DESIGNS, INC.
1992 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
SECTION 1. General Purpose Of The Plan; Definitions.
The name of the plan is the Designs, Inc. 1992 Stock Incentive Plan (the
"Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to encourage and enable the officers,
employees and directors of Designs, Inc. (the "Company") and its Subsidiaries
upon whose judgment, initiative and efforts the Company largely depends for the
successful conduct of its business to acquire a proprietary interest in the
Company. It is anticipated that providing such persons with a direct stake in
the Company's welfare will assure a closer identification of their interests
with those of the Company, thereby stimulating their efforts on the Company's
behalf and strengthening their desire to remain with the Company.
The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:
"Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
"Award" or "Awards", except where referring to a particular category of
grant under the Plan, shall include Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified
Stock Options, Conditioned Stock Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards and
Performance Share Awards.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Cause" means and shall be limited to a vote of the Board of Directors
at a meeting of the Board of Directors resolving that the participant should
be dismissed as a result of (i) any material breach by the participant of
any agreement to which the participant and the Company or any Subsidiary are
both parties, (ii) any act (other then retirement) or omission to act by the
participant which may have a material and adverse effect on the business of
the Company or any Subsidiary or on the participant's ability to perform
services for the Company or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation,
the commission of any crime (other than ordinary traffic violations), or
(iii) any material misconduct or neglect of duties by the participant in
connection with the business or affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary of
the Company.
"Change of Control" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 13.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any
successor Code, and related rules, regulations and interpretations.
"Committee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.
"Conditioned Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 6.
"Disability" means disability as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the
Code.
"Effective Date" means the date on which the Plan is approved by
stockholders as set forth in Section 15.
"Fair Market Value" on any given date means the last reported sale price
at which Stock is traded on such date or, if no Stock is traded on such
date, the most recent date on which Stock was traded, as reflected in the
NASDAQ National Market System or, if applicable, any national stock exchange
on which the Stock is traded.
"Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option designated and
qualified as an "incentive stock option" as defined in Section 422 of the
Code.
"Non-Employee Director" means a member of the Board who is not also an
employee of the Company or any Subsidiary.
"Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is not an
Incentive Stock Option.
"Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment with the
Company and its Subsidiaries in accordance with the retirement policies of
the Company and its Subsidiaries then in effect.
"Option" or "Stock Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock
granted pursuant to Section 5.
"Performance Share Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 8.
"Stock" means the Common Stock, $.01 par value per share, of the
Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.
"Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity (other than the
Company) in any unbroken chain of corporations or other entities, beginning
with the Company if each of the corporations or entities (other than the
last corporation or entity in the unbroken chain) owns stock or other
interests possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock or other interests in one of the other corporations or
entities in the chain.
"Unrestricted Stock Award" means Awards granted pursuant to Section 7.
SECTION 2. Administration of Plan; Committee Authority to Select Participants
and Determine Awards.
(a) Committee. The Plan shall be administered by all of the Non-Employee
Director members of the Stock Option Committee of the Board, or any other
committee of not less than two Non-Employee Directors performing similar
functions, as appointed by the Board from time to time (the "Committee"). Each
member of the Committee shall be an "outside director" within the meaning of
Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder and a
"non-employee director" within the meaning of Rule 16-3b(3)(i) promulgated under
the Act, or any successor definition under said Rule.
(b) Powers of Committee. The Committee shall have the power and authority to
grant Awards consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and
authority:
(i) to select the officers and other employees of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to whom Awards may from time to time be granted;
(ii) to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if any, of
Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options, Conditioned Stock,
Unrestricted Stock and Performance Shares, or any combination of the
foregoing, granted to any one or more participants.
(iii) to determine the number of shares to be covered by any Award;
(iv) to determine and modify the terms and conditions, including
restrictions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award,
which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards and
participants, and to approve the form of written instruments evidencing the
Awards;
(v) to accelerate the exercisability or vesting of all or any portion
of any Award;
(vi) subject to the provisions of Section 5(a)(ii), to extend the period
in which Stock Options may be exercised;
(vii) to determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances
Stock and other amounts payable with respect to an Award shall be deferred
either automatically or at the election of the participant and whether and
to what extent the Company shall pay or credit amounts equal to interest (at
rates determined by the Committee) or dividends or deemed dividends on such
deferrals; and
(viii) to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and practices
for administration of the Plan and for its own acts and proceedings as it
shall deem advisable; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and
any Award (including related written instruments); to make all
determinations it deems advisable for the administration of the Plan; to
decide all disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise
supervise the administration of the Plan (including the power and authority
to waive the requirement set forth in Section 7(c) of the Plan that an
irrevocable written election to receive Unrestricted Stock, in lieu of
directors' fees otherwise due, be delivered prior to the commencement of the
calendar year in which the Non-Employee Director serves on the Board).
