Amendment and Restatement of ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in
EX-10.201 11 d123121dex10201.htm EX-10.20.1 d123121dex10201 (b) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates and Associates, directly or (c) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates (i) has any (a) any Person (other than an Exempt Person) shall become the Beneficial (a) The amount that is the Severed Employee's Credited Compensation, multiplied by (a) Anything in this plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if any Parachute Value is (b) All determinations required to be made under this Section 2.4 shall be made by a Deadline for Receipt by the Company: Introduction and General Information to Employee. Signing this Waiver and Release of Claims is
Exhibit 10.20.1
1
CONOCOPHILLIPS
KEY EMPLOYEE CHANGE IN CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN
(Amended and Restated Effective as of December 2, 2021)
The ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan (the "Plan") is hereby
amended and restated effective as of December 2, 2021. All capitalized terms used herein are
defined in Section 1 hereof.
Effective October 1, 2004, the Company adopted this Plan for the benefit of certain employees of
the Company and its Subsidiaries. This Plan was subsequently amended and restated effective
December 31, 2008, then subsequently amended and restated as of the Effective Time (as that
term is used in the Employee Matters Agreement between ConocoPhillips and Phillips 66 dated as
of April 26, 2012), then further amended and restated effective January 1, 2014. This Plan is
hereby subsequently amended and restated effective December 2, 2021, which restatement wholly
replaces the prior restatement (except as set forth below), by approval of the Human Resources
and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of ConocoPhillips at its meeting on
December 2, 2021.
This Plan is intended to be a plan maintained primarily for the purpose of providing deferred
compensation for a select group of management or highly compensated employees, within the
meaning of Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, and shall
be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intention.
SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS. As hereinafter used:
1.1 "Accounting Firm" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 2.4(b) of this Plan.
1.2 "Affiliate" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the Effective Date.
1.3 "Associate" means, with reference to any Person, (a) any corporation, firm, partnership,
association, unincorporated organization, or other entity (other than the Company or a Subsidiary
of the Company) of which such Person is an officer or general partner (or officer or general partner
of a general partner) or is, directly or indirectly, the Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of any class of
equity securities, (b) any trust or other estate in which such Person has a substantial beneficial
interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity, and (c) any
relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same home as such
Person.
1.4 "Beneficial Owner" means, with reference to any securities, any Person if:
Exhibit 10.20.1
2
(a) such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates and Associates, directly or
indirectly, is the "beneficial owner" of (as determined pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General
Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as in effect on the Effective Date) such
securities or otherwise has the right to vote or dispose of such securities, including
pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether or not in writing);
provided, however, that a Person shall not be deemed the "Beneficial Owner" of, or to
"beneficially own," any security under this subsection (a) as a result of an agreement,
arrangement, or understanding to vote such security if such agreement, arrangement, or
understanding: (i) arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a
public (
i.e.
, not including a solicitation exempted by Rule 14a-2(b)(2) of the General Rules
and Regulations under the Exchange Act) proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to,
and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations
under the Exchange Act, and (ii) is not then reportable by such Person on Schedule 13D
under the Exchange Act (or any comparable or successor report);
indirectly, has the right or obligation to acquire such securities (whether such right or
obligation is exercisable or effective immediately or only after the passage of time or the
occurrence of an event) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding
(whether or not in writing) or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, other
rights, warrants, or options, or otherwise; provided, however, that a Person shall not be
deemed the Beneficial Owner of, or to "beneficially own," (i) securities tendered pursuant
to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or
Associates until such tendered securities are accepted for purchase or exchange or
(ii) securities issuable upon exercise of Exempt Rights; or
agreement, arrangement, or understanding (whether or not in writing) with any other
Person (or any Affiliate or Associate thereof) that beneficially owns such securities for the
purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except as set forth in the proviso to subsection (a) of
this definition), or disposing of such securities or (ii) is a member of a group (as that term is
used in Rule 13d-5(b) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act) that
includes any other Person that beneficially owns such securities;
provided, however, that nothing in this definition shall cause a Person engaged in business as an
underwriter of securities to be the Beneficial Owner of, or to "beneficially own," any securities
acquired through such Person’s participation in good faith in a firm commitment underwriting until
the expiration of 40 days after the date of such acquisition. For purposes hereof, "voting" a
security shall include voting, granting a proxy, consenting or making a request or demand relating
to corporate action (including, without limitation, a demand for a stockholder list, to call a
stockholder meeting or to inspect corporate books and records), or otherwise giving an
authorization (within the meaning of section 14(a) of the Exchange Act) in respect of such security.
Exhibit 10.20.1
3
The terms "beneficially own" and "beneficially owning" have meanings that are correlative
to this definition of the term "Beneficial Owner."
1.5 "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
1.6 "Cause" means (i) the willful and continued failure by the Eligible Employee to substantially
perform the Eligible Employee's duties with the Employer (other than any such failure resulting
from the Eligible Employee's incapacity due to physical or mental illness), or (ii) the willful engaging,
not in good faith, by the Eligible Employee in conduct which is demonstrably injurious to the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise.
