CYMER,INC. REDUCTIONIN FORCE SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN REVISION4, NOVEMBER 14, 2007
Exhibit 10.23
CYMER, INC.
REDUCTION IN FORCE SEPARATION BENEFITS PLAN
REVISION 4, NOVEMBER 14, 2007
SECTION 1. PURPOSE
This Plan (as defined herein) is designed to provide separation pay and benefits to Eligible Employees (as defined herein) of the Company (as defined herein) pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan. The Plan is intended to be an employee welfare benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(1) of ERISA (as defined herein) and shall be interpreted to effectuate this intent. This document shall serve as both a plan document and summary plan description for purposes of Title I of ERISA.
SECTION 2. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERM
Any and all of the Companys policies and practices regarding severance benefits or similar payments upon employment termination or position elimination with respect to Eligible Employees due to a Reduction in Force other than written employment or separation agreements with the Company that provide severance benefits are hereby superseded by this Plan, effective as of October , 2007. This plan will remain in effect until terminated by the Board of Directors of Cymer, Inc. or its designee.
SECTION 3. DEFINITIONS
(a) BASE SALARY means the Eligible Employees wages earned on the basis of a 40 hour work week determined as of the Eligible Employees Termination Date (as defined herein), excluding bonuses and commissions, and, if paid hourly, is based on the average number of regularly scheduled hours worked per week for the three months preceding the Termination Date.
(b) BOARD means the Board of Directors of Cymer, Inc.
(c) CAUSE means, with respect to a particular Eligible Employee: (i) fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or other act of misconduct against the Company; (ii) conviction of a felony; (iii) violation of any rules or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body which has an adverse effect on the Company; (iv) a material breach of the terms of the Eligible Employees employment obligations, or a breach of the Eligible Employees duty not to engage in any transaction that represents, directly or indirectly, self-dealing with the Company or any of the Companys affiliates, which has not been approved by the Company; (v) unsatisfactory performance; (vi) violation of state or federal law in connection with the Eligible Employees performance of his/her job; or (vii) a leave of absence exceeding the period allowed by contract, policy or applicable law. Notwithstanding the foregoing, termination of the Eligible Employees employment due to death or disability shall not be considered termination for Cause. The determination that a termination is for Cause shall be by the Committee, as applicable, in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion.
(d) COMMITTEE means the Committee of the Board (and any delegatee(s) of such Committee) established by the Board to administer this Plan in accordance with its terms.
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(e) COMPANY means Cymer, Inc. and its subsidiaries.
(f) COMPARABLE POSITION means any position with the Company, regardless of title and responsibilities, that is located within 50 miles of the location at which the Eligible Employee was performing his or her duties immediately prior to his or her Termination Date and the base salary offered for such position is not less than eighty-five percent (85%) of Eligible Employees Base Salary as of the Eligible Employees Termination Date.
(g) ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEE means any non-temporary, full-time or part-time employee (i.e., working at least 20 hours per week) of the Company (specifically excluding any individual who is not treated by the Company as a common law employee without regard to the characterization or recharacterization of such individuals status by any court or governmental agency), who is paid from the Companys United States payroll and who has been notified by the Company that he or she is subject to Involuntary Termination Without Cause as a result of a Reduction in Force and who has not been offered a Comparable Position with the Company. Employees who do not return to work following a leave of absence prior to a Reduction in Force and/or who begin receiving benefits under the Companys long-term disability plan are not eligible for the benefits provided herein.
(h) ERISA means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
(i) GROUP HEALTH PLAN means a plan offered by the Company that provides medical, dental and/or vision coverage to the Companys employees, but does not include an Internal Revenue Code Section 125 health care reimbursement plan.
(j) HEALTH BENEFIT PERIOD the first full calendar month that commences following the Participants Termination Date.
(k) INVOLUNTARY TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE means an employees dismissal or discharge by the Company for a reason other than for Cause. The termination of an employees employment will not be deemed to be an Involuntary Termination Without Cause if such termination either occurs as a result of (1) the employees death or disability, (2) a force majeure circumstance beyond the Companys control including, but not limited to, fire, flood, explosion, bombing, earthquake or civil unrest, or (3) the employees resignation for any reason (including retirement).
