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EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
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AGREEMENT by and between Solutia Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and ------------------ (the "Executive"), dated as of the ---- day
of ---------, 1998.
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 below) 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
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the first date during the Change of Control Period (as defined in Section 1(b))
on which a Change of Control (as defined in Section 2) 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 by the Company 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 a
Change of Control or (ii) otherwise arose in connection with or anticipation of
a 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 the date
hereof; 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"),
unless previously terminated, 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
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Date the Company shall give notice to the Executive that the Change of Control
Period shall not be so extended.
(c) An "Alternative Change of Control" shall mean a Change of
Control as defined in Section 2, except that the references in such definition
to "20%" shall be deemed to be references to "50%."
2. Change of Control. For the purpose of this Agreement, a
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"Change of Control" shall mean:
(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, for
purposes of this subsection (a), the following acquisitions shall not
constitute a Change of Control: (i) any acquisition directly from the
Company, (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 transaction which complies
with clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) of subsection (c) of this Section 2; or
(b) 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 as 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 an
actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or
removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of
proxies or consents by or on behalf of a Person other than the Board; or
(c) Consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger or
consolidation or sale or other disposition of all
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or substantially all of the assets of the Company or the acquisition of
assets or stock of another corporation (a "Business Combination"), in
each case, unless, following such Business Combination, (i) 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
Business Combination beneficially own, directly or indirectly, more than
60% of, respectively, the then outstanding shares of common stock and
the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities
entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may
be, of the corporation resulting from such Business Combination
(including, without limitation, a corporation which as a result of such
transaction owns the Company or all or substantially all of the
Company's assets either directly or through one or more subsidiaries) in
substantially the same proportions as their ownership, immediately prior
to such Business Combination of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and
Outstanding Company Voting Securities, as the case may be, (ii) no Person
(excluding any corporation resulting from such Business Combination or any
employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such
corporation resulting from such Business Combination) beneficially owns,
directly or indirectly, 20% or more of, respectively, the then
outstanding shares of common stock of the corporation resulting from such
Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then outstanding
voting securities of such corporation except to the extent that such
ownership existed prior to the Business Combination and (iii) at least a
majority of the members of the board of directors of the corporation
resulting from such Business Combination were members of the Incumbent
Board at the time of the execution of the initial agreement, or of the
action of the Board, providing for such Business Combination; or
(d) Approval by the shareholders of the Company of a complete
liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
3. Employment Period. The Company hereby agrees to continue
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the Executive in its employ, and the Executive hereby agrees to remain in the
employ of the Company subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,
for the period (the "Employment Period") commencing on the Effective Date and
ending on the earlier of the third anniversary of such date and the first day
of the month following the month in which the executive attains age 65 (the
Executive's "Normal Retirement Date").
4. Terms of Employment. (a) Position and Duties. (i) During
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the Employment Period, (A) the Executive's position
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(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 to
the Executive at any time during the 120-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 or location less than 35 miles from such location, unless
the Executive is on international assignment on the Effective Date and is
relocated as a result of the Executive's being repatriated pursuant to the
terms of his international assignment agreement as in effect before the
Effective Date.
(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
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
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Employment Period, the Executive shall receive an annual base salary ("Annual
Base Salary"), which shall be paid at a monthly rate, at least equal to twelve
times the highest monthly base salary paid or payable, including any base salary
which has been earned but deferred, 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 no more than 12 months after the last
salary increase awarded to the Executive prior to the Effective Date and
thereafter at least annually. Any increase in Annual Base Salary shall not
serve to limit or reduce any other obligation to the Execu-
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tive 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) Bonuses. In addition to Annual Base Salary, the
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Executive shall be awarded the following bonuses. For each fiscal year ending
during the Employment Period, the Executive shall be awarded an annual bonus
(the "Annual Bonus") in cash at least equal to the average of the Executive's
bonuses under the Company's Annual Incentive Program, or any comparable bonus
under any predecessor or successor plan(s), for the last three full fiscal
years prior to the Effective Date (annualized in the event that the Executive
was not employed by the Company for the whole of such fiscal year) (the
"Recent Annual 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. In addition, during the Employment Period,
the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all long-term and other
incentive 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) 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 120-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.