All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on all
persons, including the Company and Plan participants.
SECTION 3. Shares Issuable under the Plan; Mergers; Substitution.
(a) Shares Issuable. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and
available for issuance under the Plan shall be 2,430,000. For purposes of this
limitation, the shares of Stock underlying any Awards which are forfeited,
canceled, reacquired by the Company, satisfied without the issuance of Stock or
otherwise terminated (other than by exercise) shall be added back to the shares
of Stock available for issuance under the Plan. Subject to such overall
limitation, shares may be issued up to such maximum number pursuant to any type
or types of Award, including Incentive Stock Options. Shares issued under the
Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or shares reacquired by the Company.
No individual participant in the Plan may, during any fiscal year of the
Company, be granted one or more Stock Options the sum of which cover more than
75,000 shares of Stock (such amount being subject to adjustment in accordance
with Section 3(b) hereof), provided, however, that an individual participant may
be granted one or more Stock Options the sum of which cover up to 270,000 shares
of Stock (such amount being subject to adjustment in accordance with Section
3(b) hereof) during any fiscal year if all such Stock Options have an exercise
price equal to not less than 200% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant.
(b) Stock Dividends, Mergers, Etc. In the event that after approval of the
Plan by the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 15, the
Company effects a stock dividend, stock split or similar change in
capitalization affecting the Stock, the Committee shall make appropriate
adjustments in (i) the number and kind of shares of stock or securities on which
Awards may thereafter be granted, (ii) the number and kind of shares remaining
subject to outstanding Awards, and (iii) the option or purchase price in respect
of such shares. In the event of any merger, consolidation, dissolution or
liquidation of the Company, the Committee in its sole discretion may, as to any
outstanding Awards, make such substitution or adjustment in the aggregate number
of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan and in the number and purchase
price (if any) of shares subject to such Awards as it may determine and as may
be permitted by the terms of such transaction, or accelerate, amend or terminate
such Awards upon such terms and conditions as it shall provide (which, in the
case of the termination of the vested portion of any Award, shall require
payment or other consideration which the Committee deems equitable in the
circumstances), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 13.
(c) Substitute Awards. The Committee may grant Awards under the Plan in
substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees of another
corporation who concurrently become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as
the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the
Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of
property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that
the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee
considers appropriate in the circumstances. The shares which may be delivered
under such substitute awards shall be in addition to the maximum number of
shares provided for in Section 3(a) only to the extent that the substitute
Awards are granted in substitution for awards issued under a plan approved by
the stockholders of the entity which issued such predecessor awards.
SECTION 4. Eligibility.
Participants in the Plan will be such full or part-time officers and other
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries who are responsible for or
contribute to the management, growth or profitability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries and who are selected from time to time by the Committee, in its
sole discretion. Non-Employee Directors are also eligible to participate in the
Plan but only to the extent provided in Section 5(c) and Section 7 below.
SECTION 5. Stock Options.
Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Committee may from time to time approve.
Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock Options
or Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any option does not qualify
as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted under the Plan after April 2,
2002.
(a) Stock Options Granted to Employees. The Committee in its discretion may
grant Stock Options to employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. Stock Options
granted to employees pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be subject to the
following terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and
conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall
deem desirable:
(i) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered
by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 5(a) shall be determined
by the Committee at the time of grant but shall be not less than 100% of
Fair Market Value on the date of grant whether such Stock Option be an
Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. If an employee owns
or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under
Section 424(d) of the Code) more than 10% of the combined voting power of
all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation
and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such employee, the option price
shall be not less than 110% of Fair Market Value on the grant date.
(ii) Option Term. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the
Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten
years after the date the option is granted. If an employee owns or is deemed
to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code)
more than 10% of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Company or any Subsidiary or parent corporation and an Incentive Stock
Option is granted to such employee, the term of such option shall be no more
than five years from the date of grant.