(l) PARTICIPANT means an Eligible Employee who has fulfilled the requirements of Section 4 herein.
(m) PLAN means this Cymer, Inc. Reduction in Force Separation Benefits Plan, as set forth in this instrument and as amended from time to time.
(n) REDUCTION IN FORCE means the Involuntary Termination without Cause (as defined in the Plan) of the employment of two (2) or more full-time or part-time employees of the Company within a ninety (90) day period as a result of lack of work, lack of funds, economic slowdowns, technological or structural changes in the Companys operations, a corporate restructuring, or any business, operational or other circumstances which necessitate a reduction in the number of U.S. employees on U.S. payroll as a means of ensuring the financial health, efficiency and viability of the Company on a short-term or long-term basis. The determinationas to whether or not a Reduction in Force has occurred under particular circumstances shall be made by the Committee in its sole and exclusive discretion.
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(o) SERVICE DATE means the Eligible Employees first date of employment with the Company or, if rehired by the Company, the date of rehire.
(p) TERMINATION DATE means the date of the Eligible Employees Involuntary Termination Without Cause.
(q) YEARS OF SERVICE means the number of full years (i.e., a period of twelve complete months) or partial years of service completed by the Eligible Employee measured from the Service Date to the Termination Date, rounded up to the next whole year.
SECTION 4. DEPARTURE AND ENTITLEMENT PROCEDURE.
As a condition to receiving the severance benefits described in Section 5, the Eligible Employee must deliver to the Human Resources Department, or its designee an effective Release in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A or Exhibit B, as appropriate (the Release), within the time period set forth therein, but in no event later than forty-five (45) days following the Termination Date, and such release must become effective in accordance with its terms. The Company, in its discretion, may modify the form of the required Release at any time to comply with applicable law and shall determine the form of the required Release. Additionally, a condition to receiving the severance benefits described in Section 5, the Eligible Employee must return all Company property within five (5) days of the Eligible Employees Termination Date.
SECTION 5. PARTICIPATION AND BENEFITS.
(a) SEVERANCE BENEFITS. An Eligible Employee who timely returns a Release as described in Section 4 and meets the additional departure conditions described in Section 4 shall become a Participant as of the effective date of the Release and the following shall apply.
(i) Severance Payments. The Participant shall receive a lump-sum severance payment within one (1) week (seven days) of becoming a Participant and the amount of such payment shall be based on the Participants position level (as designated by the Company) and the Participants Years of Service as of the Participants Termination Date as set forth below. In the event of the Participants death prior to receipt of the severance payment, such severance payment shall be made to the Participants beneficiary or beneficiaries, as applicable.
POSITION LEVEL | | SEVERANCE PAYMENTS |
Senior Director/Director |
| 4 months Base Salary plus |
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Senior Manager/Manager | | 2 months Base Salary plus |
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Senior Level Professional, |
| 2 months Base Salary plus |
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Individual Contributor (IC 5-6) |
| 1 week Base Salary per Year of Service |
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Supervisor |
| 1 month Base Salary plus |
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Exempt or Technical |
| 1 month Base Salary plus |
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Non-Exempt Employee |
| 1 week Base Salary |
(ii) Outplacement Assistance. The Participant shall be eligible for outplacement assistance provided by a vendor to be chosen by the Company at the Companys sole and exclusive discretion for the applicable period of time based on the Participants position level (as designated by the Company) and Years of Service as of the Participants Termination Date as set forth below.