(iii) Savings and Retirement Plans. During the
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Employment Period, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in all 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 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 120-day
period immediately preceding the Effective Date or if more favorable to the
Executive, those provided generally at any time after the
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Effective Date to other peer executives of the Company and its affiliated
companies. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company and
its affiliated companies shall continue to honor any individual agreements
between any of them and the Executive regarding the provision of supplemental
retirement benefits such as (but not limited to) post-retirement income and/or
welfare benefits (each of which is hereafter referred to as an "Individual
SERP").
(iv) Welfare Benefit Plans. During the Employment
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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 120-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
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Executive shall be entitled to receive prompt reimbursement for all reasonable
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 120-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.
(vi) Fringe Benefits. During the Employment Period,
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the Executive shall be entitled to fringe benefits, including, without
limitation, tax and financial planning services, payment of club dues, and, if
applicable, use of an automobile and payment of related expenses, 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
120-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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(vii) Office and Support Staff. During the Employment
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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 120-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
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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
120-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
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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 set forth below), it may give to the Executive
written notice in accordance with Section 12(b) of this Agreement 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 Executive's
long-term disability for purposes of any reasonable occupation as determined
under the Company's disability plan that is applicable to the Executive.
(b) Cause. The Company may terminate the Executive's employment
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during the Employment Period for Cause. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause"
shall mean:
(i) the willful and continued failure of the Executive to
perform substantially the Executive's duties with the Company or one of
its affiliates (other than any such failure resulting from incapacity
due to physical or mental illness), after a written demand for
substantial performance is delivered to the Executive by the Board or
the Chief Executive Officer of the Company which specifically identifies
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the manner in which the Board or Chief Executive Officer believes that
the Executive has not substantially performed the Executive's duties, or
(ii) the willful engaging by the Executive in illegal conduct or
gross misconduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the
Company.
For purposes of this provision, no act or failure to act, on the part of the
Executive, shall be considered "willful" unless it is done, or omitted to be
done, by the Executive in bad faith or without reasonable belief that the
Executive's action or omission was in the best interests of the Company. Any
act, or failure to act, based upon authority given pursuant to a resolution duly
adopted by the Board or upon the instructions of the Chief Executive Officer or
a senior officer of the Company or based upon the advice of counsel for the
Company shall be conclusively presumed to be done, or omitted to be done, by
the Executive in good faith and in the best interests of the Company. The
cessation of employment of the Executive shall not be deemed to be for Cause
unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a copy of a
resolution duly adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than
three-quarters of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
called and held for such purpose (after reasonable notice is provided to the
Executive and the Executive is given an opportunity, together with counsel, to
be heard before the Board), finding that, in the good faith opinion of the
Board, the Executive is guilty of the conduct described in subparagraph (i) or
(ii) above, and specifying the particulars thereof in detail.
(c) Good Reason. The Executive's employment may be terminated
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by the Executive for Good Reason. For purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason"
shall mean:
(i) the assignment to the Executive of any duties inconsistent
in any respect with the Executive's position (including status, offices,
titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities
as contemplated by Section 4(a) of this Agreement, or any other action by
the Company which results in a diminution in such position, authority,
duties or responsibilities, excluding for this purpose an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and which is
remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by
the Executive;
(ii) any failure by the Company to comply with any of the
provisions of Section 4(b) of this Agreement, other than an isolated,
insubstantial and inadvertent failure not
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occurring in bad faith and which is remedied by the Company promptly
after receipt of notice thereof given by the Executive;
(iii) the Company's requiring the Executive to be based at any
office or location other than as provided in Section 4(a)(i)(B) hereof or
the Company's requiring the Executive to travel on Company business to a
substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the
Effective Date, unless the Executive is on international assignment on the
Effective Date and the relocation is as a result of the Executive's being
repatriated pursuant to the terms of his international assignment
agreement as in effect before the Effective Date;
(iv) any purported termination by the Company of the Executive's
employment otherwise than as expressly permitted by this Agreement; or
(v) any failure by the Company to comply with and satisfy
Section 11(c) of this Agreement.
