Updated Form of Executive Agreement
EX-10.3 2 ex103-updatedformofexecuti.htm EX-10.3 Document
Exhibit 10.3
EXECUTIVE AGREEMENT
Executive Officer
Executive Officer
This Executive Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made effective as of the ____ day of ________, 20__ (the “Effective Date”) between ResMed Inc., a Delaware corporation and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) and _________________ (“Executive”).
WHEREAS, the Company currently employs Executive as an executive officer of the Company; and
WHEREAS, the Company believes it to be in the best interests of its stockholders to attract, retain and motivate key officers and to ensure continuity of management, and that this will further those interests; and
WHEREAS, the Company recognizes that the possibility of a Change of Control of the Company may result in the departure of key executives to the detriment of the Company and its stockholders.
In consideration of Executive's continued employment as an executive officer with the Company and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the Company and Executive agree as follows:
1. Term of Agreement
A.This Agreement shall be for an initial term that continues in effect, through the third anniversary of the Effective Date. The term of this Agreement shall automatically be extended for one or more additional terms of three (3) years each. This Agreement may be terminated effective as of the last day of any of the initial or extended term, provided that written notice of such termination is provided to Executive prior to the date that is 60 days before the last day of such term.
B.Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term of this Agreement shall terminate upon the expiration of the “Restricted Period”, subject to all rights and benefits hereunder having been paid and satisfied in full.
2. Certain Definitions
A.“Short-term Incentive Amount” shall mean ___% of Executive’s Termination Base Salary.
B.“Cause” shall mean:
(i) Executive’s conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere of a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude, dishonesty or a breach of trust as regards the Company or any subsidiary of the Company or Executive’s conviction or plea of guilty or nolo contendere of a felony; or
(ii) Executive's commission of any act of theft, fraud, embezzlement or misappropriation against the Company, regardless of whether a criminal conviction is obtained; or
(iii) Executive's willful and continued failure to devote substantially all of Executive’s business time to the Company’s business affairs, (excluding failures due to illness, incapacity, vacations, incidental civic activities and
incidental personal time) or Executive's material breach of the terms of any employment-related agreement with the Company, which failure or breach is not remedied within a reasonable time after written demand is delivered by the Company, which demand specifically identifies the manner in which the Company believes that Executive has failed to devote substantially all of Executive’s business time to the Company's business affairs or has breached such agreement; or
(iv) Executive's willful failure to comply with any corporate policies, which failure results or is likely to result in substantial injury, financial or otherwise, to the Company or its reputation, or a violation of any corporate policy relating to harassment, discrimination, or sexual misconduct (including, but not limited to, such actions based on sex, gender, gender expression, race, religion, national origin, or other protected class);
(v) Executive's unauthorized disclosure or use of confidential information of the Company, which results or is likely to result in substantial injury, financial or otherwise, to the Company or its reputation; or
(vi) Executive's willful violation of any rules or regulations of any governmental or regulatory body, which violation results or is likely to result in substantial injury, financial or otherwise, to the Company or its reputation; or
(vii) Executive's abuse of drugs, alcohol or illegal substances (to the extent not inconsistent with the Americans with Disability Act or similar state law), which results or is likely to result in substantial injury, financial or otherwise, to the Company or its reputation.
C.“Change of Control” of the Company means the occurrence of any of the following events for purposes of this Agreement:
(i) a transaction or series of transactions whereby any “person” or related “group” of “persons” (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) directly or indirectly acquires beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of securities of the Company possessing more than 50% of the total combined voting power of the Company’s securities outstanding immediately after such acquisition, other than:
(a) an acquisition by an employee benefit plan or any trustee holding securities under any employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any person controlled by the Company; or
(b) an acquisition by the Company or a “person” that, prior to such transaction, directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company; or
(c) an acquisition pursuant to the offering of shares of Common Stock by the Company to the general public through a registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; or
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(d) an acquisition of voting securities pursuant to a transaction described in clause (iii) below that would not be a Change of Control under clause (iii);
(ii) individuals who, as of the date hereof, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered to be members of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office was a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors; or
(iii) The consummation by the Company (whether directly involving the Company or indirectly involving the Company through one or more intermediaries) of (x) a merger, consolidation, reorganization, or business combination or (y) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets in any single transaction or series of related transactions or (z) the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity, in each case other than a transaction:
(a) which results in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the Successor Entity) directly or indirectly, at least a majority of the combined voting power of the Successor Entity’s outstanding voting securities immediately after the transaction; or
(b) after which more than 50% of the members of the board of directors of the Successor Entity were members of the Incumbent Board at the time of the Board’s approval of the transaction or the agreement providing for the transaction.