POSITION LEVEL |
| OUTPLACEMENT SERVICES |
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Senior Director/Director |
| 3-months |
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Senior Manager/Manager |
| 1-month |
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Senior Level Professional, |
| 1-month |
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Supervisor |
| 2-day workshop |
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Exempt or Technical |
| 2-day workshop |
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Non-Exempt Employee |
| 2-day workshop |
(iii) Group Health Plan Coverage Payments. Assuming the Participant timely elects to continue his Group Health Plan coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA) during the Health Benefit Period the Company will pay the applicable portion of the Company premium for the Participant and any qualified dependents for Group Health Plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the Participants Termination Date. As a condition to receiving such benefits, during the Health Benefit Period the Participant must continue to pay the Participants applicable portion of the premium for the Participant and any qualified dependents for Group Health Plan coverage as in effect immediately prior to the Participants Termination Date. The Company agrees that, in the event of the death of the Participant prior to the end of the Benefit Period, the Participants surviving
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spouse and the Participants eligible dependent children covered under the Companys Group Health Plan at the time of the Participants death, shall continue to receive benefits under this Section for the Heath Benefit Period. No further provisions in this agreement are made available to a Participants surviving spouse or the Participants dependent children. Following the Health Benefit Period, the Participant, Participants spouse, and Participants eligible dependent children, may continue to receive coverage under the Companys Group Health Plan by paying for the entire applicable COBRA coverage premiums until the Participant, Participants spouse, or Participants dependent children, as applicable, cease to be eligible for COBRA continuation coverage.
(iv) Deferred Compensation. Benefits payable under the Plan are intended to be payable pursuant to the short-term deferral rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations or otherwise exempt from application of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) VOLUNTARY RESIGNATION/TERMINATION FOR CAUSE. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event shall an Eligible Employee receive any benefits hereunder if his or her termination is for Cause, occurs as a result of his or her death or disability, a force majeure circumstance beyond the Companys control including, but not limited to, fire, flood, explosion, bombing, earthquake or civil unrest, or his or her resignation for any reason (including retirement).
(c) AT WILL EMPLOYMENT. No provision of this Plan alters a Participants at will employment status with the Company.
(d) OFFSETS/WITHHOLDING. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, severance benefits received pursuant to this Plan shall be subject to offset(s) and withholding as set forth below to the extent permitted by applicable laws.
(i) All severance benefits under this Plan shall be subject to legal deductions and applicable withholding.
(ii) The Company reserves the right to offset the benefits payable under this Plan by any advanced monies the Participant owes the Company.
(iii) The benefits and amounts payable under this Plan shall be reduced (but not below zero) by any severance pay or benefits to which an Eligible Employee or Participant, as applicable, is or becomes entitled under any other severance pay plan, agreement, policy or arrangement other than individual written employment or separation agreements with the Company that provide severance benefits or any severance programs that specifically provide for benefits additional to those provided by this Plan.
(iv) There shall be no duplication of benefits under this Plan.
The Committee shall determine in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion whether and in what manner the provisions of this subsection 5(d) shall apply.
(e) LOSS AND REDUCTION OF BENEFITS; NON-DUPLICATION OF BENEFITS. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, severance benefits under this Plan shall terminate and/or shall be reduced as set forth below.
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(i) If an Eligible Employee resigns for any reason prior to his or her Termination Date, then he/she shall not be entitled to any severance benefits hereunder.
(ii) If, within the period commencing 90 days prior to the Termination Date and ending on the date upon which the severance payment described in subparagraph 5(a)(i) is paid, an Eligible Employee or Participant, as applicable, is offered a Comparable Position with the Company, then he or she will not receive the benefits described in subparagraph 5(a)(i) irrespective of whether or not he or she accepts such Comparable Position.
(iii) If, during the base salary replacement period represented by the severance payment described in subparagraph 5(a)(i), a Participant is offered and accepts a position (whether a Comparable Position or not) with the Company, then he or she shall not receive any further severance benefits under this Plan and must repay the Company the pro-rata portion of the lump sum severance payment representing the portion of the base salary replacement period that follows his or her date of rehire.
(iv) If, prior to the date on which the severance payment described in subparagraph 5(a)(i) is paid, it is discovered that an otherwise Eligible Employee or Participant, as applicable, engaged in conduct prior to or following his or her Termination Date which would constitute Cause as defined herein, then severance payments and applicable benefits shall cease immediately and such Eligible Employee or Participant, as applicable, shall no longer be entitled to any benefits hereunder.
(v) If an Eligible Employee receives pay and/or other benefits in lieu of notice, or receives pay and/or other benefits during an applicable notice period, under any applicable Federal, state or local law including, but not limited to, the Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification Act, 29 U.S.C. Section 2101 et seq., or the California mini-WARN Act, then the benefits and amounts payable under subsection 5(a) of this Agreement shall be reduced (but not below 1 week Base Salary) by an amount equal to the aggregate amount of such pay and/or other benefits received by Eligible Employee in lieu of such notice or during such notice period.
