Participant is receiving Severance Benefits under this Plan, as set forth on Schedule A.

 

Section 2.31         “Subsidiary” shall mean (i) a subsidiary company (wherever incorporated) as defined by the law of the Company’s place of incorporation , (ii) any separately organized business unit, whether or not incorporated, of the Company, (iii) any employer that is required to be aggregated with the Company pursuant to section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and regulations issued thereunder, and (iv) any service recipient or employer that is within a controlled group of corporations with the Company as defined in Code Sections 1563(a)(1), (2) and (3) where the phrase “at least 50%” is substituted in each place “at least 80%” appears or is with the Company as part of a group of trades or businesses under common control as defined in Code Section 414(c) and Treas. Reg. Section 1.414(c)-2 where the phrase “at least 50%” is substituted in each place “at least 80%” appears, provided, however, that when the relevant determination is to be based upon legitimate business criteria (as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) and Section 1.409A-1(h)(3)), the phrase “at least 20%” shall be substituted in each place “at least 80%” appears as described above with respect to both a controlled group of corporations and trades or business under common control.

 

Section 2.32         “Voluntary Termination” shall mean any Separation from Service due to retirement or termination of employment that is not initiated by the Company or any Subsidiary.

 

4

 

ARTICLE III

 

PARTICIPATION AND ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS

 

Section 3.01         Participation.  Each Eligible Employee in the Plan who incurs an Involuntary Termination and who satisfies the conditions of Section 3.02 shall be eligible to receive the Severance Benefits described in this Plan.  An Eligible Employee shall not be eligible to receive any other severance benefits from the Company or Subsidiary on account of an Involuntary Termination, unless otherwise provided in the Plan.  In addition, any Eligible Employee who is a party to an employment agreement with the Company pursuant to which such Eligible Employee is entitled to severance benefits shall be ineligible to participate in the Plan.

 

Section 3.02         Conditions.

 

(a)           Eligibility for any Severance Benefits is expressly conditioned on the occurrence of the following within 60 days after the Participant’s Separation from Service Date: (i) execution by the Participant of a Release in the form provided by the Company and delivery of the Release to the Company within 45 days of the Separation from Service Date, and non-revocation of the Release during the seven-day period following the execution of the Release; (ii) compliance by the Participant with all the terms and conditions of such Release, (iii) the Participant’s written agreement to the confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-competition and non-disparagement provisions in Article VI during and after the Participant’s employment with the Company, and (iv) to the extent permitted in Section 4.04 of the Plan, execution of a written agreement that authorizes the deduction of amounts owed to the Company prior to the payment of any Severance Benefits (or in accordance with any other schedule as the Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine to be appropriate).  If the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the Participant has not fully complied with any of the terms of the Agreement and/or Release, the Committee may deny Severance Benefits not yet in pay status or discontinue the payment of the Participant’s Severance Benefits and may require the Participant, by providing written notice of such repayment obligation to the Participant, to repay any portion of the Severance Benefits already received under the Plan.  If the Committee notifies a Participant that repayment of all or any portion of the Severance Benefits received under the Plan is required, such amounts shall be repaid within thirty (30) calendar days of the date the written notice is sent.  Any remedy under this subsection (a) shall be in addition to, and not in place of, any other remedy, including injunctive relief, that the Company may have.

 

(b)           Notwithstanding compliance with Section 3.02(a), an Eligible Employee will not be eligible to receive severance benefits under any of the following circumstances:

 

(i)           The Eligible Employee elects a Voluntary Termination:

 

(ii)          The Eligible Employee resigns employment before the job-end date specified by the Employer or while the Employer still desires the Eligible Employee’s services;

 

(iii)         The Eligible Employee’s employment is terminated for Cause;

 

(iv)         The Eligible Employee’s employment is terminated due to the Eligible Employee’s death or Permanent Disability;

 

(v)          The Eligible Employee does not return to work within six (6) months of the onset of an approved leave of absence, other than a personal, educational or military leave and/or as otherwise required by applicable statute;

 

(vi)         The Eligible Employee does not return to work within three (3) months of the onset of a personal or educational leave of absence;

 

(vii)        The Eligible Employee continues in employment with the Company or a Subsidiary or has the opportunity to continue in employment in the same or in an Alternative Position with the Company or a Subsidiary; or

 

5

 

(viii)                      The Eligible Employee’s employment with the Employer terminates as a result of a sale of stock or assets of the Employer, merger, consolidation, joint venture or a sale or outsourcing of a business unit or function, or other transaction, and the Eligible Employee accepts employment, or has the opportunity to continue employment in an Alternative Position, with the purchaser, joint venture, or other acquiring or outsourcing entity, or a related entity of either the Company or the acquiring entity.  The payment of Severance Benefits in the circumstances described in this subsection (x) would result in a windfall to the Eligible Employee, which is not the intention of the Plan.

 

(c)                                  The Plan Administrator has the sole discretion to determine an Eligible Employee’s eligibility to receive Severance Benefits.

 

(d)                                 An Eligible Employee returning from approved military leave will be eligible for Severance Benefits if: (i) he/she is eligible for reemployment under the provisions of the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA); (ii) his/her pre-military leave job is eliminated; and (iii) the Employer’s circumstances are changed so as to make reemployment in another position impossible or unreasonable, or re-employment would create an undue hardship for the Employer.  If the Eligible Employee returning from military leave qualifies for Severance Benefits, his/her severance benefits will be calculated as if he/she had remained continuously employed from the date he/she began his/her military leave.  The Eligible Employee must also satisfy any other relevant conditions for payment set forth in this Section, including execution of a Release.