For purposes of this Section 5(c), any good faith determination of "Good Reason"
made by the Executive shall be conclusive. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding, a termination by the Executive for any reason during
the 30-day period immediately following the first anniversary of an Alternative
Change of Control shall be deemed to be a termination for Good Reason for all
purposes of this Agreement.
(d) Notice of Termination. Any termination by the Company for
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Cause, or by the Executive for Good Reason, shall be communicated by Notice of
Termination to the other party hereto given in accordance with Section 12(b) of
this Agreement. For purposes of this Agreement, a "Notice of Termination" means
a written notice which (i) indicates the specific termination provision in this
Agreement relied upon, (ii) to the extent applicable, sets forth in reasonable
detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of
the Executive's employment under the provision so indicated and (iii) if the
Date of Termination (as defined below) is other than the date of receipt of
such notice, specifies the termination date (which date shall be not more than
thirty days after the giving of such notice). The failure by the Executive or
the Company to set forth in the Notice of Termination any fact or circumstance
which contributes to a showing of Good Reason or Cause shall not waive any
right of the Executive or the Company, respectively, hereunder or preclude the
Executive or the Company, respectively, from asserting such fact or
circumstance in enforcing the Executive's or the Company's rights hereunder.
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(e) Date of Termination. "Date of Termination" means (i) if the
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Executive's employment is terminated by the Company for Cause, or by the
Executive for Good Reason, the date of receipt of the Notice of Termination or
any later date specified therein, as the case may be, (ii) if the Executive's
employment is terminated by the Company other than for Cause or Disability, the
Date of Termination shall be the date on which the Company notifies the
Executive of such termination and (iii) if the Executive's employment is
terminated by reason of death or Disability, the Date of Termination shall be
the date of death of the Executive or the Disability Effective Date, as the
case may be.
6. Obligations of the Company upon Termination. (a) Good
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Reason; Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability. If, during the Employment
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Period, the Company shall terminate the Executive's employment other than for
Cause or Disability or the Executive shall terminate employment for Good Reason:
(i) the Company shall pay to the Executive in a lump sum in cash
within 30 days after the Date of Termination the aggregate of the
following amounts:
A. the sum of (1) the Executive's Annual Base
Salary through the Date of Termination to the extent not
theretofore paid, (2) the product of (x) the higher of (I) the
Recent Annual Bonus and (II) the Annual Bonus paid or payable,
including any bonus or portion thereof which has been earned but
deferred (and annualized for any fiscal year consisting of less
than twelve full months or during which the Executive was employed
for less than twelve full months), for the most recently completed
fiscal year during the Employment Period, if any (such higher
amount being referred to as the "Highest Annual Bonus") and (y) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days in the
current fiscal year through the Date of Termination, and the
denominator of which is 365, and (3) any accrued vacation pay, in
each case to the extent not theretofore paid (the sum of the
amounts described in clauses (1), (2) and (3) shall be hereinafter
referred to as the "Accrued Obligations"); and
B. the amount equal to the product of (1) the
lesser of three and the number of years and fractions thereof
remaining between the Date of Termination and the Executive's
Normal Retirement Date (such lesser number, the "Multiplier") and
(2) the sum of (x) the Executive's Annual Base Salary and (y) the
Highest Annual Bonus; and
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C. an amount equal to the difference between (a)
the aggregate benefit under the Monsanto Pension Plan and any
successor thereto, and any other qualified defined benefit
retirement plans of the Company and its affiliated companies in
which the Executive participates (collectively, the "Retirement
Plan") and the Monsanto Company ERISA Parity Pension Plan, the
Monsanto Company Supplemental Retirement Plan, and any successors
thereto, any other "top hat," excess or supplemental defined
benefit retirement plans of the Company and its affiliated
companies in which the Executive participates, and any Individual
SERP (collectively, the "SERP") which the Executive would have
accrued (whether or not vested) if the Executive's employment had
continued for a number of years after the Date of Termination
equal to the Multiplier, and (b) the actual vested benefit, if
