6. Confidential Information.
(a) Employee acknowledges that during Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee has had access to certain business, financial, and other information of the Company which is not made readily available to the public, including, without limitation, marketing, advertising and promotional ideas, surveys and strategies, technology, budgets, business plans, vendor lists, research, financial, purchasing, employment data and information, costs, profits, market, sales, products, product lines, key personnel, pricing policies, operational methods, customers, customer requirements, suppliers, plans for future developments, other business affairs and methods and other information not readily available to the public (herein “Confidential Information”) that must be maintained in strict confidence in order for the Company to protect its business and its competitive position in the marketplace. Unless otherwise authorized in writing by the Company, Employee agrees that Employee will not directly or indirectly publish or disclose any Confidential Information to any competitor or other person outside the Company, and Employee will not remove from the premises of the Company or use for Employee’s own benefit or otherwise, appropriate or copy any Confidential Information. This applies whether or not Employee developed the Confidential Information.
(b) Additionally, Employee agrees not to make any disparaging or derogatory remarks orally or in writing, directly or through others, about the conduct or character of the Company or any of its parents, subsidiaries, or affiliates, or their agents, employees, officers, directors, successors, or assigns.
7. Non-Solicitation of Employees/Contractors. Employee further agrees that, during the Severance Period, Employee shall not, without the prior written consent of the Company, directly or indirectly, in any capacity, solicit, entice, or induce, or attempt to solicit, entice or induce, any person who at the time is or within the preceding twelve (12) months was an employee, independent contractor, officer or director of the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company to (i) become employed or otherwise engaged by or enter into a joint venture or partnership with Employee or any other business, person or entity, or (ii) terminate his or her employment or engagement with the Company or such subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.
8. Confirmation of Compliance.
(a) Employee represents and warrants that, during Employee’s employment with the Company, Employee did not violate any of the Company’s policies, or the Company’s rules and regulations on conduct and standards of business conduct, and that Employee did not violate any federal, state or local law (common, statutory, civil or criminal), in any way related to the performance of Employee’s job duties while employed by the Company. Any breach of this Section shall be deemed to be material.
(b) Employee further acknowledges (i) Employee has reported to the Company any and all work-related injuries incurred during employment; (ii) the Company properly provided any leave of absence because of Employee’s or a family member’s health condition and Employee has not been subjected to any improper treatment, conduct or actions due to a request for or taking any such leave; (iii) Employee has had the opportunity to provide the Company with written notice of any and all concerns regarding suspected ethical and compliance issues or violations on the part of the Company or any other Releasees; and (iv) Employee has reported any pending judicial or administrative complaints, claims, or actions filed against the Company or any other Releasees and agrees to request withdrawal or move to dismiss any such pending administrative or judicial complaints, charges, claims, or actions.
9. Agreement to Cooperate. Prior to, the Separation Date and during the Severance Period, Employee agrees to fully cooperate with and assist the Company with respect to matters in which Employee was involved during his employment, including providing accurate and complete information, meeting with the
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