 

6

 

ARTICLE IV

 

DETERMINATION OF SEVERANCE BENEFITS

 

Section 4.01                            Amount of Severance Benefits Upon Involuntary Termination. The Severance Benefits to be provided to an Eligible Employee who incurs an Involuntary Termination and is determined to be eligible for Severance Benefits shall be as follows:

 

(a)                                 Notice Pay.  Except for Officers, each Eligible Employee who meets the eligibility requirements for a Severance Benefit under Section 3.01 shall receive 30 calendar days notice as a Notice Period.  In the event that the Company determines that a Participant’s last day of work shall be prior to the end of his or her Notice Period, such Employee shall be entitled to pay in lieu of notice for the balance of such Notice Period.  Notice Pay paid to an Eligible Employee shall be in addition to, and shall not be offset against, the other Severance Benefits the Participant may be entitled to receive under this Article IV.  An Eligible Employee who does not sign, or who revokes his or her signature on, a Release shall only be eligible for Notice Pay.  Unless otherwise permitted by the applicable plan documents or laws, an Eligible Employee will not be eligible to apply for short-term disability, long-term disability and/or workers’ compensation during the Notice Period, or anytime thereafter.

 

(b)                                 Severance Benefits.

 

(i)                                     Salary continuation shall be provided during the Severance Period applicable to the Participant as set forth on Schedule A.  During the Severance Period, the Participant shall receive his or her Base Salary (net of deductions and tax withholdings, as applicable) in accordance with Section 5.01.  The Base Salary continuation payment shall commence no earlier than the end of the revocation period applicable to the Release.

 

(ii)                                  The Participant shall also receive a cash payment equal to his or her Annual Bonus during the Severance Period as set forth on Schedule A.  Such Annual Bonus payment shall be paid to the Participant in equal installments over the Severance Period.  The Annual Bonus installment payments shall be made at the same time as the Salary continuation benefits in Section 4.01(b)(i).

 

(c)                                  Bonus.  Subject to the discretion of the Company and to the extent set forth in the applicable annual incentive plans (or equivalent plan), the Participant shall receive a cash payment equal to the amount (if any) of his or her prorated annual bonus (based on the number of full months completed from the beginning of the fiscal year through the Separation from Service) for the year in which Participant’s Separation from Service occurs, assuming the Participant had remained in employment through the end of such year and based on actual performance.

 

(d)                                 Medical, Dental and Health Care Reimbursement Account Benefits.  The Participant shall continue to be eligible to participate in the medical, dental and health care reimbursement account coverage in effect at the date of his or her termination (or generally comparable coverage) for himself or herself and, where applicable, his or her spouse and dependents, as the same may be changed from time to time for employees of the Company generally, as if Participant had continued in employment during the lesser of (i) the Severance Period, or (ii) twelve (12) months (the “Coverage Period”).  The Participant shall be responsible for the payment of the employee portion of the medical, dental and health care reimbursement account contributions that are required during the Severance Period and such contributions shall be made within the time period and in the amounts that other employees are required to pay to the Company for similar coverage.  The Participant’s failure to pay the applicable contributions shall result in the cessation of the applicable medical and dental coverage for the Participant and his or her spouse or domestic partner and dependents.  In the event the Severance Period exceeds twelve months, the Participant will receive a cash lump-sum payment from the Company equal to the projected value of the employer portion of the premiums for medical and dental benefits for the time period between the end of the Coverage Period and the remainder of the Severance Period.  Such payment shall be made within sixty (60) days from the end of the Coverage Period.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, in the event that a Participant commences employment with another company at any time during the Severance Period and becomes eligible for medical and/or dental coverage under the plans of such other company, the Participant will cease receiving coverage under the Company’s medical and dental plans.  Within thirty (30) days of Participant’s commencement of employment with another company, Participant shall provide the Company written notice of such 

 

7

 

employment and provide information to the Company regarding the medical and dental benefits provided to Participant by his or her new employer.  The COBRA continuation coverage period under section 4980B of the Code shall run concurrently with the Severance Period.

 

(e)                                  Stock Options. Unless otherwise provided in the award agreement covering such equity award, all stock options held by the Participant as of his or her Separation from Service Date which would have become exercisable during the twelve (12) month period after Participant’s Separation from Service Date shall become exercisable on each such date within such twelve (12) month period; and (ii) all outstanding stock options held by Participant that are exercisable as of the Separation from Service Date and all stock options held by the Participant that become exercisable following Participant’s Separation from Service Date, shall be exercisable for the greater of (i) the period set forth in Participant’s option agreement covering such options, or (ii) twelve (12) months from the Separation from Service Date.  In no event, however, shall a stock option be exercisable beyond its original expiration date.

 

(f)                                   Restricted Stock, Restricted Units and Performance Units. All restricted stock, restricted units and performance units held by the Participant as of his or her Separation from Service Date shall be treated as provided under and in accordance with the , modified to the extent provided in the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreement covering such equity award.

 

(g)                                  Outplacement Services.  The Company may, in its sole and absolute discretion, pay the cost of outplacement services for the Participant at the outplacement agency that the Company regularly uses for such purpose or, provided the Executive Vice President, Human Resources of the Company provides prior approval, at an outpatient agency selected by the Participant; provided, however, that the period of outplacement services shall not exceed twelve (12) months from Participant’s Separation from Service Date.

 

Section 4.02                            Voluntary Termination; Termination for Death or Permanent Disability.  If the Eligible Employee’s employment terminates due to (i) the Eligible Employee’s Voluntary Termination, (ii) death, or (iii) Permanent Disability, then the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to receive Severance Benefits under this Plan and shall be entitled only to those benefits (if any) as may be available under the Company’s other benefit plans and policies effective at the time of such termination.