any, of the Executive under the Retirement Plan and the SERP,
determined as of the Date of Termination (with the foregoing
amounts to be computed on an actuarial present value basis, based
on the assumption that the Executive's compensation during such
period of deemed continued employment after the Date of Termination
was that required by Section 4(b)(i) and Section 4(b)(ii), and using
actuarial assumptions no less favorable to the Executive than the
most favorable of those in effect for purposes of computing benefit
entitlements under the Retirement Plan and the SERP at any time from
the day before the Effective Date) through the Date of Termination;
(ii) for a number of years after the Executive's Date of
Termination equal to the Multiplier, or such longer period as may be
provided by the terms of the appropriate plan, program, practice or
policy, the Company shall continue benefits to the Executive and/or the
Executive's family at least equal to those which would have been
provided to them in accordance with the plans, programs, practices and
policies described in Section 4(b)(iv) of this Agreement if the
Executive's employment had not been terminated 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 and their families, provided, however, that if the Executive
becomes reemployed with another employer and is eligible to receive
medical or other welfare benefits under another employer provided plan,
the medical and other welfare benefits described herein shall be
secondary to those provided under such other plan during such applicable
period of eligibility; and for purposes of determining eligibility of
the Executive for retiree benefits pursuant to such plans, practices,
programs
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and policies, the Executive shall be considered to have remained
employed until the end of a number of years after the Date of
Termination equal to the Multiplier and to have retired on the last day of
such period;
(iii) the Company shall, at its sole expense as incurred, provide
the Executive with outplacement services the scope and provider of which
shall be selected by the Executive in the Executive's sole discretion;
and
(iv) to the extent not theretofore paid or provided, the Company
shall timely pay or provide to the Executive any other amounts or benefits
required to be paid or provided or which the Executive is eligible to
receive under any plan, program, policy or practice or contract or
agreement of the Company and its affiliated companies (such other amounts
and benefits shall be hereinafter referred to as the "Other Benefits").
(b) Death. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
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reason of the Executive's death during the Employment Period, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive's legal
representatives under this Agreement, other than for payment of Accrued
Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. Accrued
Obligations shall be paid to the Executive's estate or beneficiary, as
applicable, in a lump sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
With respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(b) shall include, without limitation, and the
Executive's estate and/or beneficiaries shall be entitled to receive, benefits
at least equal to the most favorable benefits provided by the Company and
affiliated companies to the estates and beneficiaries of peer executives of the
Company and such affiliated companies under such plans, programs, practices and
policies relating to death benefits, if any, as in effect with respect to other
peer executives and their beneficiaries at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive's estate and/or the Executive's beneficiaries, as in effect on the
date of the Executive's death with respect to other peer executives of the
Company and its affiliated companies and their beneficiaries.
(c) Disability. If the Executive's employment is terminated by
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reason of the Executive's Disability during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other
than for payment of Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of
Other Benefits. Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump
sum in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination. With
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respect to the provision of Other Benefits, the term Other Benefits as
utilized in this Section 6(c) shall include, and the Executive shall be
entitled after the Disability Effective Date to receive, disability and other
benefits at least equal to the most favorable of those generally provided by
the Company and its affiliated companies to disabled executives and/or their
families in accordance with such plans, programs, practices and policies
relating to disability, if any, as in effect generally with respect to other
peer executives and their families at any time during the 120-day period
immediately preceding the Effective Date or, if more favorable to the
Executive and/or the Executive's family, as in effect at any time thereafter
generally with respect to other peer executives of the Company and its
affiliated companies and their families.