1.7 "Change in Control" means any of the following occurring on or after the Effective Date:
Owner of 20% or more of the shares of Common Stock then outstanding or 20% or more of
the combined voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding;
provided, however, that no Change of Control shall be deemed to occur for purposes of this
subsection (a) if such Person shall become a Beneficial Owner of 20% or more of the shares
of Common Stock then outstanding or 20% or more of the combined voting power of the
Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding solely as a result of (i) any acquisition
directly from the Company or (ii) any acquisition by a Person pursuant to a transaction that
complies with clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (c) of this definition are satisfied;
(b) individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the
“Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board;
provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the Effective
Date, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s shareholders, was
approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent
Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent
Board; provided, further, that there shall be excluded, for this purpose, any such individual
whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of any actual or threatened election
contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board;
(c) the Company shall consummate a reorganization, merger, statutory share,
consolidation, or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries or sale
or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the
acquisition of assets or securities of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries
(a “Business Combination”), in each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i)
50% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation, or
common equity securities of an entity other than a corporation, resulting from such
Business Combination and the combined voting power of the then outstanding Voting Stock
of such corporation or other entity are beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by all or
substantially all of the Persons who were the Beneficial Owners of the outstanding
Exhibit 10.20.1
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Common Stock immediately prior to such Business Combination in substantially the same
proportions as their ownership, immediately prior to such Business Combination, of the
outstanding Common Stock, (ii) no Person (excluding any Exempt Person or any Person
beneficially owning, immediately prior to such Business Combination, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding or 20% or more of the combined
voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company then outstanding) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation, or common equity securities of an entity other than a corporation, resulting
from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
Voting Stock of such corporation or other entity, and (iii) at least a majority of the members
of the board of directors of the corporation, or common equity securities of an entity other
than a corporation, resulting from such Business Combination were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the initial agreement or initial action by the Board providing
for such Business Combination; or
(d) the shareholders of the Company shall approve a complete liquidation or
dissolution of the Company unless such liquidation or dissolution is approved as part of a
transaction that complies with clauses (i), (ii), and (iii) of subsection (c) of this definition.
1.8 "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time to time.
1.9 "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the Company.
1.10 "Company" means ConocoPhillips or any successors thereto.
1.11 " Company Retirement Contribution Percentage" means the percentage, determined with
regard to a Severed Employee as of their Severance Date, set forth in (a) the Company Retirement
Contribution feature under the ConocoPhillips Savings Plan and (b) the Supplemental Company
Retirement Contribution feature under the Company Retirement Contribution Make-Up Plan of
ConocoPhillips.
1.12 "Controlled Group" shall mean ConocoPhillips and its Subsidiaries.
1.13 "Credited Compensation" of a Severed Employee means the aggregate of the Severed
Employee's annual base salary plus his or her annual incentive compensation, each as further
described below. For purposes of this definition, (a) annual base salary shall be determined
immediately prior to the Severance Date (without regard to any reductions therein which
constitute Good Reason) and (b) annual incentive compensation shall be deemed to equal the
higher of (i) the Severed Employee’s most recently established target (determined at one hundred
percent of target) for annual incentive compensation for such employee prior to such employee’s
Severance Date or (ii) the average of the most recent two annual incentive compensation payments
to by such Severed Employee pursuant to the Variable Cash Incentive Program or its successor
program maintained by the Employer made before his or her Severance Date; provided, however,
that for purposes of this clause (ii), (I) if such Severed Employee has been eligible to receive only
Exhibit 10.20.1
5
one such annual incentive compensation payment for a period ending before his or her Severance
Date, the amount of annual incentive compensation for purposes of determining Credited
Compensation shall be equal to the amount of such single annual incentive compensation payment
(if any), and (II) if such Severed Employee has not been eligible for any such annual incentive
compensation payment, the amount of annual incentive compensation for purposes of determining
Credited Compensation shall be equal to his or her most recently established target (determined at
one hundred percent of target) for annual incentive compensation for such employee prior to such
employee’s Severance Date.
1.14 "Effective Date" means the effective date of this Plan as amended and restated as set forth
in the preamble to this Plan.
1.15 "Eligible Employee" means any employee that is a Tier 1 Employee or a Tier 2 Employee.
1.16 "Employer" means the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.
1.17 "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
1.18 "Excise Tax" shall mean the excise tax imposed by section 4999 of the Code, together with
any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such excise tax.
1.19 "Exempt Person" means any of the Company, any entity controlled by the Company, any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any entity
controlled by the Company, and any Person organized, appointed, or established by the Company
or any entity controlled by the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such employee benefit
plan.
1.20 "Exempt Rights" means any rights to purchase shares of Common Stock or other Voting
Stock of the Company if at the time of the issuance thereof such rights are not separable from such
Common Stock or other Voting Stock (
i.e.