(iv) The Company’s stockholders approve a liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
For purposes of subsection (i) above, the calculation of voting power shall be made as if the date of the acquisition were a record date for a vote of the Company’s stockholders, and for purposes of subsection (iii) above, the calculation of voting power shall be made as if the date of the consummation of the transaction or at the consummation of the last of a series of related transactions were a record date for a vote of the Company’s stockholders. For purposes of subsection (iii) “Successor Entity” means the Company or the “person” that, as a result of the transaction, controls, directly or indirectly, the Company or owns, directly or indirectly, all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or otherwise succeeds to the business of the Company.
D.“Code” shall mean the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time.
E.“Date of Termination” shall mean the date of Executive’s Separation from Service.
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F.“Disability” shall mean a physical or mental incapacity as a result of which Executive becomes unable to continue the proper performance of Executive’s duties hereunder for six consecutive calendar months or for shorter periods aggregating 180 business days in any 12-month period, but only to the extent that such definition does not violate the Americans with Disabilities Act.
G.“ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time to time.
H.“Equity Plans” shall mean the Company's stock option plans, restricted stock plans, incentive plans, equity participation plans, or other similar plans, and any stock option or restricted stock agreements or other award agreements used in connection therewith.
I.“Executive” shall mean the executive officer of the Company who is a party to this Agreement. In the event of the Executive’s death after becoming entitled to any payment, benefit or right under Section 3 or 4, but prior to the receipt of such payment or benefit or exercise of any right, then the term “Executive” shall include Executive’s estate.
J.“Good Reason” shall mean any of the following material negative circumstances that occurs without the express written consent of Executive, if Executive has given the Company written notice (“Notice of Good Reason”) within 90 days of the initial existence of such circumstances and the Company has failed to cure such circumstances within 30 days of such notice:
(i) The assignment to Executive by the Company of duties, responsibilities, authority, or reporting relationship that are materially diminished when compared to Executive’s duties, responsibilities, authority, or reporting relationship with the Company immediately prior to the Change of Control (including no longer reporting to the chief executive officer or board of the parent company), except in connection with the termination of Executive’s employment for Cause, death or Disability or by Executive other than for Good Reason; or
(ii) A material reduction by the Company in Executive’s base salary as in effect at the time of the Change of Control; or
(iii) Any material diminution by the Company in the aggregate benefits provided to Executive under the Company’s benefit plans and arrangements in which Executive is participating at the time of the Change of Control, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan or arrangement; or
(iv) Any failure by the Company to continue in effect, or any material reduction in target short-term incentive opportunity or any material increase in target performance objectives under, any short-term incentive or incentive plan or arrangement in which Executive is participating at the time of the Change of Control, which results in a material negative change in Executive’s short-term incentive or incentive compensation, unless an equitable arrangement (embodied in an ongoing substitute or alternative plan) has been made with respect to such plan or arrangement with a comparable target short-term incentive opportunity and comparable target performance objectives; or
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(v) Any material diminution by the Company in the budget over which Executive retains authority at the time of the Change of Control;
(vi) Any action by the Company that either:
(A) requires Executive be based anywhere that is at least fifty (50) miles away from both (i) Executive’s office location as of the date of the Change of Control and (ii) Executive’s then primary residence, except for required travel by Executive on the Company’s business; or
(B) changes the Company’s remote work policies in a way that substantially restricts Executive’s ability to perform Executive’s duties and responsibilities remotely, except for required travel by Executive on the Company’s business; or
(vii) Any failure by the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any successor or assign of the Company; or
(viii) Any other action or inaction by the Company that constitutes a material breach by the Company of the agreement under which Executive provides services to the Company at the time of the Change of Control.
For these purposes, a material reduction of Executive’s base salary or target short-term incentive opportunity will be deemed to have occurred if the salary or target short-term incentive opportunity has been reduced by 10% or more from the base salary or target short-term incentive opportunity, as applicable, in effect at the time of the Change of Control.
Executive’s voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason must occur not later than two years after the initial existence of the circumstances constituting “Good Reason.”
K.“Notice of Termination” shall mean a written notice delivered to the other party indicating the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon for termination of Executive's employment and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of Executive's employment under the provision so indicated. Any purported termination by either party other than pursuant to a Notice of Termination shall not be effective.