(d) Cause; Other than for Good Reason. If the Executive's
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employment shall be terminated for Cause during the Employment Period, this
Agreement shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive other
than the obligation to pay to the Executive (x) the Annual Base Salary through
the Date of Termination, (y) the amount of any compensation previously deferred
by the Executive, and (z) Other Benefits, in each case to the extent
theretofore unpaid. If the Executive voluntarily terminates employment during
the Employment Period, excluding a termination for Good Reason, this Agreement
shall terminate without further obligations to the Executive, other than for
Accrued Obligations and the timely payment or provision of Other Benefits. In
such case, all Accrued Obligations shall be paid to the Executive in a lump sum
in cash within 30 days of the Date of Termination.
7. Non-exclusivity of Rights. Nothing in this Agreement shall
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prevent or limit the Executive's continuing or future participation in any plan,
program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its affiliated
companies for which the Executive may qualify, nor, subject to Section 12(f),
shall anything herein limit or otherwise affect such rights as the Executive may
have under any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated
companies. Amounts which are vested benefits or which the Executive is
otherwise entitled to receive under any plan, policy, practice or program of or
any contract or agreement with the Company or any of its affiliated companies
at or subsequent to the Date of Termination shall be payable in accordance with
such plan, policy, practice or program or contract or agreement except as
explicitly modified by this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, from and
after the Effective Time, the compensation and benefits provided for pursuant
to Sections 5, 8 and 9 hereof shall be in lieu of any severance or separation
pay or benefits to which the Executive might otherwise be entitled under any
plan, program, policy or arrangement of the Company and its affiliates.
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8. Full Settlement; Legal Fees. The Company's obligation to
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make the payments provided for in this Agreement and otherwise to perform its
obligations hereunder shall not be affected by any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other claim, right or action which the Company may have
against the Executive or others. In no event shall the Executive be obligated
to seek other employment or take any other action by way of mitigation of the
amounts payable to the Executive under any of the provisions of this Agreement
and except as specifically provided in Section 6(a)(ii), such amounts shall not
be reduced whether or not the Executive obtains other employment. The Company
agrees to pay as incurred, to the full extent permitted by law, all legal fees
and expenses which the Executive may reasonably incur as a result of any contest
(regardless of the outcome thereof) by the Company, the Executive or others of
the validity or enforceability of, or liability under, any provision of this
Agreement or any guarantee of performance thereof (whether such contest is
between the Company and the Executive or between either of them and any third
party, and including as a result of any contest by the Executive about the
amount of any payment pursuant to this Agreement), plus in each case interest
on any delayed payment at the applicable Federal rate provided for in Section
7872(f) (2)(A) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
9. Certain Additional Payments by the Company.
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(a) Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding
and except as set forth below, in the event it shall be determined that any
payment or distribution by the Company to or for the benefit of the Executive
(whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement or otherwise, but determined without regard to any additional
payments required under this Section 9) (a "Payment") would be subject to the
excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code or any interest or penalties are
incurred by the Executive with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax,
together with any such interest and penalties, are hereinafter collectively
referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to
receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that
after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including any interest or
penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including, without limitation,
any income taxes (and any interest and penalties imposed with respect thereto)
and Excise Tax imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Executive retains an
amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the
Payments. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 9(a), if it
shall be determined that the Executive is entitled to a Gross-Up Payment, but
that the Payments do not exceed 110% of the greatest amount (the "Reduced
Amount") that could be paid to the Executive such that the receipt of Payments
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would not give rise to any Excise Tax, then no Gross-Up Payment shall be made
to the Executive and the Payments, in the aggregate, shall be reduced to the
Reduced Amount.
