EXHIBIT 4.9
SERVICE AGREEMENT
between
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc
and
Mark Andrew Fisher
27 February 2007
The Royal Bank of Scotland plc
36 St Andrew Square
Edinburgh
EH2 2YB
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INDEX
Clause
1. Definitions, Interpretation and Construction
2. Position
3. Commencement of Employment
4. Duties
5. Other Interests
6. Place of Employment
7. Hours of Work
8. Remuneration (RBSelect)
9. Deductions
10. Bonuses
11. Profit Sharing
12. Executive Long Term Incentives
13. YourBank
14. Expenses
15. Dealings in Investments
16. Pension and Life Cover
17. Holidays
18. Sickness
19. Confidentiality
20. Group Property
21. Intellectual Property
22. Power of Attorney
23. Grievance Procedure
24. Disciplinary Procedure
25. Summary Termination
26. Termination by Notice
27. Change of Control
28. Redundancy and Early Retirement
29. Garden Leave
30. Events on Termination
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31. Restrictions after termination of employment
32. Declaration of Secrecy
33. Data Protection
34. Notices
35. Continuing Provisions
36. Whole Agreement and Severability
37. Collective Agreements
38. Governing Law
The Schedule Executive Severance Arrangements
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SERVICE AGREEMENT
Between
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc having its registered office at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB (hereinafter called the “Company”)
and
Mark Andrew Fisher, residing at [ ] (hereinafter called the “Executive”)
THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE PARTIES IS AS FOLLOWS:-
1. | Definitions, Interpretation and Construction |
In this Agreement, unless otherwise stated, the following definitions apply:
1.1.1. | “Associated Company” means any company (i) having an ordinary share capital of which not less than 25 per cent is owned directly or indirectly by RBSG or (ii) a holding company of the Company or any direct or indirect subsidiary of any such holding company or (iii) any company or other entity in respect of which the Group exercises management control, including joint venture operations; |
1.1.2. | “the Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company or an authorised committee of the Board of Directors of the Company; |
1.1.3. | “the Main Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company; |
1.1.4. | “the Group” means the Company and its Associated Companies; |
1.1.5. | “the Remuneration Committee” means the Remuneration Committee of the Board or any committee empowered by the Board in substitution for the Remuneration Committee; |
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1.1.6. | “RBSG “ means The Royal Bank of Scotland Group plc having its registered office at 36 St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2YB; |
1.1.7. | the expressions “subsidiary” and “holding company” have the same meanings in this Agreement as they have in Section 736 of Companies Act 1985; |
1.2. | In this Agreement: |
1.2.1. | unless otherwise stated, references to statutes, rules or regulations or their provisions will also include amendments, extensions, consolidations or replacements and will refer to any orders or regulations, instruments or subordinate legislation; |
1.2.2. | the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender and singular number shall include the plural and vice versa; |
1.2.3. | unless otherwise stated, references to clauses and sub-clauses are references to clauses and sub-clauses of this Agreement and references to clauses shall be deemed to include references to the sub clauses of that clause; |
1.2.4. | the headings to clauses are for convenience only and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement; and |
1.2.5. | the provisions of the Schedule shall be read and construed as part of this Agreement and shall be enforceable accordingly. |
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2. | Position |
2.1. | The Executive will be employed as Chief Executive, Manufacturing or in such other capacity of like status with the Group as the Company requires and the Executive agrees to accept the position on the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement. The Company shall be entitled from time to time to appoint any other person or persons to act jointly with the Executive. |
2.2. | The Executive warrants that by virtue of entering into this Agreement, he will not be in breach of any express or implied terms of any contract or other obligation binding upon him. |
3. | Commencement of Employment |
3.1. | The Executive’s continuous employment with the Company commenced on 15 September 1981. |
3.2. | No period of employment with a previous employer counts as part of the Executive’s period of continuous employment with the Company. |
4. | Duties |
4.1. | The Executive is responsible as Chief Executive Officer, Manufacturing. |
4.2. | The Executive will report to Sir Fred Goodwin, Group Chief Executive, or to such other person as the Board may specify from time to time. |
4.3. | The Executive shall, in his role as Chief Executive, Manufacturing |
4.3.1. | devote the whole of his time, attention and skill to the business of the Group and shall faithfully, efficiently, competently and diligently perform such duties and exercise such powers, authorities and discretions which may be assigned to or vested in him by the Board; |
4.3.2. | comply with the Group’s rules, policies and regulations as varied from time to time and obey all reasonable and lawful directions given by or under the authority of the Board; |
4.3.3. | comply with the terms of the Group’s Code of Conduct; |
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4.3.4. | not do anything prejudicial to the interests and reputation of the Group and shall promote and extend the business of the Group and protect and further its interests and reputation; and |
4.3.5. | accept secondment to the employment of any Associated Company. Any such secondment may be for a fixed period (which may be extended by the Company according to business requirements) and may apply to all of the Executive’s employment duties or only some of them. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive will not be required to perform any services which he cannot reasonably be expected to perform or which are not commensurate with his skills and experience or which are inconsistent with his duties. During any period of secondment, the Executive will continue to receive his normal salary and benefits and will remain subject to the terms of this Agreement except as otherwise provided in any secondment agreement. |
4.4. | Additionally the Executive may be required to undertake such other duties as the Company considers necessary to meet the needs of the business. The Executive may also be required to perform services for any Associated Company and may be required to undertake the role and duties of a non-executive Director of other companies within the Group. No additional remuneration will be paid in respect of these appointments. |
4.5. | The duties of the Executive as an officer of the Company or of any Associated Company shall be subject to the Articles of Association (or equivalent) of the relevant company and shall be separate from and in addition to his duties under this Agreement. If the Executive ceases to be a director or officer of the Company or of any Associated Company (otherwise than by resignation from employment, termination by the Company of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement or where the Executive is prohibited by law from acting as a director or officer of the Company or an Associated Company) this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in force as if the Executive’s employment is that of executive manager rather than that of director. The parties agree that in such circumstances the Executive will not be entitled to any compensation in respect of the loss of his position as director or officer. |
4.6. | The Executive’s performance and discharge of his duties and responsibilities hereunder shall be the subject of regular review, the object of which is to assess performance during the period under review and to set agreed performance standards for future review periods. In the event that, in the opinion of the Board or |
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such other person or body as the Board shall nominate, the Executive fails to achieve the agreed performance standards, the Company may terminate the Executive’s employment in accordance with the provisions of Clause 26.