The Committee shall determine in its sole and exclusive judgment and discretion whether and in what manner the provisions of this subsection 5(e) shall apply
(f) LIMITATION ON EMPLOYEE RIGHTS. The Plan shall not give any employee of the Company the right to be retained in the service of the Company or to interfere with or restrict the right of the Company to discharge any employee at any time, for any reason, with or without Cause.
SECTION 6. ADMINISTRATION AND OPERATION OF THE PLAN
(a) PLAN SPONSOR AND ADMINISTRATOR. The Company is the Plan Sponsor and the Plan Administrator of the Plan (as such terms are defined in ERISA) and shall have responsibility for complying with any reporting and disclosure rules applicable to the Plan under ERISA. In all other respects, except as provided herein, the Plan shall be administered and operated by the Committee and its delegatee(s). The Committee is empowered to construe and interpret the provisions of the Plan and to decide all questions of eligibility for benefits under this Plan and shall make such determinations in its sole and absolute discretion which shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. The Committee may at any time delegate to any other named person or body, or reassume therefrom, any of its fiduciary responsibilities or administrative duties with respect to this Plan.
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(b) The members of the Committee shall be the named fiduciaries with respect to this Plan for purposes of Section 402 of ERISA.
(c) The Committee may contract with one or more persons including, but without limitation, actuaries, attorneys, accountants and consultants to render advice with regard to any responsibility it has under the Plan.
(d) Subject to the limitations of this Plan, the Committee shall from time to time establish such rules for the administration of this Plan as it may deem desirable.
(e) The Company shall, to the extent permitted by law, by the purchase of insurance or otherwise, indemnify and hold harmless the members of the Committee and each other fiduciary with respect to this Plan for liabilities or expenses they and each of them incur in carrying out their respective duties under the Plan, other than for any liabilities or expenses arising out of such fiduciarys gross negligence or willful misconduct. A fiduciary shall not be responsible for any breach of responsibility of any other fiduciary except to the extent provided in Section 405 of ERISA.
SECTION 7. CLAIMS, INQUIRIES AND APPEALS
(a) APPLICATIONS FOR BENEFITS AND INQUIRIES. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection 7(a), no application for benefits is required to receive benefits under this Plan. If an individual believes that he or she has been wrongfully denied any benefits under this Plan, such individual shall submit an application for benefits signed and in writing to: Human Resources Department, Cymer, Inc., 17075 Thornmint Court, San Diego, California 92127, which shall forward such request to the Committee.
(b) DENIAL OF CLAIMS. If any application for benefits is denied in whole or in part, the Committee must notify the claimant, in writing, of the denial of the application, and of the claimants right to review of the denial. The written notice of denial will be set forth in a manner designed to be understood, and will include specific reasons for the denial, specific references to the Plan provision upon which the denial is based, a description of any information or material that the Committee needs to complete the review and an explanation of the Plans review procedure.
(i) This written notice will be provided to the claimant within ninety (90) days after the Committee receives the application, unless special circumstances require an extension of time, in which case, the Committee has up to an additional ninety (90) days for processing the application. If an extension of time for processing is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished to the claimant before the end of the initial 90-day period.
(ii) This notice of extension will describe the special circumstances necessitating the additional time and the date by which the Committee is to render its decision on the application. If written notice of denial of the application for benefits is not furnished within the specified time, the application shall be deemed to be denied. The claimant will then be permitted to appeal the denial in accordance with the review procedure described below.
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(c) REQUEST FOR REVIEW. The claimant (or the claimants authorized representative) may appeal a denied benefit claim by submitting a written request for a review to: Corporate Human Resources, Cymer, Inc., 16750 Via Del Campo Court, San Diego, California 92127, who shall forward such request to the Committee.
(i) Any appeal must be submitted within sixty (60) days after the application is denied (or deemed denied). The Committee will give the claimant (or the claimants representative) an opportunity to review pertinent documents in preparing a request for a review.