(b) Subject to the provisions of Section 9(c), all
determinations required to be made under this Section 9, including whether and
when a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and
the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made
by Ernst & Young LLP or such other certified public accounting firm as may be
designated by the Executive (the "Accounting Firm") which shall provide
detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within
15 business days of the receipt of notice from the Executive that there has
been a Payment, or such earlier time as is requested by the Company. In the
event that the Accounting Firm is serving as accountant or auditor for the
individual, entity or group effecting the Change of Control, the Executive
shall appoint another nationally recognized accounting firm to make the
determinations required hereunder (which accounting firm shall then be referred
to as the Accounting Firm hereunder). All fees and expenses of the Accounting
Firm shall be borne solely by the Company. Any Gross-Up Payment, as determined
pursuant to this Section 9, shall be paid by the Company to the Executive
within five days of the receipt of the Accounting Firm's determination. Any
determination by the Accounting Firm shall be binding upon the Company and the
Executive. As a result of the uncertainty in the application of Section 4999
of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the Accounting Firm
hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have been made
by the Company should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent with the
calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the Company
exhausts its remedies pursuant to Section 9(c) and the Executive thereafter is
required to make a payment of any Excise Tax, the Accounting Firm shall
determine the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such
Underpayment shall be promptly paid by the Company to or for the benefit of the
Executive.
(c) The Executive shall notify the Company in writing of any
claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Company of the Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be
given as soon as practicable but no later than ten business days after the
Executive is informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Company of
the nature of such claim and the date on which such claim is requested to be
paid. The Executive shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the
30-day period following the date on which the Executive gives such notice to
the Company (or such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of
taxes with respect to such claim is due). If the Company notifies the
Executive in writing
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prior to the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim,
the Executive shall:
(i) give the Company any information reasonably requested by
the Company relating to such claim,
(ii) take such action in connection with contesting such claim as
the Company shall reasonably request in writing from time to time,
including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with respect
to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Company,
(iii) cooperate with the Company in good faith in order
effectively to contest such claim, and
(iv) permit the Company to participate in any proceedings
relating to such claim;
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and
expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection
with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the Executive harmless, on an
after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or income tax (including interest and
penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of such representation and
payment of costs and expenses. Without limitation on the foregoing provisions
of this Section 9(c), the Company shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forgo any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Executive to pay the tax claimed and ▇▇▇ for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Executive agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Company shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Company directs the Executive to pay
such claim and ▇▇▇ for a refund, the Company shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Executive, on an interest-free basis and shall indemnify and
hold the Executive harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or
income tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with
respect to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to
such advance; and further provided that any extension of the statute of
limitations relating to payment of taxes for the taxable year of the Executive
with respect to which such contested amount is claimed to be due is limited
solely to such contested amount. Furthermore, the Company's control of the
contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment
would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or
contest, as the case may be, any other
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issue raised by the Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority.
(d) If, after the receipt by the Executive of an amount advanced
by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), the Executive becomes entitled to
receive any refund with respect to such claim, the Executive shall (subject to
the Company's complying with the requirements of Section 9(c)) promptly pay to
the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or
credited thereon after taxes applicable thereto). If, after the receipt by the
Executive of an amount advanced by the Company pursuant to Section 9(c), a
determination is made that the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund
with respect to such claim and the Company does not notify the Executive in
writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration
of 30 days after such determination, then such advance shall be forgiven and
shall not be required to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall offset,
to the extent thereof, the amount of Gross-Up Payment required to be paid.
10. Confidential Information. As used herein, "Confidential
------------------------
Information" means all technical and business information of the Company and its
Subsidiaries, whether patentable or not, which is of a confidential, trade
secret and/or proprietary character and which is either developed by the
Executive (alone or with others) or to which the Executive has had access
during the Executive's employment. "Confidential Information" shall also
include confidential evaluations of, and the confidential use or non-use by the
Company or any Subsidiary of, technical or business information in the public
domain.
The Executive shall use the Executive's best efforts and diligence
both during and after employment by the Company to protect the confidential,
trade secret and/or proprietary character of all Confidential Information. The
Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, use (for the Executive or another)
or disclose any Confidential Information, for so long as it shall remain
proprietary or protectible as confidential or trade secret information, except
as may be necessary for the performance of the Executive's duties with the
Company.
