cure in a timely manner; or (ix) commission of any act or omission that damages or is reasonably likely to damage the financial condition or business of the Company or materially damages or is reasonably likely to materially damage the reputation, public image, goodwill, assets or prospects of the Company. In addition, Mr. Tritton’s employment will be deemed to have terminated for “Cause” if, on the date Mr. Tritton’s employment terminates, facts and circumstances exist that would have justified a termination for Cause, to the extent that such facts and circumstances are discovered within four months after such termination.
“Good Reason” is defined in the Tritton Employment Agreement as any of the following occurring without Mr. Tritton’s written consent: (i) a reduction of Mr. Tritton’s base salary, other than a reduction of less than ten percent in connection with a comparable decrease applicable to all senior executives of the Company; (ii) the Company’s relocation of Mr. Tritton’s place of employment by more than thirty-five miles; (iii) a material diminution in Mr. Tritton’s duties, authority or responsibilities; or (iv) a change in Mr. Tritton’s reporting line (such that he no longer reports directly to the Board) or in his title of Chief Executive Officer; provided, in each case, that a resignation will be with “Good Reason” only if Mr. Tritton provides the Company with written notice detailing the specific circumstances alleged to constitute “Good Reason” within sixty calendar days after the occurrence of such circumstances, the Company fails to cure such circumstances in all material respects within thirty days of receipt of notice, and Mr. Tritton actually resigns within one hundred and twenty days following the first occurrence of any grounds for “Good Reason”; provided further, that the removal of Mr. Tritton’s title as President and the subsequent appointment of a President who would report to Mr. Tritton would not constitute grounds for “Good Reason.”
The Tritton Employment Agreement provides for non-competition and non-solicitation during the term of employment and for two years thereafter. The agreement also provides for non-disparagement and confidentiality during the term of employment and surviving the end of the term of employment.
employment agreement with Mr. Hartmann
The Board appointed John Hartmann as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and President, buybuy BABY, and in connection therewith, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hartmann (the “Hartmann Employment Agreement”) on April 1, 2020. The Hartmann Employment Agreement provides that in the event of a termination of Mr. Hartmann’s employment due to his death or disability:
the Company will pay Mr. Hartmann (or his estate) any Accrued Obligations;
the Hartmann Make-Whole RSU Award (the number of RSUs subject to which were calculated using the 20-Day Volume-Weighted Average Determination), to the extent not previously vested, will immediately vest in full as of the date of termination (the “Hartmann Make-Whole Award Acceleration”); and
the Company will pay Mr. Hartmann (or his estate) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for a fiscal year occurring before the fiscal year in which the termination occurs.
The Hartmann Employment Agreement provides that if the Company terminates Mr. Hartmann’s employment as a result of non-renewal of the employment term or otherwise without “Cause,” or in the event Mr. Hartmann terminates with “Good Reason,” then in addition to the Accrued Obligations and the Hartmann Make-Whole Award Acceleration, Mr. Hartmann will receive: (i) cash severance pay equal to one and a half times the sum of (x) Mr. Hartmann’s then-current base salary and (y) his then-current target annual bonus, payable over the 18 months following his termination date, (ii) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the termination occurs, and (iii) up to 78 weeks of COBRA benefits at active employee rates. Mr. Hartmann (or his estate or legal representative, in the event of Mr. Hartmann’s death or disability) is required to deliver a formal release of all claims prior to, and as a condition of, his receipt of any of the severance payments, accelerated vesting, and other post-employment benefits under the Hartmann Employment Agreement.
In the event Mr. Hartmann’s employment is terminated by the Company, and any compensation, payment or distribution by the Company would constitute an “excess parachute payment” as defined in Section 280G, payments would be subject to the Cutback.
“Cause,” for each of Messrs. Hartmann, Arnal, Hartsig and Masood, unless otherwise noted, is generally defined in their respective employment agreements as the executive’s: (i) indictment for or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or commission of an act involving moral turpitude; (ii) commission of fraud, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing,
Align pay with our transformation strategy, performance and creation of value for shareholders
No performance goals for incentive awards that encourage excessive risk taking
