-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, BbZc6P/Zilhjw5fJMr+6XMZr7RTFMafkMWfYCrtzhnwZ6YdnMr8K/udnJ9CjeMHS PAC8kzndUbbuMWWMDSTJiw== 0001104659-05-001903.txt : 20050119 0001104659-05-001903.hdr.sgml : 20050119 20050119172117 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001104659-05-001903 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 3 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050117 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050119 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050119 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LAWSON SOFTWARE INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001141517 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372] IRS NUMBER: 411251159 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-33335 FILM NUMBER: 05537091 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 380 ST. PETER STREET CITY: MINNESOTA STATE: MN ZIP: 55102 BUSINESS PHONE: 6517674827 8-K 1 a05-1618_18k.htm 8-K

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): January 17, 2005

 

LAWSON SOFTWARE, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Commission File Number: 000-33335

 

Delaware

 

41-1251159

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

380 St. Peter Street, St. Paul, Minnesota

 

55102-1302

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (651) 767-7000

 

Former name or former address, if changed since last report: Not applicable

 


 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

o Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

o Soliciting material pursuant to Rule14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2b under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14d-2(b))

o Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


 

 



 

Item 1.01.  Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement

 

Nonqualified Stock Option Grants

 

We have previously, and may in the future, grant nonqualified stock options to our executive officers under our 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), substantially in accordance with the terms of the form of Stock Option Agreement attached as Exhibit 10.19 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 30, 2004.  During the past several months, and with the advice of an outside compensation consultant, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has been assessing how to align a portion of our executive compensation program with our client Manifesto initiative.  The client Manifesto is a multi-year initiative focused on delivering a superior experience to our clients in terms of the quality, value and results they derive from our business applications software.  After completing that assessment, the Compensation Committee approved on January 17, 2005 the grant of nonqualified stock options under the Plan to our executive officers, and certain other executives, in accordance with the terms of the form of Manifesto Stock Option Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 0 (the “Manifesto Options”).  The Manifesto Options have a ten-year term, subject to earlier termination as described in Exhibit 10.20.  The vesting provisions of the Manifesto Options are based, in part, on the client Manifesto.  As further described in Exhibit 10.20, the Manifesto Options vest and first become exercisable on January 17, 2011, subject to acceleration of vesting as follows:  (a) 16.5% of the options vest if we achieve certain client loyalty metrics as of May 31, 2006, (b) 33.5% of the options vest if we achieve certain revenue growth metrics as of May 31, 2006, (c) 16.5% of the options vest if we achieve certain client loyalty metrics as of May 31, 2008 (whereupon the 16.5% of the options in clause (a) also vest if not already vested), and (d) 33.5% of the options vest if we achieve certain revenue growth metrics as of May 31, 2008 (whereupon the 33.5% of the options in clause (b) also vest if not already vested).  Exhibit 10.20 describes other accelerated vesting terms based on death, disability or retirement, and certain events following a “Change in Control” of the Company (as defined in Exhibit 10.20).  The following executive officers received Manifesto Options on January 17, 2005 at an exercise price of $6.71 per share (the closing price on Nasdaq on January 14, 2005) in the respective amounts shown below:

 

Manifesto Option Recipient

 

Number of Option Shares

 

Jay Coughlan

 

195,000

 

Scott Meyer

 

76,000

 

Dean Hager

 

60,000

 

Bob Barbieri

 

52,000

 

Brad Callahan

 

50,000

 

Joanne Byrd

 

30,400

 

Bruce McPheeters

 

25,000

 

 

2



 

Adoption of a Change in Control Severance Pay Plan for Tier 1 Executives

 

During the past several months, and with the advice of outside compensation consultants, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors has been assessing a change in control severance pay plan for our executive officers that would be aligned with current market practices.  After completing that assessment and based on authority delegated to the Compensation Committee by our Board of Directors, the Compensation Commi ttee approved on January 17, 2005 the Executive Change in Control Severance Pay Plan for Tier 1 Executives attached as Exhibit 10.22 (the “Tier 1 Plan”).  The Tier 1 Plan applies to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and to each executive officer based in the United States and who reports to the CEO and whose compensation is reviewed and approved each year by the Compensation Committee (the “Tier 1 Executives”).  Under the Tier 1 Plan, if within two years after a Change in Control” of the Company (as defined in the Tier 1 Plan”), a Tier 1 Executive is terminated (other than for cause) or leaves the Company for good reason, then:  (a) the Company will pay the Tier 1 Executive two times annual base salary and two times the yearly average earned or target incentive compensation (depending on the person’s years of service as described in the Tier 1 Plan), plus certain benefits, (b) the Company will pay the amount of any excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code and (c) to be eligible to receive those payments, the Tier 1 Executive must sign the general release, noncompete and other restrictive covenants contained in Exhibit A to the Tier 1 Plan.  Any payments to a Tier 1 Executive under the Tier 1 Plan would be reduced by the amount of any other severance payments otherwise payable to that person under any other employment or severance agreement.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

(c) Exhibits

 

10.20       Form of Manifesto Stock Option Agreement under 2001 Stock Incentive Plan

10.22       Executive Change in Control Severance Pay Plan for Tier 1 Executives (Effective January 17, 2005)

 

3



 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Lawson Software, Inc.

