ARBITRON INC. EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT
ARBITRON INC.
EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT
THIS EXECUTIVE RETENTION AGREEMENT is entered into as of , 2006 (the Effective Date), by and between Arbitron Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), and (the Executive). [This Agreement amends and supersedes the Executive Retention Agreement between the Company and the Executive dated November 9, 2001.]
WHEREAS, the Executive is currently employed by the Company and is an executive officer of the Company;
WHEREAS, the Company has implemented a severance program for executive officers and wishes to document under this Agreement the provisions applicable to the Executive in the event of his or her termination of employment;
WHEREAS, in addition, the Company recognizes that a Change of Control may result in material alteration or diminishment of the Executives position and responsibilities and substantially frustrate the purpose of Executives commitment to the Company and forbearance of career options, and has determined therefore to provide enhanced severance and other benefits in the event of a Change of Control;
WHEREAS, the parties wish to replace any and all prior agreements and undertakings with respect to the Executives termination of employment and Change of Control occurrences and compensation, other than the agreements governing the Executives equity participation in the Company (as the same are modified by Section 5 of this Agreement);
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the Executives acceptance of and continuance in Executives employment, the parties agree to be bound by the terms contained in this agreement as follows:
1. At-Will Employment. The Company may terminate the Executives employment at any time for any reason pursuant to a Notice of Termination. The Executive may terminate his or her employment with the Company at any time for any reason pursuant to a Notice of Termination. If the Executive dies while still an employee of the Company, the Executives death shall be a termination of employment from the Company. Any termination of the Executives employment by the Company or the Executive (other than because of the Executives death) shall be communicated by written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto in accordance with Section 6.1 below. For purposes of this Agreement, a Notice of Termination shall mean a notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, if any, and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executives employment under the provision so indicated. The Companys notice shall be given in writing by the Chief Executive Officer. Termination of the Executives employment shall take effect on the Date of Employment Termination, the setting of which shall require the minimum notice period described under the definition of Date of Employment Termination.
2. Compensation Upon Termination.
2.1. Death. Except as provided in Section 2.5, if the Executives employment is terminated as a result of the Executives death, the Company shall pay to the Executives estate, or as may be directed by the legal representatives of such estate, the Executives then current base salary through the Date of Employment Termination and all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which Executive is entitled as of the Date of Employment Termination. The payments contemplated by this Section 2.1 shall be paid at the time they are due, and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive or his or her estate under this Agreement.
2.2. Disability. Except as provided in Section 2.5, if the Company terminates the Executives employment because of the Executives Disability, the Company shall pay the Executive the Executives then current base salary through the Date of Employment Termination and all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which Executive is entitled as of the Date of Employment Termination. The payments contemplated by this Section 2.2 shall be paid at the time they are due, and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement; provided, however, that the base salary shall be reduced by the amount of any disability benefit payments made to the Executive during a period of Disability from any insurance or other policies provided by the Company.
2.3. By the Company for Cause or by the Executive. Except as provided in Section 2.5, if the Executives employment with the Company is terminated in accordance with this Section 2.3, the Company shall pay the Executive the Executives then current base salary through the Date of Employment Termination and all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which Executive is entitled as of the Date of Employment Termination. The Executives termination is covered by this Section 2.3, (i) if the Executive voluntarily terminates his or her employment other than during the Window Period as described in Section 2.5, or (ii) if the Company terminates the Executives employment for Cause. The payments contemplated by this Section 2.3 shall be paid at the time such payments are due, and the Company shall have no further obligations to the Executive under this Agreement.
2.4. By the Company other than for Cause. Except as provided in Section 2.5, if the Company terminates the Executives employment other than for Cause, the Company shall pay the Executive the Executives then current base salary through the Date of Employment Termination and all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which the Executive is entitled as of the Date of Employment Termination, plus the following amounts:
(a) Severance Amount. If the Executive has to his or her credit fewer than 15 Years of Service, the Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to 12 months of the Executives Reference Compensation. If the Executive has to his or her credit 15 or more Years of Service, the Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to 15 months of the Executives Reference Compensation. This severance payment amount shall be paid in a lump sum, following the Executives Date of Employment Termination in accordance with Section 6.2; provided, however, that the severance payment amount shall not be paid prior to the Companys receipt of a duly executed Waiver and Release Agreement that is not revoked during the applicable regulatory revocation period.