5. | Other Interests |
5.1. | The Executive shall not (except with the Board’s prior written consent) be directly or indirectly engaged or concerned in any capacity in the conduct of, or have any financial interest in: any business, trade, profession or organisation (other than Associated Companies) save through holding or being interested in investments (quoted or unquoted) not representing more than two per cent of the issued equity capital or any other class of share or debenture capital of any one company. |
5.2. | The Executive will not, without the Board’s prior consent, give lectures, speak in public or publish anything in any form or medium relating to the affairs of, or matters which may affect RBSG. |
6. | Place of Employment |
6.1. | The Executive will normally work in Edinburgh at Gogarburn but may be required to travel elsewhere in the world in the performance of his duties. |
6.2. | The Executive may be required to move temporarily or permanently to any other location, as may be reasonably specified by the Company in which case a minimum of 4 weeks’ notice of the move will be given and reasonable travel, subsistence and relocation expenses will be paid by the Company. |
7. | Hours of Work |
7.1. | The normal hours of work are from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. (Monday to Friday) inclusive of one hour for lunch daily, but the Executive is expected to work reasonable additional hours when necessary for the performance of his duties without additional remuneration. |
7.2. | The Executive will not receive any additional remuneration for working more than 35 hours per week. |
8. | Remuneration (RBSelect) |
8.1. | The Company operates a flexible compensation and benefits package called RBSelect which comprises |
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8.1.1. | individually calculated basic salary (the ‘Salary Element’) |
8.1.2. | any regional allowances the Executive is entitled to receive |
8.1.3. | value of the Managers’ Car Scheme |
8.1.4. | value of private medical cover |
8.1.5. | value of Managers’ medicals |
The residual amount may be used by the Executive to select preferred benefits from RBSelect. |
The ‘Salary Element’ is used to calculate certain benefits such as pension, Profit Share and any discretionary bonus payment or any other payment directly linked to salary. The Salary Element is also used to calculate severance payments including redundancy. |
The total ValueAccount is £838,064.50, which includes the Salary Element of £650,000, per annum. Full details of RBSelect contained in the Company’s guidebook and on the Group intranet in relation to the scheme. A copy of this is attached. |
8.2. | The monthly value of the Executive’s ValueAccount less the cost of any benefits elected through RBSelect will be paid on the 18th day of each month (or on the last preceding working day where the 18th day falls on a weekend or public holiday) directly into the Executive’s bank account. Salary will be paid partly in advance and partly in arrears up to the last day of each calendar month. |
8.3. | The Executive’s salary will be reviewed annually on the 1st day of April of each year or any other day approved by the Remuneration Committee with any adjustments having immediate effect. Any review of salary will be entirely at the Company’s discretion. The Executive has no automatic right to any increase in salary. |
8.4. | All remuneration payable in cash to the Executive under this Agreement shall only be credited to a bank account held with the Company or with another company in the Group, which shall be maintained by the Executive. |
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9. | Deductions |
9.1. | The Executive agrees that the Company may, at any time during, or in any event upon termination of the Executive’s employment, deduct from his remuneration, any monies due by him to the Company including any overpayment made and/or outstanding loans, advances, relocation expenses, the cost (including the legal and other costs involved) of repairing any damage or loss to the Company’s property (including intellectual property) caused by him, salary paid in respect of excess holidays and any other monies owed by him to the Company or any Associated Company. |
10. | Bonuses |
10.1. | Subject to Clause 10.2 below, the Executive may, at the discretion of the Remuneration Committee, be entitled to participate in any Bonus Scheme as approved by the Remuneration Committee. |
10.2. | lf, on or before the relevant qualifying date for payment of the bonus, the Executive has given or been issued with notice of termination of employment or has been dismissed, the Executive will not be entitled to receive any bonus payment which would or may otherwise be due to the Executive (whether paid in cash or in shares) as set out in Clause 10.1 above. |
11. | Profit Sharing |
11.1. | The Executive shall be eligible to participate in RBSG’s Profit Sharing Scheme, the terms and conditions of which will be made available to the Executive. Any entitlement is calculated by reference to the Executive’s Salary Element. |
12. | Executive Long Term Incentives |
12.1. | The Executive may, at the absolute discretion of the Remuneration Committee, be eligible to participate in the Company’s long term incentive plans, subject to the rules of these plans. |
13. | YourBank |
13.1. | The Executive shall be eligible to access preferential rates across a range of financial products and services from the RBS Group through YourBank. YourBank is available to all UK and Offshore employees and eligible Group pensioners. |
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14. | Expenses |
14.1. | The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses properly incurred in the performance of his duties, subject to the Executive producing all relevant receipts or other satisfactory evidence and his compliance with the Company’s travel and expenses policy as amended from time to time. |
14.2. | In order to facilitate payment of expenses, the Executive may be supplied with a credit card for use solely in this connection. |
15. | Dealing in Investments |
15.1. | The Executive is subject to the Company’s Staff Dealing Rules (and divisional rules where applicable) which may require prior permission to be obtained before the Executive is permitted to deal in most types of securities transactions. Requests must be submitted in writing on the appropriate Company form. The Company also operates a closed period during which the Executive will not be permitted to deal in RBSG shares. Failure to abide by these rules will constitute serious misconduct for the purposes of any disciplinary action and may lead to criminal proceedings and / or the summary dismissal of the Executive. |
15.2. | Details of the Company’s Staff Dealing Rules are contained in the Group compliance manual (known as the Group Regulatory Risk Policy Handbook) and any local compliance manual. |
16. | Pension and Life Cover |
16.1. | The Executive shall remain a member of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group Pension Fund in respect of the Executive’s pensionable service up to 5 April 2006. The Executive’s benefits from the Fund will be based upon Final Pensionable Salary, as defined in the rules of that Fund, at the date of leaving service, retiring or dying. An allowance in lieu of continued accrual of pensionable service after 5 April 2006 is included in the Executive’s ValueAccount. |
16.2. | To the extent that any salary related lump-sum payment made by the Group Fund in respect of the death of the Executive while in service before the Normal Pension Date as defined in the Group Fund is less than four times the Executive’s Salary Element by reason only of Section 590C of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 (which deals with the Pension Cap and continues to apply to the Fund by reason of the Registered Pension Schemes (Modification of the Rules of Existing |
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Schemes) Regulations 2006 or any replacement of this cap imposed under legislation or the rules of the Fund or otherwise), the Company shall ensure that a payment is made equal to the amount of the difference. This benefit will be subject to any restrictions imposed by an insurance company with which it is insured.