(ii) A request for review must set forth all of the grounds on which it is based, all facts in support of the request and any other matters that the claimant or the claimants representative feel are pertinent. The Committee may require the claimant or the claimants representative to submit additional facts, documents or other material as it may find necessary or appropriate in making its review.
(iii) If the claimant wishes to submit additional information in connection with an appeal from the denial (or deemed denial) of benefits, the claimant may be required to do so at the claimants own expense.
(d) DECISION ON REVIEW. The Committee will act on each request for review within sixty (60) days after receipt of the request, unless special circumstances require an extension of time (not to exceed an additional sixty (60) days) for processing the request for a review. If an extension for review is required, written notice of the extension will be furnished within the initial 60-day period. The Committee will give written notice of its decision to the applicant. In the event that the Committee confirms the denial of the application for benefits in whole or in part, the notice will outline the specific Plan provisions upon which the decision is based. If written notice of the Committees decision is not given within the time prescribed above, the application will be deemed denied on review.
(e) EXHAUSTION OF REMEDIES. No legal action for benefits under the Plan may be brought until (i) a written application for benefits has been submitted in accordance with the procedures described above, (ii) the person claiming benefits has been notified by the Committee that the application is denied (or the application is deemed denied due to the Committees failure to act on it within the time prescribed), (iii) a written request for a review of the application has been submitted in accordance with the appeal procedure described above and (iv) the person appealing the denial has been notified in writing that the Committee has denied the appeal (or the appeal is deemed to be denied due to the Committees failure to take any action on the claim within the time prescribed).
SECTION 8. BASIS OF PAYMENTS TO AND FROM THE PLAN
All benefits under the Plan shall be paid by the Company. The Plan shall be unfunded and benefits hereunder shall be paid only from the general assets of the Company. An Eligible Employees right to receive payments under the Plan is no greater than that of the Companys unsecured general creditors. Therefore, if the Company were to become insolvent, the Eligible Employee might not receive benefits under the Plan.
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SECTION 9. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
The Company reserves the right to amend or terminate this Plan at any time; provided, however, that no amendment or termination shall diminish benefits to which a Participant is currently entitled under this Plan. Any amendment or other modification of the Plan shall be only in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the Company.
SECTION 10. NON-ALIENATION OF BENEFITS
No Plan benefit may be anticipated, alienated, sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, encumbered or charged, and any attempt to do so will be void.
SECTION 11. LEGAL CONSTRUCTION
This Plan shall be interpreted in accordance with ERISA and, to the extent not preempted by ERISA, with the laws of the State of California.
SECTION 12. OTHER PLAN INFORMATION
Plan Identification Number: The Plan ID #501
Type of Plan: Welfare benefit plan
Employer Identification Number: 33-0175463
Ending of the Plans Fiscal Year: December 31.
Agent for the Service of Legal Process: The Plans agent for service of legal process is: Vice President or acting Vice President, Human Resources, Cymer, Inc., 17075 Thornmint Court, San Diego, California 92127.
SECTION 13. STATEMENT OF ERISA RIGHTS AND DUTIES
(a) Participants in this Plan (which is a welfare benefit plan sponsored by the Company) are entitled to certain rights and protections under ERISA, including the right to:
(i) Examine, without charge, at the Plan Administrators office and at other specified locations, such as work sites, all Plan documents and copies of all documents filed by the Plan with the U.S. Department of Labor, such as detailed annual reports;
(ii) Obtain copies of all Plan documents and Plan information upon written request to the Plan Administrator. The Plan Administrator may make a reasonable charge for the copies; and
(iii) Receive a summary of the Plans annual financial report, in the case of a plan which is required to file an annual financial report with the Department of Labor. (Generally, all pension plans and welfare plans with 100 or more participants must file these annual reports.)
(b) In addition to creating rights for Plan participants, ERISA imposes duties upon the people responsible for the operation of the employee benefit plan. The people who operate the Plan, called fiduciaries of the Plan, have a duty to do so prudently and in the interest of Plan participants and beneficiaries.
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(c) No one, including the Company or any other person, may fire any person or otherwise discriminate against him or her in any way to prevent him or her from obtaining a Plan benefit or exercising rights under ERISA. If a claim for a Plan benefit is denied in whole or in part, the claimant must receive a written explanation of the reason for the denial. A claimant has the right to have the Plan review and reconsider his or her claim.