 

 

Date: January 19, 2005

By:

/s/ Bruce B. McPheeters

 

 

Bruce B. McPheeters

 

Senior Vice President and Secretary

 

4



 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NUMBER

 

DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENTS

 

 

 

10.20

 

Form of Manifesto Stock Option Agreement under 2001 Stock Incentive Plan

 

 

 

10.22

 

Executive Change in Control Severance Pay Plan for Tier 1 Executives (Effective January 17, 2005)

 

5


EX-10.20 2 a05-1618_1ex10d20.htm EX-10.20

Exhibit 10.20

 

MANIFESTO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

 

LAWSON SOFTWARE, INC.

2001 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN

(Manifesto Option Grant January 17, 2005)

 

1.             Option Grant and Option Exercise Price.  Pursuant to the Lawson Software, Inc. 2001 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), Lawson Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Lawson”) grants to the participant (“Participant”) whose name is specified on the Certificate of Stock Option Grant on the Salomon Smith Barney website at www.benefitaccess.com (the “Certificate”), an option to purchase shares of common stock (“Common Stock”) of the Company as follows:

 

The Company grants to Participant an option (the “Option” or “Stock Option”) to purchase the number of full shares of Common Stock shown on the Certificate (the “Shares”) at an exercise and purchase price in United States dollars (the “Grant Price”) per Option Share equal to the Grant Price listed on the Certificate (which is the closing price for the Common Stock on Nasdaq (symbol:  LWSN) on the Grant Date), subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, this Stock Option Agreement (“Agreement”) and the Certificate.  The Grant Date of this Stock Option is stated on the Certificate.  The Option will be in effect commencing on the Grant Date and terminating on the Grant Expiration Date listed on the Certificate or such earlier date and time described in this Agreement (the “Option Period”).  This Option is an “Incentive Stock Option (ISO)” or a “Nonqualified Stock Option,” as identified on the Certificate under “Type of Stock Option.”

 

2.             Option Subject to Plan; Definitions.  This Stock Option and its exercise are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.  This Stock Option is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Board of Directors of the Company or the Committee.  The capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this Agreement have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan.

 

2.1           The term “Cause” means Termination of Participant’s Service initiated by the Company or its Subsidiaries because of:  (1) if Participant has entered into any written and executed contract(s) with the Company or its Subsidiaries, any breach by  Participant of such contract that has a material adverse effect on the Company or any Subsidiary (as reasonably determined by the Company) and which is not or cannot reasonably be cured within 10 days after written notice from the Company to Participant; (2) any violation by Participant of the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s policies, rules or regulations that has a material adverse effect on the Company or any Subsidiary (as reasonably determined by the Company) and which is not or cannot be cured within 10 days after written notice from the Company to Participant; (3) commission of any act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by Participant that is materially injurious to the Company or any Subsidiary (as reasonably determined by the Company); or (4) any other intentional misconduct by Participant adversely affecting the business or affairs of the Company or any Subsidiary in any material manner (as reasonably determined by the Company).

 

2.2           The term “Change in Control Transaction” means (1) the closing of a tender offer

 

1



 

or exchange offer for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company, (2) the Company shall have entered into a definitive agreement with respect to a tender offer, exchange offer or  merger,  consolidation or other business combination with another corporation and as a result of such tender offer, exchange offer, merger, consolidation or combination 50% or fewer of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation are owned in the aggregate by the former stockholders of the Company, other than affiliates (within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) of any party to such merger or consolidation, as the same shall have existed immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, (3) the Company shall have entered into a definitive agreement to sell substantially all of its assets to another corporation which is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Company, (4) a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section 13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date of this Agreement) of the Exchange Act, shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Company (whether directly, indirectly, beneficially or of record) (for purposes hereof, ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) as in effect on the date of this Agreement) pursuant to the Exchange Act, (5) individuals who constitute the Company’s Board of Directors on the date of this Agreement (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of this Agreement whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this clause (5), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board, or (6) approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.

 

2.3           The term “Disability” means Termination of Participant’s Service because of a permanent disability as defined under any retirement plan of the Company or its Subsidiaries.

 

2.4           The term “Fair Market Value” has the meaning described in Section 6 of the Plan.

 

2.5           The term “Good Reason” means:  (1) the assignment to the Participant of any duties inconsistent in any respect with the Participant’s position (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities in effect as of the date of this Agreement, or any diminution in such position, authority, duties or responsibilities (whether or not occurring solely as a result of the Company ceasing to be a publicly traded entity or becoming a subsidiary), excluding for this purpose an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent action not taken in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (2) any reduction in Participant’s annual base salary or annual target incentive compensation compared with the annual base salary and annual target incentive compensation in effect for Participant for the Company’s most recent fiscal year ended before the date of termination, other than an isolated, insubstantial and inadvertent failure not occurring in bad faith and that is remedied by the Company promptly after receipt of notice thereof given by the Participant; (3) the Company’s requiring the Participant to be based at any office or location other than in the Minneapolis-St. Paul Metropolitan Area in Minnesota or the Company’s requiring the Participant to travel on Company business to a substantially greater extent than required immediately prior to the date of this Agreement; or (4) any material reduction in Participant’s executive benefits compared with the

 

2



 

Participant’s benefits provided by the Company to Executive during the Company’s most recent fiscal year ended before the date of termination.  The Participant’s mental or physical incapacity following the occurrence of an event described above in clauses (1) through (4) above shall not affect the Participant’s ability to terminate employment for Good Reason.  Any determination of “Good Reason” made by the Participant under this Agreement shall be in good faith.

