“Cause” as a reason for a Participant’s termination of employment shall have the meaning assigned such term in the employment, severance or similar agreement, if any, between such Participant and his or her employer, provided, however that if there is no such employment, severance or similar agreement in which such term is defined, then “Cause” shall mean any of the following acts by the Participant, as determined by the Company: gross neglect of duty, prolonged absence from duty without the consent of the Company or applicable Group Company, material breach by the Participant of any published Company or applicable Group Company code of conduct or code of ethics; intentionally engaging in activity that is in conflict with or adverse to the business or other interests of the Company or applicable Group Company; or willful misconduct, misfeasance or malfeasance of duty which is reasonably determined to be detrimental to the Company or applicable Group Company. The determination of the Company as to the existence of “Cause” shall be conclusive on the Participant.
3. Manner of Exercise
Once vested, the Options can be exercised, on one or more occasions at the Participants’ discretion, at any time between the first anniversary date of the Grant Date (included), and the tenth anniversary date of the Grant Date, on November 22, 2031 (included) at midnight Paris Time (the “Exercise Period”), subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan. Thereafter, the Options will automatically lapse.
Each Participant may exercise their Options by (i) giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of Shares with respect to which the Options are being exercised (ii) providing full payment of the aggregate Exercise Price for the number of Shares specified in the notice.
Payment of the Exercise Price for the Shares may be made in cash, by certified or bank check or other instruments acceptable to the Plan Administrator.
The Shares purchased/subscribed upon exercise of the Options shall be transferred to the Participant upon compliance to applicable laws or regulations in connection with such transfer and with the requirements hereof.
In accordance with applicable law, the Board of Directors may suspend for a given period, at its sole discretion, the exercise rights attached to the Options.
4. Continued Employment Condition
The vesting and the exercise of each Participant’s Options are subject to him or her remaining an employee or executive corporate officer of the Company or another Group Company until the scheduled Vesting Date and, thereafter, until the date of exercise. Such employment must be continuous and without interruption. Exceptions to this condition are set forth below.
If employment or corporate office is terminated or lapses at any time, then any Option that was previously exercisable on or prior to the termination date (the “Termination Date” as defined below) according to the vesting schedule set forth in Article 2, shall then be exercisable during a 90 day-period starting from the Termination Date. After this period the vested Options shall be immediately cancelled without prior notice or compensation. Any Option that has not vested on or prior to the Termination Date shall also be immediately cancelled without prior notice or compensation.
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