L.“Payment Date” shall mean the later of the Separation from Service or the date of the Change of Control.
M.“Restricted Period” shall mean the period of one (1) year following the Date of Termination of Executive, which termination is covered by Section 3 hereof.
N.“Separation from Service” of Executive shall mean Executive’s termination of employment with the Company and its subsidiaries and if Executive’s compensation is subject to taxation under the Code such termination must also qualify as a “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h).
O.“Termination Base Salary” shall mean the greatest annual rate of Executive's base salary in effect during the three-year period ending on the Date of Termination.
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3. Change of Control Benefits.
A.In the event that:
(i) Executive provides Notice of Good Reason at any time during the six-month period prior to the date of a Change of Control, or during the twelve (12) month period commencing on the date of a Change of Control, and Executive has a Separation from Service by reason of Executive’s voluntary termination of employment for Good Reason, or
(ii) Executive has a Separation from Service by reason of the Company’s termination of Executive’s employment other than for Cause during the six-month period prior to the date of the Change of Control (and such termination is at the request of the successor entity of such Change of Control, or is otherwise made in anticipation of the Change of Control), or during the twelve (12) month period commencing on the date of the Change of Control,
then Executive shall receive the benefits from the Company as provided under Section 3.B. A portion of the benefits provided under Section 3.B is deemed consideration for Executive’s covenants under Section 13.
B.The benefits to be provided by the Company in the event of a Separation from Service covered by Section 3.A shall be as follows:
(i) The Company shall pay to Executive when otherwise due Executive's then effective base salary through the Date of Termination.
(ii) The Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to ______________ times Executive’s Termination Base Salary, payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
(iii) The Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to _____________ times the higher of (i) the highest actual annual short-term incentive received by Executive during the three years prior to the fiscal year in which the Date of Termination occurs, or (ii) Executive’s Short-term Incentive Amount, payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following such Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
(iv) In consideration of service through the Date of Termination, the Company shall pay to Executive Executive’s Short-term Incentive Amount, pro-rated through and including the Date of Termination (on the basis of a 365 day year), payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
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(v) Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in any of the Company’s Equity Plans, (i) all outstanding unvested stock options of Executive shall be and become fully vested and exercisable as to all shares of stock covered thereby, and (ii) all outstanding shares of restricted stock, all restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares and performance units of Executive shall be and become vested and nonforfeitable and all restrictions thereon shall lapse, in each case as of the Date of Termination. The number of shares to become vested under Total Shareholder Return performance stock unit grants will be determined under the prorated calculation described in Appendix II of the grant agreement.
(vi) The Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to _____________ times the annual amount the Company would be required to contribute on Executive’s behalf to the 401(k) plan, deferred compensation plan, superannuation plan, government or private pension plan, and any similar plan then in effect, based on Executive’s Termination Base Salary and the applicable maximum Company contribution percentages in effect as of the Date of Termination, payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
(vii) Effective as of the Payment Date, Executive shall become and be fully vested in Executive's accrued benefits under all qualified pension, nonqualified pension, profit sharing, 401(k), deferred compensation, superannuation plan, government or private pension plan, and supplemental plans maintained by the Company for Executive's benefit, except to that the extent the acceleration of vesting of such benefits would violate any applicable law or require the Company to accelerate the vesting of the accrued benefits of all participants in such plan or plans, in which case the Company shall pay Executive a lump sum payment, within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date, in an amount equal to the present value of such unvested accrued benefits; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). In addition, if such a lump sum payment is payable, the Company shall make an additional gross-up payment to Executive in an amount such that the net amount of the lump sum payment and such additional gross-up payment retained by Executive, after the calculation and deduction of all federal, foreign, state and local income tax and employment tax (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) on such lump sum payment and additional gross-up payment, and taking into account any lost or reduced tax deductions on account of such gross-up payment, shall be equal to such lump sum payment. Such additional gross-up payment shall be made in a lump sum payment within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4).
(viii) The Company shall provide Executive with additional benefits described in Section 4 hereof.
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4. Additional Benefits.