, are not transferable otherwise than in connection with a
transfer of the underlying Common Stock or other Voting Stock), except upon the occurrence of a
contingency, whether such rights exist as of the Effective Date, or are thereafter issued by the
Company as a dividend on shares of Common Stock or other Voting Securities or otherwise.
1.21 "Good Reason" means the occurrence, on or after the date of a Change in Control, and
without the Eligible Employee's written consent, of (i) the assignment to the Eligible Employee of
duties in the aggregate that are inconsistent with the Eligible Employee's level of responsibility
immediately prior to the date of the Change in Control or any diminution in the nature of the
Eligible Employee's responsibilities from those in effect immediately prior to the date of the Change
in Control; (ii) a reduction by the Employer in the Eligible Employee's annual base salary or any
adverse change in the Eligible Employee's aggregate annual and long term incentive compensation
opportunity from that in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control which change is not
pursuant to a program applicable to all comparably situated executives of the Employer; or (iii) the
relocation of the Eligible Employee's principal place of employment to a location more than 50
Exhibit 10.20.1
6
miles from the Eligible Employee's principal place of employment immediately prior to the date of
the Change in Control; provided, however, that this clause (iii) shall not be considered to be Good
Reason if the Employer undertakes to pay all reasonable relocation expenses of the Eligible
Employee in connection with such relocation, whether through a relocation plan, program, or
policy of the Employer or otherwise.
1.22 "Net Benefit" shall mean the present value of the Payments net of all Federal, state,
local, and foreign income, employment, and excise taxes.
1.23 "Parachute Value" of a Payment shall mean the present value as of the date of the
change of control for purposes of section 280G of the Code of the portion of such Payment that
constitutes a "parachute payment" under section 280G(b)(2), as determined by the Accounting
Firm for purposes of determining whether and to what extent the Excise Tax will apply to such
Payment.
1.24 "Payment" shall mean any payment or distribution in the nature of compensation
(within the meaning of section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of an Eligible
Employee, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Plan or otherwise, by any Employer or by a
Person that is a party to the Change in Control.
1.25 "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, trust,
unincorporated organization, or other entity.
1.26 "Plan" means the ConocoPhillips Key Employee Change in Control Severance Plan, as set
forth herein, as it may be amended from time to time.
1.27 "Plan Administrator" means the person or persons appointed from time to time by the
Board, which appointment may be revoked at any time by the Board. At the Effective Date, the
Plan Administrator shall be the Vice President, Human Resources and Real Estate and Facilities
Services of the Company. Any successor to the office of Vice President, Human Resources and Real
Estate and Facilities Services (or to a lesser or greater position encompassing the role of the most
senior officer of the Company with responsibility over the Human Resources function) shall become
the Plan Administrator, unless and until the Board appoints another person or persons.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, any person appointed as Plan Administrator shall recuse themselves
from any action with regard to a claim relating to such person as an Eligible Employee.
1.28 "Public Offering" means the initial sale of common equity securities of the Company
pursuant to an effective registration statement (other than a registration on Form S-4 or S-8 or any
successor or similar forms) filed under the Securities Act of 1933.
1.29 "Retirement Plans" means the ConocoPhillips Retirement Plan and the ConocoPhillips Key
Employee Supplemental Retirement Plan.
1.30 "Safe Harbor Amount" means, with respect to an Eligible Employee, 2.99 times the Eligible
Employee's "base amount," within the meaning of section 280G(b)(3) of the Code.
Exhibit 10.20.1
7
1.31 "Separation from Service" means the date on which the Participant separates from service
with the Controlled Group within the meaning of Code section 409A, whether by reason of death,
disability, retirement, or otherwise. In determining Separation from Service, with regard to a bona
fide leave of absence that is due to any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that
can be expected to result in death or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less
than six months, where such impairment causes the Employee to be unable to perform the duties
of his or her position of employment or any substantially similar position of employment, a 29-
month period of absence shall be substituted for the six-month period set forth in section 1.409A-
1(h)(1)(i) of the regulations issued under section 409A of the Code, as allowed thereunder.
1.32 "Severance" means the termination of an Eligible Employee's employment with the
Employer on or within two years following the date of a Change in Control, (i) by the Employer
other than for Cause, or (ii) by the Eligible Employee for Good Reason. An Eligible Employee will
not be considered to have incurred a Severance if his employment is discontinued by reason of the
Eligible Employee's death or a physical or mental condition causing such Eligible Employee's
inability to substantially perform his duties with the Employer and entitling him or her to benefits
under any long-term
sick pay or disability income policy or program of the Employer. Furthermore,
an Eligible Employee will not be considered to have incurred a Severance if employment with the
Employer is discontinued after the Eligible Employee has been offered employment with another
employer that has purchased a Subsidiary or division of the Company or all or substantially all of
the assets of a Subsidiary or division of the Company and the offer of employment from the other
employer is at the same or greater salary and the same or greater target bonus as the Eligible
Employee has at that time from the Employer. Still further, an Eligible Employee will not be
considered to have incurred a Severance as a result of (i) the Distribution, (ii) the Eligible
Employee's transfer to the controlled group of Phillips 66 in connection with the Distribution, or (iii)
the Eligible Employee's transfer to the Controlled Group in connection with the Distribution.
Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Good Reason shall not be deemed to have
occurred unless the Company shall have been given (1) written notice of the Eligible Employee's
assertion that an event constituting Good Reason has occurred, which notice shall be given not less
than 30 days prior to the Severance Date to which such notice relates, and (2) a reasonable
opportunity to cure such occurrence during such 30-day period. Furthermore, in order to be
considered a Severance, the termination must also meet the requirements of a Separation from
Service.
1.33 "Severance Date" means the date on which an Eligible Employee incurs a Severance.
1.34 "Severance Pay" means the payment determined pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof.
1.35 "Severed Employee" means an Eligible Employee who has incurred a Severance.
1.36 "Salary Grade" means a classification level for Employees under the practices of the
Company. Where Salary Grades are used in this Plan, they are depicted under the U.S. practices for
Exhibit 10.20.1
8
the Company. Practices may vary in other countries or particular subsidiaries, and Salary Grades
shall be transposed as necessary to reflect the practice in the relevant country or subsidiary.
1.37 "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity that is treated as a single employer with
ConocoPhillips after the Distribution, under section 414(b) or (c) of the Code; provided, that in
making this determination, in applying section 1563(a)(1), (2), and (3) of the Code for purposes of
determining a controlled group of corporations under section 414(b) of the Code and for purposes
of determining trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control under
regulation section 1.414(c)-2 for purposes of section 414(c) of the Code, the language “at least
80%” shall be used without substitution as allowed under regulations pursuant to section 409A of
the Code.
1.38 "Tier 1 Employee" means any employee of the Employer who is in Salary Grade 26 or above
(under the Salary Grade schedule of the Company on the Effective Date, with appropriate
adjustment for any subsequent change in such Salary Grade schedule), at or subsequent to the
time of the Change in Control.
1.39 "Tier 2 Employee" means any employee of the Employer, other than a Tier 1 Employee, who
is in Salary Grade 23 or above (under the Salary Grade schedule of the Company on the Effective
Date, with appropriate adjustment for any subsequent change in such Salary Grade schedule) at or
subsequent to the time of the Change in Control.
1.40 "Value" of a Payment shall mean the economic present value of a Payment as of the date of
the change of control for purposes of section 280G of the Code, as determined by the Accounting
Firm using the discount rate required by section 280G(d)(4) of the Code.
1.41 "Voting Stock" means, (i) with respect to a corporation, all securities of such corporation of
any class or series that are entitled to vote generally in the election of, or to appoint by contract,
directors of such corporation (excluding any class or series that would be entitled so to vote by
reason of the occurrence of any contingency, so long as such contingency has not occurred) and (ii)
with respect to an entit y which is not a corporation, all securities of any class or series that are
entitled to vote generally in the election of, or to appoint by contract, members of the body which
is most analogous to the board of directors of a corporation .
SECTION 2. BENEFITS.
2.1 Subject to Section 2.8, each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive Severance Pay
equal to the sum of the amounts determined under Sections 2.1(a), (b), (c), and (d), as applicable.
Furthermore, for purposes of Employer compensation plans, programs, and arrangements, each
Severed Employee shall be considered to have been laid off by the Employer.
(i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 2 in the case of a Tier 2 Employee.
Exhibit 10.20.1
9
(b)
For Severed Employees actively participating in the Retirement Plans the amount
that is the present value, determined as of the Severed Employee's Severance Date,
of the benefits under the Retirement Plans that would result if the Severed
Employee was credited with the following number of additional years of age and
service under the Retirement Plans: (i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 2, in
the case of a Tier 2 Employee; less the amount that is the value determined as of
the Severed Employee’s Severance Date (including any additional credited service
due to the circumstances of the Severed Employee’s termination) of the benefits
under the Retirement Plans. Present value shall be determined based on the
assumptions utilized under the ConocoPhillips Retirement Plan for purposes of
determining contributions under Code section 412 for the most recently completed
plan year. No amounts provided under this Section 2.1(b) shall be less than zero.
For the avoidance of doubt, with respect to a Severed Employee who is actively
participating in a cash balance formula under the Retirement Plans, the Severance
Pay amount determined under this subsection shall be the amount that is the
present value of benefits under the Retirement Plans that would result if the
Severed Employee was credited with the following number of additional years of
pay credits and interest credits under the Retirement Plans as of the Severance
Date: (i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 2, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee;
less the amount that is the value determined as of the Severed Employee’s
Severance Date of the benefits under the Retirement Plans.
(c)
For Severed Employees actively participating in the Company Retirement
Contribution Account feature of the ConocoPhillips Savings Plan, as that term is
therein defined, the amount that would be the result of the Company Retirement
Contribution Percentage multiplied by the Severed Employee's Credited
Compensation and (i) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or (ii) 2, in the case of a
Tier 2 Employee.