 

Section 4.03                            Termination for Cause.  If any Eligible Employee’s employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the Eligible Employee shall not be entitled to receive Severance Benefits under this Plan and shall be entitled only to those benefits that are legally required to be provided to the Eligible Employee.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Plan to the contrary, if the Committee or the Plan Administrator determines that an Eligible Employee (i) has engaged in conduct that constitutes Cause at any time prior to the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service Date, or (ii) after the Employee’s Separation from Service Date, has been convicted of or entered a plea of nolo contendere with respect to either a felony, or a misdemeanor which involves dishonesty, fraud or morally repugnant behavior, based on conduct which occurred prior to the Eligible Employee’s Separation from Service Date, any Severance Benefit payable to the Eligible Employee under this Plan shall immediately cease, and the Eligible Employee shall be required to return any Severance Benefits paid to the Eligible Employee prior to such determination.  The Company may withhold paying Severance Benefits under the Plan pending resolution of an inquiry that could lead to a finding resulting in Cause.  If the Company has offset other payments owed to the Eligible Employee under any other plan or program, it may, in its sole discretion, waive its repayment right solely with respect to the amount of the offset so credited.

 

Section 4.04                            Reduction of Severance Benefits.  With respect to amounts paid under the Plan that are not subject to Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Plan Administrator reserves the right to make deductions in accordance with applicable law for any monies owed to the Company by the Participant or the value of Company property that the Participant has retained in his/her possession.  With respect to amounts paid under the Plan that are subject to Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Plan Administrator reserves the right to make deductions in accordance with applicable law for any monies owed to the Company by the Participant or the value of the Company property that the Participant has retained in his/her possession; provided, however, that such deductions shall not exceed $5,000 in the aggregate.

 

8

 

ARTICLE V

 

METHOD AND DURATION OF SEVERANCE BENEFIT PAYMENTS

 

Section 5.01                            Method of Payment.  The Severance Benefit to which a Participant is entitled, as determined pursuant to Section 4.01, shall be paid in equal installments and in accordance with normal payroll practices over the Severance Period; provided, however, that any amount payable pursuant to Section 4.01(c) shall be paid at the same time as bonuses would be payable under the applicable bonus or incentive plan or program, or successor plan, and that COBRA coverage under Section 4.01(d) shall be provided or paid in accordance with the provisions of that subsection.  In no event will interest be credited on the unpaid balance for which a Participant may become eligible.  Payment shall be made by mailing to the last address provided by the Participant to the Company or such other reasonable method as determined by the Plan Administrator.  All payments of Severance Benefits are subject to applicable federal, state and local taxes and withholdings.  In the event of the Participant’s death prior to the completion of all payments being made, the remaining payments shall be paid to the Participant’s estate in a single lump sum payment within sixty (60) days following the date of the Participant’s death.

 

Section 5.02                            Other Arrangements.  The Severance Benefits under this Plan are not additive or cumulative to severance or termination benefits that a Participant might also be entitled to receive under the terms of a written employment agreement, a severance agreement or any other arrangement with the Employer.  As a condition of participating in the Plan, the Eligible Employee must expressly agree that this Plan supersedes all prior agreements, and sets forth the entire Severance Benefit the Eligible Employee is entitled to while an Eligible Employee in the Plan.  The provisions of this Plan may provide for payments to the Eligible Employee under certain compensation or incentive plans under circumstances where such plans would not provide for payment thereof.  It is the specific intention of the Company that the provisions of this Plan shall supersede any provisions to the contrary in such plans, to the extent permitted by applicable law, and such plans shall be deemed to be have been amended to correspond with this Plan without further action by the Company or the Board.

 

Section 5.03                            Code Section 409A.

 

(a)                                 Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, if required by Code Section 409A and if a Participant is a Key Employee, no Severance Benefits shall be paid to the Participant during the Postponement Period.  If a Participant is a Key Employee and payment of Benefits is required to be delayed for the Postponement Period under Code Section 409A, the accumulated amounts withheld due to Code Section 409A shall be paid in a lump sum payment within 30 days after the end of the Postponement Period and no interest or other adjustment shall be made for the delayed payment.  If the Participant dies during the Postponement Period prior to the payment of Benefits, the amounts withheld due to Code Section 409A shall be paid to the Participant’s estate within 60 days after the Participant’s death.

 

(b)                                 This Agreement is intended to meet the requirements of the “short-term deferral” exception, the “separation pay” exception and other exceptions under Code Section 409A and the regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, if required by Code Section 409A, payments may only be made under this Plan upon an event and in a manner permitted by Code Section 409A, to the extent applicable.  For purposes of Code Section 409A, the right to a series of payments under the Plan shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.  All reimbursements and in-kind benefits provided under the Plan shall be made or provided in accordance with the requirements of section 409A of the Code, including, where applicable, the requirement that (i) any reimbursement is for expenses incurred during the period of time specified in the Plan, (ii) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits provided, during a calendar year may not affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year, (iii) the reimbursement of an eligible expense will be made no later than the last day of the calendar year following the year in which the expense is incurred, and (iv) the right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.  In no event may a Participant designate the year of payment for any amounts payable under the Plan.

 

Section 5.04                            Termination of Eligibility for Benefits.

 

(a)                                 All Eligible Employees shall cease to be eligible to participate in this Plan, and all 

 

9

 

Severance Benefit payments shall cease upon the occurrence of the earlier of:

 

(i)                                     Subject to Article VIII, termination or modification of the Plan; or

 

(ii)                                  Completion of payment to the Participant of the Severance Benefit for which the Participant is eligible under Article IV.