 

2.6           The term “Retirement” means Termination of Participant’s Service (1) at or after age 55 provided Participant has been employed by the Company or its Subsidiaries for at least ten years or (2) at or after age 62.

 

2.7           The term “Subsidiary” or “Subsidiaries” means a subsidiary corporation of the Company as defined in the Plan.

 

2.8           The term “Termination of Participant’s Service” means the last day of Participant’s regular full time or part time employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries.

 

3.             Vesting and Acceleration of Vesting.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and the Plan, this Stock Option will vest and first become exercisable on January 17, 2011, but only if Participant has at all times been a regular full time or part time employee of the Company or any Subsidiary from the Grant Date to the applicable vesting date.  Vested Option Shares may be exercised and purchased during the Option Period, until termination under Section 4 below.  No vesting of the Option shall occur after Termination of Participant’s Service, except only to the extent described in Sections 3.1, 3.2 or 3.3 below.

 

3.1           Automatic 100% Acceleration of Vesting Upon Death, Disability or Retirement.  If there is a Termination of Participant’s Service because of Participant’s death, Disability or Retirement, all conditions of vesting will be assumed to have been met immediately before such death, Disability or Retirement, and Participant or Participant’s estate will have the right to exercise one hundred percent (100%) of the number of Shares remaining under the Option, whether or not vested, during the applicable time period in Section 4 below.  If Termination of Participant’s Service is due to death, Disability or Retirement, the acceleration of vesting under this Section 3.1 will be deemed to have occurred prior to such Termination of Participant’s Service.

 

3.2           Automatic 100% Acceleration of Vesting if Options are Terminated In Connection with a Change in Control Transaction.  If the Option is to be terminated upon the completion of a Change in Control Transaction, then (i) all conditions of vesting will be assumed to have been met for one hundred (100%) of the then current total unvested Option Shares and (ii) Participant will have the right to exercise all vested Option Shares during the applicable time period in Section 4 below.  The acceleration of vesting under this Section 3.2 will be deemed to have occurred immediately before the completion of the Change in Control Transaction.

 

3.3           Automatic 100% Acceleration of Vesting Under Certain Conditions Within Two Years After a Change in Control Transaction.  If within two years after the completion of a Change in Control Transaction, there is a Termination of Participant’s Service initiated by the Company or any Subsidiary (or successor) other than for Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, then (i) all conditions of vesting will be assumed to have been met for one hundred (100%) of the then current total unvested Option Shares and (ii) Participant

 

3



 

will have the right to exercise all vested Option Shares during the applicable time period in Section 4 below.  The acceleration of vesting under this Section 3.3 will be deemed to have occurred immediately before Termination of Participant’s Service.

 

3.4           Leave of Absence.  The Company’s leave of absence procedure concerning stock options, that is in effect as of the date of this Agreement, will also govern the vesting of the Option during a Company approved leave of absence.

 

3.5           FY 2006 Loyalty Metric.  The term “FY2006 Loyalty Metric” means that Lawson has achieved a “client champion loyalty score” of at least 90% of the industry benchmark as of May 31, 2006.  If Lawson meets or exceeds the FY2006 Loyalty Metric as of May 31, 2006, then on the date of that achievement, 16.5% of the Option (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below,

 

3.6           FY 2008 Loyalty Metric.  The term “FY2008 Loyalty Metric” means that Lawson has achieved a “client champion loyalty score” of at least 105% of the industry benchmark as of May 31, 2008.  If Lawson meets or exceeds the FY2008 Loyalty Metric as of May 31, 2008, then on the date of that achievement:  (a) 16.5% of the Option (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below and (b) if the 16.5% of the Option did not previously vest pursuant to Section 3.5 above, then that portion of the Option shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below.

 

3.7           FY 2006 Revenue Metric.  The term “FY2006 Revenue Metric” means that Lawson has achieved 90% or more of the average annual growth rate of financial competitor companies (as selected by the Compensation Committee) as of May 31, 2006.  If Lawson meets or exceeds the FY2006 Revenue Metric as of May 31, 2006, then on the date of that achievement, 33.5% of the Option (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below,

 

3.8           FY 2008 Revenue Metric.  The term “FY2008 Revenue Metric” means that Lawson has achieved 105% or more of the average annual growth rate of financial competitor companies (as selected by the Compensation Committee) as of May 31, 2008.  If Lawson meets or exceeds the FY2008 Revenue Metric as of May 31, 2008, then on the date of that achievement:  (a) 33.5% of the Option (rounded up to the nearest whole share) shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below and (b) if the 33.5% of the Option did not previously vest pursuant to Section 3.7 above, then that portion of the Option shall automatically vest and become exercisable for the remainder of the applicable time period in Section 4 below.