(d)
The amount that is equal to the sum of (i), (ii), and (iii):
(i)
The lesser of the difference between the annual COBRA participant
contribution amount or the ConocoPhillips Retiree Medical Pre-65 Plan
participant contribution amount, as applicable, and the annual active
employee contribution amount, each as of the Severance Date, based on
the active medical coverage for which the Severed Employee was enrolled
as of the Severance Date multiplied by (a) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee
or (b) 2, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee. For the avoidance of doubt, any
Severed Employee or dependents who are over the age of 65 on the
Severance Date will not be eligible for any amounts under this section
2.1(d)(i).
(ii)
The difference between the annual COBRA participant contribution amount
and the annual active employee contribution amount, each as of the
Exhibit 10.20.1
10
Severance Date, based on the active dental coverage for which the Severed
Employee was enrolled as of the Severance Date multiplied by (a) 3, in the
case of a Tier 1 Employee or (b) 2, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee.
(iii)
The difference between the annual cost to maintain coverage and the
annual active employee contribution, each as of the Severance Date, for the
company-sponsored life insurance coverage (including basic, executive
basic, and supplemental) for which the Severed Employee was enrolled on
the Severance Date multiplied by (a) 3, in the case of a Tier 1 Employee or
(b) 2, in the case of a Tier 2 Employee. For the avoidance of doubt, this
amount will be calculated using differences in cost ignoring any limits
imposed by the insurance carrier for portability and conversion of coverage.
Any amounts provided under this Section 2.1(d) will not be adjusted to reflect that
the Severed Employee’s cost will no longer be pre-tax.
2.2 Severance Pay (as well as any amount payable pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof) shall be paid
to an eligible Severed Employee in a cash lump sum on the first business day immediately following
10 days after the end of the period for executing and delivering the Severed Employee's release, as
set forth in Section 2.8.
2.3 Upon Change in Control, the following shall apply to equity awards made by the Company
to an Eligible Employee:
(a)
With regard to all equity awards which do not directly provide otherwise, each
Eligible Employee shall become fully vested in such equity awards upon incurring a
Severance following such Change in Control, and such equity awards shall not
thereafter be forfeitable for any reason (except that options shall expire and be
cancelled ten years from the date of their grant).
(b)
Any options granted to the Eligible Employee shall be exercisable at the times set
forth in the applicable award documents. Each such option shall remain
outstanding until ten years from the date of grant, notwithstanding any provision of
the option grant or any plan under which the option may have been granted to the
contrary.
(c)
The date of distribution of any stock or other value from such awards shall be as set
forth in the applicable terms and conditions of the award.
2.4 With regard to any potential Excise Tax and the avoidance thereof:
received or is expected to be received under the Plan, then prior to making any
payment of Severance Pay under this Plan, a calculation shall be made comparing (i)
Exhibit 10.20.1
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the Net Benefit to the Severed Employee after payment of the Excise Tax to (ii) the
Net Benefit to the Severed Employee if the Payments are limited to the extent
necessary to avoid being subject to the Excise Tax. If the amount calculated under
clause (i) above is less than the amount under clause (ii) above, Severance Pay
under this Plan will be reduced to the minimum extent necessary to ensure that no
portion of the Payments is subject to the Excise Tax. For avoidance of doubt, it is
intended that, for purposes of reducing the Payments to the Safe Harbor Amount,
only amounts payable under this Plan (and no other Payments) shall be reduced.
nationally recognized certified public accounting firm designated by the Plan
Administrator (the "Accounting Firm"). The Accounting Firm shall provide detailed
supporting calculations both to the Company and each Eligible Employee within 15
business days of the receipt of notice from the Eligible Employee that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. All fees and
expenses of the Accounting Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Eligible Employee.
2.5 Each Severed Employee shall be entitled to receive the employee's full salary through the
Severance Date and, subject to Section 2.8 but notwithstanding any provision of the Company's
Variable Cash Incentive Program or similar annual bonus incentive plan to the contrary, shall be
eligible for consideration for an award under such program or plan when awards are made with
regard to the fiscal year under such program or plan in which the Severance Date occurred.
2.6 The Company will pay to each Eligible Employee all reasonable legal fees and expenses
incurred by such Eligible Employee in pursuing any claim under the Plan, unless the applicable
finder of fact determines that the Eligible Employee's claim was frivolous or not maintained in good
faith.
2.7 The Company shall be entitled to withhold and/or to cause to be withheld from amounts to
be paid to the Severed Employee hereunder any federal, state, or local withholding or other taxes
or charges which it is from time to time required to withhold.
2.8 No Severed Employee shall be eligible to receive Severance Pay or other benefits under the
Plan unless he or she first executes a written release substantially in the form attached as Exhibit A
hereto (or, if the Severed Employee was not a United States employee, a similar release which is in
accordance with the applicable laws in the relevant jurisdiction) and, to the extent such release is
revocable by its terms, only if the Severed Employee does not revoke it. Such release must be
executed and delivered to the Company within 30 days of the Employee’s Severance Date.
SECTION 3. PLAN ADMINISTRATION .