(d) Under ERISA, there are steps an employee can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if an employee request materials from the Plan and does not receive them within 30 days, he or she may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Plan Administrator to provide the materials and pay up to $100 a day until the employee receives the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Plan Administrator. If an employee has a claim for benefits that is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, he or she may file suit in a state or federal court. If it should happen that the Plan fiduciaries misuse the Plans money, or if an employee is discriminated against for asserting his or her rights, he or she may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or file suit in a federal court. The court will decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If he or she is successful, the court may order the person sued to pay these costs and fees. If he or she is unsuccessful, the court may order him or her to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds the claim is frivolous.
(e) If an employee has any questions about the Plan, the employee should contact the Plan Administrator. If an employee any questions about this statement or about the employees rights under ERISA, or if the employee needs assistance in obtaining documents from the Plan Administrator, the employee should contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in the telephone directory or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20210. The employee may also obtain certain publications about the employees rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration or accessing its website at http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/.
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For Employees Under Age 40
EXHIBIT A
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS
In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in Section 4 of the Reduction In Force Separation Benefits Plan dated October , 2007, to which this form is attached, I, [Employee], hereby furnish Cymer, Inc. (the Company), with the following release and waiver (Release and Waiver).
I hereby release, and forever discharge the Company, its officers, directors, agents, employees, stockholders, successors, assigns, affiliates, parent, subsidiaries, and benefit plans (the Releasees), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising at any time prior to and including my employment termination date with respect to any claims relating to my employment and the termination of my employment, including but not limited to, claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law relating to employment, including, but not limited to, discrimination claims, claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (ADEA), or claims for wrongful termination, breach of the covenant of good faith, contract claims, tort claims, and wage or benefit claims, including but not limited to, claims for salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, vacation pay, fringe benefits, severance pay or any form of compensation.
I also acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: 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. I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to any claims I may have against the Releasees.
I further acknowledge that I have been advised that I have seven (7) days to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier).
Date: |
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| [EMPLOYEE] |
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For Employees Over Age 40
EXHIBIT B
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS
In consideration of the payments and other benefits set forth in Section 4 of the Reduction In Force Separation Benefits Plan dated October , 2007, to which this form is attached, I, [Employee], hereby furnish Cymer, Inc. (the Company), with the following release and waiver (Release and Waiver).
I hereby release, and forever discharge the Company, its officers, directors, agents, employees, stockholders, successors, assigns, affiliates, parent, subsidiaries, and benefit plans (the Releasees), of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of action, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, damages, indemnities and obligations of every kind and nature, in law, equity, or otherwise, known and unknown, suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising at any time prior to and including my employment termination date with respect to any claims relating to my employment and the termination of my employment, including but not limited to, claims pursuant to any federal, state or local law relating to employment, including, but not limited to, discrimination claims, claims under the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended (ADEA), or claims for wrongful termination, breach of the covenant of good faith, contract claims, tort claims, and wage or benefit claims, including but not limited to, claims for salary, bonuses, commissions, stock, stock options, vacation pay, fringe benefits, severance pay or any form of compensation.
I also acknowledge that I have read and understand Section 1542 of the California Civil Code which reads as follows: 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. I hereby expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to any claims I may have against the Releasees.
I acknowledge that, among other rights, I am waiving and releasing any rights I may have under ADEA, that this Release and Waiver is knowing and voluntary, and that the consideration given for this Release and Waiver is in addition to anything of value to which I was already entitled as an executive of the Company. I further acknowledge that I have been advised, as required by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, that: (a) the Release and Waiver granted herein does not relate to claims which may arise after this Release and Waiver is executed; (b) I should consult with an attorney prior to executing this Release and Waiver; (c) I have forty-five (45) days to consider this Release and Waiver (although I may choose voluntarily to execute this Release and Waiver earlier); (d) I have seven (7) days following the execution of this Release and Waiver to revoke my consent to this Release and Waiver; and (e) this Release and Waiver shall not be effective until the seven (7) day revocation period has expired unexercised.
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| [EMPLOYEE] |
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