(iii) Exercisability; Rights of a Shareholder. Stock Options shall
become vested and exercisable at such time or times, whether or not in
installments, as shall be determined by the Committee at or after the grant
date. The Committee may at any time accelerate the exercisability of all or
any portion of any Stock Option. An optionee shall have the rights of a
shareholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of a Stock Option
and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(iv) Method of Exercise. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in
part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company, specifying the
number of shares to be purchased. Payment of the purchase price may be made
by one or more of the following methods:
(A) In cash, by certified or bank check or other instrument acceptable
to the Committee;
(B) In the form of shares of Stock that are not then subject to
restrictions under any Company plan, if permitted by the Committee, in its
discretion. Such surrendered shares shall be valued at Fair Market Value on
the exercise date; or
(C) By the optionee delivering to the Company a properly executed
exercise notice together with irrevocable instructions to a broker to
promptly deliver to the Company cash or a check payable and acceptable to
the Company to pay the purchase price; provided that in the event the
optionee chooses to pay the purchase price as so provided, the optionee and
the broker shall comply with such procedures and enter into such agreements
of indemnity and other agreements as the Committee shall prescribe as a
condition of such payment procedure. Payment instruments will be received
subject to collection.
The delivery of certificates representing shares of Stock to be purchased
pursuant to the exercise of a Stock Option will be contingent upon receipt from
the Optionee (or a purchaser acting in his stead in accordance with the
provisions of the Stock Option) by the Company of the full purchase price for
such shares and the fulfillment of any other requirements contained in the Stock
Option or applicable provisions of laws.
(v) Termination by Death. If any optionee's employment by the Company
and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason of death, the Stock Option may
thereafter be exercised, to the extent exercisable at the date of death, by
the legal representative or legatee of the optionee, for a period of 180
days (or such longer period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from
the date of death, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option,
if earlier.
(vi) Termination by Reason of Disability or Normal Retirement.
(A) Any Stock Option held by an optionee whose employment by the Company
and its Subsidiaries has terminated by reason of Disability may thereafter
be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such
termination, for a period of 180 days (or such longer period as the
Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of such termination of
employment, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if
earlier.
(B) Any Stock Option held by an optionee whose employment by the Company
and its Subsidiaries has terminated by reason of Normal Retirement may
thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of
such termination, for a period of 90 days (or such longer period as the
Committee shall specify at any time) from the date of such termination of
employment, or until the expiration of the stated term of the Option, if
earlier.
(C) The Committee shall have sole authority and discretion to determine
whether a participant's employment has been terminated by reason of
Disability or Normal Retirement.
(D) Except as otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant,
the death of an optionee during a period provided in this Section 5(a)(vi)
for the exercise of a Non-Qualified Stock Option, shall extend such period
for 180 days from the date of death, subject to termination on the
expiration of the stated term of the Option, if earlier.
(vii) Termination for Cause. If any optionee's employment by the Company
and its Subsidiaries has been terminated for Cause, any Stock Option held by
such optionee shall immediately terminate and be of no further force and
effect; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion,
provide that such stock option can be exercised for a period of up to 30
days from the date of termination of employment or until the expiration of
the stated term of the Option, if earlier.
(viii) Other Termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee,
if an optionee's employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates
for any reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement or for Cause,
any Stock Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised, to the
extent it was exercisable on the date of termination of employment, for 30
days (or such longer period as the Committee shall specify at any time) from
the date of termination of employment or until the expiration of the stated
term of the Option, if earlier.
(ix) Annual Limit on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent required for
"incentive stock option" treatment under Section 422 of the Code, the
aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the
Stock with respect to which incentive stock options granted under this Plan
and any other plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries become exercisable for
the first time by an optionee during any calendar year shall not exceed
$100,000.
(x) Form of Settlement. Shares of Stock issued upon exercise of a Stock
Option shall be free of all restrictions under the Plan, except as otherwise
provided in this Plan.
(b) Reload Options. At the discretion of the Committee, Options granted
under this Section 5(a) may include a so-called "reload" feature pursuant to
which an optionee exercising an option by the delivery of a number of shares of
Stock in accordance with Section 5(a)(iv)(B) hereof would automatically be
granted an additional Option (with an exercise price equal to the Fair Market
Value of the Stock on the date the additional Option is granted and with the
same expiration date as the original Option being exercised, and with such other
terms as the Committee may provide) to purchase that number of shares of Stock
equal to the number delivered to exercise the original Option.
(c) Stock Options Granted to Non-Employee Directors.
(i) Grant of Options Upon Election to Board. Each Non-Employee Director
who is elected by the stockholders of the Company to the Board initially on
or subsequent to the Effective Date of this Plan shall automatically be
granted, upon such election, a Non-Qualified Stock Option to purchase 10,000
shares of Stock. Each Non-Employee Director who is re-elected by the
stockholders of the Company to the Board on or subsequent to the Effective
Date of this Plan shall automatically be granted, upon each such
re-election, a Non-Qualified Stock Option to purchase 3,000 shares of Stock.