Exhibit 10.20.1
12
3.1 The Plan Administrator shall administer the Plan and may interpret the Plan, prescribe,
amend, and rescind rules and regulations under the Plan and make all other determinations
necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan, subject to all of the provisions of the Plan.
3.2 In the event of a claim by an Eligible Employee as to the amount or timing of any payment
or benefit, such Eligible Employee shall present the reason for his or her claim in writing to the Plan
Administrator. The Plan Administrator shall, within 14 days after receipt of such written claim,
send a written notification to the Eligible Employee as to its disposition. Except as provided in the
preceding portion of this Section 3.2, all disputes under this Plan shall be settled exclusively by
binding arbitration in Houston, Texas, in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association then in effect. Judgment may be entered on the arbitrator's award in any court having
jurisdiction.
3.3 The Plan Administrator may delegate any of its duties hereunder to such person or persons
from time to time as it may designate.
3.4 The Plan Administrator is empowered, on behalf of the Plan, to engage accountants, legal
counsel, and such other personnel as it deems necessary or advisable to assist it in the
performance of its duties under the Plan. The functions of any such persons engaged by the Plan
Administrator shall be limited to the specified services and duties for which they are engaged, and
such persons shall have no other duties, obligations, or responsibilities under the Plan. Such
persons shall exercise no discretionary authority or discretionary control respecting the
management of the Plan. All reasonable expenses thereof shall be borne by the Employer.
SECTION 4. DURATION; AMENDMENT; AND TERMINATION .
4.1 This Plan, in its immediately prior version, was effective on the Effective Date and was
amended and restated effective as of the Effective Date. If a Change in Control has not occurred,
this Plan shall continue in effect unless and until it is terminated as provided in Section 4.2. If a
Change in Control occurs, this Plan shall continue in full force and effect and shall not terminate or
expire until after all Eligible Employees who become or may become entitled to any payments
hereunder shall have received such payments in full and all adjustments required to be made
pursuant to Section 2 have been made.
4.2 (a) If a Change in Control has not occurred, this Plan may be amended from time to
time during its term by the Company acting through its Board of Directors or, to the
extent authorized by the Board of Directors, its officers, provided that any such
amendment which shall in any manner reduce, diminish, or otherwise adversely
affect any benefit which is or may at any time in the future become payable
hereunder, or any such amendment which shall alter the definition of Change in
Control, shall be made effective not less than two years after the action of the
Company authorizing such amendment, unless, and then only to the extent that,
such amendment is or becomes necessary in order to assure continued compliance
by this Plan with any applicable state or federal law or regulation.
Exhibit 10.20.1
13
(b) The Company may, by action of its Board of Directors, terminate this Plan, provided,
however, that the effective date of such termination shall be not less than two
years from the date of such Board action. Provided further that in the event a
Change in Control shall occur prior to the effective date of termination, the
provisions of Section 4.2(c) shall apply.
(c) If a Change in Control shall occur while this Plan is in effect, no then-pending
amendment or termination shall take effect, this Plan shall remain in full force and
effect as at the Change in Control, and this Plan shall terminate automatically
without further action on behalf of the Company immediately following the making
of all payments to Eligible Employees under this Plan.
SECTION 5. GENERAL PROVISIONS.
5.1 Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, no right or interest of any Eligible Employee
under the Plan shall be assignable or transferable, in whole or in part, either directly or by
operation of law or otherwise, including without limitation by execution, levy, garnishment,
attachment, pledge, or in any manner; no attempted assignment or transfer thereof shall be
effective; and no right or interest of any Eligible Employee under the Plan shall be liable for, or
subject to, any obligation or liability of such Eligible Employee. When a payment is due under this
Plan to a Severed Employee who is unable to care for his or her affairs, payment may be made
directly to his or her legal guardian or personal representative.
5.2 If any Employer is obligated by law or by contract to pay severance pay, a termination
indemnity, notice pay, or the like, to a Severed Employee, or if any Employer is obligated by law to
provide advance notice of separation ("Notice Period") to a Severed Employee, then any Severance
Pay hereunder to such Severed Employee shall be reduced by the amount of any such severance
pay, termination indemnity, notice pay, or the like, as applicable, and by the amount of any
compensation received during any Notice Period. This provision specifically includes any payments
or obligations under the ConocoPhillips Severance Pay Plan, as effective on the Effective Date or as
subsequently amended, or under the ConocoPhillips Executive Severance Plan as effective on the
Effective Date or as subsequently amended. Furthermore, if an Eligible Employee has willful and
bad faith conduct demonstrably injurious to Company or its Subsidiaries, monetarily or otherwise,
after receiving Severance Pay, the Company may offset an amount equal to such Severance Pay
against any other amounts due from other plans or programs, unless otherwise required by law.
5.3 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 whomsoever, the right to be retained in the service of the Employer, and
all Eligible Employees shall remain subject to discharge to the same extent as if the Plan had never
been adopted.
Exhibit 10.20.1
14
5.4 If any provision of this Plan shall be held invalid or unenforceable, 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.