 

(b)                                 Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company shall have the right to cease all Severance Benefit payments and to recover payments previously made to the Participant should the Participant at any time breach the Participant’s undertakings under the terms of the Plan, including but not limited to, the confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and non-disparagement provisions of Article VI, or the Release.

 

10

 

ARTICLE VI

 

CONFIDENTIALITY, COVENANT NOT TO COMPETE AND NOT TO SOLICIT

 

Section 6.01                            Confidential Information.  The Participant agrees that he or she shall not, directly or indirectly, use, make available, sell, disclose or otherwise communicate to any person, other than in the course of the Participant’s assigned duties and for the benefit of the Company, either during the period of the Participant’s employment or at any time thereafter, any nonpublic, proprietary or confidential information, knowledge or data relating to the Company, any of its Subsidiaries, affiliated companies or businesses, which shall have been obtained by the Participant during the Participant’s employment by the Company or a Subsidiary.  The foregoing shall not apply to information that (i) was known to the public prior to its disclosure to the Participant; (ii) becomes known to the public subsequent to disclosure to the Participant through no wrongful act of the Participant or any representative of the Participant; or (iii) the Participant is required to disclose by applicable law, regulation or legal process (provided that, to the extent permitted by law, regulation or legal process, the Participant provides the Company with prior notice of the contemplated disclosure and reasonably cooperates with the Company at its expense in seeking a protective order or other appropriate protection of such information).  Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence, the Participant’s obligation to maintain such disclosed information in confidence shall not terminate where only portions of the information are in the public domain.

 

Section 6.02                            Non-Competition.  The Participant acknowledges that he or she performs services of a unique nature for the Company that are irreplaceable, and that his or her performance of such services for a competing business will result in irreparable harm to the Company.  Accordingly, except as prohibited by law, during the Participant’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary or affiliate and for the one (1) year period following termination of employment for any reason, the Participant agrees that the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control (including indirectly through a debt or equity investment), provide services to, or be employed by any person or entity engaged in any business that is (i) located in or provides services or products to a region with respect to which the Participant had substantial responsibilities while employed by the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, and (ii) competitive with (A) the line of business or businesses of the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates that the Participant was employed with during the Participant’s employment (including any prospective business to be developed or acquired that was proposed at the date of termination of employment), or (B) any other business of the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to which the Participant had substantial exposure during such employment.  This Section 6.02 shall not prevent the Participant from owning not more than one percent of the total shares of all classes of stock outstanding of any publicly held entity engaged in such business, nor will it restrict the Participant from rendering services to charitable organizations, as such term is defined in section 501(c) of the Code.

 

Section 6.03                            Non-Solicitation.  The Participant agrees that during the Participant’s employment with the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, and for the two-year period thereafter, the Participant will not, directly or indirectly, on the Participant’s own own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, recruit, aid or induce any employee of the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates to leave their employment with the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates in order to accept employment with or render services to another person or entity unaffiliated with the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, or hire or knowingly take any action to assist or aid any other person or entity in identifying or hiring any such employee, or (ii) solicit, aid, or induce any customer of the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates from another person or entity, or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer, or (iii) otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Company or its present or former parent, subsidiaries or affiliates with any of its employees, customers, agents, or representatives.

 

Section 6.04                            Non-Disparagement.  Each of the Participant and the Company (for purposes hereof, the Company shall mean only the executive officers and directors thereof and not any other employees) agrees not to make any statements that disparage the other party, or in the case of the Company or its Subsidiaries, their respective affiliates, employees, officers, directors, products or services.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, statements made in the course of sworn testimony in administrative, judicial or arbitral proceedings (including, without limitation, 

 

11

 

depositions in connection with such proceedings) shall not be subject to this Section 6.04.

 

Section 6.05                            Reasonableness.  In the event the provisions of this Article VI shall ever be deemed to exceed the time, service, scope, geographic or other limitations permitted by applicable laws in any jurisdiction, then such provisions shall be deemed reformed in such jurisdiction to the maximum time, service, scope, geographic or other limitations, as the case may be, permitted by applicable law.

 

Section 6.06                            Equitable Relief.

 

(a)                                 By participating in the Plan, the Participant acknowledges that the restrictions contained in this Article VI are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate interests of the Company, its Subsidiaries and its affiliates, that the Company would not have established this Plan in the absence of such restrictions, and that any violation of any provision of this Article VI will result in irreparable injury to the Company.  By agreeing to participate in the Plan, the Participant represents that his or her experience and capabilities are such that the restrictions contained in this Article VI will not prevent the Participant from obtaining employment or otherwise earning a living at the same general level of economic benefit as is currently the case.  The Participant further represents and acknowledges that (i) he or she has been advised by the Company to consult his or her own legal counsel in respect of this Plan, and (ii) that he or she has had full opportunity, prior to agreeing to participate in this Plan, to review thoroughly this Plan with his or her counsel.

 

(b)                                 The Participant agrees that the Company shall be entitled to preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without the necessity of proving actual damages, as well as an equitable accounting of all earnings, profits and other benefits arising from any violation of this Article VI, which rights shall be cumulative and in addition to any other rights or remedies to which the Company may be entitled.