 

4.             Termination and Forfeiture.  The Stock Option, whether or not vested, automatically expires at 5:00 p.m. United States Central Time on the Grant Expiration Date, unless terminated on an earlier date as described in this Agreement or the Plan.  No vesting of the Stock Option shall occur after the date of Termination of Participant’s Service and all such unvested Option Shares will be forfeited as of 5:01 p.m. United States Central on the date of Termination of Participant’s Service.  The unexercised portion of the Stock Option that is vested will

 

4



 

automatically terminate and be forfeited at the first of the following to occur:

 

(1)                                  5:00 p.m. United States Central Time on the date of Termination of Participant’s Service initiated by the Company or any Subsidiary for Cause;

(2)                                  5:00 p.m. United States Central Time on the date that is 90 days after Termination of Participant’s Service for any reason or no reason, other than for (a) Cause, (b) death, (c) Disability or (d) Retirement;

(3)                                  5:00 p.m. United States Central Time on the date that is one year after the date of Termination of Participant’s Service due to death, Disability or Retirement; or

(4)                                  5:00 p.m. United States Central Time on the Grant Expiration Date.

 

5.             No Fractional Shares.  This Stock Option may be exercised only in whole Shares and not fractional Shares.  Any fraction of a Share that would otherwise vest on any vesting date will be rounded down to the nearest whole Share.

 

6.             Manner of Exercise.  Before the end of the Option Period, this Stock Option may be exercised only by Participant (or by Participant’s guardian or legal representative, or by Participant’s estate (if Participant is deceased)) up to the extent then vested and exercisable by delivering to the Company’s stock option administrator an irrevocable notice of exercise in the form required by the Company.  The notice of exercise shall state the number of Shares for which the Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Grant  Price for those Shares (under Section 7 below) and applicable tax withholdings (under Section 10 below).

 

7.             Payment of Grant Price.  Participant may pay the Grant Price by wire transfer or check (bank check, certified check or personal check) or by delivering to the Company for cancellation, in accordance with the rules of the Committee, shares of Common Stock which have a Fair Market Value in United States dollars equal to the Grant Price and which either (i) were purchased on a national stock exchange or on the NASDAQ NMS system or (ii) have been issued and outstanding more than six months.  The Grant Price is payable in United States dollars.

 

8.             Delivery of Shares.  The Company will deliver to Participant the Shares (either in certificate or electronic form as requested by Participant) promptly after proper exercise of the Option and receipt of the Grant Price and applicable tax withholdings.  Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement to the contrary, the obligation of the Company to deliver Shares is subject to the condition that if at any time the Committee shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of Shares thereunder, then the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not reasonably acceptable to the Committee.

 

9.             Tax Requirements for Incentive Stock Options; Disqualifying Disposition.  This Section 9 will apply only if this Stock Option is identified as an Incentive Stock Option or ISO on the Certificate.  If this Section 9 applies, then subject to the provisions of the Plan, this Stock Option is an Incentive Stock Option.  To the extent the number of Shares exceeds the limit set forth in Section 4 of the Plan, such Shares shall be deemed granted pursuant to a Nonqualified Stock Option.  In such event, then unless otherwise indicated by Participant in the notice of exercise

 

5



 

pursuant to Section 6 above, upon any exercise of this Stock Option, the number of exercised Shares that shall be deemed to be exercised pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option shall equal the total number of Shares so exercised multiplied by a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is the number of unexercised Option Shares that could then be exercised pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option and (b) the denominator of which is the then total number of unexercised Option Shares that could then be exercised.  If Common Stock acquired upon exercise of this Stock Option is disposed of by Participant in a “Disqualifying Disposition,” such Participant shall notify the Company in writing within 30 days after such disposition of the date and terms of such disposition.  For purposes hereof, “Disqualifying Disposition” means a disposition of Common Stock that is acquired upon the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option prior to the expiration of either two years from the Grant Date of such Incentive Stock Option or one year from the transfer of Shares to Participant pursuant to the exercise of such Incentive Stock Option.  If a Disqualifying Disposition occurs, the tax requirements described in Section 10 will apply.

 

10.           Tax Requirements and Withholdings for Nonqualified Stock Options.  This Section 10 will apply only if this Stock Option is identified as a Nonqualified Stock Option or NQ on the Certificate or is considered a Nonqualified Stock Option under Section 9 above.  In order to provide the Company and its Subsidiaries with the opportunity to claim the benefit of any income tax deduction in any jurisdiction which may be available to it upon the exercise of the Nonqualified Stock Option, and in order to comply with all applicable income tax laws or regulations of any applicable country, state or other jurisdiction, the Company and its Subsidiaries may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that, if necessary, all applicable payroll, withholding, income, NIC or other taxes (of any applicable country, state or other jurisdiction) are withheld or collected from Participant.  Participant may elect to satisfy Participant’s minimum income tax withholding obligations under such laws or regulations upon exercise of the Option by (i) paying that amount by wire transfer or check (bank check, certified check or personal check), (ii) having the Company or its Subsidiaries withhold a portion of the shares of Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise of such Option having a Fair Market Value in United States dollars (on the date of exercise of Option) equal to the minimum amount of such taxes required to be withheld on such exercise, in accordance with the rules of the Committee, or (iii) delivering to the Company for cancellation, in accordance with the rules of the Committee, shares of Common Stock which have a Fair Market Value equal to such tax withholdings and which either (a) were purchased on a national stock exchange or on the NASDAQ NMS system or (b) have been issued and outstanding more than six months.  The Company may, at its discretion, require Participant to pay the withholding taxes under clause (i) above in lieu of the alternatives in clauses (ii) or (iii) above.