17. | Holidays |
17.1. | The Executive will be entitled to paid holidays, subject to the undernoted conditions; |
17.1.1. | The Executive will be entitled to 30 working days holiday to be taken at such time or times as the Executive shall request and agree in advance with the Company plus a further 8 days to be taken at times to be determined by the Company (which will normally be Bank Holidays). The Company reserves the right to request the Executive to work on Bank Holidays in return for which he will be entitled to holiday, equal to the period worked, to be taken at another time. |
17.1.2. | The Company’s holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December inclusive. |
17.1.3. | If the Executive’s employment commences or terminates part way through the holiday year, holiday entitlement will be assessed on a pro-rated basis for each complete month of service during the holiday year. |
17.1.4. | The Executive may carry over a maximum of 5 days unused holiday entitlement not taken in one year, to the next, but only with the prior written consent of the Company. |
17.2. | On termination of employment the Executive will be entitled to payment in respect of any accrued unused holiday entitlement except where the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company for misconduct or gross misconduct when only accrued unused statutory holiday will be paid. |
17.3. | Upon termination of this Agreement the Executive will repay to the Company any salary received for holidays taken by him in excess of his accrued entitlement. The Executive agrees that any sums due to the Company by the Executive may be deducted by the Company from any monies owed to the Executive in accordance with clause 9. |
17.4. | During any period of notice (whether given by the Company or the Executive) whether being worked or on garden leave the Company shall be entitled, at its own |
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discretion, to require the Executive to take accrued and outstanding holiday entitlement or to make payment in lieu of such outstanding entitlement.
18. | Sickness |
18.1. | There is no contractual right to payment in respect of any period of absence due to sickness or incapacity and any such payments will be made at the Company’s sole discretion. |
If the Executive is absent from work due to illness, injury, or accident the Company may, at its sole discretion, pay Company sick pay (inclusive of any statutory sickness benefit) at 100% of the Executive’s ValueAccount rate for the first 182 days of incapacity. Beyond the initial 182 days, the Executive will be eligible to be considered on a discretionary basis for the Company’s Long Term Disability scheme (LTD). Continued receipt of payments under the scheme will be at the Company’s discretion and will be subject to the rules of the scheme which the Company has the right to vary from time to time.
18.2. | If accepted on LTD, a payment equal to 55% of the Executive’s ValueAccount rate may be paid for up to a further five years subject to the scheme rules and the qualifying criteria set out in sub-clauses 18.3 - 18.5 and 18.9 being met. Other factors during sickness absence are: |
18.2.1. | Any benefit paid during the initial 182 days absence will include an allowance in lieu of holiday entitlement. Consequently normal holiday entitlement will cease to accrue; |
18.2.2. | During any period of LTD, the overall level of benefit will increase in January in line with any increase applied to payments under the Company’s Group Pension Fund; |
18.2.3. | During the entire period of LTD, the Executive will continue to receive additional Company benefits, including non-contributory pension scheme and RBSG’s Profit Sharing Scheme and will remain eligible to participate in the RBSG Sharesave Scheme. All salary-related benefits will be linked to the current level of LTD payments as defined in clause 18.2. Pension benefits will be based on the Executive’s Salary Element before his sickness absence and will be increased each year in line with any increase applied to payments under the Company’s pension fund; |
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18.2.4. | At any time during a period of sickness absence and, in any event, at the end of the LTD Period, if the Executive is unable to return to work he will be considered for ill-health retirement. Ill-health retirement will only be considered where the Executive satisfies the relevant ill-health retirement criteria set out in the relevant pension scheme documentation; |
18.2.5. | All periods of long-term sickness absence will be regarded as continuous service for the purpose of pension and other benefit calculations. |
18.3. | The Executive may self-certify his incapacity for absences of up to seven consecutive days (including weekends and statutory holidays). |
18.4. | A doctor’s certificate must be submitted to the Company for absences of more than seven consecutive days. Thereafter, the Executive must submit a new doctor’s certificate as and when necessary to ensure that all periods of absence are covered. |
18.5. | The Company reserves the right to request the Executive to provide evidence for any period of absence including those that would normally be self-certified. |
18.6. | For the purposes of assessing the Executive’s entitlement to Statutory Sick Pay, the qualifying days will be Monday to Friday inclusive. |
18.7. | If the Executive is incapable of performing his duties because of injuries sustained wholly or partly as a result of actionable negligence, nuisance or breach of any statutory duty on the part of any person other than a company in the Group (a “third party”) or if the Executive is covered by any health or other insurance scheme (an “insurance policy”) all payments made to the Executive under Clause 18.2 above shall (to the extent that compensation for loss of earnings is recoverable from the third party or under the insurance policy), constitute loans by the Company (or by any Associated Company from whom the Company may have procured payment of the Executive’s salary) to the Executive and shall be repaid when the Executive recovers compensation for loss of earnings from the third party by action or otherwise or under the insurance policy. |
18.8. | Without prejudice to the provisions of Clause 18.7, in the event that the Executive has been incapacitated from performing his duties by reason of injuries sustained wholly or partly as a result of actionable negligence or as a result of matters which are covered by an insurance policy, the Company shall be entitled to require the Executive either:- |
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18.8.1. | (subject to the Company agreeing to indemnify the Executive against all reasonable legal expenses) to raise legal proceedings to enforce his rights against any third party who has committed such an actionable negligence against him and/or to pursue a claim under the insurance policy; or |
18.8.2. | to assign his right to raise legal proceedings to recover from such third party and/or the relevant insurance company compensation for any loss of earnings sustained by the Executive to the Company or any Associated Company. |
18.9. | The Executive shall at any time (including during any period of incapacity) at the request and expense of the Company submit to medical examinations by a medical practitioner nominated by the Company. The results shall, subject to the provisions of the Access to Medical Reports Act 1988, be disclosed to the Company. |
19. | Confidentiality |
19.1. | During the Executive’s employment, he must treat the business of the Company and any Associated Company and any information received during the course of or as a result of his employment about or provided by any third party as strictly confidential. |
19.2. | The Executive may not at any time (whether during his employment or after its termination) disclose to any unauthorised person, firm or corporation or use or attempt to use for his own or any other person, firm or corporation’s advantage, any confidential information relating to the business affairs or trade secrets of the Company or any Associated Company, or any confidential information about (howsoever obtained) or provided by any third party received during the course of or as a result of his employment (“Confidential Information”). Confidential Information includes without being limited to, information relating to employees, customers and suppliers (former, actual and potential), Group contracts, pricing structures, financial and marketing details, business plans, any technical data, designs, formulae, product lines, Intellectual Property (as defined in clause 21), research activities and any Group information which may be deemed to be commercially or price sensitive in nature. It also includes, again without limitation, any information contained in documents marked “confidential” or documents of a higher security classification and other information which, because of its nature or the circumstances in which the Executive receives it, he should reasonably consider to be confidential. |