(b) Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation; Outplacement. Commencing on his or her Date of Employment Termination, and except as next provided, for the duration of the Benefits Continuation Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company the same or equivalent health, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, short and long-term disability, life insurance coverages, and all other insurance policies and health and welfare benefits programs, policies or arrangements, at the same levels and coverages as Executive was receiving on the day immediately prior to his or her Date of Employment Termination. The Executive shall be required to pay no more for the above-mentioned benefits than he or she paid as an active employee, or if provided by the Company at no cost to the employee on the date immediately prior to the Executives Date of Employment Termination, the benefits shall continue to be made available to the Executive on this basis. In addition, the Company shall provide or make available arrangements for reasonable outplacement services for the Executive based on his or her level within the Company. With respect to any particular benefit, the benefits continuation described in this paragraph shall end earlier than the end of the Benefits Continuation Period as of the date the Executive (or in the case of dependent coverage, the Executives dependent), is eligible for the benefit under a plan, program or arrangement of a subsequent employer which provides a benefit that is substantially equivalent to the benefit being terminated.
2.5. Termination During Window Following a Change of Control Other than by the Company for Cause. If the Executives employment with the Company terminates following a Change of Control during the Window Period, other than by a termination by the Company for Cause, the Executive shall be entitled to payment of the Executives then current base salary through the Date of Employment Termination and all other unpaid amounts, if any, to which the Executive is entitled as of the Date of Employment Termination, plus the following amounts:
(a) Severance Amount. If the Executive has to his or her credit fewer than 15 Years of Service, the Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to 18 months of the Executives Reference Compensation. If the Executive has to his or her credit 15 or more Years of Service, the Executive shall receive a severance payment equal to 21 months of the Executives Reference Compensation. This severance payment amount shall be paid in a lump sum, following the Executives Date of Employment Termination in accordance with Section 6.2; provided, however, that the severance payment amount shall not be paid prior to the Companys receipt of a duly executed Waiver and Release Agreement that is not revoked during the applicable regulatory revocation period.
(b) Health and Welfare Benefits Continuation; Outplacement. Commencing on his or her Date of Employment Termination, and except as next provided, for the duration of the Benefits Continuation Period, the Executive shall be entitled to receive from the Company the same or equivalent health, dental, accidental death and dismemberment, short and long-term disability, life insurance coverages, and all other insurance policies and health and welfare benefits programs, policies or arrangements, at the same levels and coverages as Executive was receiving on the day immediately prior to his or her Date of Employment Termination. The Executive shall be required to pay no more for the above-mentioned benefits than he or she paid as an active employee, or if provided by the Company at no cost to the employee on the date immediately prior to the Executives Date of Employment Termination, the benefits shall continue to be made available to the Executive on this basis. In addition, the Company shall provide or make available arrangements for reasonable outplacement services for the Executive based on his or her level within the Company. With respect to any particular benefit, the benefits continuation described in this paragraph shall end earlier than the end of the Benefits Continuation Period as of the date the Executive (or in the case of dependent coverage, the Executives dependent), is eligible for the benefit under a plan, program or arrangement of a subsequent employer which provides a benefit that is substantially equivalent to the benefit being terminated.
3. Waiver and Release Agreement. In consideration of the severance payments described in Section 2.4 or Section 2.5, to which severance payments the Executive would otherwise not be entitled, and as a pre-condition to the Executive becoming entitled to such severance payments under this Agreement, the Executive agrees to execute at the time of Executives termination a Waiver and Release Agreement in exactly the form provided to the Executive by the Company without alteration or addition (the Waiver and Release Agreement), attached hereto as Exhibit A, the terms and conditions of which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
4. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
(a) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary and except as set forth in this Section 4, in the event it shall be determined that any payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive (whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional payments required under this Section 4) (a Payment) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the Excise Tax), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a Gross-Up Payment) in an amount such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes, including, without limitation, any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto) and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) imposed upon the Payments.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 4(c), all determinations required to be made under this Section 4, including whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made by the Companys external auditors (the Accounting Firm), which shall provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined pursuant to this Section 4, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive within five business days of the receipt of the Accounting Firms determination. Any determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made by the Company should have been made (Underpayment), consistent with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 4(c) and the Executive thereafter is required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30-day period following the date on which he or she gives such notice to the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the Executive in writing prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect to such claim by attorneys reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions of this Section 4(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall determine; further provided,, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay such claim and sue for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such advance; and, further provided, that any extension of the statute of limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Companys control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to the Companys complying with the requirements of Section 4(c)) promptly pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 4(c), a determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
5. Special Vesting Rules for Stock Incentives. If there is a Change of Control, then, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Arbitron Inc. 1999 Stock Incentive Plan (the Plan) and notwithstanding any contrary provision in an award agreement under the Plan pursuant to which Executive has received an equity incentive grant, the Executives awards under the Plan (including, but not limited to, the Executives stock option and restricted stock awards, if any) shall fully and immediately vest upon the consummation of the Change of Control. This Section 5 shall not be changed or otherwise modified without the written consent of the Executive.
