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EXHIBIT 99.2
MCN ENERGY GROUP INC.
FORM OF EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
(AS AMENDED AND RESTATED EFFECTIVE
JULY 1,1997)
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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT by and between MCN Energy Group Inc., a Michigan corporation
(the "Company") and ____________(the "Executive"), dated as of the ____ day of
___________, 19__.
The Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), has determined that
it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to assure that
the Company will have the continued dedication of the Executive,
notwithstanding the possibility, threat or occurrence of a Change of Control
(as defined in Section 2) of the Company. The Board believes it is imperative
to diminish the inevitable distraction of the Executive by virtue of the
personal uncertainties and risks created by a pending or threatened Change of
Control and to encourage the Executive's full attention and dedication to the
Company currently and in the event of any threatened or pending Change of
Control, and to provide the Executive with compensation and benefits
arrangements upon a Change of Control which ensure that the compensation and
benefits expectations of the Executive will be satisfied and which are
competitive with those of other corporations. Therefore, in order to
accomplish these objectives, the Board has caused the Company to enter into
this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
1. Certain Definitions. (a) The "Effective Date" shall mean the first date
during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b)) on which a
Change of Control occurs. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary
notwithstanding, if a Change of Control occurs and if the Executive's
employment with the Company is terminated prior to the date on which the Change
of Control occurs, and if it is reasonably demonstrated by the Executive that
such termination of employment (i) was at the request of a third party who has
taken steps reasonably calculated to effect the Change of Control or (ii)
otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of the Change of Control,
then for all purposes of this Agreement the "Effective Date" shall mean the
date immediately prior to the date of such termination of employment.
(b) The "Change of Control Period" shall mean the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the third anniversary of such date; provided,
however, that commencing on the date one year after the date hereof, and on
each annual anniversary of such date (such date and each annual anniversary
thereof shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Renewal Date"), the Change of
Control Period shall be automatically extended so as to terminate three years
from such Renewal Date, unless at least 60 days prior to the Renewal Date the
Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control Period
shall not be so extended.
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a "Change of
Control" shall mean:
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(a) The acquisition by any individual, entity or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) or 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act")) (a "Person") of beneficial ownership (within the
meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of 20% or more of
either (i) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company (the
"Outstanding Company Common Stock") or (ii) the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in
the election of directors (the "Outstanding Company Voting Securities");
provided, however, that the following acquisitions shall not constitute a
Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the Company (excluding an
acquisition by virtue of the exercise of a conversion privilege), (ii) any
acquisition by the Company, (iii) any acquisition by any employee benefit plan
(or related trust) sponsored or maintained by the Company or any corporation
controlled by the Company or (iv) any acquisition by any corporation pursuant
to a reorganization, merger or consolidation, if, following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, the conditions described in clauses
(i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2 are satisfied; or
(b) The appointment or election to the Board subsequent to the date hereof
of new directors with the result that the individuals who, as of the date
hereof, constitute the Board (the "Incumbent Board") cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board; provided, however, that any
individual becoming a director subsequent to the date hereof whose election, or
nomination for election by the Company's shareholders, was approved by a vote
of at least a majority of the directors then comprising the Incumbent Board
shall be considered an though such individual were a member of the Incumbent
Board, but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial
assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened
election contest (as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of Regulation 14A
promulgated under the Exchange Act) or other actual or threatened solicitation
of proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a reorganization,
merger or consolidation, in each case, unless, following such reorganization,
merger or consolidation, (i) more than 60% of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
reorganization, merger or consolidation and the combined voting power of the
then outstanding voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote
generally in the election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or
indirectly, by all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who
were the beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common
Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such
reorganization, merger or consolidation in substantially the same proportions
as their ownership, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or
consolidation, of the outstanding Company Common Stock and Outstanding Company
Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person (excluding the Company,
any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation and any Person
beneficially owning, immediately
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prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Voting
Securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 20%
or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock of the
corporation resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation or the
combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of such
corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and (iii)
at least a majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such reorganization, merger or consolidation were members of the
Incumbent Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement providing
for such reorganization, merger or consolidation; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of (i) a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (ii) the sale or other disposition
of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, other than to a
corporation, with respect to which following such sale or other disposition,
(A) more than 60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock
of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors is then beneficially owned, directly or indirectly, by
all or substantially all of the individuals and entities who were the
beneficial owners, respectively, of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such sale or other
disposition in substantially the same proportion as their ownership,
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, of the outstanding Company
Common Stock and Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (B)
no Person (excluding the Company and any employee benefit plan (or related
trust) of the Company or such corporation and any Person beneficially owning,
immediately prior to such sale or other disposition, directly or indirectly,
20% or more of the Outstanding Company Common Stock or Outstanding Company
voting securities, as the case may be) beneficially owns, directly or
indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common
stock of such corporation and the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors and (C) at least a majority of the members of the board
of directors of such corporation were members of the Incumbent Board at the
time of the execution of the initial agreement or action of the Board providing
for such sale or other disposition of assets of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue the Executive
in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the employ of the
Company, in accordance with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, for the
period commencing on the Effective Date and ending on the third anniversary of
such date (the "Employment Period"); provided, however, that if the Change of
Control is pursuant to Sections 2(c) or (d) hereof, the Employment Period shall
end on the earlier of: (i) the third anniversary of the consummation of any
transaction approved by the shareholders of the Company; or (ii) the
abandonment of such transaction without consummation and before the occurrence
of any other subsequent event constituting a Change of Control.
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4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During the
Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties and responsibilities
shall be at least commensurate in all material respects with the most
significant of those held, exercised and assigned at any time during the 90-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date and (B) the Executive's
services shall be performed at the location where the Executive was employed
immediately preceding the Effective Date or any office which is the
headquarters of the Company and is less than 35 miles from such location.
