EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.1
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This Employment Agreement (this Agreement), by and between Global Cash Access, Inc., a Delaware corporation (Company) and wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Cash Access Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (GCA Holdings), and Edward Peters (Executive), is made as of the date on which both parties shall have signed it and it shall have been delivered to the first signatory (the Effective Date).
R E C I T A L S
A. Company desires assurance of the association and services of Executive in order to retain Executives experience, skills, abilities, background, and knowledge and is willing to engage Executive to provide such services on the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.
B. Executive desires to be employed by Company and is willing to accept such employment on the terms and conditions stated in this Agreement.
C. Company and Executive wish to enter into said employment relationship with a written employment agreement that supersedes and replaces any and all prior written and oral representations regarding Executives employment by Company.
AGREEMENT
NOW, THEREFORE, based on the foregoing recitals and in consideration of the commitments set forth below, Executive and Company agree as follows:
1. Position, Duties, Responsibilities, Representations.
1.1. Position. Company hereby employs Executive to render services to Company in the position of Executive Vice President, Sales, reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer of Company. Companys continued employment of Executive is contingent upon Executive successfully completing a drug screen and background investigation. This background investigation may be performed prior to, at the time of, or subsequent to the execution of this Agreement. Discovery of background problems or Executives provision of false, misleading, or incomplete information about Executives background, may result immediate termination from employment. The duties of this position shall include such duties and responsibilities as are reasonably assigned to Executive by the Chief Executive Officer, including but not limited to those customarily performed by Executive Vice Presidents, Sales of public corporations in the same or similar industry. Executive agrees to perform the job duties contemplated by this Agreement and any logical extension of those duties (Executives Duties) for the benefit of GCA Holdings and/or for any of Companys direct or indirect, wholly-owned or partially-owned subsidiaries, or GCA Holdings affiliates (collectively, Affiliates). Additionally, Executive shall serve in such other capacity or capacities as the Chief Executive Officer may from time to time reasonably and lawfully prescribe. During Executives employment by Company, subject to Section 1.2, Executive shall devote Executives full energies, interest, abilities and productive time to the proper and efficient performance of Executives Duties. Executive shall be deemed to be an Executive Officer for purposes of indemnification by Company pursuant to Article XI of Companys bylaws.
1.2. Best Efforts; Other Activities. Executive will expend Executives best efforts on behalf of Company and will abide by all policies and decisions made by Company, as well as all applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations or ordinances. Executive will act in the best interest of Company and the Affiliates at all times. Executive shall devote Executives full business time and efforts to the performance of Executives Duties for Company and, except upon the prior written consent of Companys Board of Directors (the Board of Directors), Executive will not: (i) accept any other employment; or (ii) engage, directly or indirectly, in any other business activity (whether or not pursued for pecuniary advantage) that is or may be in conflict with, or that might place Executive in a conflicting position to that of, Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall be permitted to engage in occasional charitable activities outside the scope of Executives employment with Company, so long as such activities do not: (A) conflict with the actual or proposed business of Company or its Affiliates; or (B) adversely affect the performance of Executives Duties. In addition, subject to the prior written consent of the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors and subject to the satisfaction of Executives fiduciary duties to Company, Executive may be permitted to serve as a director of other corporations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not serve as a director of any corporation that is competitive with the actual or proposed business of Company or of any of the Affiliates or accept such service if it likely will interfere with the performance of Executives Duties. In the sole discretion of the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors, any such prior
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written consent may be subsequently revoked in the event that the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors determines that Executives position as a director of any such other corporation has developed into a conflict of interest or is interfering with Executives performance of Executives Duties.
1.3. Location. Executives principal place of employment shall be at Companys corporate headquarters in Las Vegas, Nevada as of the Effective Date.
1.4. Proprietary Information. Executive recognizes that Executives employment with Company will involve contact with information of substantial value to Company that is not generally known in the trade and that gives Company an advantage over its competitors who do not know or use it. As a condition precedent to Executives employment by Company, Executive agrees to execute and deliver to Company, concurrent with Executives execution and delivery of this Agreement, a copy of the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A.
1.5. Regulatory Approval. Due to the nature of Companys business and Executives position with Company, in addition to normal employment-related credit, reference and background investigations, Executive also may be required to complete applications required by various regulatory, tribal, state, local, or other international governmental authorities in and under whose jurisdiction Company and its Affiliates conduct business, as well as other applications that may be required by regulatory authorities with jurisdiction over Company and its Affiliates. Such applications may require complete disclosure of personal and financial information, criminal convictions or arrests (expunged or not), and business associations. As an ongoing condition of Executives employment, Executive must be able to satisfy all applicable requirements of such governmental and regulatory authorities and to obtain all necessary regulatory approvals and licenses.
1.6. Termination of Prior Employment or Letter Agreements. Company and Executive agree that upon the Effective Date, all employment or letter agreements between Company and Executive in effect on or prior to the Effective Date hereof shall terminate in their entirety and be of no further force or effect, except for: (i) Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Assignment Agreement; (ii) any other agreement or document with respect to any stock option, restricted stock or other equity awards; and (iii) the Arbitration Agreement as defined in Section 9.1 hereof (collectively, the Ancillary Agreements). In the event of a conflict between this Agreement and any of the Ancillary Agreements, the terms of this Agreement shall control.
1.7. Executives Representations. Executive certifies that there is nothing in his background that may keep him from Executives Duties, may keep him from being licensed by any applicable agency, may jeopardize any license issued to Company, or any Affiliates or any pending application for a license, or may give rise to criticism or reflect negatively on executive or on Company or any of its Affiliates. This refers to a wide range of matters including, but not limited to, matters reflecting on your honesty and integrity. By executing this Agreement, and as an inducement to Company to enter into an employment relationship with Executive, Executive represents and warrants (i) that Executive is not a party to, or otherwise subject to or bound by, the terms of any contract, agreement, understanding or other legal obligation with any prior or current employer (Other Employers), or with any other person or entity, that, in any way, restricts, impairs, or inhibits Executives ability to be employed by Company in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, to provide services to Company, or to perform Executives Duties; (ii) that, as of the date on which Executive began employment with Company, whether or not pursuant to this Agreement, Executive did not and/or will not possess any property belonging to any Other Employers; (iii) that Executive has not and will not bring onto Companys premises or use for Companys benefit any property belonging to any Other Employers; (iv) that Executive has been advised by Company that he is not to disclose to, or use for the benefit of, Company any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of any of Other Employers, and Executive has not and will not improperly disclose or use for Companys benefit any confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets of any Other Employers; and (v) that Executives Duties will not require Executive to disclose or use confidential or proprietary information or trade secrets belonging to any Other Employers and that Executives Duties, when performed, will not require Executive to engage in any conduct that interferes with contractual, statutory, or common law rights of any Other Employers.
2. Compensation of Executive.
2.1. Base Salary. In consideration of the services to be rendered under this Agreement, while employed by Company, Company shall pay Executive an initial base salary at the rate of Three Hundred Seventy-five Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($375,000.00) per year, less required deductions for state and federal withholding tax, social security, all other employment taxes and payroll deductions, and as otherwise authorized (collectively, Deductions and Withholdings), payable in regular periodic payments in accordance with Company payroll policy. Such base salary shall be prorated for any partial month of employment on the basis of a 30-day
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fiscal month and shall be subject to annual review by the compensation committee of the Board of Directors (the Compensation Committee), with the first such review to occur during the first calendar year following the Effective Date.
2.2. Bonus. For each full fiscal year of Executives employment with Company as Executive Vice Presidents, Sales, Executive shall be eligible for a discretionary bonus with a target amount equal to fifty percent (50%) of Executives then-current base salary and a maximum amount equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executives then-current base salary; provided, however, that Executive shall not be eligible for our entitled to receive a discretionary bonus for the fiscal year 2014. The actual amount of any such discretionary bonus is to be determined by the Compensation Committee based on the measurement of certain performance criteria or goals established by the Compensation Committee. Except as provided otherwise in this Agreement, Executive shall only be eligible to receive an annual bonus for a calendar year if Executive is employed on the last day of such calendar year, and any annual bonus awarded for a calendar year, if any, shall be paid in cash, less Deductions and Withholdings, when other senior executives of Company are paid, and on or before March 15th of the calendar year subsequent to the calendar year in which the bonus amount is earned.
2.3. Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to participate in Companys group medical, dental, life insurance, 401(k) or other benefit plans and programs on the same terms and conditions as other members of Companys senior executive management, based upon the eligibility dates described in the applicable benefit plan documents. Executive shall be provided such perquisites of employment, including paid time off, as are provided to all other members of Companys senior executive management. Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of all reasonable expenses incurred by Executive in the performance of Executives duties hereunder, in accordance with the policies and procedures established by Company from time to time, and as may be amended from time to time. Any reimbursement that Executive is entitled to receive: (i) shall be paid no later than the last day of Executives tax year following the tax year in which the expense was incurred; (ii) shall not affect or be affected by any other expenses that are eligible for reimbursement in any other tax year of Executive; and (iii) shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit. In addition, so long as Company offers such benefit to other members of senior executive management, Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement of certain medical expenses under Companys Exec-u-care coverage on the same terms as other members of Companys senior executive management.