19.3. | The Company reserves the right to modify the categories of Confidential Information from time to time. |
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19.4. | The Executive is not permitted to make any copy, abstract, summary or précis of the whole or any part of any document belonging to the Group unless he has been authorised to do so by the Company, and shall not at any time use or permit to be used any such items otherwise than for the benefit of the Group. |
19.5. | The obligations contained in this clause 19 shall not apply: |
19.5.1. | to information or knowledge which subsequently comes into the public domain other than by way of unauthorised use or disclosure (whether by the Executive or a third party); |
19.5.2. | where the Executive’s use or disclosure of the information has been properly authorised by the Company; |
19.5.3. | to any information which the Executive discloses in accordance with applicable public interest disclosure legislation; |
19.5.4. | to any information which is required to be disclosed in accordance with an order of a Court of competent jurisdiction. |
19.6. | The Executive shall exercise all due care and diligence and shall take all reasonable steps to prevent the publication or disclosure of any Confidential Information relating, in particular, but not limited to, actual or proposed transactions, of any employee, customer, client or supplier (whether former, actual or potential) of the Company or any Associated Company including the partnerships, companies, bodies, and corporations having accounts with or in any way connected to or in discussion with the Group and all other matters relating to such customers, clients or suppliers and connections. |
19.7. | Any breach by the Executive of the provisions of this Clause 19 will be regarded by the Company as a serious disciplinary matter and may, if committed while the Executive is employed by the Company, result in disciplinary action being taken against the Executive up to and including dismissal without notice. |
19.8. | The Executive agrees that the undertakings comprised in this Clause 19 are reasonable and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Group both during and after the termination of the Executive’s employment. |
20. | Group Property |
20.1. | All reports, files, notes, memoranda, e mails, accounts, documents or other material (including all notes and memoranda of any Confidential Information as defined in |
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clause 19.1 and the items referred to in clause 19.4) and any copies made or received by the Executive in the course of his employment (whether during or after) are and shall remain the sole property of the Company or the appropriate Associated Company and shall be surrendered by the Executive to someone duly authorised by the Company in accordance with Clause 30.
21. | Intellectual Property |
21.1. | For the purposes of this clause, “Intellectual Property” means patents, trade marks, service marks, registered designs (including applications for and rights to apply for any of them), unregistered design rights, trade or business names, copyright, database rights, Confidential Information or know how and any similar rights in any country. |
21.2. | All Intellectual Property which the Employee develops or produces in the course of his employment duties, or which the Employee derives from any material produced by the Employee or any other employee of the Company in the course of their employment duties, will be owned by the Company absolutely. The Executive agrees, at the Company’s expense, to sign all documents and carry out all such acts as will be necessary to achieve this. The Executive waives all moral rights in all Intellectual Property which is owned by the Company, or will be owned by the Company, further to this clause. |
22. | Power of Attorney |
22.1. | The Executive irrevocably appoints any Director or the Secretary of the Company to be his authorised attorney to do all such things and to execute all such documents in his name and on his behalf, which may be necessary or desirable for the Company to obtain for itself, or its nominees or any Associated Company the full benefit of the provisions in clauses 21 and 30. |
22.2. | A letter, signed by any Director or Secretary of the Company certifying that anything has been done or that any document has been executed in accordance with the authority conferred by this clause, shall be conclusive evidence that such is the case as far as any third party is concerned save that the Executive may not sign such a letter himself. |
23. | Grievance Procedure |
23.1. | If the Executive has a grievance relating directly to his employment the grievance and the basis for it should be raised in writing with the ultimate executive director to |
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whom the Executive reports for his consideration. Such executive director will meet with the Executive and will notify the Executive in writing of his findings and of any action to be taken to redress any justifiable grievance found to exist. If the Executive considers that the matter remains unresolved he should raise an appeal with the Group Director, Human Resources or such other person as the Group Director, Human Resources may nominate, whose decision, following a further meeting with the Executive, will be final and binding on the Executive.
23.2. | At any stage of the grievance procedure, the Executive may be accompanied by either a work colleague or a trade union representative. |
24. | Disciplinary Procedure |
24.1. | Without prejudice to the terms of clause 25, the Company may take disciplinary action against the Executive for, but not limited to, |
24.1.1. | conduct incompatible with the Executive’s status (whether during working hours or not); or |
24.1.2. | poor attendance; or |
24.1.3. | a breach by the Executive of any of the terms and conditions of his employment; or |
24.1.4. | unsatisfactory performance by the Executive of his duties. |
24.2. | Such action may include a verbal or written warning (including a final written warning), suspension with or without pay or dismissal with or without notice. |
24.3. | The Company may suspend the Executive with or without pay and benefits to enable it to carry out an investigation into any matter in respect of which it is considering taking disciplinary action against the Executive or for any other good reason. The period of suspension will not normally exceed 12 weeks. |
24.4. | After the investigation the ultimate executive director to whom the Executive reports (or his nominated deputy) will write to the Executive setting out the alleged conduct and basis for the disciplinary action and inviting the Executive to a meeting to discuss the matter. |
24.5. | After the meeting such executive director or deputy will write to the Executive advising him of the outcome and of the disciplinary sanction to be imposed. |
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24.6. | If the Executive is unhappy with the outcome he may appeal the decision by raising it with the Group Director, Human Resources (or his nominated deputy). |
24.7. | If the Executive appeals the decision the Group Director, Human Resources (or his nominated deputy) will hold an appeal meeting with the Executive. |
24.8. | After the meeting the Group Director, Human Resources (or his nominated deputy) will write to the Executive advising him of the outcome. The decision of the Group Director, Human Resources (or his nominated deputy) will be final. |
24.9. | The procedure set out in clauses 24.4 to 24.8 does not confer any contractual rights on the Executive. |
24.10. | The Company’s Disciplinary Policy does not apply to the Executive’s employment hereunder. |
24.11. | At any stage of the disciplinary procedure, the Executive may be accompanied by either a work colleague or a trade union representative. |
24.12. | For the purposes of this clause the following are examples of conduct which will be treated as ‘Gross Misconduct’ and therefore likely to result in the dismissal of the Executive without notice: |
24.12.1. | theft |
24.12.2. | damage to Company property |
24.12.3. | misuse of Company property or resources including computers and any other part of the Company’s telecommunication system. |
24.12.4. | fraud |
24.12.5. | incapacity for work due to being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs |
24.12.6. | physical assault |
24.12.7. | gross insubordination |
24.12.8. | serious harassment on any grounds |
For the avoidance of doubt this list is not exhaustive.