 

11.           Investment Representation.  Unless the Common Stock is issued to Participant in a transaction registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, Participant represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be purchased hereunder will be acquired by Participant for investment purposes for Participant’s own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal or state securities laws.  Unless the Common Stock is issued to Participant in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws, all certificates issued with respect to the Common Stock shall bear an appropriate restrictive investment legend.

 

12.           Impact on Employment Status.  This Agreement, the Certificate and the Plan are not an employment contract.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, the Certificate or the Plan shall confer on Participant any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any Subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company or affect in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary or

 

6



 

other affiliate to terminate the employment of Participant at any time.

 

13.           Adjustments.  In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization or combination of shares by the Company after the Grant Date, the number of Shares subject to the Option and the Grant Price per Share shall be equitably adjusted in the same manner as the outstanding shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the rules of the Committee.  The number of Option Shares designated in the Certificate has been adjusted for all stock splits that were effective before the Grant Date.

 

14.           Non-Transferability of Option.  This Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

 

15.           Consent to Internal Use of Personal Data.  Participant consents to the Company’s and its Subsidiaries’ (and the Company’s stock option administrator) receiving and using personal data related to Participant for employment-related purposes only and for gathering and making required reports to government authorities.

 

15.           No Right of Future Stock Option Grants.  Nothing contained in this Agreement, the Certificate or the Plan shall confer on Participant any right to receive any additional stock options in the future from the Company, Subsidiary or any other affiliate of the Company or affect in any way the right of the Company, Subsidiary or any other affiliate to terminate the granting of stock options at any time.

 

16.           Interpretation of Terms; General.  The Committee shall interpret the terms of the Option and this Agreement, the Certificate and Plan and all determinations shall be final and binding.  The Option and this Agreement, the Certificate and Plan (1) are governed by the laws of the State of Minnesota, (2) may be amended only in writing, signed by an executive officer of the Company, and (3) supersede any other verbal or written agreements or representations concerning the Option.

 

17.           Official Language.  The official language of the Option and this Agreement, the Certificate and Plan is English.  Documents or notices not originally written in English shall have no effect until they have been translated into English, and the English translation shall then be the prevailing form of such documents or notices.  Any notices or other documents required to be delivered to the Company (or stock option administrator) under this Notice, shall be translated into English, at Participant’s expense, and provided promptly to the Company in English (to the attention of the Company’s Corporate Secretary).  The Company may also request an untranslated copy of such documents.

 

18.           Signature and Validity.  An executive officer of the Company has signed this Agreement electronically on behalf of the Company.   The Participant is deemed to have signed this Agreement and agreed to all of its terms by having electronically indicated Participant’s acceptance and agreement on the Certificate on the Salomon Smith Barney website at www.benefitaccess.com.  If there is any discrepancy between the number of Option Shares

 

7



 

shown in the Certificate and the number shown in the records of the Company’s Corporate Secretary, the records of the Company’s Corporate Secretary shall prevail.

 

Lawson Software, Inc.

 

 

By

/s/ Jay Coughlan

 

 

Jay Coughlan,

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

8


EX-10.22 3 a05-1618_1ex10d22.htm EX-10.22

Exhibit 10.22

 

 

LAWSON SOFTWARE, INC.

 

EXECUTIVE CHANGE IN CONTROL
SEVERANCE PAY PLAN
for Tier 1 Executives

 

Effective January 17, 2005

 

i



 

SECTION 1

 

INTRODUCTION

 

1.1.          Establishment.  Lawson Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation, has adopted this Executive Change In Control Severance Pay Plan for Tier 1 Executives” effective January 17, 2005.

 

1.2.          Definitions.  When the following terms are used in this document with initial capital letters, they shall have the following meanings.

 

1.2.1.       Annual Incentive Target — the annual incentive target cash compensation for a Participant, before deductions for taxes and other items withheld, under any Incentive Plans.

 

1.2.2.       Base Pay — the regular basic cash remuneration before deductions for taxes and other items withheld, payable to a Participant for services rendered to the Employer, but not including items such as Annual Incentive Target payments, perquisites, allowances, per diem payments, bonuses, incentive compensation, stock options, equity compensation, fringe benefits, special pay, awards or commissions.  Base pay shall include regular basic cash remuneration that is contributed by an employee to a qualified retirement plan, nonqualified deferred compensation plan or similar plan sponsored by the Employer but it shall not include earnings on those amounts.

 

1.2.3.       Cause — the termination of the Participant’s employment initiated by the Employer because of:  (1) if the Participant has entered into any written and executed contract(s) with the Employer, any material breach by the Participant of such contract (as reasonably determined by the Employer) and which is not or cannot reasonably be cured within 10 days after written notice from the Employer to the Participant; (2) any material violation by the Participant of the Employer’s policies, rules or regulations (as reasonably determined by the Employer) and which is not or cannot be reasonably cured within 10 days after written notice from the Employer to the Participant; or (3) commission of any material act of fraud, embezzlement or dishonesty by the Participant (as reasonably determined by the Employer).