6. Miscellaneous.
6.1. Notices. All notices, demands, requests or other communications required or permitted to be given or made hereunder shall be in writing and shall be delivered, telecopied or mailed by first class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
with copy to: | ||||
Hogan & Hartson L.L.P. | ||||
If to the Company: | 555 Thirteenth Street, N.W. | |||
Arbitron Inc. | Washington, D.C. 20004-1109 | |||
142 W. 57th Street | Attention: David Bonser | |||
New York, NY 10019-3300 | Telecopy: (202) 637-5910 | |||
Attention: Office of General Counsel | Telephone: (202) 637-5868 | |||
If to the Executive:
or to such other address as may be designated by either party in a notice to the other. Each notice, demand, request or other communication that shall be given or made in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given or made for all purposes three days after it is deposited in the U.S. mail, postage prepaid, or at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the answer back or the affidavit of messenger being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.
6.2. Section 409A Compliance. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the event that the Company determines that any payment under this Agreement is subject to Section 409A of the Code, such payments under this Agreement shall not be made until six months after the Executive separates from service (or, if earlier, the date Executive dies) to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of the additional 20% tax under Section 409A of the Code. Otherwise, payment of any lump sum severance payment generally shall be made within 15 days of the Executives Date of Employment Termination.
6.3. Representations. The Executive agrees to execute any proper oath or verify any proper document required to carry out the terms of this Agreement. The Executive represents that performance of all the terms of this Agreement and the Waiver and Release Agreement will not breach any similar agreement. Executive has not entered into, and Executive agrees not to enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith.
6.4. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any one or more provisions of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.
6.5. Survival. It is the express intention and agreement of the parties hereto that the provisions of Section 2 hereof shall survive the termination of employment of the Executive. In addition, all obligations of the Company to make payments hereunder shall survive any termination of this Agreement on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
6.6. Assignment. The rights and obligations of the parties to this Agreement shall not be assignable or delegable, except that (i) in the event of the Executives death, the personal representative or legatees or distributees of the Executives estate, as the case may be, shall have the right to receive any amount owing and unpaid to the Executive hereunder and (ii) the rights and obligations of the Company hereunder shall be assignable and delegable in connection with any subsequent merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or similar reorganization to a successor entity. In connection with a transaction described in item (ii) of the preceding sentence under which the Executives employment is transferred to a successor in the transaction, the Companys failure to obtain the agreement of its successor to perform the Companys obligations under this Agreement shall be treated as a termination by the Company without Cause and during the Window Period following a Change of Control under Section 2.5 of this Agreement and under the Executives Company equity agreements.
6.7. Binding Effect. Subject to any provisions hereof restricting assignment, this Agreement shall be binding upon the parties hereto and shall inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, devisees, executors, administrators, legal representatives, successors and assigns.
6.8. Amendment; Waiver. This Agreement shall not be amended, altered or modified except by an instrument in writing duly executed by the parties hereto. Neither the waiver by either of the parties hereto of a breach of or a default under any of the provisions of this Agreement, nor the failure of either of the parties, on one or more occasions, to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or to exercise any right or privilege hereunder, shall thereafter be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach or default of a similar nature, or as a waiver of any such provisions, rights or privileges hereunder.
6.9. Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only, shall not be deemed to be a part of this Agreement for any purpose, and shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.
6.10. Governing Law. This Agreement, the rights and obligations of the parties hereto, and any claims or disputes relating thereto, shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Maryland (but not including the choice of law rules thereof).
6.11. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, the Waiver and Release Agreement, and any agreements entered into in connection with the Executives equity participation in the Company (as modified by Section 5 of this Agreement) constitute the entire agreement between the parties respecting the employment of Executive, there being no representations, warranties or commitments except as set forth herein.
6.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be an original and all of which shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
6.13. No Right to Continued Employment. Nothing in this Agreement shall be deemed to give the Executive the right to be retained in the employ of the Company, or to interfere with the right of the Company to discharge the Executive at any time and for any lawful reason, subject in all cases to the terms of this Agreement.
6.14. Definitions.
Benefit Continuation Period means the applicable 12, 15, 18 or 21 month period upon which the Executives severance payment under Section 2.4 or 2.5 is based, treating the period as though it runs from the Date of Employment Termination.