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25. | Summary Termination |
25.1. | Notwithstanding the provisions of Clauses 24 and 26 of this Agreement, the Company shall (without prejudice to the other rights and remedies of the Company) be entitled to dismiss the Executive without notice or payment in lieu of notice if the Executive |
25.1.1. | commits any serious or persistent breach of his duties, refuses or neglects to comply with any term of this Agreement, refuses or neglects to comply with any reasonable order or direction given to him by the Company, or is guilty of any gross default or incompetence or misconduct in connection with or affecting the business of the Company or conducts himself (whether or not in connection with his employment) in a manner which, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, is prejudicial to the Company or may bring him or the Company into disrepute; or |
25.1.2. | is guilty of dishonesty, gross incompetence, willful neglect of duty, or of mismanagement of his financial affairs through failure to observe rules and procedures for the operation of bank accounts and/or borrowing; or |
25.1.3. | is found guilty of any criminal offence (other than a minor offence under the Road Traffic Acts which does not result in imprisonment) whether or not in connection with employment; or |
25.1.4. | is or becomes, in the reasonable opinion of the Company, of unsound mind; or |
25.1.5. | becomes a patient for any purpose of any statute relating to mental health; or |
25.1.6. | is declared bankrupt or takes advantage of any statute for the time being in force offering relief to insolvent debtors; or |
25.1.7. | resigns as an officer of the Company or any Associated Company without the agreement of the Board; or |
25.1.8. | if, as the result of any default on the part of the Executive, is prohibited by law from acting as an officer of the Company or any Associated Company; |
25.1.9. | loses any Registration or Regulatory Status necessary to fulfill his duties. |
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25.2. | Notwithstanding the provisions of clause 2 and clause 4 the Executive agrees that he shall have no remedy against the Company if his employment is terminated by reason of the liquidation of the Company for the purposes of amalgamation or reconstruction provided that he is offered employment with any concern or undertaking resulting from such amalgamation or reconstruction on terms and conditions which taken as a whole are not substantially less favourable than the terms of this Agreement. |
26. | Termination by Notice |
26.1. | The length of notice which the Executive is obliged to give the Company when seeking to leave employment is twelve months. Notice must be given in writing. |
26.2. | Subject to clauses 24 and 25 above, the length of notice which the Executive is entitled to receive from the Company to terminate his employment is twelve months. Notice by the Company will be given in writing. |
26.3. | The Company reserves the right to make a payment in lieu of notice. Any payment in lieu of notice will represent a payment in lieu of the Salary Element of the Executive’s ValueAccount only. No payment will be made in respect of any other benefit. |
26.4. | The Executive’s normal retirement age is 65. This Agreement will automatically terminate without notice on the Executive reaching the age of 65. |
27. | Change of Control |
27.1 | If there is a change of control of the ultimate holding company of the Company (being at the date of this Agreement RBSG) and if within one year of such a change of control the Company serves notice to terminate the employment of the Executive (otherwise than under clauses 25 or where payment in lieu of notice is made under clause 26 hereof) then the Executive’s employment will be terminated forthwith and the Company shall pay and provide the following by way of liquidated damages:- |
27.1.1 | a payment equivalent to the Executive’s Salary Element in respect of the period of notice required for the Company to terminate this Agreement under clause 26, |
27.1.2 | a payment equivalent to all other contractual benefits which the Executive would reasonably have expected to receive during such period of notice. |
27.2 | For the purposes of this clause 27, “change of control” means that share capital conferring voting rights of at least 50% of the votes entitled to be cast comes under |
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the control of any person (or persons acting in concert) not having such control at the date of this Agreement.
27.3 | Any payment made under 27.1 above shall be in full and final settlement of any claim which the Executive may then have against the Company arising out of the contract of employment or the termination thereof. |
28. | Redundancy and Early Retirement |
28.1. | The provisions set out in Schedule 1 (Executive Severance Arrangements) to this Agreement shall apply to the Executive. |
29. | Garden Leave |
29.1. | At any stage of the Executive’s notice period referred to in clause 26 above (whether notice was given by the Executive or by the Company), the Company may, at its absolute discretion and without being required to give any reasons, require the Executive to remain away from work on garden leave. |
29.2. | During any period of garden leave; |
29.2.1. | the Executive must be available for work but the Company is not obliged to provide him with any work and may require him to perform different duties and/or tasks from his normal duties. |
29.2.2. | the Executive will be entitled to receive the salary element of his ValueAccount together with any benefits under this Agreement but excluding any discretionary or performance bonus which will not accrue while the Executive is not carrying out his normal duties. |
29.2.3. | the Executive may not, without the prior written consent of the Company contact or attempt to contact any client, customer, agent, professional adviser, employee, supplier or broker of the Company, any Associated Company or any other company within RBS group. |
29.2.4. | the Executive will not be permitted to work for any other organisation or on his own behalf without the Company’s prior written consent. |
29.2.5. | all other terms and conditions of the Executive’s employment (both express and implied) will remain in full force and effect until the end of the notice period. |
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29.2.6. | The Executive continues to owe the Company a duty of fidelity and good faith. |
29.3. | Any period of garden leave shall count towards any period of restriction set out in clause 31.2. |
30. | Events on Termination |
30.1. | Upon termination of the Executive’s employment for any reason whatsoever or at any other time at the request of the Company, the Executive shall immediately: |
30.1.1. | deliver to the Company, in accordance with its instructions all items referred to in clause 20 and all other property of the Company (including, but not limited to, company car, credit cards, equipment, correspondence, data, disks, tapes, records, specifications, software, models, notes, reports and other documents together with any extracts or summaries, removable drives or other computer equipment, keys and security passes) or of any Associated Company in his possession or under his control. |
30.1.2. | resign, without claim for compensation, from all directorships and other offices within the Group then held by him and the Executive hereby irrevocably authorises the Company to appoint some person in his name and on his behalf to sign any documents and do any things necessary to effect such resignation should he fail to do so. |
30.1.3. | transfer (without payment) to the Company or, if requested by the Company, to the Company’s nominee, any qualifying or nominee shares registered in the name of the Executive (either solely or jointly) and held by the Executive as nominee, beneficial owner or trustee on behalf of the Company or any Associated Company. |