 

1.2.4.       Change in Control — any one or more of the following:   (1) the closing of a tender offer or exchange offer for the ownership of 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Principal Sponsor, (2) the closing of a merger, consolidation or other business combination between Principal Sponsor and another corporation and as a result of the completion of such merger, consolidation or combination 50% or fewer of the outstanding voting securities of the surviving or resulting corporation are owned in the aggregate by the former stockholders of the Principal Sponsor, other than affiliates (within the meaning of the  Exchange Act) of any party to such merger or consolidation, as the same shall have existed immediately prior to such merger or consolidation, (3) the closing of the sale of substantially all of the assets of Principal Sponsor to another corporation which is not a direct or indirect wholly owned Subsidiary of the Principal Sponsor, (4) a person, within the meaning of Section 3(a)(9) or of Section 13(d)(3) (as in effect on the date of this Plan) of the Exchange Act, shall acquire 50% or more of the outstanding voting securities of the Principal Sponsor (whether directly,

 



 

indirectly, beneficially or of record) (for purposes hereof, ownership of voting securities shall take into account and shall include ownership as determined by applying the provisions of Rule 13d-3(d)(1)(i) as in effect on the date of this Plan) pursuant to the Exchange Act, (5) individuals who constitute the Principal Sponsor’s Board of Directors on the date of this Plan (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of this Plan whose election, or nomination for election by the Principal Sponsor’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least 50% of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board shall be, for purposes of this clause (5), considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board, or (6) approval by the stockholders of the Principal Sponsor of a complete liquidation or dissolution of the Principal Sponsor.

 

1.2.5.       Code — the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

1.2.6.       Disability — the Participant’s inability, due to an impairment,  to perform the essential functions of the Participant’s position, with or without reasonable accommodation, provided the Participant has exhausted the Participant’s entitlement to any applicable disability-related leave of absence, if the Participant desires to take and satisfies all eligibility requirements for such leave.

 

1.2.7.       Effective Date — January 17, 2005 (the Plan and Plan Statement are subject to termination, renewal and amendment as described in Section 8).

 

1.2.8.       Eligible Employee — an individual who, immediately prior to a Change in Control, is classified as a regular employee of the Employer within Tier 1.  Eligible Employee does not include an employee who is employed outside the United States (other than a U.S. regular employee whose assignment outside the United States has been classified by the Employer as temporary, provided that any assignment outside the United States that is expected to exceed 60 months will not be considered temporary) or who is a non-immigrant worker residing in the United States covered by any non-immigrant visa status other than an H-1B visa status.  The Employer’s classification of a person as a regular employee shall be conclusive.  No reclassification of a person’s status as a regular employee with the Employer, for any reason, without regard to whether it is initiated by a court, governmental agency or otherwise and without regard to whether or not the Employer agrees to such reclassification, shall result in the person being an Eligible Employee, either retroactively or prospectively.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this provision, however, the Employer may declare that a reclassified person will be classified as an Eligible Employee, either retroactively or prospectively.

 

1.2.9.       ELRP — the Principal Sponsor’s Executive Leadership Results Plan to the extent in effect immediately before a Change in Control.

 

1.2.10.     Employer — Lawson Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation, its wholly owned subsidiaries with employees who meet the definition of Eligible Employee, and any successor of the Principal Sponsor.  Employer shall also include any affiliates designated by the

 

2



 

Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Principal Sponsor to be an Employer under the Plan.

 

1.2.11.     ERISA — the United States Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.

 

1.2.12.     Exchange Act — the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

1.2.13.     Good Reason — the occurrence of any of the following events:  (1) a job reassignment that is not at least of comparable responsibility or status as the assignment in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control; (2) a reduction in the Participant’s Base Pay as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control; (3) a material modification of the Employer’s incentive compensation program (that is adverse to the Participant) as in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control; (4) a requirement by the Employer that the Participant be based anywhere other than within thirty miles of the Participant’s work location immediately prior to a Change in Control (with exceptions for temporary business travel that is consistent in both frequency and duration with the Participant’s business travel before the Change in Control); or (5) except as otherwise required by applicable law, the failure by the Employer to provide employee benefit programs and plans (including any stock ownership and stock purchase plans) that provide substantially similar benefits, in terms of aggregate monetary value, at substantially similar costs to the Participant as the benefits provided in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control.  Termination or reassignment of the Participant’s employment for Cause, or by reason of Disability or death, are excluded from this definition.

 

1.2.14.     Incentive Plan - the ELRP or any other incentive cash compensation plan covering executives who are Participants under the Plan.

 

1.2.15.     Participant — an Eligible Employee of the Employer who becomes a Participant under the terms of Section 2 of the Plan Statement.

 

1.2.16.     Plan — the severance pay plan of the Employer established for the benefit of certain Eligible Employees in the event of a Change in Control and described in this Plan Statement.  (As used herein, “Plan” refers to the program established by the Employer and not the document pursuant to which the Plan is maintained.  That document is referred to herein as the “Plan Statement.”)

 

1.2.17.     Plan Statement — effective January 17, 2005, this written document entitled “Lawson Software, Inc. Executive Change in Control Severance Pay Plan,” as the same may be amended from time to time thereafter.

 

1.2.18.     Principal Sponsor — Lawson Software, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

 

1.2.19.     Termination of Employment — actual cessation of active employment by a Participant as a result of (1) an involuntary termination by the Employer, with or without reasonable notice, and for any reason other than Cause, or (2) a voluntary termination by the

 

3



 

Participant for Good Reason.  Termination of Employment shall not include termination by reason of the Participant’s death or Disability.

 

1.2.20.     Tier 1 — each individual who continues to meet either of the following requirements:  (1) the Chief Executive Officer of the Principal Sponsor (“CEO”) or (2) each  individual who continues to report directly to the CEO and whose annual compensation continues to be subject to review and approval each year by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Principal Sponsor.