Cause means (i) fraud; (ii) misrepresentation; (iii) theft or embezzlement of assets of the Company; (iv) intentional violations of law involving moral turpitude; (v) failure to follow the Companys conduct and ethics policies; and/or (vi) the continued failure by the Executive to attempt in good faith to perform his or her duties as reasonably assigned by the Chief Executive Officer to the Executive for a period of 60 days after a written demand for such performance which specifically identifies the manner in which it is alleged the Executive has not attempted in good faith to perform such duties.
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
Change of Control means any of the following events:
(i) | a merger or consolidation to which the Company is a party if the individuals and entities who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the effective date of such merger or consolidation have beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of less than 50% of the total combined voting power for election of directors of the surviving Company immediately following the effective date of such merger or consolidation; |
(ii) | the direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) in the aggregate of securities of the Company representing 51% or more of the total combined voting power of the Companys then issued and outstanding securities by any person or entity, or group of associated persons or entities acting in concert; provided, however, that for purposes hereof, any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company shall not constitute a Change of Control; |
(iii) | the direct or indirect beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) in the aggregate of securities of the Company representing 25% or more of the total combined voting power of the Companys then issued and outstanding securities by any person or entity, or group of associated persons or entities acting in concert if such acquisition is not approved by the Board of Directors of the Company prior to any such acquisition; provided, however, that for purposes hereof, any acquisition by any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation controlled by the Company shall not constitute a Change of Control; |
(iv) | the sale of the properties and assets of the Company, substantially as an entirety, to any person or entity which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company; |
(v) | the stockholders of the Company approve any plan or proposal for the liquidation of the Company; or |
(vi) | a change in the composition of the Board at any time during any consecutive 24-month period such that the Continuity Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a 70% majority of the Board. For purposes of this clause, Continuity Directors means those members of the Board who either (A) were directors at the beginning of such consecutive 24-month period, or (B) were elected by, or on the nomination or recommendation of, at least a two-thirds majority of the then-existing Board of Directors. |
Date of Employment Termination means (i) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Executives death, the date of the Executives death; (ii) if the Executives employment is terminated because of the Executives Disability, 30 days after Notice of Termination, provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of the Executives duties on a full-time basis during such 30-day period; (iii) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, the date immediately following the Notice of Termination; (iv) if the Executives employment is terminated by the Company, 30 days after the Notice of Termination; or (v) if the Executive voluntarily terminates his or her employment, the date 21 days after the Notice of Termination.
Determination Date means the earlier of the date one week after the date on which Arbitron or the entity effecting the Change of Control first announces to the public the existence of a definitive agreement leading to the Change of Control or the date of commencement of a tender offer leading to the Change of Control.
Disability means the Executives inability to perform all of the Executives duties hereunder by reason of illness, physical or mental disability or other similar incapacity, as determined by the Chief Executive Officer in his or her sole discretion, which inability shall continue for more than three consecutive months; provided, however, that the Executive does not hereby waive any rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable law.
Reference Compensation means the sum of the Executives annual salary and annual bonus divided by twelve. For purposes of this definition, the Executives annual salary is the greater of the annual rate of his or her base salary from the Company and its subsidiaries in effect immediately prior to the Date of Employment Termination, or the annual rate of the Executives base salary from the Company and its subsidiaries in effect immediately prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control. For purposes of this definition, annual bonus shall mean the greatest of (i) the average of the three annual bonuses paid to the Executive prior to his or her Date of Employment Termination, (ii) the average of the three annual bonuses paid to the Executive prior to the date of consummation of the Change of Control (if applicable, because termination occurs during a Window Period), or the Executives target annual bonus under the Companys annual incentive compensation plan for the year that include his or her Date of Employment Termination. If the Executive received fewer than three bonuses prior to his or her Date of Employment Termination or the date of consummation of the Change of Control, as applicable, the amounts described in Clauses (i) and (ii) shall be calculated using the average of such lesser number of annual bonuses. The term annual bonus does not include any special or sign-on bonus that is not part of the Companys regular and recurring program of annual incentive compensation.
Window Period means the one-year period commencing on the date of consummation of a Change of Control. Furthermore, only the first Change of Control shall be counted in determining whether there is a Window Period, and, as a result, there shall not be multiple Window Periods under this Agreement.
Years of Service means the number of whole years, i.e., completed consecutive 12-month periods, in the period beginning on the date the Executive first performed services as an employee of the Company (or its predecessor) and ending on his or her Date of Employment Termination.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have duly executed this Agreement, or have caused this Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf, as of the day and year first herein above written.