 

(c)                                  The Participant irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agrees that any suit, action or other legal proceeding arising under this Plan, including without limitation, any action commenced by the Company for preliminary and permanent injunctive relief or other equitable relief, may be brought in the United States District Court for the District of New York, or if such court does not have jurisdiction or will not accept jurisdiction, in any court of general jurisdiction in New York, (ii) consents to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of any such court in any such suit, action or proceeding, and (iii) waives any objection which Participant may have to the laying of venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court.  Participant also irrevocably and unconditionally consents to the service of any process, pleadings, notices or other papers in a manner permitted by the notice provisions of Section 11.02.

 

Section 6.07                            Survival of Provisions.  The obligations contained in this Article VI shall survive the termination of Participant’s employment with the Company or a Subsidiary and shall be fully enforceable thereafter.

 

12

 

ARTICLE VII

 

THE PLAN ADMINISTRATOR

 

Section 7.01                            Authority and Duties.  It shall be the duty of the Plan Administrator, on the basis of information supplied to it by the Company and the Committee, to properly administer the Plan.  The Plan Administrator shall have the full power, authority and discretion to construe, interpret and administer the Plan, to make factual determinations, to correct deficiencies therein, and to supply omissions.  All decisions, actions and interpretations of the Plan Administrator shall be final, binding and conclusive upon the parties, subject only to determinations by the Named Appeals Fiduciary (as defined in Section 10.04), with respect to denied claims for Severance Benefits.  The Plan Administrator may adopt such rules and regulations and may make such decisions as it deems necessary or desirable for the proper administration of the Plan.

 

Section 7.02                            Compensation of the Plan Administrator.  The Plan Administrator shall receive no compensation for services as such.  However, all reasonable expenses of the Plan Administrator shall be paid or reimbursed by the Company upon proper documentation.  The Plan Administrator shall be indemnified by the Company against personal liability for actions taken in good faith in the discharge of the Plan Administrator’s duties.

 

Section 7.03                            Records, Reporting and Disclosure.  The Plan Administrator shall keep a copy of all records relating to the payment of Severance Benefits to Participants and former Participants and all other records necessary for the proper operation of the Plan.  All Plan records shall be made available to the Committee, the Company and to each Participant for examination during business hours except that a Participant shall examine only such records as pertain exclusively to the examining Participant and to the Plan.  The Plan Administrator shall prepare and shall file as required by law or regulation all reports, forms, documents and other items required by ERISA, the Code, and every other relevant statute, each as amended, and all regulations thereunder (except that the Company, as payor of the Severance Benefits, shall prepare and distribute to the proper recipients all forms relating to withholding of income or wage taxes, Social Security taxes, and other amounts that may be similarly reportable).

 

13

 

ARTICLE VIII

 

AMENDMENT, TERMINATION AND DURATION

 

Section 8.01                            Amendment, Suspension and Termination.  Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8.01, the Board or its delegate shall have the right, at any time and from time to time, to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part, for any reason or without reason, and without either the consent of or the prior notification to any Participant, by a formal written action.  No such amendment shall give the Company the right to recover any amount paid to a Participant prior to the date of such amendment or to cause the cessation of Severance Benefits already approved for a Participant who has executed a Release as required under Section 3.02.  Any amendment or termination of the Plan must comply with all applicable legal requirements including, without limitation, compliance with Code Section 409A and the regulations and ruling promulgated thereunder, securities, tax, or other laws, rules, regulations or regulatory interpretations thereof, applicable to the Plan.

 

Section 8.02                            Duration.  Unless terminated sooner by the Board or its delegate, the Plan shall continue in full force and effect until termination of the Plan pursuant to Section 8.01; provided, however, that after the termination of the Plan, if any Participants terminated employment due to an Involuntary Termination prior to the termination of the Plan and are still receiving Severance Benefits under the Plan, the Plan shall remain in effect until all of the obligations of the Company are satisfied with respect to such Participants.

 

14

 

ARTICLE IX

 

DUTIES OF THE COMPANY AND THE COMMITTEE

 

Section 9.01                            Records.  The Company or a Subsidiary thereof shall supply to the Committee all records and information necessary to the performance of the Committee’s duties.

 

Section 9.02                            Payment. Payments of Severance Benefits to Participants shall be made in such amount as determined by the Committee under Article IV, from the Company’s general assets or from a supplemental unemployment benefits trust, in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as directed by the Committee.

 

Section 9.03                            Discretion.  Any decisions, actions or interpretations to be made under the Plan by the Board, the Committee and the Plan Administrator, acting on behalf of either, shall be made in each of their respective sole discretion, not in any fiduciary capacity and need not be uniformly applied to similarly situated individuals and such decisions, actions or interpretations shall be final, binding and conclusive upon all parties.  As a condition of participating in the Plan, the Eligible Employee acknowledges that all decisions and determinations of the Board, the Committee and the Plan Administrator shall be final and binding on the Eligible Employee, his or her beneficiaries and any other person having or claiming an interest under the Plan on his or her behalf.

 

15

 

ARTICLE X

 

CLAIMS PROCEDURES

 

Section 10.01                     Claim.  Each Participant under this Plan may file a claim for Severance Benefits hereunder by completing and filing with the Plan Administrator a written request for review in the manner specified by the Plan Administrator.  No appeal is permissible as to an Eligible Employee’s eligibility for, or a Participant’s amount of,  Severance Benefist, which are decisions made solely within the discretion of the Company, and the Committee acting on behalf of the Company.  No person may bring an action for any alleged wrongful denial of Plan benefits in a court of law unless the claims procedures described in this Article X are exhausted and a final determination is made by the Plan Administrator and/or the Named Appeals Fiduciary.  If an Eligible Employee or Participant or other interested person challenges a decision by the Plan Administrator and/or Named Appeals Fiduciary, a review by the court of law will be limited to the facts, evidence and issues presented to the Plan Administrator during the claims procedure set forth in this Article X.  Facts and evidence that become known to the terminated Eligible Employee or Participant or other interested person after having exhausted the claims procedure must be brought to the attention of the Plan Administrator for reconsideration of the claims administrator.  Issues not raised with the Plan Administrator and/or Named Appeals Fiduciary will be deemed waived.