A.Medical and Dental Health Benefits Premiums. In the event of a Separation from Service covered by Section 3.A, the Company shall pay to Executive an amount equal to _____________ multiplied times the Medical and Dental Premium (as defined below), payable in a lump sum within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). For purposes of this Section 4.A, the “Medical and Dental Premium” shall equal:
(i) the monthly premium for the COBRA Continuation Coverage (determined as of the Date of Termination), less (ii) the monthly contribution required to be paid by Executive for the coverage for Executive and Executive’s family under the Company’s group medical and dental benefits plan (as in effect on the Date of Termination). For purposes of this Section 4.A, “COBRA Continuation Coverage” shall mean the continuation coverage required to be provided to Executive and Executive’s family under the Company’s group medical and dental benefits plans following Executive’s Separation from Service in accordance with Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA and Section 4980B(f) of the Code (and if Executive is not a resident or citizen of the United States, and receives medical or dental benefits from the Company, then the calculation will presume Executive would be so covered by such provisions of ERISA and the Code).
(i) the monthly premium for the COBRA Continuation Coverage (determined as of the Date of Termination), less (ii) the monthly contribution required to be paid by Executive for the coverage for Executive and Executive’s family under the Company’s group medical and dental benefits plan (as in effect on the Date of Termination). For purposes of this Section 4.A, “COBRA Continuation Coverage” shall mean the continuation coverage required to be provided to Executive and Executive’s family under the Company’s group medical and dental benefits plans following Executive’s Separation from Service in accordance with Title I, Subtitle B, Part 6 of ERISA and Section 4980B(f) of the Code (and if Executive is not a resident or citizen of the United States, and receives medical or dental benefits from the Company, then the calculation will presume Executive would be so covered by such provisions of ERISA and the Code).
In addition, the Company shall make an additional lump sum gross-up payment to Executive in an amount such that the net amount of the lump sum payment and such additional lump sum gross-up payment retained by Executive, after the calculation and deduction of all federal, state and local income tax and employment tax (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes) on such lump sum payment and additional lump sum gross-up payment, and taking into account any lost or reduced tax deductions on account of such gross-up payment, shall be equal to such lump sum payment. Such additional lump sum gross-up payment shall be made in a lump sum payment within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date; provided, that, in no event shall such lump sum payment be paid after the last day of the applicable two and one half month period of the “short-term deferral” exemption under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any such additional lump sum gross-up payment, if the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the foregoing benefit without potentially violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), the Company shall in lieu thereof provide to Executive a comparable payment or benefit in a manner that preserves the intended economic benefit of such amount.
B.Relocation Expenses. In the event of a Separation from Service covered by Section 3.A, the Company shall honor any separate agreement it has entered into with Executive to reimburse Executive upon termination of employment in an amount equal to the expenses incurred by Executive in connection with Executive’s relocation at the request of the Company; provided that notwithstanding the terms of such agreement, all such payments shall be made in a lump sum payment within thirty (30) days following the Payment Date. If the Company has not entered into a separate agreement with Executive regarding reimbursement of expenses incurred in relocation, then no amounts shall be payable to Executive pursuant to this Section 4.B.
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5. Best Pay Provision.
A.Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Agreement, in the event that any payment or benefit received or to be received by Executive (including any payment or benefit received in connection with a change in ownership or control of the Company, including a Change of Control, or the termination of Executive’s employment, including a Separation from Service, whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement) (all such payments and benefits, including the payments and benefits under Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement, being hereinafter referred to as the “Total Payments”) would be subject (in whole or part), to the excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then, after taking into account any reduction in the Total Payments provided by reason of Section 280G of the Code in such other plan, arrangement or agreement, the cash severance payments shall first be reduced, and the noncash severance payments shall thereafter be reduced, to the extent necessary so that no portion of the Total Payments is subject to the Excise Tax but only if (i) the net amount of such Total Payments, as so reduced (and after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such reduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such reduced Total Payments) is greater than or equal to (ii) the net amount of such Total Payments without such reduction (but after subtracting the net amount of federal, state and local income taxes on such Total Payments and the amount of Excise Tax to which Executive would be subject in respect of such unreduced Total Payments and after taking into account the phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions attributable to such unreduced Total Payments). The Total Payments shall be reduced by the Company in its reasonable discretion in the following order: (w) reduction of any cash severance payments otherwise payable to Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, (x) reduction of any other cash payments or benefits otherwise payable to Executive that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any stock option or other equity award with respect to the Company’s common stock that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, (y) reduction of any other payments or benefits otherwise payable to Executive on a pro-rata basis or such other manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, but excluding any payment attributable to the acceleration of vesting and payment with respect to any stock option or other equity award with respect to the Company’s common stock that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, and (z) reduction of any payments attributable to the acceleration of vesting or payment with respect to any stock option or other equity award with respect to the Company's common stock that are exempt from Section 409A of the Code, provided, that reduction of any payments attributable to accelerating vested stock options or other equity awards shall be first applied to stock options and equity awards that would otherwise vest last in time.