30.2. | The Executive shall, if so required by the Company, confirm in writing that he has complied with his obligations under this Clause 30. |
31. | Restrictions after termination of employment |
31.1. | In this clause the following definitions shall apply; |
31.1.1. | Termination Date” means the date on which the Executive’s employment ends, |
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31.1.2. | “Restricted Period” means the period of 12 months starting with the Termination Date (or such period less than 12 months as reduced by any period spent on garden leave), |
31.1.3. | “Business” means the business carried on at the Termination Date by the Company and any Associated Company with which the Executive has been closely associated during the 12 months preceding the Termination Date, |
31.1.4. | “Key Employee” means any employee of the Company or any Associated Company at appointed, managerial or senior managerial level with whom the Executive has worked during the 12 months preceding the Termination Date, |
31.1.5. | “Customer” means any person, firm, company, organisation who or which was a customer of, an investor with or an exclusive supplier of services to, the Group, or any such entity who was negotiating with or contemplating doing business with the Group as at the Termination Date. |
31.2. | The Executive agrees and undertakes in favour of the Company, as separate and independent obligations, that he will not, without first obtaining the written consent of the Company:- |
31.2.1. | during the Restricted Period hold any position as employee, director, officer, consultant, partner, agent or principal in or with: |
31.2.1.1. | any business which is the same or similar to the Business and which is or is likely to be or which becomes (during the Restricted Period) a business in competition with the Business, |
31.2.1.2. | any person, firm or company which requires or might reasonably be thought by the Company to require the Executive to disclose or make use of any of the Confidential Information (as defined in clause 19) of the Business in order properly to discharge his duties to or to further his interest in such person, firm or company. |
31.2.2. | during the Restricted Period directly or indirectly and whether on his own or someone else’s behalf canvass or solicit the custom of any person, firm or company, with whom he has had dealings, responsibility for or material knowledge of in the course of his employment and, who has within the 12 months immediately prior to the Termination Date been a Customer; |
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31.2.3. | during the Restricted Period, seek to influence, be engaged in or have any dealings with any business, including but not limited to any Customer, where he is or may be able to influence any trading relationship which has existed during the period of 12 months immediately prior to the Termination Date between any business or Customer and the Company or an Associated Company; |
31.2.4. | during the Restricted Period or at any time beforehand, induce or seek to induce or entice or seek to entice away from the Company or any Associated Company, any Key Employee. |
31.3. | Nothing in clause 31.2 will prevent the Executive from being involved in any business where his duties relate primarily to goods, services and activities not sold, provided or carried on by the Company or any Associated Company. |
31.4. | The Executive agrees and acknowledges that the restrictions contained in clause 19 (Confidentiality), clause 20 (Group Property), clause 29 (garden leave), clause 30 (Events on Termination) and clause 31 (Restrictions after Termination of Employment) are reasonable and necessary to protect the business and the Confidential Information of the Company and that the benefits he receives under this Agreement are sufficient compensation for these restrictions. However, if any such restriction or restrictions, are together or individually found to be void or unenforceable but would be valid and effective if some part or parts of them were deleted, the restriction or restrictions shall apply with any deletions or amendments necessary to make it or them valid, effective and enforceable. |
31.5. | The Executive shall not, following the termination of his employment with the Company, represent himself or hold himself out as being in any way connected with the business of the Group. |
32. | Declaration of Secrecy |
32.1. | The Executive will be required to sign a Declaration of Secrecy in such form as may be required by the Company from time to time. |
33. | Data Protection |
33.1. | The Executive undertakes to familiarise himself with the Data Protection policy, procedures and accountabilities set down by the Company as a result of the Data Protection Act 1998. The Executive acknowledges that the Company will view any breach of these procedures as a serious matter of discipline. |
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33.2. | By signing this statement, the Executive acknowledges and agrees that the Company is permitted to hold personal information about him as part of its personnel and other business records and may use such information in the course of the Company’s business. The Executive agrees that the Company may disclose such information to third parties in the event that such disclosure is in the Company’s view required for the proper conduct of the Company’s business or that of any Associated Company. This clause applies to information held, used or disclosed in any medium. |
33.3. | The Group reserves the right to carry out searches about the Executive through credit reference agencies or through our own customer records at any time during the employment of the Executive. These searches will provide us with information that we may use for the purposes of identifying any serious debt or other significant financial difficulties that the Executive may have. This will allow us to raise this with the Executive in order to detect or eliminate any particular risk of employee fraud or theft, and thereafter to take any steps that we consider necessary to mitigate that risk. We will only retain the information about the Executive which we obtain from these searches for as long as we need it for the purposes set out above (subject to any legal (including any regulatory) obligation which requires us to retain that information for a longer period). The credit reference agency will record details of the search but these will not be available for use by lenders to assess the ability of the Executive to obtain credit. The Executive has the right of access to his personal records held by credit reference agencies. We will supply their names and addresses upon request, to help the Executive to exercise his right of access to those records. |
33.4. | For the reasons referred to above, it is important that the Executive manages his personal finances responsibly. The Group requires that the Executive draws to the attention of his manager any serious debt or significant financial difficulties that he may have including those which result in court action being taken against him. |
33.5. | In signing this contract the Executive hereby gives permission for the Group or its subsidiary companies and/or their appointed agents to carry out such credit reference searches in relation to him, including searches of customer credit records, during the term of this contract, as it considers necessary from time to time for the purposes set out in this clause. |
34. | Notices |
34.1. | Any notice or other communication may be given by either party by personal delivery or prepaid first class mail to the other party at (in the case of the Company) its |
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registered office for the time being marked “For the Attention of the Company Secretary” or (in the case of the Executive) his last known usual address and any such notice shall be deemed to have been served (in the case of first class mail) at the expiry of 48 hours after the same was posted or (in the case of personal delivery) at the time of such delivery.