(ii) Exercise Price. The exercise price per share for the Stock covered
by a Stock Option granted pursuant to this Section 6(c) shall be equal to
the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Stock Option is granted.
(iii)Exercise; Termination; Non-transferability.
(A) No Option granted under this Section 5(c) may be exercised before
the first anniversary of the date upon which it was granted, and 33 1/3% of
the Options from any such grant shall become exercisable on such anniversary
and on each anniversary of such date thereafter until 100% of such Options
become exercisable; subject to the provisions of Section 5(c)(iii)(B), any
Option so granted shall be exercisable after the termination of service of
the Non-Employee Director, whether because of death, disability or
otherwise. No Option issued under this Section 5(c) shall be exercisable
after the expiration of ten years from the date upon which such Option is
granted.
(B) The rights of a Non-Employee Director in an Option granted under
Section 5(c) shall terminate 90 days after such Director ceases to be a
Director of the Company or the specified expiration date, if earlier;
provided, however, that if the Non-Employee ceases to be a Director for
Cause, the rights shall terminate immediately on the date on which he ceases
to be a Director.
(C) Any Option granted to a Non-Employee Director and outstanding on the
date of his or her death may be exercised by the legal representative or
legatee of the optionee for a period of 180 days from the date of death or
until the expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier.
(D) Options granted under this Section 5(c) may be exercised only by
written notice to the Company specifying the number of shares to be
purchased. Payment of the full purchase price of the shares to be purchased
may be made by one or more of the methods specified in Section 5(a)(iv). An
optionee shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares acquired
upon the exercise of a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options.
(iv) Limited to Non-Employee Directors. The provisions of this Section
5(c) shall apply only to Options granted or to be granted to Non-Employee
Directors, and shall not be deemed to modify, limit or otherwise apply to
any other provision of this Plan or to any Option issued under this Plan to
a participant who is not a Non-Employee Director of the Company. To the
extent inconsistent with the provisions of any other Section of this Plan,
the provisions of this Section 5(c) shall govern the rights and obligations
of the Company and Non-Employee Directors respecting Options granted or to
be granted to Non-Employee Directors.
(d) Non-transferability of Options. No Stock Option shall be transferable by
the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution
and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the optionee's lifetime, only
by the optionee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may permit the
optionee to transfer, without consideration for the transfer, his Non-Qualified
Stock Options to members of his immediate family, to trusts for the benefit of
such family members, or to partnerships in which such family members are the
only partners; provided that the transferee agrees in writing with the Company
to be bound by all terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Stock
Option.
SECTION 6. Conditioned Stock Awards.
(a) Nature of Conditioned Stock Award. The Committee may grant Conditioned
Stock Awards to any employees of the Company or any Subsidiary. A Conditioned
Stock Award is an Award entitling the recipient to acquire, at no cost or for a
purchase price determined by the Committee, shares of Stock subject to such
restrictions and conditions as the Committee may determine at the time of grant
("Conditioned Stock"). Conditions may be based on continuing employment and/or
achievement of pre-established performance goals and objectives. In addition, a
Conditioned Stock Award may be granted to an employee by the Committee in lieu
of a cash bonus due to such employee pursuant to any other plan of the Company.
(b) Acceptance of Award. A participant who is granted a Conditioned Stock
Award shall have no rights with respect to such Award unless the participant
shall have accepted the Award within 60 days (or such shorter date as the
Committee may specify) following the award date by making payment to the
Company, if required, by certified or bank check or other instrument or form of
payment acceptable to the Committee in an amount equal to the specified purchase
price, if any, of the shares covered by the Award and by executing and
delivering to the Company a written instrument that sets forth the terms and
conditions of the Conditioned Stock in such form as the Committee shall
determine.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. Upon complying with Section 6(b) above, a
participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the
Conditioned Stock, including voting and dividend rights, subject to
non-transferability restrictions and Company repurchase or forfeiture rights
described in this Section 6 and subject to such other conditions contained in
the written instrument evidencing the Conditioned Award. Unless the Committee
shall otherwise determine, certificates evidencing shares of Conditioned Stock
shall remain in the possession of the Company until such shares are vested as
provided in Section 6(e) below.