B.For purposes of determining whether and the extent to which the Total Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax, (i) no portion of the Total Payments the receipt or enjoyment of which Executive shall have waived at such time and in such manner as not to constitute a “payment” within the meaning of Section 280G(b) of the Code shall be taken into account, (ii) no portion of the Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the written opinion of Company’s independent certified public accounts, or the independent auditors of nationally recognized standing selected by the Company, as determined by the Company (the “Accountants”), does not constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of
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Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code (including by reason of Section 280G(b)(4)(A) of the Code) and, in calculating the Excise Tax, no portion of such Total Payments shall be taken into account which, in the opinion of the Accountants, constitutes reasonable compensation for services actually rendered, within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4)(B) of the Code, in excess of the “base amount” (as defined in Section 280G(b)(3) of the Code) allocable to such reasonable compensation, and (iii) the value of any non cash benefit or any deferred payment or benefit included in the Total Payments shall be determined by the Accountants in accordance with the principles of Sections 280G(d)(3) and (4) of the Code.
6. Compliance with and Exemption from Section 409A of the Code.
A. Certain payments and benefits payable under this Agreement are intended to comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. This Agreement shall be interpreted in accordance with the applicable requirements of, and exemptions from, Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder. To the extent the payments and benefits under this Agreement are subject to Section 409A of the Code, this Agreement shall be interpreted, construed and administered in a manner that satisfies the requirements of Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and any applicable transitional relief or other authority thereunder. If the Company and Executive determine that any compensation, benefits or other payments that are payable under this Agreement and intended to comply with Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code do not comply with Section 409A of the Code, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other applicable authority issued by the Internal Revenue Service, to the extent permitted under Section 409A of the Code, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and any applicable authority issued by the Internal Revenue Service, the Company and Executive agree to amend this Agreement, or take such other actions as the Company and the Executive deem reasonably necessary or appropriate, to cause such compensation, benefits and other payments to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the Treasury Regulations thereunder and other applicable authority issued by the Internal Revenue Service, while providing compensation, benefits and other payments that are, in the aggregate, no less favorable then the compensation, benefits and other payments provided under this Agreement. In the case of any compensation, benefits or other payments that are payable under this Agreement and intended to comply with Sections 409A(a)(2), (3) and (4) of the Code, if any provision of the Agreement would cause such compensation, benefits or other payments to fail to so comply, such provision shall not be effective and shall be null and void with respect to such compensation, benefits or other payments, to the extent such provision would cause a failure to comply and such provision shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.
B. If Executive is a “specified employee,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i), on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service, to the extent required by Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations thereunder, any payments or benefits under this Agreement subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be delayed in order to avoid a prohibited distribution under Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and such payments or benefits shall be paid or distributed to Executive during the thirty (30) day period commencing on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of Executive’s Separation from Service or (ii) the date of the Executive’s death. Upon the expiration of the applicable six-month period under Section
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409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, all payments deferred pursuant to this Section 6 shall be paid in a lump sum payment to Executive.
C. In any case where Executive’s Date of Termination and the Release Expiration Date (as defined in Section 13.E, below) fall in two separate taxable years, any payments required to be made to executive that are conditioned on a release of claims under Section 13.E and constitute nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A shall be made in the later taxable year.
D. The provisions of this Section 6 shall be effective only if Executive’s compensation is subject to taxation under the Code. This Agreement is not intended to provide for any deferral of compensation subject to Code Section 409A and, accordingly, the benefits provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be paid not later than the later of: (i) the fifteenth day of the third month following Executive’s first taxable year in which such benefit is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and (ii) the fifteenth day of the third month following the first taxable year of the Company in which such benefit is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as determined in accordance with Code Section 409A and Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). For purposes of this Section 6.D, “substantial risk of forfeiture” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(d). Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 6, the timing of the settlement of equity awards, that may constitute nonqualified deferred compensation for purposes of Code Section 409A, will be governed by the provisions of those agreements.
7. Mitigation.
Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment provided for in this Agreement by seeking other employment or otherwise nor, except as provided in Section 4.A, shall the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in this Agreement be reduced by any compensation earned or benefit received by Executive as the result of employment by another employer or self-employment, by retirement benefits, by offset against any amount claimed to be owed by Executive to the Company or otherwise.