2.4. Equity Awards. Executive will be eligible to receive stock, options, or other equity awards (each, an Equity Award) under Companys applicable equity incentive plan as then in effect (collectively, the Plan), as determined by the Compensation Committee; provided, however, that Executive acknowledges, in connection with his employment by Company prior to the Effective Date in the capacity of Senior Vice President, Sales, that he received a new hire Equity Award and that he will not receive any additional Equity Award for the year 2015. Any such Equity Award will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and an applicable form of agreement for such Equity Award specified by the Compensation Committee, which Executive will be required to sign as a condition of retaining the Equity Award.
3. Employment At-Will
Either Company or Executive may terminate Executives employment with Company at any time for any reason, including no reason at all, notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in or arising from any statements, policies, or practices of Company relating to the employment, discipline, or termination of its employees. This at-will employment relationship cannot be changed except in a writing executed by authorized member(s) of the Board of Directors. This Section 3 shall survive any termination or expiration of this Agreement.
4. Termination of Employment
4.1. Termination by Executive. Executive may terminate Executives employment upon written notice to Company. In the event that Executive elects to terminate Executives employment for any reason other than for Good Reason (as defined below in Section 4.3), all of Companys duties and obligations under this Agreement shall cease as of the last day of Executives employment and Company shall pay Executive only the following: all base salary earned through the last day of Executives employment and all amounts and benefits earned or incurred pursuant to Section 2.3 through the last day of Executives employment.
4.2. Termination by Company for Cause. In the event that Company terminates Executives employment for Cause, as defined below, all of Companys duties and obligations under this Agreement shall cease as of the last day of Executives employment, and Company shall pay Executive only Executives base salary earned through the last day of Executives employment and all amounts and benefits earned or incurred
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pursuant to Section 2.3 through the last day of Executives employment. For the purposes of this Agreement, termination shall be for Cause if: (i) Executive refuses or fails to act in accordance with any lawful order or instruction of the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors, and such refusal or failure to act has not been cured within five (5) days following Executives receipt of written notice from the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors, as applicable, of such failure; (ii) Executive fails to devote reasonable attention and time to the business affairs of Company; (iii) Executive is determined by the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors to have been (A) unfit for service (e.g., denied any license, permit or qualification required by, or found unsuitable by, any gaming regulator or other governmental authority), (B) unavailable for service (other than as a result of an Incapacity (as defined below), or (C) grossly negligent in connection with the performance of Executives Duties; provided, however, that such unfitness, unavailability, or gross negligence, as applicable, shall not have been cured within five (5) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof from the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors; (iv) Executive is determined by the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors to have committed a material act of dishonesty or willful misconduct or to have acted in bad faith to the material detriment of Company in connection with the performance of Executives Duties; (v) Executive is convicted of a felony or other crime involving dishonesty, breach of trust, moral turpitude, or physical harm to any person; or (vi) Executive materially breaches any agreement with Company; provided, however, that the material breach shall not have been cured within five (5) days following Executives receipt of written notice thereof from the Chief Executive Officer or Board of Directors.
4.3. Termination by Company without Cause or Termination by Executive for Good Reason. In the event that Company terminates Executives employment without Cause or Executive terminates Executives employment for Good Reason (as defined below), all of Companys duties and obligations under this Agreement shall cease as of the last day of Executives employment and Executive shall be entitled to receive, and Company shall pay, only the following: (a) all base salary earned through the last day of Executives employment; (b) all amounts and benefits earned or incurred pursuant to Section 2.3 through the last day of Executives employment; and (c) subject to the conditions set forth in Section 4.8 below, the severance payments and benefits stated below in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4. All of said amount shall be paid less Deductions and Withholdings. For purposes of this Agreement, the term without Cause shall mean termination of Executives employment by Company for reasons other than for Cause (and excluding any such termination resulting from Executives Incapacity or death). For the purposes of this Agreement, termination shall be for Good Reason if: (i) there is, without Executives consent, a material diminution of Executives responsibilities with Company or a material adverse change in the Executives reporting responsibilities or title, in each case, as they existed prior to such diminution or change; (ii) there is, without Executives consent, a material reduction by Company in the Executives annual base salary rate then in effect; or (iii) Executives principal work location, without Executives consent, is relocated outside of the Las Vegas, Nevada metropolitan area. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive shall not be able to terminate Executives employment for Good Reason unless: (i) Executive has delivered written notice to Company stating Executives intent to exercise the rights pursuant to this Section within thirty (30) days following the first occurrence of a condition that would constitute Good Reason and describing all the relevant facts constituting such condition; (ii) Company has failed to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days following its receipt of such written notice; and (iii) Executives termination of employment for Good Reason is to be effective no later than ninety (90) days following the first occurrence of such condition. Executive agrees that Executive may be required to travel from time to time as required by Companys business and that such travel shall not constitute grounds for Executive to terminate Executives employment for Good Reason.
4.3.1. Base Salary Continuation. Upon Companys termination of Executives employment without Cause or Executives termination of Executives employment for Good Reason, Company shall continue to pay Executives base salary at the then-current base annual salary rate of Executive (determined prior to any reduction constituting a condition giving rise to Good Reason) for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of termination of Executives employment (the Salary Continuation Period). Such salary continuation shall be paid to Executive in installments in accordance with Companys regular payroll procedures, with the initial salary continuation payment to be made on the first regular payroll date of Company following the Release Deadline (as defined in Section 4.8) and to include a catch-up payment for all regular Company payroll dates occurring between the date of Executives termination of employment and such initial salary continuation payment date; provided, however, that, if the period beginning on the date of Executives termination of employment and ending on the first Company payroll date following the Release Deadline straddles two calendar years, then the salary continuation payments, in any event, shall begin in the second such calendar year. Salary continuation payments shall be less Deductions and Withholdings.
4.3.2. Target Bonus. Upon Companys termination of Executives employment without Cause or Executives termination of Executives employment for Good Reason, if such termination shall occur after the first anniversary of the Effective Date, Company shall pay to Executive, less Deductions and Withholdings, an additional severance benefit in an amount equal to one-hundred (100%) of Executives then-
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current target bonus for the calendar year in which the termination occurred, payable in substantially equal installments concurrent with the salary continuation payments pursuant to Section 4.3.1 (including a catch-up payment as described therein).
4.3.3. Vesting of Time-Based Equity Awards and Exercise Period. Upon Companys termination of Executives employment without Cause or Executives termination of Executives employment for Good Reason, all stock options, restricted stock, and other Equity Awards that were granted by Company to Executive and that are subject to time-based vesting shall become fully vested, non-forfeitable, and exercisable; and Executive shall have one year from the date of the termination of Executives employment to exercise any such Equity Awards that are in the form of stock options, notwithstanding any contrary post-termination exercise period described in the agreement evidencing such Equity Award. Any unvested portion of any Equity Awards that are subject to performance-based vesting shall terminate as of the effective date of termination of Executives employment with Company.
4.3.4. Group Medical Coverage. Upon Companys termination of Executives employment without Cause or Executives termination of Executives employment for Good Reason, following the Executives timely election, Company shall provide Executive with continued coverage for the Salary Continuation Period under Companys group health insurance plans (exclusive of the Exec-U-Care plan) in accordance with the provisions of the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985 (COBRA), at no cost to Executive for a period of twelve (12) months after termination of Executives employment. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, if Company determines, in its sole discretion, that the payment of the COBRA premiums would result in a violation of the nondiscrimination rules of Section 105(h)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code) or of any statute or regulation of similar effect (including but not limited to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as amended by the 2010 Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act), then, in lieu of providing the COBRA premiums, Company, in its sole discretion, may elect instead to pay Executive on the first day of each month of such Salary Continuation Period, a fully taxable cash payment equal to the COBRA premiums for that month, subject to Withholdings and Deductions, and Executive may, but is not obligated to, use such payments toward the cost of COBRA premiums.
4.4. Termination for Incapacity. In the event that Executive suffers an Incapacity (defined below) during the term of Executives employment hereunder as determined by Company in its reasonable discretion, Company may elect to terminate Executives employment pursuant to this Section 4.4. In such event, all of Companys duties and obligations under this Agreement shall cease as of the last day of Executives employment and Company shall pay, less Deductions and Withholdings, Executive only the following: all base salary earned through the last day of Executives employment and all amounts and benefits earned or incurred though Executives last day of employment; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit Executives rights to payments or other benefits under any long-term disability plans of Company in which Executive participates, if any. For the purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall be deemed to have suffered an Incapacity if Executive, due to any mental or physical illness, injury, or limitation, has been unable to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of Executives position for a period of at least 180 days in any rolling 365-day period.