(ii) During the Employment Period, and excluding any periods of vacation
and sick leave to which the Executive is entitled, the Executive agrees to
devote reasonable attention and time during normal business hours to the
business and affairs of the Company and, to the extent necessary to discharge
the responsibilities assigned to the Executive hereunder, to use the
Executive's reasonable best efforts to perform faithfully and efficiently such
responsibilities. During the Employment Period it shall not be a violation of
this Agreement for the Executive to (A) serve on corporate, civic or charitable
boards or committees, (B) deliver lectures, fulfill speaking engagements or
teach at educational institutions and (C) manage personal investments, so long
as such activities do not significantly interfere with the performance of the
Executive's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with
this Agreement. It is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that
any such activities have been conducted by the Executive prior to the Effective
Date, the continued conduct of such activities (or the conduct of activities
similar in nature and scope thereto) subsequent to the Effective Date shall not
thereafter be deemed to interfere with the performance of the Executive's
responsibilities to the Company.
(b) Compensation. (i) Base Salary. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual Base Salary"), which
shall be paid no less frequently than on a monthly basis, at least equal to
twelve times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable to the Executive
by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the twelve-month
period immediately preceding the month in which the Effective Date occurs.
During the Employment Period, the Annual Base Salary shall be reviewed at least
annually and shall be increased at any time and from time to time as shall be
substantially consistent with increases in base salary generally awarded in the
ordinary course of business to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not serve to
limit or reduce any other obligation to the Executive under this Agreement.
Annual Base Salary shall not be reduced after any such increase and the term
Annual Base Salary as utilized in this Agreement shall refer to Annual Base
Salary as so increased. As used in this Agreement, the term "affiliated
companies" shall include any company controlled by, controlling or under common
control with the Company.
(ii) Annual Bonus. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the Executive shall
be awarded, for each fiscal year ending during the Employment Period, an annual
bonus
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(the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average annualized (for any
fiscal year consisting of less than twelve full months or with respect to which
the Executive has been employed by the Company for less than twelve full
months) bonus paid or payable, including by reason of any deferral, to the
Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies in respect of the three
fiscal years immediately preceding the fiscal year in which the Effective Date
occurs (the "Recent Average Bonus"). Each such Annual Bonus shall be paid no
later than the end of the third month of the fiscal year next following the
fiscal year for which the Annual Bonus is awarded, unless the Executive shall
elect to defer the receipt of such Annual Bonus.
(iii) Incentive, Sayings and Retirement Plans. During the Employment
Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all incentive,
savings and retirement plans, practices, policies and programs applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with incentive opportunities (measured with respect to both regular
and special incentive opportunities, to the extent, if any, that such
distinction is applicable), savings opportunities and retirement benefit
opportunities, in each case, less favorable, in the aggregate, than the most
favorable of those provided by the Company and its affiliated companies for the
Executive under such plans, practices, policies and programs as in effect at
any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or
if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally at any time after
the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the Executive
and/or the Executive's family, as the case may be, shall be eligible for
participation in and shall receive all benefits under welfare benefit plans,
practices, policies and programs provided by the Company and its affiliated
companies (including, without limitation, medical, prescription, dental,
disability, salary continuance, employee life, group life, accidental death and
travel accident insurance plans and programs) to the extent applicable
generally to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated companies,
but in no event shall such plans, practices, policies and programs provide the
Executive with benefits which are less favorable, in the aggregate, than the
most favorable of such plans, practices, policies and programs in effect for
the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the
Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, those provided generally
at any time after the Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company
and its affiliated companies.
(v) Expenses. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable employment expenses
incurred by the Executive in accordance with the most favorable policies,
practices and procedures of the Company and its affiliated companies in effect
for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately preceding
the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in effect
generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies.
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(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall
be entitled to fringe benefits in accordance with the most favorable plans,
practices, programs and policies of the Company and its affiliated companies in
effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment Period, the
Executive shall be entitled to an office or offices of a size and with
furnishings and other appointments, and to exclusive personal secretarial and
other assistance, at least equal to the most favorable of the foregoing
provided to the Executive by the Company and its affiliated companies at any
time during the 90-day period immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if
more favorable to the Executive, as provided generally at any time thereafter
with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies.
(viii) Vacation. During the Employment Period, the Executive shall be
entitled to paid vacation in accordance with the most favorable plans,
policies, programs and practices of the Company and its affiliated companies as
in effect for the Executive at any time during the 90-day period immediately
preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the Executive, as in
effect generally at any time thereafter with respect to other peer executives
of the Company and its affiliated companies.
5. Termination of Employment. (a) Death or Disability. The Executive's
employment shall terminate automatically upon the Executive's death during the
Employment Period. If the Company determines in good faith that the Disability
of the Executive has occurred during the Employment Period (pursuant to the
definition of Disability sat forth below), it may give to the Executive written
notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of its intention to terminate the
Executive's employment. In such event, the Executive's employment with the
Company shall terminate effective on the 30th day after receipt of such notice
by the Executive (the "Disability Effective Date"), provided that, within the
30 days after such receipt, the Executive shall not have returned to full-time
performance of the Executive's duties. For purposes of this Agreement,
"Disability" shall mean the absence of the Executive from the Executive's
duties with the Company on a full-time basis for 180 consecutive business days
as a result of incapacity due to mental or physical illness which is determined
to be total and permanent by a physician selected by the Company or its
insurers and acceptable to the Executive or the Executive's legal
representative (such agreement as to acceptability not to be withhold
unreasonably).
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment during
the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall
mean (i) repeated violations by the Executive of the Executive's obligations
under Section 4(a) (other than as a result of incapacity due to physical or
mental illness) which are demonstrably willful and deliberate on the
Executive's part, which are committed in bad faith
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