8. Successor Agreement.
The Company will require any successor (whether direct or indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to expressly assume this Agreement and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no succession had taken place. All references herein to Company shall include the successor entity.
9. Indemnity.
In any situation where under applicable law the Company has the power to indemnify, advance expenses to and defend Executive in respect of any judgments, fines, settlements, loss, cost or expense (including attorneys fees) of any nature related to or arising out of Executive's activities as an agent, employee, officer or director of the Company or in any other capacity on behalf of or at the request of the Company, then the Company shall promptly on written request, indemnify Executive, advance expenses (including attorney's fees) to Executive and defend Executive to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, including but not limited to making such findings and determinations and taking any and all such actions as the Company may, under applicable law, be permitted to have the discretion to take so as to effectuate such indemnification,
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advancement or defense. Such agreement by the Company shall not be deemed to impair any other obligation of the Company respecting Executive's indemnification or defense otherwise arising out of this or any other agreement or promise of the Company under any statute.
10. Notice.
For the purpose of this Agreement, notices and all other communications provided for in this Agreement shall be in writing and delivered by United States certified or registered mail (return receipt requested, postage prepaid) or by courier guaranteeing overnight delivery or by hand delivery (with signed receipt required), addressed to the respective addresses set forth below, and such notice or communication shall be deemed to have been duly given two days after deposit in the mail, one day after deposit with such overnight carrier or upon delivery with hand delivery. The addresses set forth below may be changed by a writing in accordance herewith.
The Company: ResMed Inc. 9001 Spectrum Center Blvd. San Diego, CA 92123 Attn: Chief Executive Officer with a copy to General Counsel | Executive: |
11. Dispute Resolution.
If any dispute arises out of this Agreement, the “complaining party” shall give the “other party” written notice of such dispute. The other party shall have ten (10) business days to resolve the dispute to the complaining party's satisfaction. If the dispute is not resolved by the end of such period, the complaining party may by written notice (the “Notice”) demand arbitration of the dispute as set out below, and each party hereto expressly agrees to submit to, and be bound by, such arbitration.
A.Each party will, within ten (10) business days of the Notice, nominate an arbitrator. Each nominated arbitrator must be someone experienced in dispute resolution and of good character without moral turpitude and not within the employ or direct or indirect influence of the nominating party. The two nominated arbitrators will, within ten (10) business days of nomination, agree upon a third arbitrator. If two (2) appointed arbitrators cannot agree on a third arbitrator within such period, the parties may seek such an appointment through any permitted court proceeding or by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”). The three arbitrators will set the rules and timing of the arbitration, but will generally follow the rules of the AAA and this Agreement where same are applicable and shall provide for written fact findings.
B.The arbitration hearing will in no event take place more than ninety (90) days after the appointment of the third arbitrator.
C.The arbitration will take place in San Diego County, California, unless otherwise unanimously agreed to by the parties.
D.The results of the arbitration and the decision of the arbitrators will be final and binding on the parties and each party agrees and acknowledges that these results shall be enforceable in a court of law.
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E.Reimbursement of Legal Fees.
(i) Subject to subsection (ii), the prevailing party (i.e., the Company or Executive, or in the event of Executive’s death or Disability, Executive’s representative) shall be entitled to reimbursement for all legal fees and expenses (including but not limited to fees and expenses in connection with any arbitration) incurred by such party in disputing any issue arising under this Agreement relating to Executive’s Separation from Service or in seeking to obtain or enforce any benefit or right provided by this Agreement.
(ii) The prevailing party shall be reimbursed for legal fees and expenses pursuant to subsection (i) above only to the extent the arbitrator or court determines the following: (x) such party disputed such issue, or sought to obtain or enforce such benefit or right, in good faith, (y) such party had a reasonable basis for such claim, and (z) such party is the prevailing party. In addition, in the event Executive is the prevailing party, the Company shall reimburse such legal fees and expenses only if such legal fees and expenses are incurred during the five (5) year period beginning on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service. The legal fees and expenses, if any, paid to Executive for any taxable year of Executive shall not affect the legal fees and expenses paid to Executive for any other taxable year of Executive. The legal fees and expenses, if any, shall be paid to Executive on or before the last day of Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the fees or expenses are incurred. Executive’s right to reimbursement of legal fees and expenses shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. Such right to reimbursement of legal fees and expenses shall be provided in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv). If Executive is a “specified employee” on the date of Executive’s Separation from Service, such right to reimbursement of legal fees and expenses shall be paid as provided in Section 6.B hereof.