5.5 This Plan shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns
of the parties, including each Eligible Employee, present and future, and any successor to the
Employer.
5.6 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.
5.7 The Plan shall not be funded. No Eligible Employee shall have any right to, or interest in,
any assets of any Employer that may be applied by the Employer to the payment of benefits or
other rights under this Plan.
5.8 Any notice or other communication required or permitted pursuant to the terms hereof
shall have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States Mail, first -class, postage
prepaid, addressed to the intended recipient at his, her or its last known address.
5.9 This Plan shall be construed and enforced according to the laws of the State of Delaware.
The Plan is hereby amended and restated effective as of the Effective Date; provided, however,
that in the event that a Change in Control occurs on or before December 1, 2023, the provisions of
the immediately prior version of this Plan shall control to the extent that those provisions, or any of
them, are more favorable to a Severed Employee and have not been waived by that Severed
Employee. For the avoidance of doubt all Eligible Employees who previously were eligible for an
Excise Tax gross-up under the plan have waived these benefits as of the effective date of this
amended and restated Plan.
Executed this __ day of December 2021, by a duly authorized officer of the Company.
CONOCOPHILLIPS
By: /s/ Heather G. Sirdashney Dated: 12/2/2021
Heather G. Sirdashney
Vice President, Human Resources and Real Estate and Facilities Services
Exhibit
10.20.1
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Exhibit A
Date of Delivery to Employee:
_________
____________
WAIVER AND RELEASE OF CLAIMS
one condition to receiving certain benefit payments (“Benefits”) under the ConocoPhillips Executive
Severance Plan (the “Plan”) offered by ConocoPhillips (the “Company”). You should thoroughly review
and understand the effect of this Waiver and Release of Claims and consult with an attorney before
signing it. To the extent you have any claims covered by this Waiver and Release of Claims, you will be
giving up potentially valuable rights by signing. You may take time to consider whether or not to sign
this Waiver and Release of Claims. If you sign this Waiver and Release of Claims and deliver it to the
Company as set forth below, and if the Company’s designated recipient receives the Waiver and Release
of Claims on or before the date indicated above as the “Deadline for Receipt by the Company,” and you
do not revoke the Waiver and Release of Claims within seven (7) days following receipt, you will be
entitled to Benefits under the Plan if you are otherwise eligible. If the signed Waiver and Release of
Claims is not received by the deadline, or if you revoke it during the seven (7) day period following
receipt, no Benefits will be paid.
1.
General Release. In consideration of, and subject to, the payments to be made to me by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries, pursuant to the Plan, which I acknowledge that I would not otherwise
be entitled to receive, I hereby waive any claims I may have for employment or re-employment by the
Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company after the date hereof, and I further agree to and
do release and forever discharge the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company, and their
respective past and present officers, directors, shareholders, employees, agents, and assigns, as well as
any employee benefit plans maintained by the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the Company and
fiduciaries, employees, and agents of such plans, and any related parties (all of which are hereafter
referred to as the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims and causes of action, known or unknown,
arising out of or relating to my employment with the Company or any subsidiary or parent of the
Company (including the termination of that employment), except claims that the law does not permit
me to waive by signing this Waiver and Release of Claims. Such possible claims or causes of action
include, but are not limited to, wrongful discharge, contract, breach of contract, tort, fraud, the Civil
Rights Acts (including, but not limited to, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and sections 1981 and
1983 of the Civil Rights Act of 1866), the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (“ADEA”), the Worker
Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (“WARN”), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
(“ERISA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments
Act (“ADAAA”), the Family and Medical Leave Act (“FMLA”), the Texas Labor Code, and any other
federal, state, or local legislation or common law relating to employment or discrimination in
employment or otherwise, except as specifically excluded in paragraph 4 below.
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
THIS AGREEMENT INCLUDES A RELEASE OF
ALL KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS
Exhibit
10.20.1
16
2.
Extent of Release. For the purpose of implementing a full and complete release and discharge of
the Released Parties, I expressly acknowledge that the release I am giving in this document is intended
to include in its effect, without limitation, all claims I may have against the Released Parties, whether
known, unknown, or suspected at the time I delivered to the designated recipient for the Company this
signed Waiver and Release of Claims, and regardless of whether the knowledge of such claims, or the
facts upon which they might be based, would materially have affected my decision to sign this Waiver
and Release of Claims, and that the consideration given under this Waiver and Release of Claims is also
for the release of those claims and contemplates the extinguishment of any such claims. In furtherance
of this Waiver and Release of Claims, I waive any rights provided by California Civil Code section 1542
or other similar local, state, provincial, or federal law. Section 1542 states:
“A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not know or
suspect to exist in his favor at the time of executing the release, which if known by
him must have materially affected his settlement with the debtor.”
Some of the types of claims that I acknowledge I am releasing, although there may be others not listed
here, are claims I may have under any applicable labor agreement and claims under any federal, state,
or local statute, ordinance, order, or law arising out of or relating to the terms and conditions of my
employment with the Company and the termination of my employment, including claims such as:
a.