 

Section 10.02                     Initial Claim.  Before the date on which payment of a Severance Benefit commences, each such application must be supported by such information as the Plan Administrator deems relevant and appropriate.  In the event that any claim relating to Severance Benefits is denied in whole or in part, the terminated Participant or his or her beneficiary (“claimant”) whose claim has been so denied shall be notified of such denial in writing by the Plan Administrator within ninety (90) days after the receipt of the claim for benefits.  This period may be extended an additional ninety (90) days if the Plan Administrator determines such extension is necessary and the Plan Administrator provides notice of extension to the claimant prior to the end of the initial ninety (90) day period.  The notice advising of the denial shall specify the following: (i) the reason or reasons for denial, (ii) the specific Plan provisions on which the determination was based, (iii) any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim (explaining why such material or information is needed), and (iv) the Plan’s review procedures and the time limits applicable to such procedures, including a statement of the claimant’s right to bring a civil action under section 502(a) of ERISA following an adverse benefit determination on review.

 

Section 10.03                     Appeals of Denied Administrative Claims.  All appeals shall be made by the following procedure:

 

(a)                                 A claimant whose claim has been denied shall file with the Plan Administrator a notice of appeal of the denial.  Such notice shall be filed within sixty (60) calendar days of notification by the Plan Administrator of the denial of a claim, shall be made in writing, and shall set forth all of the facts upon which the appeal is based.  Appeals not timely filed shall be barred.

 

(b)                                 The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall consider the merits of the claimant’s written presentations, the merits of any facts or evidence in support of the denial of benefits, and such other facts and circumstances as the Named Appeals Fiduciary shall deem relevant.

 

(c)                                  The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall render a determination upon the appealed claim which determination shall be accompanied by a written statement as to the reasons therefor.  The determination shall be made to the claimant within sixty (60) days of the claimant’s request for review, unless the Named Appeals Fiduciary determines that special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim.  In such case, the Named Appeals Fiduciary shall notify the claimant of the need for an extension of time to render its decision prior to the end of the initial sixty (60) day period, and the Named Appeals Fiduciary shall have an additional sixty (60) day period to make its determination.  The determination so rendered shall be binding upon all parties.  If the determination is adverse to the claimant, the notice shall provide (i) the reason or reasons for denial, (ii) the specific Plan provisions on which the determination was based, (iii) a statement that the claimant is entitled to receive, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents, records and other information relevant to the claimant’s claim for benefits, and (iv) a statement that the claimant has the right to bring an action under section 502(a) of ERISA.

 

16

 

Section 10.04                     Appointment of the Named Appeals Fiduciary.  The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall be the person or persons named as such by the Board or Committee, or, if no such person or persons be named, then the person or persons named by the Plan Administrator as the Named Appeals Fiduciary.  Named Appeals Fiduciaries may at any time be removed by the Board or Committee, and any Named Appeals Fiduciary named by the Plan Administrator may be removed by the Plan Administrator.  All such removals may be with or without cause and shall be effective on the date stated in the notice of removal.  The Named Appeals Fiduciary shall be a “Named Fiduciary” within the meaning of ERISA, and unless appointed to other fiduciary responsibilities, shall have no authority, responsibility, or liability with respect to any matter other than the proper discharge of the functions of the Named Appeals Fiduciary as set forth herein.

 

Section 10.05                     Arbitration; Expenses.  In the event of any dispute under the provisions of this Plan, other than a dispute in which the primary relief sought is an equitable remedy such as an injunction, the parties shall have the dispute, controversy or claim settled by arbitration in New York, New York (or such other location as may be mutually agreed upon by the Employer and the Participant) in accordance with the National Rules for the Resolution of Employment Disputes then in effect of the American Arbitration Association, before a panel of three arbitrators, two of whom shall be selected by the Company and the Participant, respectively, and the third of whom shall be selected by the other two arbitrators.  Any award entered by the arbitrators shall be final, binding and nonappealable and judgment may be entered thereon by either party in accordance with applicable law in any court of competent jurisdiction.  This arbitration provision shall be specifically enforceable.  The arbitrators shall have no authority to modify any provision of this Plan or to award a remedy for a dispute involving this Plan other than a benefit specifically provided under or by virtue of the Plan.  If the Participant substantially prevails on any material issue, which is the subject of such arbitration or lawsuit, the Company shall be responsible for all of the fees of the American Arbitration Association and the arbitrators and any expenses relating to the conduct of the arbitration (including the Company’s and Participant’s reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses).  Otherwise, each party shall be responsible for its own expenses relating to the conduct of the arbitration (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and expenses) and shall share the fees of the American Arbitration Association.

 

17

 

ARTICLE XI

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

Section 11.01                     Nonalienation of Benefits.  None of the payments, benefits or rights of any Participant shall be subject to any claim of any creditor of any Participant, and, in particular, to the fullest extent permitted by law, all such payments, benefits and rights shall be free from attachment, garnishment (if permitted under applicable law), trustee’s process, or any other legal or equitable process available to any creditor of such Participant.  No Participant shall have the right to alienate, anticipate, commute, plead, encumber or assign any of the benefits or payments that he may expect to receive, contingently or otherwise, under this Plan, except for the designation of a beneficiary as set forth in Section 5.01.