12. Governing Law.
This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal substantive laws, and not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware.
13. Non-Competition, Non-Solicitation, Confidentiality and Non-Disparage Covenants.
A.Non-Competition. Executive acknowledges that he has been provided and will continue to be provided trade secret information of the Company in connection with Executive’s duties as an employee and officer of the Company. Executive agrees that in order to prevent the misuse of trade secret information, (x) during the term of this Agreement, and (y) provided that Executive is not located in and does not relocate to the State of California during the term of this Agreement or the Restricted Period and in consideration of a portion of the payments being provided to Executive under Sections 3.B.(ii), (iii) and (vi) and a portion of the accelerated vesting provided under Sections 3.B.(v), throughout the Restricted Period, in each case, Executive shall not, anywhere in the world, directly or indirectly (i) engage without the prior express written consent of the Company, in any business or activity, whether as an employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent, representative, stockholder (except as a holder of less than 2% of the combined voting power of the outstanding stock of a publicly held
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company) or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity, or render any services or provide any advice to any business, activity, person or entity, if Executive knows or reasonably should know that such business, activity, service, person or entity, directly or indirectly, competes in any material manner with the Business; or (ii) meaningfully assist, help or otherwise support, without the prior express written consent of the Company, any person, business, corporation, partnership or other entity or activity, whether as an employee, consultant, partner, principal, agent, representative, stockholder (other than in the capacity as a stockholder of less than 2% of the combined voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of a publicly held company) or in any other individual, corporate or representative capacity, to create, commence or otherwise initiate, or to develop, enhance or otherwise further, any business or activity if Executive knows or reasonably should know that such business or activity, directly or indirectly competes in any material manner with the Business. For purposes of this Section 13, the term “Business” shall refer to the business of the Company as conducted on the Date of Termination. As of the date of this Agreement, the business of the Company, generally, involves the development, manufacture and distribution of medical equipment for treating, diagnosing, and managing sleep-disordered breathing and other respiratory disorders. Executive acknowledges that the restrictions set forth in this Section 13.A. do not have the effect of preventing Executive from practicing Executive’s profession, trade or business, and they do not impose a financial hardship upon Executive. Executive agrees that, in addition to any other remedies available to the Company under applicable law, in the event of a breach of this Section 13.A.: (1) Executive shall immediately return (or otherwise pay) to the Company the twenty percent (20%) of the payments made under Sections 3.B.(ii), (iii) and (vi); and (2) twenty percent (20%) of all unexercised options, all shares of restricted stock and all other equity awards vested pursuant to Sections 3.B.(v) shall be surrendered by Executive and cancelled (or as to shares sold, the then current value of such shares shall be paid by Executive to the Company; and (3) with respect to twenty percent (20%) to any options vested pursuant to Section 3.B.(v) that were exercised, Executive shall pay to the Company an amount equal to the difference between the exercise price and the closing price of such shares on the date of exercise multiplied by the number of shares subject to the options exercised. Executive acknowledges that twenty percent (20%) of the payment required under Sections 3.B.(ii), (iii) and (vi) and twenty percent (20%) of the accelerated vesting provided for under Section 3.B.(v) are provided to Executive solely in exchange for Executive’s agreement under this Section 13.A.
B.Non-Solicitation. As an additional inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and throughout the Restricted Period, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly solicit any person in the employment of the Company to (i) terminate such employment, or (ii) accept employment, or enter into any consulting arrangement, with anyone other than the Company.
C.Confidentiality. Throughout the term of this Agreement, the Restricted Period and thereafter, Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use for Executive’s personal benefit or for the benefit of any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity other than the Company, or disclose or make available to any person, firm, corporation, association or other entity for any reason or purpose whatsoever, any Confidential Information (as defined below). Executive agrees that, upon termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, all Confidential Information in Executive’s possession that is in writing or other tangible form (together with all copies or duplicates thereof, including computer
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files) shall be returned to the Company and shall not be retained by Executive or furnished to any third party, in any form except as provided herein; provided, however, that Executive shall not be obligated to treat as confidential, or return to the Company copies of any Confidential Information that (i) was publicly known at the time of disclosure to Executive, (ii) becomes publicly known or available thereafter other than by any means in violation of this Agreement or any other duty owed to Company by any person or entity, or (iii) is lawfully disclosed to Executive by a third party. As used in this Agreement, the term “Confidential Information” means: information disclosed to Executive or known by Executive as a consequence of or through Executive’s relationship with the Company, about the customers, employees, business methods, operations, public relations, contracts, organization, procedures, finances, customer lists, rates and prospects of the Company and its affiliates.
D.Non-Disparage. Executive shall refrain during the term of this Agreement and throughout the Restricted Period, from publishing any oral or written statements about Company, any of its affiliates or any of Company’s or such affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents or representatives that (i) are slanderous, libelous or defamatory, (ii) disclose private information about or confidential information of Company, any of its affiliates or any of Company’s or any such affiliates’ business affairs, directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents or representatives, or (iii) place Company, any of its affiliates, or any of Company’s or any such affiliates’ directors, officers, employees, consultants, agents or representatives in a false light before the public. A violation or threatened violation of this prohibition may be enjoined by the courts. The rights afforded Company and its affiliates under this provision are in addition to any and all rights and remedies otherwise afforded by law. Nothing in this agreement prevents Executive from discussing or disclosing information about unlawful acts in the workplace, such as harassment or discrimination or any other conduct that Executive has reason to believe is unlawful.
E.General Release. As an additional inducement for the Company to enter into this Agreement, and as a condition to payment and provision of benefits under this Agreement to Executive or Executive’s estate, Executive agrees that Executive (or Executive’s trust or estate, as applicable) shall execute and deliver to the Company within twenty-one (21) days (or such other period as required by law) following Executive’s Separation from Service, and not revoke within any revocation period required by law (the “Release Expiration Date’), a general release of claims in favor of the Company and its employees, directors, agents and affiliates in a form acceptable to the Company in its sole and absolute discretion.
F.Remedies. Executive agrees and acknowledges that Executive’s right to receive any of the benefits set forth in Sections 3 and 4 (to the extent Executive is otherwise entitled to such payments) is conditioned upon Executive’s compliance with the covenants in this Section 13, and all benefits granted to Executive under this Agreement shall terminate immediately upon Executive’s breach of any covenant in this Section 13 and Executive shall be responsible for refunding to the Company the benefits previously received under this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of a violation or breach of Section 13.A. the parties hereby agree that such a violation or breach shall be remedied as provided in Section 13.A.
G.Reasonable Restrictions. Executive acknowledges that these restrictions shall not prevent or unduly restrict Executive from practicing Executive’s profession,
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or cause Executive economic hardship. Executive represents that Executive (i) is familiar with the foregoing covenants not to compete and not to solicit, and (ii) is fully aware of the obligations hereunder, including, without limitation, the reasonableness of the length of time, scope and geographic coverage of these covenants.
14. Other Severance Payments or Benefits.
In the event Executive’s employment is terminated and such termination qualifies for benefits under Section 3 of this Agreement, the payments and benefits provided for in Sections 3 and 4 of this Agreement will be provided in lieu of any other severance payment or benefit under any other plan or program of the Company or agreement between Executive and the Company.
15. Cooperation.
During Executive’s employment with the Company and thereafter, Executive agrees to cooperate with the Company and its agents, accountants and attorneys concerning any matter with which Executive was involved during Executive’s employment. Such cooperation shall include, but not be limited to, providing information to, meeting with and reviewing documents provided by the Company and its agents, accountants and attorneys during normal business hours or other mutually agreeable hours upon reasonable notice and to be available for depositions and hearings, if necessary and upon reasonable notice. If Executive’s cooperation is required after the termination of Executive’s employment, the Company shall reimburse Executive for any reasonable out of pocket expenses incurred in performing the obligations hereunder.
16. Entire Agreement; No Oral Modifications. This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement of the parties hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein and supersedes all prior agreements, promises, covenants, arrangements, communications, representations or warranties, whether oral or written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto in respect of the subject matter contained herein. No provision of this Agreement may be modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by Executive and such officer as may be designated by the Board. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party hereto of or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or at any prior or subsequent time.
17. Severability; Enforceability.
If at any time any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, including by reason of being vague or unreasonable as to geographic area, duration or scope of activity, this Agreement shall be considered divisible and shall become and be immediately amended only as to such invalid or unenforceable provision as shall be determined to be reasonable and enforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction. The parties hereby agree that this Agreement as so amended shall be valid and binding as though any invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Executive have executed this Agreement to be effective the date first above written.
EXECUTIVE | RESMED INC., | ||||||||||
a Delaware corporation | |||||||||||
By | |||||||||||
And |
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