Discrimination on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status;
b.
Harassment, wrongful discharge, or retaliation, including retaliatory
discharge, arising under local, state, or federal law, including any worker’s
compensation or whistleblower statute;
c.
Any other possible restrictions on the Company’s ability to end its employees’
employment at will, including but not limited to (i) violation of public policy, (ii) breach of
any express or implied covenant of the employment contract, and (iii) breach of any
covenant of good faith and fair dealing;
d.
Unpaid wages, including, but not limited to claims for unpaid overtime, break, meal,
or rest periods;
e.
Amounts determined under an incentive compensation or bonus program of the
Company, including, but not limited to, the varying amounts at its discretion;
f.
Civil claims of negligence, defamation, business disparagement, invasion of
privacy, personal injury, fraud, misrepresentation, or infliction of emotional or mental
distress;
g.
Matters for which a civil action may be brought under section 502 or section
510 of ERISA, except as specifically excluded in paragraph 4 below (“Exceptions to
Release”); and
h.
Claims for breach of any agreement(s) ancillary to my employment with the
Company.
3.
Release of Claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. In consideration for receiving
the Benefits from the Company or any of its subsidiaries, I specifically waive all existing rights and claims
I may have against the Released Parties under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, 29 USC § 621
et seq., and any other applicable federal, state, or local statute or law involving age discrimination. I
acknowledge that the Benefits constitute independent consideration for this release of liability and are
Exhibit
10.20.1
17
in addition to any other payment to which I am entitled. I further acknowledge that I have been advised
to consult with an attorney of my own choosing before executing this Waiver and Release of Claims.
4.
Exceptions to Release. The Waiver and Release of Claims does not release any claims related to:
a.
The business expense reimbursement policy of the Company or any of its subsidiaries;
b.
Claims pursuant to section 502(a)(1)(B) of ERISA to recover benefits under the terms of the
employee benefit plans of the Company or any of its subsidiaries as applicable to me on the
date of my employment termination;
c.
Claims made for work-related injuries under applicable worker’s compensation statutes;
d.
Any claim that may arise after the date this signed Waiver and Release of Claims is delivered to
the designated recipient for the Company; and
e.
My rights to indemnification under any indemnification agreement, applicable law, and the
certificates of incorporation and bylaws of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company,
and my rights under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy covering me.
Nothing in this Waiver and Release of Claims, however, will limit my right to report possible violations of
law to any governmental agency, make other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower
provisions of federal, state, or local law, or testify, assist, or participate in an investigation, hearing, or
proceeding conducted by the EEOC, EPA, DOL, SEC, IRS, or any other governmental agency. Nothing in
this Waiver and Release of Claims limits my right to receive an award or incentive payment for
information provided to any governmental agency.
5.
Review Period and Revocation Period. I acknowledge that I have been given a period of twenty-one
(21) calendar days within which to review and consider the provisions of this Waiver and Release of
Claims, whether I choose to do so or not. I understand and acknowledge that the Company has advised
me in writing that I have seven (7) calendar days following the timely delivery to the designated
representative of the Company of this properly executed Waiver and Release of Claims to revoke my
acceptance of this Waiver and Release of Claims. I understand the revocation can be made by delivering
a written notice of revocation to ConocoPhillips, Attn: _________________________. I understand and
acknowledge that _________________ is the designated recipient for the Company of this Waiver and
Release of Claims and that I must deliver to him at the foregoing address this signed Waiver and Release
of Claims on or before the deadline set out above in order to be entitled to receive the Benefits. I
understand that for the revocation to be effective, the Company through the designated recipient must
receive written notice no later than the close of business on the seventh day after I deliver to the
designated recipient for the Company this signed Waiver and Release of Claims. This Waiver and
Release of Claims shall not become effective or enforceable, and the Plan Benefits will not become
payable until after the seven -day revocation period has expired, but in no event prior to the effective
date of my termination of employment, whether designated as a layoff or other form of termination of
employment. I acknowledge that I have had adequate time to read and consider this Waiver and
Release of Claims before executing it. I acknowledge that I have signed this Waiver and Release of
Claims voluntarily, knowingly, of my own free will, with the intent to be legally bound by the same, and
without reservation or duress, and that no promises or representations have been made to me by any
person to induce me to do so other than the promise of Benefits set forth in the first paragraph above
and the Company’s acknowledgment of my rights reserved under the fourth paragraph above.
6.
Choice of Laws. I understand, acknowledge, and agree that this Waiver and Release of Claims shall
be construed, interpreted, governed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas,
without giving effect to any conflict of law principles. I agree that all disputes and actions arising out of
Exhibit
10.20.1
18
or relating to this Waiver and Release of Claims shall be litigated solely and exclusively in the state or
federal courts located in Harris County, Texas. I submit to the personal jurisdiction of said courts for
purposes of any such disputes or actions.
Employee Signature:____________________________ Date: ________________________
Employee Name Printed: ______________________ Employee No: ________________