4.5. Termination upon Death. In the event that Executive dies during the term of Executives employment hereunder, Executives employment shall be deemed to have terminated upon the date of death and all of Companys duties and obligations under this Agreement shall cease. In such event, Company shall pay Executives estate, less Deductions and Withholdings, only the following: all base salary earned through the date of death and all amounts and benefits earned or incurred pursuant to Section 2.3 through the date of death; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall limit Executives estates or beneficiaries rights to payments or other benefits under any life insurance plan or policy in which Executive participated or with respect to which Executive has designated a beneficiary, if any.
4.6. Change in Control and Termination Payments.
4.6.1. Equity Award Acceleration. Upon a Change in Control (as that or a substantially similar term is defined in the Plan), then any outstanding Equity Awards granted to Executive by Company shall become fully vested, non-forfeitable, and exercisable in full.
4.6.2. Parachute Payments. Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if any payment or benefit Executive would receive pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (collectively, Payments) would constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and, but for this sentence, would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any similar or successor provision (the Excise Tax), then the aggregate amount of the Payments will be either (i) the
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largest portion of the Payments that would result in no portion of the Payments (after reduction) being subject to the Excise Tax or (ii) the entire Payments, whichever amount after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate, net of the maximum reduction in federal income taxes which could be obtained from a deduction of such state and local taxes), results in Executives receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the Payments. Any reduction in the Payments required by this Section will be made in the following order: (A) Payments that constitute deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder), and, if there is more than one such Payment, then such reduction shall be applied on a pro rata basis to all such Payments; (B) reduction of cash payments that do not constitute deferred compensation; (C) reduction of accelerated vesting of Equity Awards other than stock options; (D) reduction of accelerated vesting of stock options; and (E) reduction of other benefits paid or provided to Executive. In the event that acceleration of vesting of Equity Awards is to be reduced, such acceleration of vesting will be cancelled in the reverse order of the date of grant of such Equity Awards. If two or more Equity Awards are granted on the same date, the accelerated vesting of each award will be reduced on a pro-rata basis.
4.6.3. Calculation. The professional firm engaged by Company for general tax purposes as of the day prior to the date of the event that might reasonably be anticipated to result in Payments that would otherwise be subject to the Excise Tax will perform the foregoing calculations. If the tax firm so engaged by Company is serving as accountant or auditor for the acquiring company, Company will appoint a nationally recognized tax firm to make the determinations required by this Section. Company will bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by the tax firm required to be made by this Section. Company and Executive shall furnish the tax firm such information and documents as the tax firm may reasonably request in order to make its required determination. The tax firm will provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to Company and Executive as soon as practicable following its engagement. Any good faith determinations of the tax firm made hereunder will be final, binding and conclusive upon Company and Executive.
4.7. No Other Compensation or Benefits/No Duty to Mitigate. Executive acknowledges that, except as expressly provided in this Agreement, Executive shall not be entitled to any compensation, severance payments, or benefits upon the termination of Executives employment. Company acknowledges that Executive is under no duty to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate the obligations of Company under this Agreement and that Company shall have no right of off-set against the amounts owed to Executive by Company on account of any remuneration or other benefit earned or received by Executive after Executives termination by Company.
4.8. Conditions to Severance. Executive will only be entitled to receive the severance payments and benefits set forth in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4 if, on or before the 60th day following the date of termination of Executives employment (the Release Deadline), Executive executes a full general release in the form of Exhibit B hereto, releasing all claims, known or unknown, that Executive may have against Company and its officers, directors, employees and Affiliates arising out of or any way related to Executives employment or termination of employment with Company, and the period for revocation, if any, of such release has lapsed without the release having been revoked. In the event that Executive breaches any of the covenants contained in Sections 7 or 8, Company shall have the right to (i) terminate further provision of any portion not yet paid or provided of the severance payments and benefits set forth in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4, (ii) seek reimbursement from Executive for any and all portions of the severance payments and benefits set forth in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4 previously paid or provided to Executive, (iii) recover from Executive all shares of Company stock acquired by Executive pursuant to Equity Awards the vesting of which was accelerated by reason of the severance payments and benefits set forth in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4 (or the proceeds therefrom, reduced by any exercise or pursuant price paid to acquire such shares), and (iv) immediately cancel all portions of Equity Awards the vesting of which was accelerated by reason of the severance payments and benefits set forth in Sections 4.3.1-4.3.4.
4.9. Resignation from Board and Other Positions. Executive agrees that should Executives employment terminate for any reason, Executive immediately will resign all other positions (including board membership) Executive may hold on behalf of Company.
5. Executives Termination Obligations
5.1. Return of Companys Property. Without in any way limiting Executives obligations and Companys rights under the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement described in Section 1.4, Executive hereby acknowledges and agrees that all books, manuals, records, reports, notes, contracts, lists, spreadsheets and other documents or materials, or copies thereof, and equipment furnished to or prepared by
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Executive in the course of or incident to Executives employment, belong to Company and shall be promptly returned to Company upon termination of Executives employment.
5.2. Cooperation in Pending Work. Following any termination of Executives employment, Executive, at Companys request, shall reasonably cooperate with Company in all matters relating to the winding up of pending work on behalf of Company and the orderly transfer of work to other employees of Company. Executive also shall cooperate, at Companys request, in the defense of any action brought by any third party against Company that relates in any way to Executives acts or omissions while employed by Company.
5.3. Resignation. Upon the termination of Executives employment for any reason, Executive shall be deemed to have resigned from all positions as an employee, officer, director, or manager then held with Company, GCA Holdings, or any Affiliate. Executive agrees to execute and deliver such documents or instruments as are reasonably requested by Company, GCA Holdings, or any Affiliate to evidence such resignations.
5.4. Survival. The representations and warranties contained herein and Executives and Companys obligations under Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 and under the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement shall survive termination of Executives employment and the expiration of this Agreement.
5.5. Mutual Non-disparagement. Employee agrees that Executive will not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices or conduct of Company or Companys employees, officers, directors, or Affiliates. Company agrees that it will instruct its officers and directors to not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices, or conduct of Executive.
6. Compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
6.1. This Agreement and all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or rulings thereunder (Section 409A), and shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Company does not guarantee, however, that any particular tax effect for income is being provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement, and, except for Companys responsibility to withhold applicable Deductions and Withholdings from compensation paid or provided to Executive, Company shall not be responsible for the payment of any applicable taxes, penalties, interest, costs, fees, including attorneys fees, or other liability incurred by Executive in connection with compensation paid or provided to Executive pursuant to this Agreement.
6.2. No amount payable pursuant to this Agreement on account of Executives termination of employment with Company that constitutes a deferral of compensation within the meaning of Section 409A shall be paid unless and until Executive has incurred a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. Furthermore, to the extent that Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A (determined using the identification methodology selected by Company from time to time, or if none, the default methodology) as of the date of Executives separation from service, no amount that constitutes a deferral of compensation that is payable on account of Executives separation from service shall paid to Executive before the date (the Delayed Payment Date) that is the first day of the seventh month after the date of Executives separation from service or, if earlier, the date of Executives death following such separation from service. All such amounts that would, but for this Section, become payable prior to the Delayed Payment Date will be accumulated and paid in a lump sum on the Delayed Payment Date. Thereafter, any payments that remain outstanding as of the day immediately following the Delayed Payment Date shall be paid without delay over the time period originally scheduled, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.
6.3. Any right of Executive to receive installment payments under this Agreement, for all purposes of Section 409A, shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments.
7. Restrictions on Competition after Termination
7.1. Reasons for Restrictions. Executive acknowledges that the nature of Companys business is such that it would be extremely difficult for Executive to honor and comply with Executives obligation under the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement described in Section 1.4 to keep secret and confidential Companys trade secrets if Executive were to become employed by or substantially interested in the business of a competitor of Company soon following the termination of Executives employment with Company,
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and it would also be extremely difficult to determine in any reasonably available forum the extent to which Executive was or was not complying with Executives obligations under such circumstances.
7.2. Duration of Restriction. In consideration for Companys undertakings and obligations under this Agreement, Executive agrees that during the Noncompete Term (defined below) and by virtue of Executives unique position and substantial knowledge of Company operations, plans, and projects, Executive shall not directly or indirectly engage in (whether as an employee, consultant, proprietor, partner, director, or otherwise), have any ownership interest in, or participate in the financing, operation, management, or control of, any person, firm, corporation or business that engages in any line of business in which Company or its Affiliates engages at the time of such termination, in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or such other countries in which Company or its Affiliates conducts business at the time of such termination (Restricted Territory). For the avoidance of doubt, the foregoing shall not prohibit Executive from engaging in, owning an interest in, or participating in any business that processes credit card, debit card or automated teller machine transactions originated from outside of gaming establishments, unless Company has expanded its operations to encompass such activities at the time of termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the Noncompete Term shall be the period of two (2) years after the termination of Executives employment hereunder. The parties agree that ownership of no more than 1% of the outstanding voting stock of a publicly-traded corporation or other entity shall not constitute a violation of this provision. The parties intend that the covenants contained in this section shall be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each county, city, state, and other political subdivision of the Restricted Territory. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the covenant contained in this section. If, in any judicial proceeding, a court shall refuse to enforce any of the separate covenants (or any part thereof) deemed included in this section, then such unenforceable covenant (or such part) shall be deemed eliminated from this Agreement for the purpose of those proceedings to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate covenants (or portions thereof) to be enforced by such court. It is the intent of the parties that the covenants set forth herein be enforced to the maximum degree permitted by applicable law.