The Executive shall deliver promptly to the Company, at the
termination of the Executive's employment, or at any other time at the Company's
request, without retaining any copies, all documents and other material in the
Executive's possession relating, directly or indirectly, to any Confidential
Information.
Each of the Executive's obligations in this Section shall also apply
to the confidential, trade secret and proprietary information learned or
acquired by the Executive during the
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Executive's employment from others with whom the Company or any Subsidiary has
a business relationship.
The Executive understands that the Executive is not to disclose to
the Company or any Subsidiary, or use for its benefit, any of the confidential,
trade secret or proprietary information of others, including any of the
Executive's former employers. In no event shall an asserted violation of the
provisions of this Section 10 constitute a basis for deferring or withholding
any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive under this Agreement.
11. Successors. (a) This Agreement is personal to the
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Executive and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be
assignable by the Executive otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable
by the Executive's legal representatives.
(b) This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding
upon the Company and its successors and assigns.
(c) The Company will require any successor (whether direct or
indirect, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or
substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company to assume
expressly and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same
extent that the Company would be required to perform it if no such succession
had taken place. As used in this Agreement, "Company" shall mean the Company
as hereinbefore defined and any successor to its business and/or assets as
aforesaid which assumes and agrees to perform this Agreement by operation of
law, or otherwise.
12. Miscellaneous. (a) This Agreement shall be governed by and
-------------
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without
reference to principles of conflict of laws. The captions of this Agreement
are not part of the provisions hereof and shall have no force or effect. This
Agreement may not be amended or modified otherwise than by a written agreement
executed by the parties hereto or their respective successors and legal
representatives.
(b) All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in
writing and shall be given by hand delivery to the other party or by registered
or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as
follows:
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If to the Executive:
-------------------
Name
Address
If to the Company:
-----------------
▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇▇
P. O. ▇▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇
▇▇. ▇▇▇▇▇, ▇▇ ▇▇▇▇▇-▇▇▇▇
Attention: General Counsel
or to such other address as either party shall have furnished to the other in
writing in accordance herewith. Notice and communications shall be effective
when actually received by the addressee.
(c) The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of this
Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision
of this Agreement.
(d) The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this
Agreement such Federal, state, local or foreign taxes as shall be required to be
withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.
(e) The Executive's or the Company's failure to insist upon
strict compliance with any provision of this Agreement or the failure to assert
any right the Executive or the Company may have hereunder, including, without
limitation, the right of the Executive to terminate employment for Good Reason
pursuant to Section 5(c)(i)-(v) of this Agreement, shall not be deemed to be a
waiver of such provision or right or any other provision or right of this
Agreement.
(f) The Executive and the Company acknowledge that, except as
may otherwise be provided under any other written agreement between the
Executive and the Company, the employment of the Executive by the Company is
"at will" and, subject to Section 1(a) hereof, prior to the Effective Date, the
Executive's employment and/or this Agreement may be terminated by either the
Executive or the Company at any time prior to the Effective Date, in which case
the Executive shall have no further rights under this Agreement. This
Agreement shall, upon its execution, supersede the Employment Agreement dated
as of August 28, 1997 between Monsanto Company and the Executive, which was
assumed by the Company as of September 1, 1997. From and after the Effective
Date this Agreement shall supersede any other prior employment agree-
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ment between the Company and the Executive; provided, that this Agreement
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shall have no effect on any Individual SERP or on the Executive's rights under
any plan, program, policy or practice provided by the Company or any of its
affiliated companies except as specifically provided in Section 7 above.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Executive has hereunto set the Executive's
hand and, pursuant to the authorization from its Board of Directors, the Company
has caused these presents to be executed in its name on its behalf, all as of
the day and year first above written.
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Name
SOLUTIA INC.
By-------------------------------------
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