 

Section 11.02                     Notices.  All notices and other communications required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered personally or mailed by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by overnight express courier service.  In the case of the Participant, mailed notices shall be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she most recently communicated to the Company in writing.  In the case of the Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to the Plan Administrator.

 

Section 11.03                     Successors.  Any successor to the Company shall assume the obligations under this Plan and expressly agree to perform the obligations under this Plan.

 

Section 11.04                     Other Payments.  Except as otherwise provided in this Plan, no Participant shall be entitled to any cash payments or other severance benefits under any of the Company’s then current severance pay policies for a termination that is covered by this Plan for the Participant.

 

Section 11.05                     No Mitigation.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 4.01(d) and Section 4.04, Participants shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any Severance Benefit provided for in this Plan by seeking other employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any Severance Benefit provided for herein be reduced by any compensation earned by other employment or otherwise, except if the Participant is re-employed by the Company, in which case Severance Benefits shall cease.

 

Section 11.06                     No Contract of Employment.  Neither the establishment of the Plan, nor any modification thereof, nor the creation of any fund, trust or account, nor the payment of any benefits shall be construed as giving any Eligible Employee or any person whosoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Company, and all Eligible Employees shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never been adopted.

 

Section 11.07                     Severability of Provisions. Except as set forth in Section 6.05, f any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions hereof, and this Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provisions had not been included.

 

Section 11.08                     Heirs, Assigns, and Personal Representatives.  This Plan shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the parties, including each Participant, present and future.

 

Section 11.09                     Headings and Captions.  The headings and captions herein are provided for reference and convenience only, shall not be considered part of the Plan, and shall not be employed in the construction of the Plan.

 

Section 11.10                     Gender and Number.  Where the context admits: words in any gender shall include any other gender, and, except where otherwise clearly indicated by context, the singular shall include the plural, and vice-versa.

 

Section 11.11                     Unfunded Plan.  The Plan shall not be funded.  No Participant shall have any right to, or interest in, any assets of the Company that may be applied by the Company to the payment of Severance Benefits.

 

18

 

Section 11.12                     Payments to Incompetent Persons.  Any benefit payable to or for the benefit of a minor, an incompetent person or other person incapable of receipting therefor shall be deemed paid when paid to such person’s guardian or to the party providing or reasonably appearing to provide for the care of such person, and such payment shall fully discharge the Company, the Committee and all other parties with respect thereto.

 

Section 11.13                     Lost Payees.  A benefit shall be deemed forfeited if the Committee is unable to locate a Participant to whom a Severance Benefit is due.  Such Severance Benefit shall be reinstated if application is made by the Participant for the forfeited Severance Benefit while this Plan is in operation.

 

Section 11.14                     Controlling Law.  This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of New York to the extent not superseded by Federal law.

 

19

 

SCHEDULE A

 

SEVERANCE BENEFITS

 

	
Employee Classification
    	
 
    	
Severance Period
    	
 
    	
Severance Benefits
   (Salary Continuation and Annual Bonus)
    
	
CEO
    	
 
    	
24 months
    	
 
    	
2.0   times annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
    
	
Officers   
    	
 
    	
24 months
    	
 
    	
2.0   times annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
    
	
Band   1 & 2 Direct Reports to CEO
    	
 
    	
18 months
    	
 
    	
1.5   times annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
    
	
Other   Band 1 & 2
    	
 
    	
12 months
    	
 
    	
1.0   times annual Base Salary and Annual Bonus
    

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Participants whose benefit is provided pursuant to a supplemental unemployment benefits trust, cash Severance Benefits shall be paid for the period of time set forth under the plan, with the trust being the exclusive source of all salary continuation other than Notice Pay.

 

A-1Exhibit 10.5

 

April 2, 2012

 

George R. Oliver

[ADDRESS]

 

Dear George:

 

I am pleased to offer you a position as Chief Executive Officer of the Fire & Security business, with all of the duties, authorities and responsibilities commensurate with this role, for Tyco International Management Company, LLC. (with its affiliates and successors, the “Company”), reporting directly to the Board of Directors. This position will be located in Princeton, New Jersey. Your employment in this new role will commence upon, and is contingent upon, the successful completion of the separation of the Fire & Security business from Tyco International Ltd. (the “Separation”).

 

Please note that this offer of a new position is contingent upon the successful completion of the Separation on or before December 31, 2012 (unless extended in writing by the Company). Prior to the Separation, and until the Separation is completed, the components of your compensation package, as described below, are not effective. All of the adjustments to such components, as described below, will become effective immediately following the Separation.

 

Base Salary

 

Upon the successful completion of the Separation, you will receive an annual base salary of $975,000.  Your salary will be paid monthly, according to the normal and customary payroll process of the Company.

 

Short-Term Performance Bonus Plan

 

You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s short-term performance bonus plan. Under this plan, your target bonus will equal 100% of your base salary. Determination of actual award levels relative to the target bonus will be based on the Company’s financial performance as well as your individual contribution, and awards will be paid in accordance with the terms of the plan. Short-term performance bonus awards are prorated, based on the date you commence employment in your new role.

 

Long Term Incentive Program

 

You will be eligible to participate in the long term incentive program that the Company makes available to other executives in similar roles at its next annual grant date. The recommended grant date target award value for your award is $5,000,000. The target award value for executives at your level of management may be spread across stock options, restricted units (RSUs), and performance units (PSUs).

 

The terms and conditions of the Company’s long-term incentive program may change up to the date of Separation, and the final long-term incentive program will be provided to you after the Separation.