 

1.2.21.     Tier 1 Benefits — the sum of (1) $18,000 (pre-tax) in lieu of any benefit payments by Employer (that payment would apply whether or not a Participant had elected COBRA continuation) and (2) outplacement assistance valued at $25,000 (pre-tax).

 

1.2.22.     Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation means the following depending on the duration of Participant’s employment:

 

(a)                                                                      If a Participant has been employed by Plan Sponsor for at least three full fiscal years before the date of a Change in Control, then the “Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation” for that Participant shall be as follows:  the yearly average of that Participant’s total incentive cash compensation earned over the three most recently completed fiscal years immediately prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the Termination of Employment.

 

(b)                                                                     If a Participant has been employed by Plan Sponsor for at least two full fiscal years but fewer than three or more full fiscal years before the date of a Change in Control, then the “Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation” for that Participant shall be as follows:  the yearly average of that Participant’s total incentive cash compensation earned over the two most recently completed fiscal years immediately prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the Termination of Employment.

 

(c)                                                                      If a Participant has been employed by Plan Sponsor for at least one full fiscal year but fewer than two or more full fiscal years before the date of a Change in Control, then the “Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation” for that Participant shall be as follows:  that Participant’s total incentive cash compensation earned for the most recently completed fiscal year immediately prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the Termination of Employment.

 

(d)                                                                     If a Participant has not been employed by Plan Sponsor for a full fiscal year before the date of a Change In Control, then the “Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation” for that Participant shall be as follows:  the annual target incentive compensation (whether or not earned)

 

4



 

for the most recently completed fiscal year immediately prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the Termination of Employment.

 

5



 

SECTION 2

 

PARTICIPATION

 

2.1.          Eligibility to Participate.  An individual shall become a Participant on the day such individual becomes an Eligible Employee.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, an individual who was not an employee of the Principal Sponsor immediately prior to a Change in Control shall not be eligible for benefits under the Plan.

 

2.2.          Termination of Participation.  An individual ceases to be a Participant on the earliest of:

 

(a)                                                     the date the Participant ceases to be an Eligible Employee or otherwise ceases to satisfy the Plan’s eligibility requirements, except where such cessation results in eligibility for a severance payment as provided in Section 3;

 

(b)                                                    the date the Participant ceases to be an employee due to termination of the Participant’s employment (with or without reasonable notice and whether voluntary or involuntary and including retirement) with the Employer, except where such termination results in eligibility for a severance payment as provided in Section 3;

 

(c)                                                     the date the Participant ceases to be an employee due to Participant’s death or Disability (but if a Participant should die or become disabled after meeting the requirements of Section 3.1 below but before actually receiving the Severance Payment/Benefits, such payments shall be made by the Principal Sponsor to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate);

 

(d)                                                    the date following a Change in Control that the Participant receives all of the severance and other payments due, if any, under the Plan;

 

(e)                                                     the effective date the Plan is amended pursuant to the rules of Section 8 to exclude the Participant from participation; or

 

(f)                                                       the effective date the Plan expires or is terminated pursuant to the rules of Section 8.

 

6



 

SECTION 3

 

SEVERANCE PAYMENT/BENEFITS

 

3.1.          Eligibility for Severance Payment/Benefits.  To qualify for any severance payment or severance benefits under the Plan, a Change in Control must occur and a Participant must:  (a) be a Participant immediately prior to the time of such Change in Control; and (b) have a Termination of Employment that occurs within 24 months following a Change in Control.

 

3.2.          Amount of Severance Payment/Benefits.  The severance payment and severance benefits to a Participant under the Plan shall be based on the Participant’s Tier 1 position in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control.  For purposes of this Section 3.2, a Participant’s “annual pay” shall be equal to the sum of:  (a) the Participant’s annual Base Pay in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or, if greater, the Termination of Employment; and (b) the Participant’s Yearly Average Earned Incentive Cash Compensation.  The Participant’s total severance benefit shall be payable pursuant to Section 3.4 below and shall be determined according to the following schedule (the “Severance Payment/Benefits”):

 

Participant
Position

 

Severance Payment/Benefits

 

 

 

Tier 1

 

2 times “annual pay” (as defined above) plus Tier 1 Benefits

 

 

 

 

3.3.          Severance Payment/Benefits Offset.  The amount of any Severance Payment/Benefits that a Participant is entitled to under Section 3.2 above shall be reduced by the following (collectively, the “Offset Amount”):  (a) any cash compensation paid or payable by the Employer to the Participant associated with the Participant’s termination of employment (including any pay in lieu of notice and any severance pay) and (b) any severance payments under any employment agreement or severance agreement between Principal Sponsor and the Participant.  If any Offset Amount triggers any Excise Tax (as defined in Section 6), the Participant shall receive a Gross-Up Payment under Section 6 to the extent attributable to the Offset Amount.  The amount of any Severance Payment/Benefits that a Participant is entitled to under Section 3.2 above shall not be reduced by (a) any amounts paid pursuant to Section 5 below or (b) the amount of any paid or unpaid Base Pay, incentive compensation or FTO (flexible time off) earned or accrued as of the date of Termination of Employment.