7.3 Assignment. Executive expressly understands and agrees that all restrictions on employment and solicitation as set for in Sections 7 and 8 are fair and reasonable, and are a material part of this Agreement that would not be entered into by the parties absent mutual agreement to the assignability of the same. Executive further expressly understands and agrees that Executives duties and obligations as set forth in Sections 7 and 8 of this Agreement may be assigned by Company upon a Change in Control at Companys discretion. Executive agrees that Executive has received separate valuable and sufficient consideration in exchange for Companys right to assign Executives obligations and duties as set for in this Sections 7 and 8, such consideration to be paid in the amount of $5,000 upon the Effective Date.
8. Restrictions on Solicitation after Termination
For a period of two (2) years following the termination of Executives employment hereunder for any reason, Executive shall not, without the prior written consent of Company, directly or indirectly, as a sole proprietor, member of a partnership, stockholder or investor, officer or director of a corporation, or as an executive, associate, consultant, employee, independent contractor or agent of any person, partnership, corporation or other business organization or entity other than Company solicit or endeavor to entice away from Company or its Affiliates any person or entity who is, or, during the then most recent three-month period, was, employed by, or had served as an agent or key consultant of Company or its Affiliates, provided, however, that Executive shall not be prohibited from receiving and responding to unsolicited requests for employment or career advice from the employees of Company or its Affiliates.
9. Arbitration
9.1. Agreement to Arbitrate Claims. Company and Executive hereby agree that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any and all claims or controversies between them (or between Executive and any present or former officer, director, agent, or employee of Company or any Affiliate) relating in any manner to the employment or the termination of employment of Executive shall be resolved by final and binding arbitration pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in that certain National Mutual Arbitration Agreement for Employees of Company executed by Executive (the Arbitration Agreement) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C Claims subject to the Arbitration Agreement shall include contract claims, tort claims, and claims relating to compensation and Equity Awards, as well as claims based on any federal, state, or local law, statute, or regulation, including but not limited to any claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the California Fair Employment and Housing Act. However, claims for unemployment compensation, workers compensation, and claims under the National Labor Relations Act shall not be subject to arbitration.
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9.2. Enforcement Actions. Either Company or Executive may bring an action in court to compel arbitration under this Agreement and to enforce an arbitration award. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, neither party shall initiate or prosecute any lawsuit in any way related to any arbitrable claim, including without limitation any claim as to the making, existence, validity, or enforceability of the agreement to arbitrate. All arbitration hearings under this Agreement shall be conducted in Las Vegas, Nevada.
9.3. Exceptions. Nothing in this Agreement precludes a party from filing an administrative charge before an agency that has jurisdiction over an arbitrable claim. In addition, either party, at its option, may seek injunctive relief in a court of competent jurisdiction for any claim or controversy arising out of or related to the matters described in Sections 7 and 8 above or the unauthorized use, disclosure, or misappropriation of the confidential and/or proprietary information of either party in contravention of the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement or otherwise. By way of example, Company may choose to use the court system to seek injunctive relief to prevent disclosure of its proprietary information or trade secrets; similarly, Executive may elect to use the court system to seek injunctive relief to protect Executives own inventions or trade secrets.
9.4. Governing Law. The agreement to arbitrate under this Section 9 and the Arbitration Agreement shall be governed by the Uniform Arbitration Act of 2000 (Nevada Revised Statutes 38.206, et seq.). In ruling on procedural and substantive issues raised in the arbitration itself, the Arbitrator shall in all cases apply the substantive (and procedural) law of the State of Nevada.
9.5. Attorneys Fees. Each party shall pay its own costs and attorneys fees, unless a party prevails on a statutory claim, and the statute provides that the prevailing party is entitled to payment of its attorneys fees. In that case, the arbitrator may award reasonable attorneys fees and costs to the prevailing party as provided by law. The costs and fees of the arbitrator shall be borne equally by Executive and Company.
9.6. Survival. The parties obligations under this Section 9 shall survive the termination of Executives employment with Company and the expiration of this Agreement.
9.7. Acknowledgements. EACH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES THAT THIS SECTION 9 CONSTITUTES A WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIMS OR CONTROVERSIES COVERED BY THIS SECTION 9. EACH PARTY AGREES THAT NONE OF THOSE CLAIMS OR CONTROVERSIES SHALL BE RESOLVED BY A JURY TRIAL. EACH PARTY FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THIS SECTION 9 WITH ITS LEGAL COUNSEL AND HAS AVAILED ITSELF OF THAT OPPORTUNITY TO THE EXTENT IT WISHES TO DO SO.
10. Expiration
The terms of this Agreement are intended by the parties to govern Executives employment with Company during the term of such employment. Upon the termination of Executives employment with Company, this Agreement shall expire and be of no further force or effect, except to the extent of provisions hereof which expressly survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement.
11. Entire Agreement
Except as otherwise expressly stated herein, the terms of this Agreement are intended by the parties to be the final and exclusive expression of their agreement with respect to the employment of Executive by Company and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous statements or agreements. The parties further intend that this Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and that no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding involving this Agreement. To the extent any provisions in this Agreement are inconsistent with any provisions of the Exhibits, the provisions of the Exhibits shall supersede and be controlling.
12. Amendments, Waivers
This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Executive and by a duly authorized representative of Company other than Executive. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power under this Agreement preclude any other or further exercise thereof, or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.
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13. Assignment; Successors and Assigns
Executive agrees that Executive may not assign, sell, transfer, delegate, or otherwise dispose of, whether voluntarily or involuntarily, or by operation of law, any rights or obligations under this Agreement, nor shall Executives rights be subject to encumbrance or the claims of creditors. Any purported assignment, transfer, or delegation shall be null and void. Nothing in this Agreement shall prevent the consolidation of Company with, or its merger into, any other corporation, or the sale by Company of all or substantially all of its properties or assets, or the assignment by Company of this Agreement and the performance of its obligations hereunder to any successor in interest.
14. Governing Law
The validity, interpretation, enforceability, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the law of the State of Nevada.
15. Acknowledgment
Each party acknowledge: (a) that it has consulted with or has had the opportunity to consult with independent counsel of its/his own choice concerning this Agreement, and (b) that each has read and understands the Agreement, is fully aware of its legal effect, and has entered into it freely based on its own judgment and not on any representations or promises other than those contained in this Agreement.
16. Notices
All notices or demands of any kind required or permitted to be given by Company or Executive under this Agreement shall be given in writing and shall be personally delivered (and receipted for) or mailed by certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:
| If to Company: | Global Cash Access, Inc. |
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| Attn: CEO w/ copy to General Counsel |
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| 7250 S. Tenaya Way, Ste. 100 |
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| Las Vegas, NV 89113 |
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| If to Executive: | 410 Barnesley Lane |
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| Alpharetta, GA 30022 |
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| (404) 432-6362 |
Any such written notice shall be deemed received when personally delivered or three (3) days after its deposit in the United States mail as specified above. Either party may change its address for notices by giving notice to the other party in the name specified in this section.
17. Representations and Warranties
Executive represents and warrants that Executive is not restricted or prohibited, contractually or otherwise, from entering into and performing each of the terms and covenants contained in this Agreement, and that Executives execution and performance of this Agreement will not violate or breach any other agreements between Executive and any other person or entity.
18. Counterparts
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, all of which together shall contribute one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the undersigned has executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
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GLOBAL CASH ACCESS, INC. |
| EXECUTIVE | |
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By: | /s/ Ram V. Chary |
| /s/ Edward Peters |
| Ram V. Chary, President and |
| Edward Peters |
| Chief Executive Officer |
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| Dated: January 15, 2015 |
| Dated: January 15, 2015 |
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EXHIBIT A
EMPLOYEE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS AGREEMENT
In consideration of my employment by Global Cash Access, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the Company), I hereby agree to certain restrictions placed by the Company on my use and development of information and technology of the Company, as more fully set out below.
1. Proprietary Information.
(a) Confidential Restrictions. I understand that, in the course of my work as an employee of the Company, I may have access to Proprietary Information (as defined below) concerning the Company. I acknowledge that the Company has developed, compiled, and otherwise obtained, often at great expense, this information, which has great value to the Companys business. I agree to hold in strict confidence and in trust for the sole benefit of the Company all Proprietary Information and will not disclose any Proprietary Information, directly or indirectly, to anyone outside of the Company, or use, copy, publish, summarize, or remove from Company premises such information (or remove from the premises any other property of the Company) except: (i) during my employment to the extent necessary to carry out my responsibilities as an employee of the Company; or (ii) after termination of my employment, as specifically authorized in writing by a duly authorized officer of the Company. I further understand that the publication of any Proprietary Information through literature or speeches must be approved in advance in writing by a duly authorized officer of the Company.
(b) Proprietary Information Defined. I understand that the term Proprietary Information in this Agreement means all information and any idea in whatever form, tangible or intangible, whether disclosed to or learned or developed by me, pertaining in any manner to the business of the Company or to the Companys affiliates, consultants, or business associates, unless: (i) the information is or becomes publicly known through lawful means; (ii) the information was rightfully in my possession or part of my general knowledge prior to my employment by the Company; or (iii) the information is disclosed to me without confidential or proprietary restrictions by a third party who rightfully possesses the information (without confidential or proprietary restrictions) and did not learn of it, directly or indirectly, from the Company. I further understand that the Company considers the following information to be included, without limitation, in the definition of Proprietary Information: (A) schematics, techniques, employee suggestions, development tools and processes, computer printouts, computer programs, design drawings and manuals, electronic codes, formulas and improvements; (B) information about costs, profits, markets, sales, customers, prospective customers, customer contracts (including without limitation the terms and conditions of such customer contracts) and bids; (C) plans for business, marketing, future development and new product concepts; (D) customer lists, and distributor and representative lists; (E) all documents, books, papers, drawings, models, sketches, and other data of any kind and description, including electronic data recorded or retrieved by any means, that have been or will be given to me by the Company (or any affiliate of it), as well as written or verbal instructions or comments; (F) any information or material not described in (A)-(E) above which relate to the Companys inventions, technological developments, know how, purchasing, accounts, merchandising, or licensing; (G) employee personnel files and information about employee compensation and benefits; and (H) any information of the type described in (A)-(G) above which the Company has a legal obligation to treat as confidential, or which the Company treats as proprietary or designates as confidential, whether or not owned or developed by the Company.
(c) Information Use. I agree that I will maintain at my work area or in other places under my control only such Proprietary Information that I have a current need to know, and that I will return to the appropriate person or location or otherwise properly dispose of Proprietary Information once my need to know no longer exists. I agree that I will not make copies of information unless I have a legitimate need for such copies in connection with my work.
(d) Third Party Information. I recognize that the Company has received and in the future will receive from third parties their confidential or proprietary information subject to a duty on the Companys part to maintain the confidentiality of such information and to use it only for certain limited purposes. I agree that I owe the Company and such third parties, during the term of my employment and thereafter, a duty to hold all such confidential or proprietary information in the strictest confidence and not to disclose it to any person, firm, or corporation (except as necessary in carrying out my work for the Company consistent with the Companys agreement with such third party) or to use it for the benefit of anyone other than for the Company or such third party (consistent with the Companys agreement with such third party) without the express written authorization of a duly authorized officer of the Company.
(e) Interference with Business.
(i) I acknowledge that because of my position in the Company, I will have access to the Companys and its affiliates confidential information and trade secrets. I agree that during my employment with the Company and for a period of eighteen (18) months after termination of my employment with the Company, I shall not directly or indirectly, either for myself or for any other individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, (i) participate in any business (including, without limitation, any division, group, or franchise of a larger organization) anywhere in the world that engages in or that proposes to engage in any business in which the Company or any affiliate of the Company is engaged or proposes to engage in during the term of my employment, (ii) divert or attempt to divert from the Company or any affiliate of the Company any business of any kind, including without limitation the solicitation of or interference with any of its customers, clients, business partners or suppliers, or (iii) solicit, induce, recruit or encourage any person employed by the Company or any affiliate of the Company to terminate his or her employment. For purposes of the foregoing, the term participate in shall include, without limitation, having any direct or indirect interest in any corporation, partnership, joint venture or other entity, whether as a sole proprietor, owner, stockholder, partner, joint venturer, creditor or otherwise, or rendering any direct or indirect service or assistance to any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture and other business entity (whether as a director, officer, manager, supervisor, employee, agent, consultant or otherwise).
(ii) I acknowledge that my fulfillment of the obligations contained in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, my obligation neither to disclose nor to use Proprietary Information other than as provided in Section 1(a) and my obligation not to interfere with the Companys business as provide in Section 1(e), is necessary to protect the Proprietary Information and, consequently, to preserve the value and goodwill of the Company. I further acknowledge the time, geographic and scope limitations of my obligations under this subsection 1(e)(i) above are reasonable, especially in light of the Companys desire to protect its Proprietary Information, and that I will not be precluded from gainful employment if I am obligated not to compete with the Company during the specified period and within the specified geography.
(iii) The covenants contained in this Section 1 shall be construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each state, province, country and other political subdivision. Except for geographic coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms of the covenant contained herein. In the event that the scope, territory or period of time of any separate covenant is determined to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, the court, if allowed under applicable law, shall reduce the scope, territory or period of time of that separate covenant to a level that the court deems enforceable and the remaining separate covenants, as well as all other terms and covenants in this Agreement, shall be valid and be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. In the event that any separate covenant is found to be unenforceable in its entirety, the court, if allowed under applicable law, shall eliminate such covenant from this Agreement in that case and the remaining separate covenants, as well as all other terms and covenants in this Agreement, shall be valid and be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law. The covenants set forth herein are intended to be enforced to the maximum degree permitted by law.
2. Inventions.
(a) Defined; Statutory Notice. I understand that during the term of my employment, there are certain restrictions on my development of technology, ideas, and inventions, referred to in this Agreement as Invention Ideas. The term Invention Ideas means all ideas, processes, inventions, technology, programs, original works of authorship, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, trademarks, and service marks, and all improvements, rights, and claims related to the foregoing, that are conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by me alone or with others during the period of my employment with the Company, except for (1) Invention Ideas excluded in Schedule A, (2) Invention Ideas that I develop entirely on my own time without the Companys equipment, supplies, facilities or trade secret information except for those Invention Ideas that either relate at the time of conception or reduction to practice of the Invention Idea to the Companys business or actual or demonstrably anticipated research or development or result from any work performed by me for the Company, and (3) to the extent that any law applicable to my employment lawfully prohibits the assignment.
(b) Disclosure. I agree to maintain adequate and current written records on the development of all Invention Ideas and to disclose promptly to the Company all Invention Ideas and relevant records, which records will remain the sole property of the Company. I further agree that all information and records pertaining to any idea, process, invention, technology, program, original work of authorship, design, formula, discovery, patent, copyright, trademark, or service mark, that I do not believe to be an Invention Idea, but is conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by me (alone or with others) during my period of employment or during the one-year period following termination of my employment, shall be promptly disclosed to the Company (such disclosure to be received in confidence). The Company shall examine such information to determine if in fact it is an Invention Idea subject to this Agreement.
(c) Assignment. I agree to assign and hereby do assign to the Company, without further consideration, my entire right, title, and interest (throughout the United States and in all foreign countries), free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, in and to each Invention Idea, which shall be the sole property of the Company, whether or not copyrightable or patentable.
(d) Assist with Registration. In the event any Invention Idea shall be deemed by the Company to be copyrightable or patentable or otherwise registrable, I will assist the Company (at its expense) in obtaining and maintaining letters patent or other applicable registrations and I will execute all documents and do all other things (including testifying at the Companys expense) necessary or proper to accomplish such registrations thereon and to vest the Company with full title thereto. Should the Company be unable to secure my signature on any document necessary to apply for, prosecute, obtain, or enforce any patent, copyright, or other right or protection relating to any Invention Idea, whether due to my mental or physical incapacity or any other cause, I hereby irrevocably designate and appoint the Company and each of its duly authorized officers and agents as my agent and attorney-in-fact, to act for and on my behalf and stead, to execute and file any such document, and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution, issuance, and enforcement of patents, copyrights, or other rights or protections with the same force and effect as if executed and delivered by me. I agree to maintain adequate and current records on the development of all Invention Ideas, which shall also remain the sole property of the Company.
(e) License for Other Inventions. If, in the course of my employment with the Company, I incorporate into Company property an invention owned by me or in which I have an interest, the Company is granted a nonexclusive, royalty-free, irrevocable, perpetual, world-wide license to make, modify, use and sell any invention as part of and in connection with the Company property.
(f) Exclusions. Except as disclosed in Schedule A attached hereto and incorporated herein, there are no ideas, processes, inventions, technology, writings, programs, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, or trademarks, or improvements to the foregoing, that I wish to exclude from the operation of this Agreement. To the best of my knowledge, there is no existing contract in conflict with this Agreement or any other contract to assign ideas, processes, inventions, technology, writings, programs, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, or trademarks, or improvements thereon that is now in existence between me and any other person or entity.
(g) Disclosure. I agree to disclose promptly to the Company all Invention Ideas and relevant records as defined in paragraph 2(a), above. I further agree to promptly disclose to the Company any idea that I do not believe to be an invention, but which is conceived, developed, or reduced to practice by me (alone or with others) while I am employed by the Company or during the one-year period following the termination of my employment. I will disclose the idea, along with all information and records pertaining to the idea, and the Company will examine the disclosure in confidence to determine if in fact it is an Invention Idea subject to this Agreement.
(h) Post-Termination Period. I agree that any idea, invention, writing, discovery, patent, copyright, trademark or similar item or improvement shall be presumed to be an Invention Idea if it is conceived, developed, use, sold, exploited, or reduced to practice by me or with my aid within one (1) year after my termination of employment with the Company. I can rebut this presumption if I prove that the idea, invention, writing, discovery, patent, copyright, trademark or similar item or improvement is not an Invention Idea covered by this Agreement.
3. Former or Conflicting Agreements. During my employment with the Company, I will not disclose to the Company, or use, or induce the Company to use, any proprietary information or trade secrets of others. I represent and warrant that I have returned all property and confidential information belonging to all prior employers, individuals and entities who have provided such property and confidential information to me, if any, as required by such prior employers, individuals and entities. I further represent and warrant that my performance of the terms of this Agreement will not breach any agreement to keep in confidence proprietary information acquired by me in confidence or in trust prior to my employment by the Company. I have not entered into, and I agree I will not enter into, any oral or written agreement in conflict herewith. I have listed in Schedule B all other agreements concerning proprietary information or agreements to which I am a party and have attached copies of any agreements in my possession.
4. Government Contracts. I understand that the Company has or may enter into contracts with the government under which certain intellectual property rights will be required to be protected, assigned, licensed, or otherwise transferred and I hereby agree to execute such other documents and agreements as are necessary to enable the Company to meet its obligations under any such government contracts.
5. Termination. I hereby acknowledge and agree that all property, including, without limitation, all source code listings, books, manuals, records, models, drawings, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents or materials or copies thereof, all equipment furnished to or prepared by me in the course of or incident to my employment, and all Proprietary Information belonging to the Company and will be promptly returned to the Company upon termination of my employment with the Company. Following my termination, I will not retain any written or other tangible material containing any Proprietary Information or information pertaining to any Invention Idea. I understand that my obligations contained in this Agreement will survive the termination of my employment and I will continue to make all disclosures required of me by paragraph 2(b). In the event of the termination of my employment, I agree, if requested by the Company, to sign and deliver the Termination Certificate attached as Schedule C hereto and incorporated herein. I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE COMPANY IS AN AT-WILL EMPLOYER AND NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO IMPLY THAT THE TERM OF MY EMPLOYMENT IS OF ANY DEFINITE DURATION. NO ONE OTHER THAN AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER OF THE COMPANY HAS THE AUTHORITY TO ALTER THIS ARRANGEMENT, TO ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYMENT FOR A SPECIFIED PERIOD OF TIME, OR TO MAKE ANY AGREEMENT CONTRARY TO THIS POLICY, AND ANY SUCH AGREEMENT MUST BE IN WRITING AND MUST BE SIGNED BY AN AUTHORIZED OFFICER OF THE COMPANY AND BY THE AFFECTED EMPLOYEE.
6. Remedies. I recognize that nothing in this Agreement is intended to limit any remedy of the Company under the California Uniform Trade Secrets Act or other federal or state law and that I could face possible criminal and civil actions, resulting in imprisonment and substantial monetary liability, if I misappropriate the Companys trade secrets. In addition, I recognize that my violation of this Agreement could cause the Company irreparable harm, the amount of which may be extremely difficult to estimate, thus, making any remedy at law or in damages inadequate. Therefore, I agree that the Company shall have the right to apply to any court of competent jurisdiction for an order restraining any breach or threatened breach of this Agreement and for any other relief the Company deems appropriate. This right shall be in addition to any other remedy available to the Company in law or equity.
7. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Assignment. I agree that the Company may assign to another person or entity any of its rights under this Agreement.
(b) Governing Law; Severability. The validity, interpretation, enforceability, and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada without giving effect to any conflicts or choice of law provisions that would result in the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the internal laws of the State of Nevada. If any provision of this Agreement, or application thereof to any person, place, or circumstance, shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable, or void, the remainder of this Agreement and such provisions as applied to other persons, places, and circumstances shall remain in full force and effect.
(c) Entire Agreement. The terms of this Agreement are the final expression of the parties agreement with respect to the subject matter hereof and may not be contradicted by evidence of any prior or contemporaneous agreement. This Agreement shall constitute the complete and exclusive statement of its terms and no extrinsic evidence whatsoever may be introduced in any judicial, administrative, or other legal proceeding involving this Agreement.
(d) Amendments; Waivers. This Agreement may not be modified, amended, or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by me and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. No failure to exercise and no delay in exercising any right, remedy, or power hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, or power hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, or power provided herein or by law or in equity.
(e) Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon me and my heirs, executors, administrators, and successors, and shall inure to the benefit of the Companys successors and assigns.
(f) Application of this Agreement. I hereby agree that my obligations set forth in Sections 1 and 2 hereof and the definitions of Proprietary Information and Invention Ideas contained therein shall be equally applicable to Proprietary Information and Invention Ideas relating to any work performed by me for the Company prior to the execution of this Agreement.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT & AGREEMENT
I HAVE READ THIS AGREEMENT CAREFULLY AND UNDERSTAND ITS TERMS. I HAVE COMPLETELY NOTED ON SCHEDULE A TO THIS AGREEMENT ANY PROPRIETARY INFORMATION, IDEAS, PROCESSES, INVENTIONS, TECHNOLOGY, WRITINGS, PROGRAMS, DESIGNS, FORMULAS, DISCOVERIES, PATENTS, COPYRIGHTS, OR TRADEMARKS, OR IMPROVEMENTS, RIGHTS, OR CLAIMS RELATING TO THE FOREGOING, THAT I DESIRE TO EXCLUDE FROM THIS AGREEMENT.
Date: January 15, 2015 |
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/s/ Edward Peters |
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Edward Peters |
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SCHEDULE A
EMPLOYEES DISCLOSURE
OF PRIOR INVENTIONS
1. Prior Inventions. Except as set forth below, there are no ideas, processes, inventions, technology, writings, programs, designs, formulas, discoveries, patents, copyrights, or trademarks, or any claims, rights, or improvements to the foregoing, that I wish to exclude from the operation of this Agreement:
Date: January 15, 2015 |
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/s/ Edward Peters |
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Edward Peters |
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SCHEDULE B
EMPLOYEES DISCLOSURE
OF PRIOR AGREEMENTS
1. Prior Agreements. Except as set forth below, I am aware of no prior agreements between me and any other person or entity concerning proprietary information or inventions (attach copies of all agreements in your possession):
Date: January 15, 2015 |
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/s/ Edward Peters |
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Edward Peters |
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SCHEDULE C
TERMINATION CERTIFICATE CONCERNING
GLOBAL CASH ACCESS, INC.
PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND INVENTIONS
This is to certify that I have returned all property of Global Cash Access, Inc., a Delaware limited liability company (the Company), including, without limitation, all source code listings, books, manuals, records, models, drawings, reports, notes, contracts, lists, blueprints, and other documents and materials, Proprietary Information, and equipment furnished to or prepared by me in the course of or incident to my employment with the Company, and that I did not make or distribute any copies of the foregoing.
I further certify that I have reviewed the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement signed by me and that I have complied with and will continue to comply with all of its terms, including, without limitation, (i) the reporting of any idea, process, invention, technology, writing, program, design, formula, discovery, patent, copyright, or trademark, or any improvement, rights, or claims related to the foregoing, conceived or developed by me and covered by the Agreement and (ii) the preservation as confidential of all Proprietary Information pertaining to the Company. This certificate in no way limits my responsibilities or the Companys rights under the Agreement.
On termination of my employment with the Company, I will be employed by [Name of New Employer] [in the division] and I will be working in connection with the following projects:
[generally describe the projects]
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EXHIBIT B
RELEASE AND WAIVER OF CLAIMS
CONFIDENTIAL SEPARATION AGREEMENT
AND GENERAL RELEASE OF ALL CLAIMS
This Confidential Separation Agreement and General Release of All Claims (Agreement) is made by and between Global Cash Access, Inc. (Company) and Edward Peters (Employee) with respect to the following facts:
A. Employee is employed by Company pursuant to an Employment Agreement setting forth the terms and conditions of employment dated [DATE] (collectively referred to as the Employment Agreement).
B. Employees employment with Company will terminate [without Cause] [for Good Reason] (as that term is defined in the Employment Agreement) effective [DATE] (Separation Date), and as of such date Employee has incurred a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. As a result, Employee is entitled to those certain severance payments and benefits described in the Employment Agreement, provided Employee enters into this Agreement.
C. The parties desire to settle all claims and issues that have or could have been raised, in relation to, and arising out of, or in any way connected to, the acts, transactions or occurrences between them to date, including, but not limited to, Employees employment with Company and the termination of that employment, on the terms set forth below.
THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and mutual agreements set forth below, the parties agree as follows:
1. Severance Package. In exchange for the promises set forth herein and in compliance with the requirements set forth in the Employment Agreement, Company agrees to provide Employee with the payments and benefits set forth in Section 4 of the Employment Agreement (Severance Package), to which Employee is not otherwise entitled, absent entering into this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees that this Severance Package constitutes adequate legal consideration for the promises and representations made by Employee in this Agreement. Employee acknowledges and agrees that if Employee violates the terms of this Agreement or the continuing obligations under the Employment Agreement including, but not limited to those pertaining to post-employment restrictions, Company may terminate any payments and the provision of benefits described herein, and seek such other damages or remedies as may be appropriate.
2. General Release.
Employee knowingly and voluntarily releases and forever discharges Company, and any parent or subsidiary corporations, divisions or affiliated corporations, partnerships or other affiliated entities of the foregoing, past and present, as well as their respective employees, officers, attorneys, directors, shareholders, agents, successors and assigns individually and in their business capacity (collectively, Released Parties), of and from any and all claims, known and unknown, asserted or unasserted, which the Employee has or may have against Releases as of the date of execution of this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any alleged violation of:
· Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;
· The Civil Rights Act of 1991
· Sections 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code;
· The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) (as modified below);
· The Immigration Reform and Control Act;
· The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990;
· The Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA);
· The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;
· The Fair Labor Standards Act;
· The Fair Credit Reporting Act;
· The Family and Medical Leave Act;
· The Equal Pay Act;
· The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008;
· Chapter 613 of the Nevada Revised Statutes including the Nevada Equal Opportunities for Employment Law Nev. Rev. Stat. § 613.310, et seq.;
· Nevada Equal Pay Law Nev. Rev. Stat. § 608.017;
· Nevada School Visitation Law Nev. Rev. Stat. § 392.920;
· Nevada Wage Payment and Work Hour Law Nev. Rev. Stat. § 608, et seq.;
· Nevada Occupational Safety & Health Act Nev. Rev. Stat. § 618, et seq.
· any other federal, state or local law, rule, regulation, or ordinance;
· any public policy, contract, tort, or common law; or
· any basis for recovering costs, fees, or other expenses including attorneys fees incurred in these matters.
2.1 This release is intended to have the broadest possible application and includes, but is not limited to, any tort, contract, common law, constitutional or other statutory claims and all claims for attorneys fees, costs and expenses.
2.2 Employee expressly waives Employees right to recovery of any type, including damages or reinstatement, in any administrative or court action, whether state or federal, and whether brought by Employee or on Employees behalf, related in any way to the matters released herein. Employee further, waives any right or ability to be a class or collective action representative or to otherwise participate in any putative or certified class, collective or multi-party action or proceeding based on such a claim in which Company or any other Released Party identified in this Agreement is a party.
2.3 The parties acknowledge that this general release is not intended to bar any claims that, by statute, may not be waived, such as Employees right to file a charge with the National Labor Relations Board or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and other similar government agencies, and claims for statutory indemnity, workers compensation benefits or unemployment insurance benefits, as applicable, and any challenge to the validity of Employees release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended, as set forth in this Agreement. This general release also does not bar claims or causes of action related to defamation, libel or invasion of privacy.
2.4 Employee acknowledges that Employee may discover facts or law different from, or in addition to, the facts or law that Employee knows or believes to be true with respect to the claims released in this Agreement and agrees, nonetheless, that this Agreement and the release contained in it shall be and remain effective in all respects notwithstanding such different or additional facts or the discovery of them.
2.5 Employee declares and represents that Employee intends this Agreement to be complete and not subject to any claim of mistake, and that the release herein expresses a full and complete release and Employee intends the release herein to be final and complete. Employee executes this release with the full knowledge that this release covers all possible claims against the Released Parties, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
3. Representation Concerning Filing of Legal Actions. Employee represents that, as of the date of this Agreement, Employee has not filed any lawsuits, charges, complaints, petitions, claims or other accusatory
pleadings against Company or any of the other Released Parties in any court or with any governmental agency related to the matters released in this Agreement.
4. Mutual Nondisparagement. Employee agrees that Employee will not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices or conduct of Company or any of the other Released Parties. Company agrees that it will instruct its officers and directors to not make any voluntary statements, written or oral, or cause or encourage others to make any such statements that defame, disparage or in any way criticize the personal and/or business reputations, practices or conduct of Employee.
5. Confidentiality and Return of Company Property. In accordance with the terms of his/her Employment Agreement, Employee understands and agrees that as a condition of receiving the Severance Package in paragraph 1, all Company property must be returned to Company. By signing this Agreement, Employee represents and warrants that Employee has returned to Company, all Company property, data and information belonging to Company and agrees that Employee will not use or disclose to others any confidential or proprietary information of Company or the Released Parties. In addition, Employee agrees to keep the terms of this Agreement confidential between Employee and Company, except that Employee may tell Employees immediate family and attorney or accountant, if any, as needed, but in no event should Employee discuss this Agreement or its terms with any current or prospective employee of Company.
6. Continuing Obligations and Cooperation. Employee further agrees to comply with the continuing obligations regarding confidentiality set forth in the surviving provisions of the Employee Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement previously signed by Employee. Employee also agrees that in accordance with his/her Employment Agreement, he will cooperate fully in the transition of her duties, and promptly and cooperatively answer any calls or emails the Company may have during the period he is receiving severance pay and/or benefits, without further compensation.
7. No Admissions. By entering into this Agreement, Company makes no admission that it has engaged, or is now engaging, in any unlawful conduct. The parties understand and acknowledge that this Agreement is not an admission of liability and shall not be used or construed as such in any legal or administrative proceeding.
8. Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. This Agreement is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, 29 U.S.C. sec. 626(f). Employee is advised to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement.
8.1 Acknowledgments/Time to Consider. Employee acknowledges and agrees that (a) he has read and understands the terms of this Agreement; (b) he has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement; (c) he has obtained and considered such legal counsel as he deems necessary; (d) he has been given 21 days to consider whether or not to enter into this Agreement (although at her option, he may elect not to use the full 21-day period); and (e) by signing this Agreement on or after the Separation Date, Employee acknowledges that he does so freely, knowingly, and voluntarily.
8.2 Revocation/Effective Date. This Agreement shall not become effective or enforceable until the eighth day after Employee signs this Separation Agreement. In other words, Employee may revoke Employees acceptance of this Separation Agreement within seven (7) days after the date Employee signs it. Employees revocation must be in writing and received by the Companys General Counsel, 7250 South Tenaya Way, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89113 on or before the seventh day in order to be effective. If Employee does not revoke acceptance within the seven (7) day period, Employees acceptance of this Separation Agreement shall become binding and enforceable on the eighth day (Effective Date). The Severance Package will become due and payable in accordance with paragraph 1 above after the Effective Date, provided Employee does not revoke.
8.3 Preserved Rights of Employee. This Agreement does not waive or release any rights or claims that Employee may have under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act that arise after the execution of this Agreement. In addition, this Agreement does not prohibit Employee from challenging the validity of this Agreements waiver and release of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended.
9. Severability. In the event any provision of this Agreement shall be found unenforceable, the unenforceable provision shall be deemed deleted and the validity and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not be affected thereby.
10. Full Defense. This Agreement may be pled as a full and complete defense to, and may be used as a basis for an injunction against, any action, suit or other proceeding that may be prosecuted, instituted or attempted by Employee in breach hereof. Employee agrees that in the event an action or proceeding is instituted by the Company or any of the Released Parties in order to enforce the terms or provisions of this Agreement, the Company, or Released Parties, as applicable, shall be entitled to an award of reasonable costs and attorneys fees incurred in connection with enforcing this Agreement, to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11. Affirmation. Employee affirms that Employee has been paid all compensation, wages, bonuses, and commissions due, and has been provided all leaves (paid or unpaid) and benefits to which Employee may be entitled.
12. Applicable Law. The validity, interpretation and performance of this Agreement shall be construed and interpreted according to the laws of the United States of America and the State of Nevada.
13. Counterparts. This Agreement may be signed in separate counterparts, each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement. Delivery of a copy of this Agreement bearing an original signature by facsimile transmission or e-mail in PDF format will have the same effect as physical delivery of the document bearing the original signature.
14. Entire Agreement; Modification. This Agreement, including the surviving provisions of the Employment Agreement and Employee Proprietary and Inventions Agreement previously executed by Employee, is intended to be the entire agreement between the parties, and supersedes and cancels any and all other and prior agreements, written or oral, between the parties regarding this subject matter. This Agreement may be amended only by a written instrument executed by all parties hereto.
THE PARTIES TO THIS AGREEMENT HAVE READ THE FOREGOING AGREEMENT AND FULLY UNDERSTAND EACH AND EVERY PROVISION CONTAINED HEREIN. WHEREFORE, THE PARTIES HAVE EXECUTED THIS AGREEMENT ON THE DATES SHOWN BELOW.
Dated: , 201 |
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| EDWARD PETERS | |
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| GLOBAL CASH ACCESS, INC. | |
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Dated: , 201 | By: |
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EXHIBIT C
FORM OF ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
NATIONAL MUTUAL ARBITRATION AGREEMENT
FOR EMPLOYEES OF GLOBAL CASH ACCESS, INC.
Global Cash Access, Inc., its parent corporation, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, successors, assigns and their current and former employees, officers, directors, and agents (hereafter collectively referred to as (the Company) seeks to work with our employees to resolve differences as soon as possible after they arise. Often times, differences can be eliminated through internal discussions between an employee and his/her supervisor. Other times, it may be helpful for Human Resources or other Company employees to become involved to help solve a dispute. To facilitate dispute resolution we have developed a binding arbitration process to settle disputes that are not resolved through more informal means.
The Company and you, on behalf of you, your heirs, administrators, executors, successors and assigns (hereinafter collectively referred to as you or your) agree pursuant to this Arbitration Agreement (Agreement) to arbitrate covered disputes, in lieu of litigating in court.
A. The Mutual Agreement to Arbitrate: Overview
The parties acknowledge that by agreeing to arbitration, they are WAIVING ANY RIGHTS TO A JURY TRIAL.
Except for the claims set forth in the paragraph below, you and the Company mutually agree to arbitrate any and all disputes, claims, or controversies (Claims) against the Company that could be brought in a court including, but not limited to, all Claims arising out of your employment and the cessation of employment, including any Claim that could have been presented to or could have been brought before any court. This Agreement to arbitrate includes, but is not limited to, Claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Family and Medical Leave Act; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Section 1981 through 1988 of Title 42 of the United States Code; any state or local anti-discrimination laws; or any other federal, state, or local law, ordinance or regulation, or based on any public policy, contract, tort, or common law or any claim for costs, fees, or other expenses or relief, including attorneys fees. All Claims that could be raised before a court must be raised by the time of the arbitration and the arbitrator shall apply the law accordingly.
Claims not covered by this Agreement are: (i) claims for workers compensation benefits; (ii) claims for unemployment compensation benefits; (iii) claims based upon the Companys current (successor or future) stock option plans, employee pension and/or welfare benefit plans if those plans contain some form of a grievance, arbitration, or other procedure for the resolution of disputes under the plan; and (iv) claims by law that are not subject to mandatory binding pre-dispute arbitration pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, such as claims under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform Act. Further, this Agreement does not prohibit the filing of an administrative charge with a federal, state, or local administrative agency such as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).
Likewise, as noted above, the Company agrees to arbitrate any claim against you as per the terms of this Agreement but retains all right to seek injunctions in aid of arbitration.
B. Class/Collective Action Waiver, Jury Waiver and Administrative Charges
The parties agree all claims must be pursued on an individual basis only. By signing this Agreement, you waive your right to commence, or be a party to, any class or collective claims or to bring jointly any claim against the Company with any other person, except as provided in the paragraph below. The parties agree any claim can be pursued, but only on an individual basis, except the lack of co-plaintiffs shall not, in and of itself, be a bar to pursuit of a pattern and practice claim.
In addition, nothing herein limits your right and the rights of others collectively to challenge the enforceability of this Agreement, including the class/collective action waiver. While the Company will assert that you have agreed to pursue all claims individually in the arbitral forum and may ask a court to compel arbitration of each individuals claims, to the extent the filing of such an action is protected concerted activity under the National Labor Relations Act, such filing will not result in threats, discipline, or discharge.
C. Severability and Related Issues
The Arbitrator, and not any federal, state or local court, or agency, shall have exclusive authority to resolve any dispute relating to the interpretation, applicability, enforceability or formation of this Agreement including, but not limited to any claim that all or any part of this Agreement is void or voidable, except any determination as to the enforceability of the class/collective action waiver shall be made solely by a court. If the prohibition against
class/collective actions is deemed unlawful, then such action shall proceed forward in court as a collective or class action. If an arbitrator finds any other provision of this Agreement unenforceable, a court or arbitrator shall interpret or modify this Agreement, to the extent necessary, for it to be enforceable, subject to the sentence above. This Agreement shall be self-amending; meaning if by law or common law a provision is deemed unlawful or unenforceable that provision and the Agreement automatically, immediately, and retroactively shall be amended, modified, and/or altered to be enforceable. The arbitrator shall have no power under this Agreement to consolidate claims and/or to hear a collective or class action.
D. The Arbitration Process
Any authorized decision or award of the arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the parties. The arbitrator shall have the power to award any type of legal or equitable relief available in a court of competent jurisdiction including, but not limited to, attorneys fees, to the extent such damages are available under law. Because any arbitral award may be entered as a judgment or order in any court of competent jurisdiction, any relief or recovery to which you may be entitled upon any claim (including those arising out of employment, cessation of employment, or any claim of unlawful discrimination) shall be limited to that awarded by the arbitrator. Again, the arbitrator has no power to consolidate claims or adjudicate a collective/class action. All orders of the arbitrator (except evidentiary rulings at the arbitration) shall be in writing and subject to review pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act.
Any claim for arbitration will be timely only if brought within the time in which an administrative charge or complaint would have been filed, if the claim is one that could be filed with an administrative agency. If the arbitration claim raises an issue that could not have been filed with an administrative agency, then the claim must be filed within the time set by the appropriate statute of limitation. A claim may be filed by serving written notice to the Companys General Counsel, 7250 South Tenaya Way, Suite 100, Las Vegas, Nevada 89113, and thereafter by filing an action with JAMS pursuant to JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules. The filing party is responsible for any filing fee absent extreme financial circumstances. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses for the arbitration however the arbitrators fee shall be paid by the Company, absent an award from the arbitrator.
The arbitration shall be arbitrated by a single arbitrator in accordance with the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules except all arbitrators or members of the appeal panel (which is discussed below) must be members of the bar in good standing in the state in which the dispute arose. Each party may be represented by counsel.
A copy of the JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules, including forms and procedures for submitting a matter for arbitration, are available for you to review at the Human Resource Department. You may contact JAMS to request a copy of these rules or obtain them from the JAMS website (www.jamsadr.com) or by calling JAMS at ###-###-####. If for whatever reason JAMS declines to act as the neutral, the parties shall utilize NAM (www.namadr.com) as the neutral for the arbitration/appeal and shall utilize its Rules for Resolution of Employment Disputes. Each party agrees that it has had an opportunity to review the current JAMS Employment Arbitration Rules.
1. Modification to NAM/JAMS Rules
The arbitrator shall apply the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure (except for Rule 23) and the Federal Rules of Evidence as interpreted in the jurisdiction where the arbitration is held. Also there shall be one arbitrator for the matter up and through submission and determination of a motion for summary judgment. If a summary judgment is made, the arbitrator must render a written and detailed opinion on that motion within sixty (60) calendar days of submission of all supporting and opposition papers. If the summary judgment is in any part denied, the case shall proceed to hearing before another arbitrator, who did not hear the summary judgment motion. That arbitrator shall be selected from a new panel to be provided by JAMS (or if JAMS declines to be the third party administrator, NAMS). If no summary judgment is filed, then no new arbitrator will be selected to hear the matter, as the original arbitrator will retain jurisdiction.
E. Consideration for This Agreement
This mutual agreement to arbitration and your accepting employment with the Company shall act as consideration for this Agreement. The parties agree that the consideration set forth in this paragraph is wholly adequate to support this Agreement.
F. Other Provisions of this Agreement
To the extent any of the provisions herein conflict with any standard rules of the arbitration service being used, the express provisions of this Agreement shall prevail.
Neither the terms nor conditions described in this Agreement are intended to create a contract of employment for a specific duration of time. Employment with the Company is voluntarily entered into, and you are free to resign at any time. Similarly, the Company may terminate the employment relationship at any time for any reason, with or without prior notice. This Agreement shall survive the termination of your employment.
This Agreement shall be governed by and enforced pursuant to the Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.
This Agreement contains the complete agreement between the parties regarding the subjects covered in it, and supersedes any prior or inconsistent agreements that might exist between you and the Company. This Agreement can be modified only by an express written agreement signed by both you and the President of the Company.
I KNOWINGLY AND FREELY AGREE TO THIS MUTUAL AGREEMENT TO ARBITRATE CLAIMS, WHICH OTHERWISE COULD HAVE BEEN BROUGHT IN COURT. I AFFIRM THAT I HAVE HAD SUFFICIENT TIME TO READ AND UNDERSTAND THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THAT I HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF MY RIGHT TO SEEK LEGAL COUNSEL REGARDING THE MEANING AND EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT PRIOR TO SIGNING. BY ISSUANCE OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY AGREES TO BE BOUND TO ITS TERMS WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENT TO SIGN THIS AGREEMENT.
/s/ Edward Peters |
| January 15, 2015 |
Edward Peters |
| Date |