 

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Furthermore, the target value, frequency, timing and structure of your annual awards are subject to change based on the changing needs and objectives of the Company’s business.

 

Lump Sum Award for New Role

 

During the period between April 1, 2012, and the date of the successful completion of the Separation (the “Transition Period”), you will be performing many of the duties and responsibilities of your new role; however, your new compensation arrangement, as described above, will not be effective until the Separation has been successfully completed. Therefore, in consideration of the Transition Period, and subject to the successful completion of the Separation as provided above, you will be eligible to receive a lump sum award equal to the difference between your pre-Separation annual base salary and target bonus, and the annual base salary and target bonus described above, based on whole months of service during the Transition Period, provided that you are an active employee in good standing with the Company through the date of payment of the award. This lump sum award will be paid to you as soon as administratively practical after the date of the Separation.

 

Benefits

 

You will be entitled to all employee benefits that the Company customarily makes available to employees in positions comparable to yours.

 

Vacation

 

You will be eligible for four weeks of vacation annually.

 

Executive Physical Program

 

You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Executive Physical Program.

 

Severance Benefits

 

After the occurrence of the Separation, your severance benefits will be provided exclusively under, and according to the terms of, the severance plan(s) approved by the Board of Directors of the Tyco International Management Company, LLC., commensurate with your position in the Company.

 

Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation

 

In accepting this employment offer, and in consideration of this employment offer, your continued employment, and/or the Company’s continued obligation and promise to provide you with confidential and propriety information pertaining to its business operations and customers, and your promise and obligation not to use or disclose that information except in the course of performing your job duties, you agree that, except as prohibited by law, during your employment with the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, and for the one (1) year period following your termination of employment for any reason, you will not directly or indirectly, own, manage, operate, control (including indirectly through a debt or equity investment), provide services to, or be employed by, any person or entity engaged in any business that is (i) located in or provides services or products to a region with respect to which you had substantial responsibilities while employed by the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, and (ii) competitive with (A) the line of business or businesses of the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates that

 

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you were employed with during your employment (including any prospective business to be developed or acquired that was proposed at the date of termination), or (B) any other business of the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates with respect to which you had substantial exposure during such employment.

 

Further, in accepting this employment offer, and in consideration of this employment offer, and/or your continued employment, except as prohibited by law, you further agree that during your employment with the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, and for the two (2) year period thereafter, you will not, directly or indirectly, on your own behalf or on behalf of another (i) solicit, recruit, aid or induce any employees of the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates to leave their employment with the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates in order to accept employment with or render services to another person or entity unaffiliated with the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates, or hire or knowingly take any action to assist or aid any other person or entity in identifying or hiring any such employee, or (ii) solicit, aid, or induce any customer of the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates to purchase goods or services then sold by the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates from another person or entity, or assist or aid any other persons or entity in identifying or soliciting any such customer, or (iii) otherwise interfere with the relationship of the Company or its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates with any of its employees, customers, vendors, agents, or representatives.

 

Irreparable injury will result to the Company, its business, and its pre- and post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates in the event of a breach by you of any of your covenants and commitments you have accepted as a condition of this employment offer, including the covenants of non-competition and non-solicitation.  Therefore, in the event of a breach of such covenants and commitments, the Company reserves all rights to seek any and all remedies and damages permitted under law, including, but not limited to, injunctive relief, equitable relief and compensatory damages.

 

The non-competition and non-solicitation provisions are expressly intended to benefit the Company (which includes its pre- and post-Separation parents, subsidiaries and/or affiliates as third party beneficiaries) and its successors and assigns; and the parties expressly authorize the Company (including all third party beneficiaries) and its successors and assigns to enforce these provisions.

 

Governing Law

 

The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of the provisions of this offer letter shall be governed by the laws of the state of New Jersey without reference to principles of conflicts of laws that would direct the application of the law of any other jurisdiction.

 

Severability

 

The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this offer letter will not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this offer letter, which will remain in full force and effect.  Moreover, if any provision is found to be excessively broad in duration, scope or covered activity, the provision will be construed, and to the extent necessary will be deemed to be amended, so as to be enforceable to the maximum extent compatible with applicable law.

 

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Employment Relationship; Modification of Terms of Offer

 

Please be advised that notwithstanding anything in this offer letter to the contrary, neither this letter nor any statement made by the Company or its pre- or post-Separation parent, subsidiaries or affiliates is intended to be a contract of employment for a definite period of time. That means that the employment relationship established by this letter is “at will” and either you or the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time and for any reason, with or without cause or notice.  Further, the Company may from time to time and in its sole discretion, change the terms and conditions of your employment and benefits with or without notice, and all payments are subject to applicable taxes and other deductions required or permitted by law.

 

Conditions of Employment

 

This offer of new employment is conditioned upon your execution of this letter indicating your acceptance, and ongoing compliance with your promises of non-competition and non-solicitation, as well as your execution of the Company’s Confidentiality and New Inventions Agreement, which is being sent to you under separate cover.

 

Please scan (e-mail) one signed/accepted copy of this offer letter, as well as a signed copy of the Tyco Confidentiality and New Inventions Agreement to [·]. Send the original documents to [·], Tyco International, 9 Roszel Road, Princeton, NJ 08540.

 

George, I am excited about your accession to this new role.

 

	
Sincerely,
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   Ed Breen
    	
 
    
	
Ed Breen
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
ACCEPTED:
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
/s/   George R. Oliver
    	
 
    
	
George   R. Oliver
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
 
    	
 
    
	
Date
    	
 
    

 

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