35. | Continuing Provisions |
35.1. | The termination of this Agreement shall not affect the provisions of clause 19 (Confidentiality), clause 20 (Group Property), clause 29 (garden leave), clause 30 (Events on Termination) and clause 31 (Restrictions after Termination of Employment). |
36. | Whole Agreement and Severability |
36.1. | These terms and conditions constitute a written statement of the terms of the Executive’s employment in accordance with the provisions of the Employment Rights Act 1996. These terms and conditions supersede any previous agreement, whether oral or in writing, between the Executive and the Company in relation to the matters dealt with herein and, together with the Executive’s letter of appointment represent the entire agreement between the Executive and the Company. |
36.2. | In addition to the terms of this Agreement, the Executive is also required to comply with all other applicable statutory, divisional or company rules, as amended from time to time. |
36.3. | The various provisions and sub-provisions of this Agreement and the Schedule are severable. If any provision or sub-provision (or identifiable part thereof) is held to be invalid or unenforceable, then such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect the remaining provisions (or identifiable parts thereof) in this Agreement or the Schedule. |
37. | Collective Agreements |
37.1. | There are no collective agreements applicable to the Executive’s employment. |
38. | Governing Law |
38.1. | The interpretation and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by and construed in all respects in accordance with the Law of Scotland and the parties submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Scottish courts. |
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Signed for and on behalf of | ||||
THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc | /s/Neil Roden | |||
on [ ] | Neil Roden | |||
by Neil Roden, Group Director, Human Resources | ||||
Signed by /s/ Mark Andrew Fisher | ||||
on 27/2/07 | /s/ Mark Andrew Fisher | |||
before the undernoted witness:- | ||||
/s/ Michael Hodgson (Witness) | ||||
Full Name | /s/Michael Hodgson | |||
Address | 14 Scotland St. Lane West | |||
Edinburgh | ||||
Occupation | Assistant Manager |
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ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND plc
EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS
1. | Introduction |
It is the policy of the Company to seek to provide security of employment for every member of staff whilst having regard to the need for continued profitability and efficiency. The Company shall strive to cope with future fluctuations in staffing requirements by endeavouring to find alternative employment for employees within the Group. However, should circumstances arise where the Company’s policy of safeguarding the current or future employment of staff cannot be maintained in respect of members of the executive staff of the Company (“the Executives”), then, as a last resort, the methods and arrangements for terminating the employment of Executives as outlined in this Schedule will apply.
2. | Notification of Potential Redundancies and Redeployment |
Where Executive redundancies are anticipated, the Company shall, wherever possible:
(a) | as soon as practicable notify Executives who are likely to be affected; and |
(b) | attempt to re-deploy surplus Executives in one area to suitable alternative employment elsewhere within the Group. The Company will in the first instance, conduct an executive assessment process using the Company’s chosen executive selection partner. This process combines a systematic interview and completion of a range of occupational questionnaires designed to measure |
· | Functional, Technical Competence |
· | Achieved Results |
· | Intellectual Calibre |
· | Personal Qualities |
· | Business Acumen |
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If there are no distinguishing differences between individuals, additional factors which will then be taken into account in order to identify the most suitable candidate for any suitable alternative role include, in no particular order:-
· | Current levels of performance and conduct |
· | Specific knowledge or skills |
All offers of redeployment (whether suitable alternative employment or alternative employment), including any training, shall be made by the Company in writing and acceptance by the Executive should be in writing. In certain circumstances the Company may require the Executive to accept suitable alternative employment. Should the Executive unreasonably refuse to accept suitable alternative employment, the Executive may forfeit any entitlement to a redundancy payment.
3. | Voluntary Early Retirement |
When the Company has, in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Schedule, advised Executives of a situation which may involve surplus Executives and the redeployment arrangements have not identified any suitable alternative employment or the Executive has not been identified as the most suitable candidate for any suitable alternative role which exists, the Company, other than in exceptional circumstances, may invite applications from affected Executives for voluntary early retirement. Whether or not such applications are accepted will be at the absolute discretion of the Company. Since no pension can be paid to staff below age 50 (age 55 from 6 April 2010), this section covers only Executives in excess of that age who are also members of the Company’s Pension Fund. The terms of Voluntary Early Retirement are as follows:-
(a) | Pension |
For Executives who qualify for a pension, such pension is payable immediately, as calculated within the terms of the Company’s Pension Fund, without actuarial discount, including commutation rights, based on pensionable service at the date of termination of service.
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(b) Cash Payment | ||
1 year’s service and over | - 13 weeks’ pay | |
2 years’ service and over | - 17 weeks’ pay | |
3 years’ service and over | - 22 weeks’ pay | |
4 years’ service and over | - 27 weeks’ pay | |
5 to 9 years’ service | - 32 weeks’ pay | |
10 to 14 years’ service | - 38 weeks’ pay | |
15 to 19 years’ service | - 46 weeks’ pay | |
20 to 24 years’ service | - 57 weeks’ pay | |
25 to 29 years’ service | - 68 weeks’ pay | |
30 to 34 years’ service | - 79 weeks’ pay | |
35 years’ service and over | - 90 weeks’ pay |
The following conditions shall apply to such Cash Payment:-
(i) | service is continuous service calculated as at the date of termination by reference to the commencement date specified in Clause 3 of the Service Agreement; |
(ii) | the calculation of a week’s or month’s (where appropriate) pay is on basic salary (the Salary Element as defined in Clause 8 of the Agreement) and excludes all other allowances or payments; |
(iii) | the cash payment is inclusive of entitlement to a statutory redundancy payment (if any); and |
(iv) | the number of weeks or months (where appropriate) on which the cash payment is based will not exceed the period of employment remaining prior to normal retirement date regardless of whether payment in lieu of notice is made. |
(c) | Staff House Purchase Loans |
Existing loans under the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme shall be allowed to continue on the existing terms and conditions arranged, provided they allow for the loan to be repaid by the normal retirement date.
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If the Executive obtains employment with an employer which offers mortgage facilities, the Staff House Purchase loan shall be repaid as soon as eligibility under the new employer’s scheme is attained.
The Company will not consider applications for increases in borrowing. However, it will consider applications to move house, within the existing facility and subject to the Company’s approval of the property to be purchased. In such cases, the retention of any surplus arising on sale within the facility will be subject to the provisions of the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme in force at the time of sale.
All other conditions of the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme shall apply to the loan.
(d) | Other Banking Facilities |
All other banking facilities shall be on the Company’s terms and conditions for the conduct of staff pensioners’ accounts.
(e) | Car Schemes |
The same arrangements will apply to members of the Company’s Executive Car Scheme as apply to Executives retiring at the normal retirement age and in accordance with the scheme rules under RBSelect.
4. | Voluntary Redundancy |
Where the arrangements for redeployment have not identified a suitable alternative role for the Executive and voluntary early retirement has not resolved, or is unlikely to resolve, the situation, the Company may, other than in exceptional circumstances, invite applications from Executives for voluntary redundancy. Whether or not such applications are accepted will be at the absolute discretion of the Company. This section applies only to Executives not covered by voluntary early retirement, i.e. those below age 50 or those aged 50 or over who do not qualify for a pension under the Company’s Pension Fund.
If the Application is accepted the following will apply to the Executive:-
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Voluntary Redundancy and Pension
Executives below age 50 who are members of the Company’s Pension Fund will have payment of their pensions deferred and paid at normal retirement age. Deferred pensions of such Executives will be increased during the period of deferment by the greater of:-
1. | the annual increases as awarded in respect of pensions in payment; or |
2. | the statutory increases in accordance with the Social Security Act 1985. |
The Social Security Act 1985 requires that the deferred pension in excess of the Guaranteed Minimum Pension will be increased by the lower of the increase in the Retail Price Index or 5% per annum, over the period of deferment.
Voluntary Redundancy and Payments
(a) | Cash payments will be made on the basis of the higher of:- |
(i) | a cash payment calculated by reference to the Executive’s period of employment as outlined in paragraph 3(b) of this Schedule; or if higher |
(ii) | 6 months’ salary (see also paragraph 7) of this Schedule |
each on the conditions outlined in paragraph 3(b) of this Schedule.
The Executive’s entitlement to payment under the Profit Sharing Scheme will be determined by the Profit Sharing Scheme Deeds of Trust and Supplementary Deeds.
(b) | Additional Payment |
In addition to the cash payment, and in respect of Executives aged 40 or over but under 50, a payment will be made related to age and service as at date of termination based on the following number of weeks’ pay for each year of service:-
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Age in Years/Months | No of Weeks’ Pay | ||
40 to 40/11 | 0.20 | ||
41 to 41/11 | 0.38 | ||
42 to 42/11 | 0.55 | ||
43 to 43/11 | 0.71 | ||
44 to 44/11 | 0.86 | ||
45 to 45/11 | 1.00 | ||
46 to 46/11 | 1.13 | ||
47 to 47/11 | 1.25 | ||
48 to 48/11 | 1.36 | ||
49 to 49/11 | 1.47 |
(c) | Staff House Purchase Loans |
Existing Loans under the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme shall be allowed to continue on the existing terms and conditions arranged, subject to the additional conditions set out below, for a period of up to five years from the date of termination of employment. Five years after the date of termination of employment, any outstanding borrowing will be subject to the terms and conditions of House Purchase Loans which apply to customers of the Company.
The rate of interest on each Staff House Purchase Loan shall be increased by 2% on each of the first four anniversaries of the date of termination of employment subject to the rate not exceeding that charged to the Company’s customers.
Executives shall sign a mandate authorising variation of the monthly repayments in line with changes in the interest rate and these variations shall be calculated in such a way that repayment of the loan is achieved without extension of the original term of the loan.
If employment is obtained which offers mortgage facilities, the Staff House Purchase loan shall be repaid as soon as eligibility under the new employer’s scheme is attained.
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The Company will not consider applications for increases in borrowing. However, it will consider applications to move house, within the existing facilities and subject to the Company’s approval of the property to be purchased, normally for the purpose of taking up new employment. In such cases, the retention of any surplus arising on sale within the facility will be subject to the provisions of the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme in force at the time of sale.
All other conditions of the Company’s Staff House Purchase Scheme shall apply to the loan.
(d) | Other Banking Facilities |
On termination of employment, Current Accounts, Deposit Accounts and any other loans and accounts not mentioned elsewhere, shall immediately become subject to the rates and terms applicable to customers of the Company.
Loans repayable within 4 years or less of being granted other than where a loan has been granted to purchase a car previously allocated under the terms of a Car Scheme - see paragraph 5(e) below, shall continue on the terms and conditions arranged at staff rates until the agreed repayment date, at which time any outstanding borrowing must be repaid.
(e) | Car Schemes |
The same arrangements will apply to members of the Company’s Executive Car Scheme as apply to Executives retiring at the normal retirement age and in accordance with the rules under RBSelect.
(f) | Full and final settlement |
The Voluntary Redundancy terms together with any payment made in respect of payment in lieu of notice in accordance with paragraph 6 below are paid in full and final settlement of all claims for statutory redundancy pay, wrongful dismissal or breach of contract (if any). It is a condition of the voluntary redundancy arrangements that the Executive enters into an agreement accepting the full and final nature of the payments.
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5. | Compulsory Redundancy |
Where the Company considers that compulsory redundancy is unavoidable, the terms for any compulsory redundancies deemed necessary by the Company will be those which apply in this Schedule in either Voluntary Early Retirement (paragraph 3) or Voluntary Redundancy (paragraph 4) depending on the age of the Executive and his or her membership of the Company’s Pension Fund. For the avoidance of doubt the Compulsory Redundancy terms together with any payment made in respect of payment in lieu of notice in accordance with paragraph 6 below are paid in full and in full and final settlement of all claims for statutory redundancy pay, wrongful dismissal or breach of contract (if any). The date of termination of employment shall be notified in writing by the Company.
6. | Notice of Redundancy to Employees |
The Company may at its absolute discretion insist that the Executive work their notice period or choose to apply the provisions of Clause 29 of the Service Agreement. The Company reserves the right, however, to make payment in lieu of notice in accordance with Clause 26.3 of the Service Agreement.
7. | Executives Leaving Prior to Completion of Notice |
Executives may apply to leave before their period of notice expires and hence waive part or all of their notice. Agreement to this shall not be unreasonably withheld but shall be judged in light of individual circumstances and the operational requirements of the Company. Where such agreement has been given in writing entitlement to redundancy or retirement terms shall not be withheld except that there shall be no payment in lieu of notice beyond the revised date of termination of employment. However, Executives who leave before their period of notice expires, without the agreement of the Company in writing, may forfeit their entitlement to redundancy payments or retirement terms outside of the scope of the Company’s Pension Fund.
8. | Assistance to Redundant Executives |
(a) | In addition to the procedures in this Schedule, to minimise the effect of redundancy, the Company will endeavour to assist redundant Executives to find other employment. |
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(b) | Any reasonable request for time off to seek other employment will be approved. |
(c) | A counselling service will be offered to all Executives under notice of redundancy in accordance with this Schedule. Each Executive will be interviewed by the Director, Human Resources to discuss his or her personal position and severance entitlements. |
9. | Dismissal other than on the Grounds of Redundancy or Early Retirement |
Where it is necessary to dismiss an Executive already under notice of redundancy or whose application for early retirement has been accepted, entitlement to all benefits under the terms of this Schedule will be lost other than those which apply under the terms of the Company’s Pension Scheme which include a right to set-off in favour of the Company in certain circumstances.
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