(d) Restrictions. Shares of Conditioned Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided herein. In the event of termination of employment by the
Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including death, Disability, Normal
Retirement and for Cause), the Company shall have the right, at the discretion
of the Committee, to repurchase shares of Conditioned Stock with respect to
which conditions have not lapsed at their purchase price, or to require
forfeiture of such shares to the Company if acquired at no cost, from the
participant or the participant's legal representative. The Company must exercise
such right of repurchase or forfeiture not later than the 90th day following
such termination of employment (unless otherwise specified in the written
instrument evidencing the Conditioned Award).
(e) Vesting of Conditioned Stock. The Committee at the time of grant shall
specify the date or dates and/or the attainment of pre-established performance
goals, objectives and other conditions on which the nontransferability of the
Conditioned Stock and the Company's right of repurchase or forfeiture shall
lapse. Subsequent to such date or dates and/or the attainment of such
pre-established performance goals, objectives and other conditions, the shares
on which all restrictions have lapsed shall no longer be Conditioned Stock and
shall be deemed "vested." The Committee at any time may accelerate such date or
dates and otherwise waive or, subject to Section 11, amend any conditions of the
Award.
(f) Waiver, Deferral and Reinvestment of Dividends. The written instrument
evidencing the Conditioned Stock Award may require or permit the immediate
payment, waiver, deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted
Stock.
SECTION 7. Unrestricted Stock Awards.
(a) Grant or Sale of Unrestricted Stock. The Committee may, in its sole
discretion, grant (or sell at a purchase price determined by the Committee which
shall in no event be less than 85% of Fair Market Value) to any employees of the
Company or any Subsidiary shares of Stock free of any restrictions under the
Plan ("Unrestricted Stock"). Shares of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold
as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other
valid consideration.
(b) Elections to Receive Unrestricted Stock in Lieu of Compensation. Upon
the request of an employee and with the consent of the Committee, each employee
may, pursuant to an irrevocable written election delivered to the Company no
later than the date or dates specified by the Committee, receive a portion of
the cash compensation otherwise due to him in Unrestricted Stock (valued at Fair
Market Value on the date or dates the cash compensation would otherwise be
paid). Such Unrestricted Stock may be paid to the employee at the same time as
the cash compensation would otherwise be paid, or at a later time, as specified
by the employee in the written election.
(c) Elections to Receive Unrestricted Stock in Lieu of Directors' Fees. Each
Non-Employee Director may, pursuant to an irrevocable written election delivered
to the Company no later than December 31 of any calendar year, receive all or a
portion of the directors' fees otherwise due to him in the subsequent calendar
year in Unrestricted Stock (valued at Fair Market Value on the date or dates the
directors' fees would otherwise be paid). Such Unrestricted Stock may be paid to
the Non-Employee Director at the same time the directors' fees would otherwise
have been paid, or at a later time, as specified by the Non-Employee Director in
the written election.
(d) Restrictions on Transfers. The right to receive Unrestricted Stock may
not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered, other than
by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
SECTION 8. Performance Share Awards.
(a) Nature of Performance Shares. A Performance Share Award is an award
entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of
specified performance goals. The Committee may make Performance Share Awards
independent of or in connection with the granting of any other Award under the
Plan. Performance Share Awards may be granted under the Plan to any employees of
the Company or any Subsidiary, including those who qualify for awards under
other performance plans of the Company. The Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine whether and to whom Performance Share Awards shall be made, the
performance goals applicable under each such Award, the periods during which
performance is to be measured, and all other limitations and conditions
applicable to the awarded Performance Shares; provided, however, that the
Committee may rely on the performance goals and other standards applicable to
other performance-based plans of the Company in setting the standards for
Performance Share Awards under the Plan.
(b) Restrictions of Transfer. Performance Share Awards and all rights with
respect to such Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise encumbered.
(c) Rights as a Shareholder. A participant receiving a Performance Share
Award shall have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually received
by the participant under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the
Award but not actually received by the participant. A participant shall be
entitled to receive a stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of shares of
Stock under a Performance Share Award only upon satisfaction of all conditions
specified in the written instrument evidencing the Performance Share Award (or
in a performance plan adopted by the Committee).
(d) Termination. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee at any
time prior to termination of employment, a participant's rights in all
Performance Share Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason
(including death, Disability, Normal Retirement and for Cause).
(e) Acceleration, Waiver, Etc. At any time prior to the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Committee may
in its sole discretion accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 11, amend any or
all of the goals, restrictions or conditions imposed under any Performance Share
Award.
SECTION 9. Tax Withholding.
(a) Payment by Participant. Each participant shall, no later than the date
as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received
thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for
Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of any Federal, state, or local
taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income.
The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the
right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
participant.
