Opinion ID: 1372476
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: The STEP Program and Waiver Agreement

Text: The buyout package at issue in this case was called the Special Termination of Employment Program (STEP). Under the STEP, an eligible employee who agreed to terminate his or her employment received a lump sum payment of $100,000, minus the applicable withholdings. To enroll, Ford required the employee to sign an Application and Waiver Agreement (the Waiver), in which the employee released any and all claims against Ford as a condition of receiving the $100,000. The Waiver stated, in pertinent part: I have decided voluntarily to terminate my employment under the terms and conditions of the STEP. In consideration of the benefits to be provided as described in the summary, I waive and release any and all rights or claims I may have against the Ford Motor Company, its agents or employees and agree not to institute any proceedings of any kind against Ford Motor Company, its agents or employees relating in any way to my employment or the termination of my employment, provided, however, I do not waive my rights or claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This waiver does not waive any rights or claims that may arise after this waiver is signed or if it is not permitted by law.... I hereby acknowledge that I am voluntarily applying for this STEP payment.... I have read and reviewed this STEP Application and Waiver Agreement carefully and to my satisfaction. The terms and scope of this Waiver are at the center of this case. Ford notified all eligible employees of the buyout program well in advance of the enrollment period. Ford also provided its employees with written materials describing the available packages and the procedure for participating, along with a copy of the Waiver. According to these documents, an employee could enroll in the buyout any time between October 16 and November 27, 2006, and the effective termination date for participating employees would be January 1, 2007. If an employee signed up, but failed to complete the termination process, Ford would consider the employee to have withdrawn the STEP application. Thus, the employee had the option to rescind or withdraw her application any time before December 31, 2006.