ARBITRON INC.
By:
Name:
Title:
EXECUTIVE:
EXHIBIT A
WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT
THIS WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT is entered into as of , 20 (the Effective Date), by (the Executive) in consideration of the severance pay provided to the Executive by Arbitron Inc. (Employer) pursuant to the Executive Retention Agreement by and between the Employer and the Executive (the Severance Payment).
1. Waiver and Release. The Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of his heirs, executors, administrators, attorneys and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably releases, waives and forever discharges Employer and each of its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and the subsidiaries, directors, owners, members, shareholders, officers, agents, and employees of the Employer and its affiliates, parents, successors, predecessors, and subsidiaries (collectively, all of the foregoing are referred to as the Company), from any and all causes of action, claims and damages, including attorneys fees, whether known or unknown, foreseen or unforeseen, presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his signing of the Waiver and Release Agreement, concerning his employment or separation from employment. This release includes, but is not limited to, any claim or entitlement to salary, bonuses, any other payments, benefits or damages arising under any federal law (including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Executive Order 11246, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, each as amended); any claim arising under any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations (including, but not limited to, any state or local laws, ordinances or regulations requiring that advance notice be given of certain workforce reductions); and any claim arising under any common law principle or public policy, including, but not limited to, all suits in tort or contract, such as wrongful termination, defamation, emotional distress, invasion of privacy or loss of consortium.
The Executive understands that by signing this Waiver and Release Agreement he is not waiving any claims or administrative charges which cannot be waived by law. He is waiving, however, any right to monetary recovery or individual relief should any federal, state or local agency (including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) pursue any claim on his behalf arising out of or related to his employment with and/or separation from employment with the Employer.
The Executive further agrees without any reservation whatsoever, never to sue the Company or become a party to a lawsuit on the basis of any and all claims of any type lawfully and validly released in this Waiver and Release Agreement.
2. Acknowledgments. The Executive is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily. He acknowledges that:
(a) | He is hereby advised in writing to consult an attorney before signing this Waiver and Release Agreement; |
(b) | He has relied solely on his own judgment and/or that of his attorney regarding the consideration for and the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement and is signing this Waiver and Release Agreement knowingly and voluntarily of his own free will; |
(c) | He is not entitled to the Severance Payment unless he agrees to and honors the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement; |
(d) | He has been given at least forty-five (45) calendar days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement, or he expressly waives his right to have at least forty-five (45) days to consider this Waiver and Release Agreement; |
(e) | He may revoke this Waiver and Release Agreement within seven (7) calendar days after signing it by submitting a written notice of revocation to the Company. He further understands that this Waiver and Release Agreement is not effective or enforceable until after the seven (7) day period of revocation has expired without revocation, and that if he revokes this Waiver and Release Agreement within the seven (7) day revocation period, he will not receive the Severance Payment; |
(f) | He has read and understands the Waiver and Release Agreement and further understands that it includes a general release of any and all known and unknown, foreseen or unforeseen claims presently asserted or otherwise arising through the date of his signing of this Waiver and Release Agreement that he may have against the Company; and |
(g) | No statements made or conduct by the Company has in any way coerced or unduly influenced him to execute this Waiver and Release Agreements. |
3. No Admission of Liability. This Waiver and Release Agreement does not constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of the Company, the Company does not admit there has been any wrongdoing whatsoever against the Executive, and the Company expressly denies that any wrongdoing has occurred.
4. Entire Agreement. There are no other agreements of any nature between the Company and the Executive with respect to the matters discussed in this Waiver and Release Agreement, except as expressly stated herein, and that in signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, he is not relying on any agreements or representations, except those expressly contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement.
5. Execution. It is not necessary that the Company sign this Waiver and Release Agreement following the Executives full and complete execution of it for it to become fully effective and enforceable.
6. Severability. If any provision of this Waiver and Release Agreement is found, held or deemed by a court of competent jurisdiction to be void, unlawful or unenforceable under any applicable statute or controlling law, the remainder of this Waiver and Release Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
7. Governing Law. This Waiver and Release Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Maryland except for the provisions of Maryland law that would refer jurisdiction to another state.
8. Headings. Section and subsection headings contained in this Waiver and Release Agreement are inserted for the convenience of reference only. Section and subsection headings shall not be deemed to be a part of this Waiver and Release Agreement for any purpose, and they shall not in any way define or affect the meaning, construction or scope of any of the provisions hereof.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Agreement as of the day and year first herein above written.
EXECUTIVE: