Employment Agreement between Charles V. Bergh and Levi Strauss & Co.
This agreement is between Charles V. Bergh and Levi Strauss & Co., outlining the terms of Bergh's employment as President and CEO. It covers the start date, job duties, compensation, benefits, and relocation support. The agreement details conditions for termination, including for cause, disability, or resignation, and specifies severance and benefits in various scenarios, including after a change in control. Bergh must resign from other boards and complete standard hiring paperwork before starting. The agreement also addresses confidentiality, code of ethics, and other standard employment provisions.
FIRST PART: | TERM OF EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES AND SCOPE, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS DURING EMPLOYMENT, RELOCATION BENEFITS (Sections 1- 7, beginning on page 2) | |
SECOND PART: | COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS IN CASE OF TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON AND OTHER TERMINATIONS (Sections 8 11, beginning on page 6) | |
THIRD PART: | COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS IN CASE OF A TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON OCCURRING WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER A CHANGE IN CONTROL, LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS (Sections 12 14, beginning on page 10) | |
FOURTH PART: | RELEASE OF CLAIMS, SECTION 409A, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND CODE OF ETHICS, SEVERABILITY, SUCCESSORS, MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, SIGNATURE PAGE (Sections 15 21, beginning on page 14) |
FIRST PART: | TERM OF EMPLOYMENT, DUTIES AND SCOPE, COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS DURING EMPLOYMENT, RELOCATION BENEFITS |
(a) | Start Date. The Corporation agrees to employ Executive, and Executive agrees to be employed by the Corporation at its headquarters in San Francisco, California, under the terms of this Agreement, commencing on a date to be agreed by the parties that is not later than September 1, 2011 (the Start Date) until the earlier of (1) the date of Executives death or (2) the date when Executives employment terminates pursuant to Section 1(b), (c) or (d) below (the Term). As a condition to Executives employment hereunder (including the receipt of any payments or benefits), Executive agrees to take the following action prior to the Start Date: (1) to resign from all Board of Directors on which Executive is currently a member; and (2) to complete the Corporations standard new hire paperwork provided to Executive. | |
(b) | Early Termination or Resignation. Executives employment with the Corporation will be at-will employment and may be terminated by the Corporation at any time and for any reason by giving Executive written notice. Executive may terminate Executives employment for any reason by giving the Corporation not less than thirty (30) calendar days advance written notice. The foregoing shall be subject to all of the rights and obligations described herein. | |
(c) | Termination for Cause. The Corporation may terminate Executives employment at any time for Cause. For all purposes under this Agreement, Cause shall mean (i) willful misconduct or gross negligence that is materially and demonstrably injurious to the interest, business or reputation of the Corporation, (ii) conviction (including entry of a nolo contender plea) of a felony or misdemeanor involving fraud, theft or dishonesty, other than due to Limited Vicarious Liability, (iii) embezzlement or material misappropriation of any property of the Corporation, or (iv) willful and continuous failure to substantially perform Executives employment duties (including, without limitation, Executives inability to perform such duties as a result of chronic alcoholism or drug addiction). | |
Limited Vicarious Liability means any liability which is (A) based on acts of the Corporation for which Executive is responsible solely as a result of his office(s) with the Corporation and (B) provided that (x) he was not directly involved in such acts and either had no prior knowledge of such intended actions or promptly acted reasonably and in good faith to attempt to prevent the acts causing such liability or (y) he did not have a reasonable basis to believe that a law was being violated by such acts. | ||
For purposes of this Agreement, no act, or failure to act, by Executive shall be considered willful unless it is done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in bad faith and without reasonable belief that Executives act or failure to act was in the best interest of the Corporation. Any act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly adopted by the Corporations Board of Directors (the Board of Directors) or based upon the advice of counsel for the Corporation, shall be conclusively |
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presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by Executive in good faith and in the best interest of the Corporation. | ||
The termination of employment of Executive shall not be for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to Executive a copy of a resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than two-thirds of then sitting directors of the Board of Directors at a meeting of the Board of Directors called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to Executive and Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to be heard before the Board of Directors), finding that Executive is guilty of the conduct described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) above, and specifying the particulars in detail and, in the case of any act or failure to act forming a basis for such proposed termination under clause (iv), Executive shall be provided not less than thirty (30) days within which to cure any such conduct. | ||
(d) | Termination for Disability. The Corporation may terminate Executives employment for Disability by giving Executive not less than thirty (30) days advance written notice. For all purposes under this Agreement, Disability shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(4)(i) and (iii). |
(a) | Position. The Corporation agrees that, during the Term, Executive shall serve in the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation. Executive shall be given such duties, responsibilities and authorities as are commensurate with his positions and shall report directly to the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall elect Executive onto the Board of Directors effective on the Start Date (or such earlier date as the parties may agree). Executive shall not receive any compensation for his services on the Board of Directors. Without limiting the foregoing, Executive may be required to serve as an officer or director of one or more of the Corporations subsidiaries. | |
(b) | Obligations. During the Term, Executive shall devote Executives full business efforts and time to the business and affairs of the Corporation as needed to carry out his duties and responsibilities. For the duration of the Term, Executive agrees not to actively engage in any other employment, occupation or consulting activity for any direct or indirect remuneration without the prior approval of the Board of Directors; provided, however, the foregoing shall not preclude Executive from engaging in civic and charitable activities, or from serving on the board of directors of one other non- competitive entity with approval of the Board of Directors (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) on or after the first (1st) anniversary of the Start Date, as long as such activities and board service does not interfere or conflict with Executives duties and responsibilities to the Corporation and its subsidiaries. As a condition to Executives employment hereunder (including the receipt of payments or benefits hereunder), Executive represents that no restrictive covenant exists preventing Executive from performing his duties and responsibilities for the Corporation. |
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(a) | In General. During the Term, Executive shall be eligible to participate in the employee benefit plans and programs maintained by the Corporation of general applicability to other senior executives of the Corporation, subject to the generally applicable terms and conditions of the plan or program in question and the discretion and determinations of any person, committee or entity administering such plan or program made in accordance with the terms and conditions of such plan or program. The Corporation reserves the right to cancel or change the benefit plans and programs it offers to its employees at any time. | |
(b) | Miscellaneous Perquisites. During the Term, Executive shall be entitled to perquisites consistent with the perquisites provided to the Corporations predecessor Chief Executive Officer (excluding any expatriate allowances). During the Term, Executive will also be entitled to such other perquisites consistent with competitive market practices, as determined in the sole discretion of the Board of Directors. | |
(c) | Relocation Benefits. The Corporation shall provide or reimburse Executive for certain expenses relating to Executives relocation from Boston, Massachusetts to the San Francisco Bay Area, as set forth in the Corporations Homeowner Relocation Benefits Level A policy summarized in Schedule B; provided, however, that (1) a 20% cost-of- |
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living allowance shall apply for purposes thereof such that Executive will be eligible for the cost of living allowance summarized in Schedule B and (2) the marketing incentive set forth in the Other Incentives section of such summary shall not be provided to Executive. | ||
(d) | Employment Bonus. Within seven calendar (7) days after the Start Date, the Corporation shall pay Executive a one-time sign-on bonus in the amount of $1,850,000 (the Employment Bonus). If Executive terminates his employment pursuant to Section 1(b) other than for Good Reason or due to Disability (or other than due to his death), or if Executives employment hereunder is terminated by the Corporation for Cause, in each case, prior to the first anniversary of the Start Date, Executive shall repay to the Corporation the entire Employment Bonus upon such termination. Such repayment shall be required to be made for the full amount set forth above and shall not be reduced for any taxes paid by Executive with respect to the Employment Bonus. | |
(e) | Vacation. Executive will be entitled to paid time off, in accordance with the Corporations policy applicable to senior executive officers, with the timing and duration of specific vacations mutually and reasonably agreed to by the parties hereto. Upon Executives termination of employment, Executive will be entitled to receive Executives accrued but unpaid paid time off through the date of Executives termination of employment. |
SECOND PART: | COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS IN CASE OF TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON AND OTHER TERMINATIONS |
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(a) | Qualifying Termination. A Qualifying Termination occurs if at any time following the Executives Start Date, and in the case of Section 9(b), (d) and (e) through the fourth anniversary of the Start Date: |
(1) | The Corporation terminates Executives employment for any reason other than Cause or Disability; or | ||
(2) | Executive resigns for Good Reason, which means in the absence of Executives written consent, Executives termination of employment within ninety (90) days following the expiration of any cure period (set forth below) following the occurrence of one or more of the following: (i) any diminution or material alteration of Executives title, duties, authority or responsibilities (including reporting requirements), including if Executive is not the most senior officer of the parent company or other entity resulting from any Change in Control (as defined in Section 13(f) hereof), whether a strategic, financial or other party effecting such Change in Control; however, excluding an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is remedied by the Corporation promptly after receipt of notice by Executive; (ii) any failure to elect and re-elect (in any instance occurring prior to an initial public offering of the Corporations common stock) or to nominate for re-election (in any instance occurring on or following such an initial public offering), Executive as a member of the Board of Directors; (iii) any material breach by the Corporation of a material provision of this Agreement or other material compensatory agreement between Executive and the Corporation or any subsidiary (including any equity or other long-term incentive award agreement), which is not cured by the Corporation (or subsidiary) within thirty (30) days after notice by Executive; (iv) requiring Executive to be based at any office or location more than fifty (50) miles from the Corporations principal offices currently located in San Francisco; or (v) the failure of a successor to the assets or business of the Corporation to assume the obligations of the Corporation under this Agreement. Executive will not resign for Good Reason without first providing the Corporation with written notice within sixty (60) days of his first knowledge of the event that Executive believes constitutes Good Reason identifying the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for Good Reason and any cure period provided under such circumstances above. |
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For avoidance of doubt, termination of Executives employment by reason of death shall not constitute a Qualifying Termination. | ||
(b) | Severance Payments. The Corporation shall pay to Executive following the date of the employment termination and ratably spread over the succeeding twenty-four (24) months, in accordance with the Corporations standard payroll procedures, an aggregate amount equal to two times (2x) the sum of the Base Compensation and Target AIP. | |
(c) | Equity Vesting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the 2006 EIP (or any successor plan) or any award thereunder, excepting the case in which Executive was eligible under Section 10(a) and that the Qualifying Termination shall thereby be deemed a Qualifying Retirement Termination and Section 10(b) shall govern, the unvested portion of Executives then outstanding equity and other long-term incentive awards that would have vested during the twenty-four (24) months following the date of Executives termination had his employment not so terminated will vest immediately prior to Executives Qualifying Termination, and all vested equity and other long-term incentive awards (including those vesting under the preceding clause) granted as SARs or stock options shall be exercisable and remain exercisable for eighteen (18) months following the date of Executives termination (but (i) in no event later the original term/expiration date of the award and (ii) only during an exercise window permitted under the terms the 2006 EIP (or substantially similar provisions under the successor thereto under which the applicable award is granted) as may apply prior to the occurrence of an initial public offering). | |
(d) | Pro-Rated Bonus, Prior Year Bonus and Accrued Benefits. At such time as annual incentive compensation awards are paid by the Corporation to other senior executives, but no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the close of the later of the Corporations fiscal year or the calendar year in which Executives termination occurs, Executive shall be paid a pro-rated AIP award in respect of the performance period in which the Qualifying Termination occurs based on achievement of the objective performance goals applicable to such AIP award and the percentage of the performance period that has elapsed as of the date of the Qualifying Termination, treating any subjective performance goals as having been fully achieved, and without the exercise of any negative discretion by the Corporation in determining such amount of annual incentive compensation for Executive. Executive (or his Severance Beneficiary) will also be paid any earned but unpaid bonus in respect of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year of Executives Qualifying Termination based on the achievement of the objective performance goals applicable to such AIP award, treating any subjective performance goals as having been fully achieved, and without the exercise of any negative discretion by the Corporation in determining such amount of annual incentive compensation for Executive. Executive shall also be entitled to his Accrued Benefits (as defined in Section 11) that are not duplicative of payments or benefits under this Section 9 or any other Corporation program, policy or agreement. | |
(e) | Other Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to the following additional benefits: |
(1) | If Executive and/or Executives covered dependents elect(s) to receive medical coverage continuation through Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act |
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of 1985 (COBRA), the Corporation will pay the same percentage of the monthly cost of Executives COBRA medical coverage as it paid for Executives medical coverage during his active employment up to a maximum coverage period of 18 months. During the Corporation-subsidized COBRA coverage period, Executive will be responsible for payment of the remainder of the cost of Executives COBRA medical coverage and for the full cost of any dental or vision coverage elected by the Executive. All periods of Corporation-subsidized coverage are counted toward the 18-month COBRA entitlement. After the Corporation-subsidized coverage period ends, the Executive will be responsible for payment of his entire COBRA premium. Continuation of COBRA coverage will not extend beyond the date on which Executive becomes eligible for coverage under another group health plan unless the new plan has a pre-existing condition limitation or Executive is entitled to Medicare. The benefits under this Section 9(e)(1) shall be delivered in a manner that satisfies applicable law. | |||
(2) | The Corporation will pay the cost of premiums under its standard basic life insurance program of $10,000 for the same duration that it subsidizes the COBRA coverage in Section 9(e)(1) above. | ||
(3) | If Executive is retiree-eligible to be covered by the Corporations retiree health benefits (if any), the Corporation will fully pay for retiree medical coverage for the same duration that it subsidizes the COBRA coverage set forth in Section 9(e)(1) above. | ||
(4) | Reasonable outplacement services for a chief executive officer-level position. |
(f) | Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a Qualifying Termination, the provisions of this Section 9 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Corporation may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement. Executive will be entitled to no other severance, benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon such a Qualifying Termination other than those benefits expressly set forth in this Section 9 or pursuant to written equity or other long-term incentive award agreements with the Corporation. |
(a) | Qualifying Retirement Termination. A Qualifying Retirement Termination occurs if, after the fifth anniversary of the Start Date, Executive resigns his employment with the Corporation for any reason other than in connection with an impending termination for Cause by the Company. | |
(b) | Equity Vesting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the applicable plan or agreement, (i) 100% of Executives outstanding equity and other long-term incentive |
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awards that have remained outstanding for at least twelve (12) months will immediately fully vest upon Executives termination, and (ii) all vested equity and other long-term incentive awards (including those vesting under the preceding clause) granted as SARs or stock options shall be exercisable and remain exercisable for eighteen (18) months following the date of Executives termination, but (x) in no event later than the original term/expiration date of the award; and (y) only during an exercise window permitted under the terms the Corporations 2006 EIP (or substantially similar provisions under the successor thereto under which the applicable award is granted) as may apply prior to the occurrence of an initial public offering. | ||
(c) | Accrued Benefits. Executive shall be entitled to his Accrued Benefits (as defined in Section 11) that are not duplicative of benefits under this Section 10 or any other Corporation program, policy or agreement. | |
(d) | Exclusive Remedy. In the event of Executives Qualifying Retirement Termination, the provisions of this Section 10 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Corporation may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement. Executive will be entitled to no other severance, benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon such a Qualifying Retirement Termination other than those benefits expressly set forth in, this Section 10, Section 13 (if the Qualifying Retirement Termination also qualifies as a Qualifying CIC Termination) or pursuant to written equity or other long-term incentive award agreements with the Corporation. |
THIRD PART: | COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS IN CASE OF A TERMINATION WITHOUT CAUSE OR FOR GOOD REASON OCCURRING WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER A CHANGE IN CONTROL, LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS |
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(a) | Qualifying CIC Termination. A Qualifying CIC Termination occurs if at any time upon or within two (2) years following a Change in Control: |
(1) | The Corporation terminates Executives employment for any reason other than Cause or Disability (as defined under Sections 1(c) and 1(d)); or | ||
(2) | Executive resigns for Good Reason (which for purposes of this Third Part shall have the same requirements and meaning as provided in Section 9(a) above). |
(b) | Severance Benefits. Following Executives Qualifying CIC Termination, Executive shall be entitled to all of the payments described in Sections 9(b), (d) and (e); provided, however, that the benefits described in Section 9(b) shall instead be paid in a single lump sum upon Executives Qualifying CIC Termination. |
(c) | Equity Vesting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the 2006 EIP (or successor plan) or any award thereunder, 100% of Executives then (i) outstanding equity and other long-term incentive awards will immediately fully vest upon Executives Qualifying CIC Termination, and (ii) all vested equity and other long-term incentive awards (including those vesting under the preceding clause) granted as SARs or stock options shall be exercisable and remain exercisable for eighteen (18) months following the date of Executives termination (but in no event later the original term/expiration date of the award) (but to the extent that the 2006 EIP (or successor plan) and awards granted thereunder apply after such Change in Control in accordance with the terms thereof as in effect prior to such Change in Control and such Change in Control occurs prior to the occurrence of an initial public offering, only during an exercise window permitted thereunder). Section 9(c) shall govern any such termination following the second anniversary of the Change in Control. |
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(d) | Exclusive Remedy. In the event of a Qualifying CIC Termination of Executives employment with the Corporation, the provisions of this Section 13 are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other rights or remedies to which Executive or the Corporation may otherwise be entitled, whether at law, tort or contract, in equity, or under this Agreement. Executive will be entitled to no other severance, benefits, compensation or other payments or rights upon such a Qualifying CIC Termination other than those benefits expressly set forth in this Section 13 or pursuant to written equity award agreements with the Corporation. | |
(e) | Change in Control means: |
(1) | Any person (as that term is used in Sections 13(d) and Section 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act)) is or becomes a beneficial owner or acquires, or has acquired beneficial ownership (as that term is used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), of more than 50% (except with respect to an acquisition by the existing stockholders of the Corporation as of the date of this Agreement as Permitted Transfers under Section 2.2 (other than Section 2.2(a)(iv), (v) or (x), or Section 2.2(a)(vii) insofar as to a stockholder thereunder is described in any of Section 2.2(a)(iv), (v) or (x), or Section 2.2(a)(viii) insofar as a partner thereunder is described in any of 2.2(a)(iv), (v), or (x)) of the Stockholders Agreement among the existing stockholders dated as of April 15, 1996) of the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors (Voting Securities) of the Corporation, excluding, however, any acquisition of Voting Securities: (i) directly from the Corporation, other than an acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege unless the security being so converted was itself acquired directly from the Corporation, (ii) by the Corporation or a subsidiary of the Corporation, (iii) by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Corporation or entity controlled by the Corporation, or (iv) pursuant to a transaction that complies with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of paragraph (3) below; or | ||
(2) | Individuals who, as of the Start Date, constitute the Board of Directors (the Incumbent Board) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors, provided that any individual becoming a director subsequent to such Start Date whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporations stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election or removal of the directors of the Corporation or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a person other than the Board of Directors; or | ||
(3) | The Corporation shall be merged or consolidated with, or, in any transaction or series of transactions, substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation shall be sold or otherwise acquired by, another corporation or entity unless, as a |
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result thereof, (i) the stockholders of the Corporation immediately prior thereto shall beneficially own, directly or indirectly, at least 60% of the combined Voting Securities of the surviving, resulting or transferee corporation or entity (including, without limitation, a corporation that as a result of such transaction owns the Corporation or all or substantially all of the Corporations assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) (Newco) immediately thereafter in substantially the same proportions as their ownership immediately prior to such corporate transaction, (ii) no person beneficially owns (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder), directly or indirectly, 30% or more, of the combined Voting Securities of Newco immediately after such corporate transaction except to the extent that such ownership of the Corporation existed prior to such corporate transaction and (iii) more than 50% of the members of the Board of Directors of Newco shall be Incumbent Directors; or | |||
(4) | The stockholders of the Corporation approve a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation. |
Provided, for any amount due to Executive that is a deferral of compensation payable upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, which payment is subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code) and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder or any state law equivalent (Section 409A), for the purpose of determining the timing or form of such payment, a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur unless the transaction or transactions satisfy Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5). For the avoidance of doubt, the consummation of an initial public offering of the Corporations common stock shall not constitute a Change in Control with respect to the Corporation. |
(a) | Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, if any payment or benefit Executive would receive from the Corporation or otherwise (Payment) would (i) constitute a parachute payment within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code; and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the Excise Tax), then such Payment shall be equal to the Best After-Tax Amount. The Best After-Tax Amount shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax; or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount under clauses (x) or (y), 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), results in Executives receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater amount of the Payment. Any reduction made pursuant to this Section 14(a) shall be made in accordance with the following order of priority: (i) stock options or stock appreciation rights whose exercise price exceeds the fair market value of the optioned stock (Underwater Awards) (ii) Full Credit Payments (as defined below) that are payable in cash, (iii) non-cash Full Credit Payments that are then taxable, (iv) non-cash Full Credit Payments that are not then taxable (v) Partial Credit Payments (as defined below) and (vi) non-cash employee welfare benefits. In each case, reductions shall be |
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made in reverse chronological order such that the payment or benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first payment or benefit to be reduced (with reductions made pro-rata in the event payments or benefits are owed at the same time). Full Credit Payment means a payment, distribution or benefit, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or otherwise, that if reduced in value by one dollar reduces the amount of the parachute payment (as defined in Section 280G of the Code) by one dollar, determined as if such payment, distribution or benefit had been paid or distributed on the date of the event triggering the excise tax. Partial Credit Payment means any payment, distribution or benefit that is not a Full Credit Payment. In no event shall Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of payment reductions. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Corporation submits any payment or benefit payable to Executive under this Agreement or otherwise to the Corporations stockholders for approval in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.280G-1 Q&A 7 and that Executive voluntarily affirmatively waives (in writing) his entitlement to such payment subject to such vote in accordance therewith, the foregoing provisions shall not apply following such submission and such payments and benefits will be treated in accordance with the results of such vote, except that any reduction in, or waiver of, such payments or benefits required by such vote will be applied without any application of discretion by Executive and in the order prescribed by this Section 14. |
(b) | Any determination required under this Section 14 will be made in writing by an independent firm selected by the Corporation and Executive (the Firm), whose determination will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Corporation for all purposes. For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 14, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Corporation and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination under this Section 14. The Corporation will bear all costs and charges of the Firm in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 14. |
FOURTH PART: | RELEASE OF CLAIMS, SECTION 409A, CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION AND CODE OF ETHICS, SEVERABILITY, SUCCESSORS, MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS, SIGNATURE PAGE |
(a) | Release of Claims. As a condition to the receipt of the payments and benefits described in the Second Part or Third Part of this Agreement, Executive shall execute a covenant not to sue and release of all claims arising out of Executives employment or the termination thereof including, but not limited to, any claim of discrimination under state or federal law in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B (which shall be updated as necessary at the time of termination to reflect any applicable changes of law) (the Release). The Release must become effective no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following Executives termination of employment (the Release Deadline), and if not, Executive will forfeit any right to severance payments or benefits under this Agreement. |
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To become effective, the Release must be executed by Executive and any revocation periods (as required by statute, regulation, or otherwise) must have expired without Executive having revoked the Release. In addition, in no event will severance payments or benefits be paid or provided until the Release actually becomes effective. If the termination of employment occurs at a time during the calendar year where the Release Deadline could occur in the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executives separation from service (defined below) occurs, then any severance payments or benefits under this Agreement that would be considered Deferred Payments (as defined in Section 16(a)) will be paid, or commence to be paid, on the first normal payroll date to occur during the calendar year following the calendar year in which such separation occurs, or such later time as required by (i) the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit as set forth in the Second Part or Third Part of this Agreement, as applicable, (ii) the date the Release becomes effective, or (iii) Section 16(b); provided that the first payment shall include all amounts that would have been paid to Executive if payment had commenced on the date of Executives separation from service. |
(a) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, no severance pay or benefits to be paid or provided to Executive upon Executives termination of employment, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits, are considered deferred compensation not exempt under Section 409A (together, the Deferred Payments) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. And for purposes of this Agreement with respect to Deferred Payments, any reference to termination of employment, termination or any similar term shall be construed to mean a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A for purposes of determining the timing of payment hereunder. Similarly, no severance payable to Executive, if any, pursuant to this Agreement that otherwise would be exempt from Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9) will be payable until Executive has a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A. |
(b) | Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executives separation from service (other than due to death), then the Deferred Payments, if any, that are payable within the first six (6) months following Executives separation from service, will become payable on the first payroll date that occurs on or after the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of Executives separation from service. All subsequent Deferred Payments, if any, will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if Executive dies following Executives separation from service, but prior to the six (6) month anniversary of the separation from service, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph will be payable in a lump sum upon Executives death and all other Deferred Payments will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment, installment and benefit payable under this Agreement or referenced herein is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 1.409A-2(b)(2) of the Treasury Regulations. |
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(c) | Without limitation, any amount paid under this Agreement that satisfies the requirements of the short-term deferral rule set forth in Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) of the Treasury Regulations is not intended to constitute to Deferred Payments for purposes of clause (a) above. |
(d) | Without limitation, any amount paid under this Agreement that qualifies as a payment made as a result of an involuntary separation from service pursuant to Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations that does not exceed the Section 409A Limit is not intended to constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of clause (a) above. Any payment intended to qualify under this exemption must be made within the allowable time period specified in Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) of the Treasury Regulations. Section 409A Limit will mean two (2) times the lesser of: (i) Executives annualized compensation based upon the annual rate of pay paid to Executive during Executives taxable year preceding Executives taxable year of his separation from service as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii)(A)(1) and any Internal Revenue Service guidance issued with respect thereto; or (ii) the maximum amount that may be taken into account under a qualified plan pursuant to Code Section 401(a)(17) for the year in which Executives separation from service occurred. |
(e) | To the extent that reimbursements or in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute non-exempt nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, (1) all reimbursements hereunder shall be made on or prior to the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expense was incurred by Executive, (2) any right to reimbursement or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit, and (3) the amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits provided in any calendar year shall not in any way affect the expenses eligible for reimbursement or in-kind benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year. |
(f) | Any tax gross-up that Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement or otherwise shall be paid to Executive no later than December 31 of the calendar year following the calendar year in which Executive remits the related taxes. |
(g) | The foregoing provisions are intended to be exempt from or comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be exempt or so comply. The Corporation and Executive agree to work together in good faith to consider amendments to this Agreement and to take such reasonable actions which are necessary, appropriate or desirable to avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition prior to actual payment to Executive under Section 409A. |
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(a) | Corporations Successors. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon any successor (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Corporations business and/or assets. | |
(b) | Executives Successors. The rights of Executive hereunder to payments and benefits shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, Executives personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees and legatees. For all purposes under this Agreement, in the event of Executives death, any amount otherwise payable to him but for his death (including his death following a Qualifying Termination, Qualifying Retirement Termination or Qualifying CIC Termination) shall be paid to his designated beneficiary or, if none, his estate (his Severance Beneficiary). |
(a) | Waiver. No provision of this Agreement shall be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and by an authorized officer of the Corporation (other than Executive). No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party shall be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time. |
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(b) | Whole Agreement. This Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto), together with the Confidential Information Agreement and the WCOBC, contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and it replaces and supercedes any agreements, representations or understandings (whether oral or written and whether express or implied) that are not expressly set forth in this Agreement that have been made or entered into by either party with respect to the subject matter hereof. | |
(c) | Notice. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when personally delivered or three (3) business days after mailing by U.S. registered or certified mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of Executive, mailed notices shall be addressed to Executive at the home address that Executive most recently communicated to the Corporation in writing. In the case of the Corporation, mailed notices shall be addressed to its corporate headquarters, and all notices shall be directed to the attention of the office of the General Counsel. | |
(d) | Choice of Law. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of California, irrespective of Californias choice-of-law principles. | |
(e) | No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or benefits under this Agreement shall not be made subject to option or assignment, either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including (without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditors process, and any action in violation of this Section 21(e) shall be void. |
(f) | Employment At Will; Limitation of Remedies. The Corporation and Executive acknowledge that Executives employment is at will, as defined under applicable law. If Executives employment terminates for any reason, Executive shall not be entitled to any payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by this Agreement. | |
(g) | Employment Taxes. All payments made pursuant to this Agreement shall be subject to withholding of applicable taxes. | |
(h) | Benefit Coverage Non-Additive. In the event that Executive is entitled to health plan coverage under more than one provision hereunder, only one provision shall apply, and neither the periods of coverage nor the amounts of benefits shall be additive. | |
(i) | Discharge of Responsibility. The payments under this Agreement, when made in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, shall fully discharge all responsibilities of the Corporation (and its affiliates) to Executive that existed at the time of termination of Executives employment. | |
(j) | Indemnification. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Articles of Incorporation and the by-laws of the Corporation (as in effect from time to time), the Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless Executive for all economic consequences |
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(e.g., damages, settlement, attorneys fees and lost compensation if enjoined) (i) in the event of any action or threatened action by VF Corporation (e.g., breach of fiduciary duty) except with respect to an action or threatened action resulting from Executives willful wrongdoing or gross negligence and (ii) for any acts or decisions made by him in good faith while performing services for the Corporation and its subsidiaries, whether in the capacity of officer, employee, director or employee benefit plan fiduciary; provided, in each case, that the Corporation shall not be liable or responsible to indemnify Executive hereunder for the economic consequences relating to Executives breach of Executives representation made in the last sentence of Section 2(b) hereof. | ||
(k) | No Mitigation. Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment or benefit contemplated by this Agreement, nor shall any such payment or benefit be reduced by any earnings or benefits that Executive may receive from any other source. | |
(l) | Inconsistency. In the event of any inconsistency between this Agreement (including the Schedules and Exhibits hereto) and any other plan, program, policy, practice or agreement in which Executive is a participant or a party, this Agreement shall control unless such other plan, program, practice and agreement supersedes this Agreement by specific reference to this paragraph 21(l). |
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CHARLES V. BERGH | ||||
/s/ Charles V. Bergh | ||||
LEVI STRAUSS & CO. | ||||
By | /s/ Pat Pineda | |||
Its | Human Resources Committee Chairperson | |||
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A. | Methodology: |
1) | Fair Market Value of a share of common stock to be determined by Evercore independent valuation (or other reputable third-party valuation firm), including illiquidity discount. | |
Semi-annual appraisal to be determinative of each grant (currently, June 30, 2011 and December 31, 2011, respectively). | ||
No Board of Directors discretion over valuation that is adverse to Executive | ||
2) | Black-Scholes multiple determined in accordance with the grant date methodology used by the Corporation for purposes of expensing the SAR in connection with its publicly-reported annual audited financial statements for such fiscal year. | |
3) | Number of SARs to be granted, per grant, equals [$X] ÷ [FMV of a share of common stock on the date of grant (with illiquidity discount applied) x Black-Scholes multiple expressed as a percentage]. $X is the grant date value of the SAR award (e.g., $4,900,000 in the case of the Initial SAR Award). | |
4) | Number of full-value awards to be granted (if any), per grant, equals $X ÷ FMV of a share of common stock on the date of grant (with illiquidity discount applied). | |
5) | Round up to next share covered by the applicable award. |
B. | Example (for illustrative purposes only): |
1) Undiscounted value of one share of common stock set forth in the third-party valuation: | $A | |||
2) Illiquidity discount set forth in the third-party valuation: | B% | |||
3) Fair market value of one share of common stock: | $44.50 [Represents $A multiplied by (100%-B%)] | |||
4) Black-Scholes multiple: | 37.00% | |||
5) Black-Scholes value of one SAR: | $16.465 | |||
6) Minimum value of SAR grant: | $4,900,000 | |||
7) Number of SARs to be granted ($4,900,000 / $16.465): | 297,601 |
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| All relocation benefits have a 6 month time limit of eligibility from the date of initiation. | ||
| All transferees will be required to sign a payback agreement prior to the relocation start. |
POLICY AREA | LEVEL A HOMEOWNER | |
Househunting | 7 day trip paid as a lump sum and tax protected. | |
Temporary Living | Up to 60 days paid for lodging at new location. Employee must have a dual living situation. Paid as a lump sum and tax protected. | |
Final Move Costs | Airfare cost. Non taxable. | |
Shipment of Household Goods | A moving company is assigned to ship household goods and up to 2 cars from the old to the new location at company cost. Non taxable. | |
Miscellaneous Expense Allowance | An allowance equivalent to 2 weeks of your new salary to cover incidentals at new location. Taxable/not tax protected. | |
Destination Services | A full and comprehensive orientation to new community; includes real estate referral and mortgage counseling. Tax protected. | |
Spouse/Partner Employment Assistance Program | A program to help spouse/partner find employment at new location. Tax protected. | |
Home Purchase Assistance | Coverage of all one time purchase closing costs. Must be a pre-existing homeowner. Tax protected. | |
Other Incentives | Cash incentive to employee if home is sold within the 90 day marketing period. Taxable/not tax protected. | |
Buyer Value Option Program | Market home for first 90 days through the Marketing Assistance Program and close through 3rd party company. Non taxable event. | |
Cost of Living Allowance | If deemed to be a 20% minimum cost of living differential between old and new location. Payment capped at $50,000 gross. Differential times old salary is the allowance paid. Taxable/not tax protected. | |
Loan Subsidy Program | A dollar driven subsidy capped at $30,000 to cover interest payments. Applied through approved lender list. Taxable/Tax protected FICA only. | |
Tax Assistance | LS&CO pays tax liability on all taxable relocation expenses that are tax protected. |
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2006 Equity Incentive Plan
Participant: | Charles V. Bergh | ||||
Date of Grant: | |||||
Vesting Commencement Date: | |||||
Number of Stock Appreciation Rights: | [Per Schedule A of Employment Agreement] | ||||
Strike Price (Per Stock Appreciation Right): | |||||
Expiration Date: | [Insert date (7 years from date of grant) |
Vesting Schedule: | 25% of the shares subject to the Award shall vest on the first anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and 1/48th of the shares subject to the Award shall vest each month thereafter on the same calendar day of the month as the Vesting Commencement Date (and if there is no corresponding day, on the last day of the month), subject to Participants Continuous Service through each such vesting date, except as set forth herein. | |
Notwithstanding the foregoing and anything contrary in the Plan, if Participants Continuous Service terminates due to (i) termination by the Company without Cause, (ii) Participants resignation for Good Reason, (iii) termination by the Company as a result of Participants Disability or (iv) Participants death, then the unvested portion of the Award that would have vested during the twenty-four (24) months following the date of termination had his employment not so terminated, will immediately vest upon such termination. | ||
Alternatively, if at any time upon or within two (2) years following a Change in Control, Participants Continuous Service terminates due to (i) termination by the Company for any reason other than for (x) Cause, (y) death or (z) Disability, or (ii) Participants resignation for Good Reason, then the Award will fully and immediately vest upon such termination. For the avoidance of doubt, if Participant is entitled to receive vesting acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, then this paragraph will apply and not the immediately preceding paragraph above. | ||
Alternatively, if (i) at any time after the fifth anniversary of Participants Start Date (as defined in Participants Employment Agreement with the Company, dated [ ], 2011 (the Employment Agreement)), Participants Continuous Service terminates due to Participants resignation for any reason other than in |
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connection with an impending termination for Cause by the Company and (ii) provided at least twelve (12) months have lapsed since the Date of Grant, then the Award will fully and immediately vest upon such termination. For the avoidance of doubt, if Participant is entitled to receive vesting acceleration pursuant to this paragraph, then this paragraph will apply and not the immediately preceding paragraphs above. | ||
For purposes of the foregoing Vesting Schedule, Cause, Disability, Good Reason and Change in Control shall have the meaning defined in the Employment Agreement. |
Other Agreements: | ||||||
Levi Strauss & Co. | Participant: | |||||
By: | ||||||
Signature | Signature | |||||
Title: | SVP Worldwide Human Resources | Date: | ||||
Date: |
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2006 Equity Incentive Plan
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Levi Strauss & Co. 1155 Battery St. San Francisco, CA 94111 | Date of Exercise: _________ |
Stock appreciation right dated: | ||||||
Number of Common Stock equivalents as to which stock appreciation right is exercised: | ||||||
Certificates to be issued in name of: |
Very truly yours, | ||||
a. | In consideration for the payments, benefits and other rights under Section 9, Section 10 or Section 13 of the Employment Agreement (Separation Benefits), as applies, you, on your own behalf and on behalf of your heirs, executors, administrators, attorneys and assigns, hereby unconditionally and irrevocably release, waive and forever discharge LS&CO. and its predecessors, successors, assigns, subsidiaries, related entities, officers, directors, voting trustees, shareholders, employees, agents, attorneys and insurers (collectively referred to as the Company) from any and all claims, suits, actions, causes of action, demands, rights, damages, costs, expenses, attorneys fees, and compensation in any form whatsoever, whether now known or unknown, which you have or may have (up through and including the date on which you sign this Agreement) against the Company on account of or in any way related to your employment by the Company or your separation therefrom, including but not limited to any and all claims for damages or injury, claims for wages, employment benefits, tort claims, and claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, the National Labor Relations Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and under any other federal, state or local law, statute (including but not limited to, the California Fair Employment & Housing Act or the California Labor Code), ordinance, guideline, regulation, order or common-law principle relating to employment, employment contracts, wrongful discharge or any other matter. | ||
b. | Notwithstanding the above General Release of all claims, you are not waiving or releasing: (i) claims for workers compensation; (ii) claims for medical conditions caused by exposure to hazards during your employment of which |
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you were not aware before or at the time you sign this Agreement; (iii) claims arising after the date on which you sign this Agreement; (iv) claims for vested or accrued benefits under a Companys employee benefit plan; (v) your right to file a charge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or to participate in an EEOC investigation, (vi) all Separation Benefits, in consideration of your general release of claims hereunder, (vii) your right to indemnification and coverage as an insured under any contract of officers and directors liability insurance pursuant to Section 21(j) of the Employment Agreement or (viii) your rights as a stockholder of LS&CO. You are, however, waiving all rights to recover money or other individual relief in connection with any EEOC charge or investigation. |
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PLEASE RETURN TO: | ||||||
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