(b) Payment in Shares. With the approval of the Committee, a participant may
elect to have such tax withholding obligation satisfied, in whole or in part, by
(i) authorizing the Company to withhold from shares of Stock to be issued
pursuant to any Award a number of shares with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as
of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding
amount due with respect to such Award, or (ii) transferring to the Company
shares of Stock owned by the participant with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as
of the date the withholding is effected) that would satisfy the withholding
amount due.
SECTION 10. Transfer, Leave of Absence, Etc.
For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a
termination of employment:
(a) a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary or from
the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to another;
(b) an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness, or for
any other purpose approved by the Company, if the employee's right to
re-employment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract or under the
policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was granted or if the Committee
otherwise so provides in writing.
SECTION 11. Amendments and Termination.
The Board may at any time amend or discontinue the Plan and the Committee
may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding Award (or provide substitute
Awards at the same or reduced exercise or purchase price or with no exercise or
purchase price, but such price, if any, must satisfy the requirements which
would apply to the substitute or amended Award if it were then initially granted
under this Plan) for the purpose of satisfying changes in law or for any other
lawful purpose, but no such action shall adversely affect rights under any
outstanding Award without the holder's consent. However, no such amendment,
unless approved by the stockholders of the Company, shall be effective if it
would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the incentive stock option requirements
of the Code or if it would increase the limitation set forth in Section 3(a) on
the number of shares of Stock covered by Options that may be granted to any
individual participant during any fiscal year.
SECTION 12. Status of Plan.
With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised and
any payments in cash, Stock or other consideration not received by a
participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly determine
in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Committee
may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's
obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to Awards hereunder,
provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent
with the provision of the foregoing sentence.
SECTION 13. Change of Control Provisions.
(a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control as defined in this Section
13:
(i) Each Stock Option shall automatically become fully exercisable
notwithstanding any provision to the contrary hereof.
(ii) Restrictions and conditions on Awards of Conditioned Stock shall
automatically be deemed waived, and the recipients of such Awards shall
become entitled to receipt of the stock subject to such Awards.
(b) The Committee may at any time prior to a Change of Control accelerate
the exercisability of any Stock Options, Conditioned Stock, and Performance
Share Awards to the extent it shall in its sole discretion determine.
(c) "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:
(i) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of
the Act) becomes a "beneficial owner" (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3
promulgated under the Act) (other than the Company, any trustee or other
fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company,
or any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the
Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of
the Company), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing thirty-five percent (35%) or more of the combined voting power
of the Company's then outstanding securities; or
(ii) persons who, as of June 9, 1992, constituted the Company's Board
(the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason, including without limitation
as a result of a tender offer, proxy contest, merger or similar transaction,
to constitute at least a majority of the Board, provided that any person
becoming a director of the Company subsequent to June 9, 1992 whose election
was approved by, or who was nominated with the approval of, at least a
majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall, for
purposes of this Plan, be considered a member of the Incumbent Board; or
(iii) the stockholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation
of the Company with any other corporation or other entity, other than (a) a
merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the
Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting
securities of the surviving entity) more than 65% of the combined voting
power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity
outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation or (b) a merger
or consolidation effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or
similar transaction) in which no "person" (as herein-above defined) acquires
more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company's then outstanding
securities; or
(iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete
liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by
the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's assets.
SECTION 14. General Provisions.
(a) No Distribution; Compliance with Legal Requirements. The Committee may
require each person acquiring shares pursuant to an Award to represent to and
agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring the shares
without a view to distribution thereof.
No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all applicable
securities law and other legal and stock exchange requirements have been
satisfied. The Committee may require the placing of such stop-orders and
restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems
appropriate.
(b) Delivery of Stock Certificates. Delivery of stock certificates to
participants under this Plan shall be deemed effected for all purposes when the
Company or a stock transfer agent of the Company shall have delivered such
certificates in the United States mail, addressed to the participant, at the
participant's last known address on file with the Company.
(c) Other Compensation Arrangements; No Employment Rights. Nothing contained
in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional
compensation arrangements, including trusts, subject to stockholder approval if
such approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally
applicable or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan or any
Award under the Plan does not confer upon any employee any right to continued
employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.
SECTION 15. Effective Date Of Plan.
The Plan shall become effective upon approval by the holders of a majority
of the shares of capital stock of the Company present or represented and
entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders.
SECTION 16. Governing Law.
This Plan shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance
with, the substantive laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts without regard
to its principles of conflicts of laws.