 

3.4.          Time and Form of Payment.  The following is a condition precedent to the payout by the Principal Sponsor of any Severance Payments/Benefits to a Participant:  the execution by that  Participant and delivery to the Principal Sponsor of a Release/Restrictive Covenant (as defined in Section 4 below), with the rescission period thereunder having expired without rescission (the “End of the Rescission Period”).  The Principal Sponsor shall complete the payouts under the Plan as follows for each applicable Participant

 

7



 

 

 

“First Installment”

 

“Final Installment”

Participant
Position

 

Amount of First Payout to be Paid Within 15 Days after the End of the Rescission Period

 

Final Payout to be Paid Within 12 Months after the End of the Rescission Period (the “12-Month Payout Period”)

 

 

 

 

 

Tier 1

 

One-Half of Severance Payment/Benefits (but including 100% of the Tier 1 Benefits)

 

Remaining One-Half of Severance Payment/Benefits (no interest shall accrue or be payable on such payment)

 

If a Participant should die after meeting the requirements of Section 3.1 above but before actually receiving the Severance Payment/Benefits, such payments shall be made by the Principal Sponsor to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate.  If a Participant’s employment with the Employer is terminated and the Participant is eligible for receiving the Severance Payment/Benefits, and the Employer and Participant agree that Participant shall be re-hired as an employee of Employer before the end of the 12-Month Payout Period, then the amount of the Final Installment of the Severance Payment/Benefits otherwise payable to that Participant at the end of the 12-Month Payout Period shall be  multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of calendar days from the End of the Rescission Period up to (but excluding) the re- hire date and the denominator of which is 365 days.

 

If a Participant has signed the Release/Restrictive Covenant and Principal Sponsor determines, in good faith, that that Participant is in material breach of the Release/Restrictive Covenant, then:  (a) Principal Sponsor shall notify that Participant of that breach and the steps reasonably required to cure the breach and (b) if Participant has not cured that breach within 15 calendar days after receipt of such notice, then (in addition to the other rights and remedies described in Exhibit A), Principal Sponsor shall have no obligation to pay the Final Installment to that Participant.

 

3.5.          Withholding Taxes.  The Employer shall deduct from the amount of any Severance Payment/Benefits under the Plan any amount required to be withheld by reason of any law or regulation for the payment of federal, state or local taxes.

 

3.6.          No Mitigation.  The Principal Sponsor agrees that, in order for a Participant to be eligible to receive the Severance Payment/Benefits described herein, the Participant is not required to seek other employment or to attempt in any way to reduce any amounts payable to the Participant pursuant to the Plan.  The amount of any payment or benefit provided for in the Plan shall not be reduced by any compensation or income earned by the Participant as the result of employment by another employer or self-employment or by retirement benefits.  Except to the extent described in Section 3.3, the amount of any payment or benefit provided for in the Plan shall not be offset against any amount claimed to be owed by the Participant to Principal Sponsor, or otherwise.

 

8



 

3.7.          Code Section 409A.   Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that any provision in the Plan conflicts with Section 409A of Code (or any regulations or guidance issued thereunder), the Plan shall be construed and applied in a manner consistent with such provisions.  This Section 3.7 may delay the payment dates under the Plan but this Section 3.7 shall not reduce (on a pre-tax basis) any amounts that a Participant would otherwise receive under the Plan.

 

9



 

SECTION 4

 

RELEASE AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANT

 

4.1.          Release/Restrictive Covenant.  The form of “Release/Restrictive Covenant” is attached as Exhibit A to this Plan Statement.

 

4.2.          Covenant Not To Compete—Five Competitors.  On or before the Termination of Employment date, Principal Sponsor shall notify Participant of the names of up to five competitors that will be identified as the “Five Competitors” in Section 4(A) of the Release/Restrictive Covenant.  If Principal Sponsor fails to notify Participant of the names of the Five Competitors on or before the date of Termination of Employment of that Participant, then Section 4(A) of the Release/Restrictive Covenant shall be deleted with respect to that Participant.

 

4.3.          Covenant Not To Compete—Ten Clients/Prospects.  On or before the Termination of Employment date, Principal Sponsor shall notify Participant of the names of up to ten clients/prospects that will be identified as the “Ten Clients/Propsects” in Section 4(B) of the Release/Restrictive Covenant.  If Principal Sponsor fails to notify Participant of the names of the Ten Clients/Propsects on or before the date of Termination of Employment of that Participant, then Section 4(B) of the Release/Restrictive Covenant shall be deleted with respect to that Participant.

 

10



 

SECTION 5

 

INCENTIVE PAYMENT

 

5.1.          General.  A Participant is eligible to receive an incentive payment provided for in this Section 5 only if the Participant is eligible to receive the Severance Payment/Benefits provided in Section 3.  This Section 5 is intended to provide for a final payment under any applicable Incentive Plans for the incentive period in which Participant’s Termination of Employment occurs.  Any amounts determined pursuant to this Section 5 shall be offset by amounts otherwise paid or payable to the Participant under the relevant Incentive Plans for the incentive period in which the Participant’s Termination of Employment occurs.

 

5.2.          Incentive Payments.  Incentive payment(s), if any, shall be equal to the target incentive amount in effect for the incentive period in which the Termination of Employment occurs multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days worked by the Participant in the incentive period prior to the Termination of Employment, and the denominator of which is the number of days in the incentive period.  If a Participant and Plan Sponsor are parties to a written agreement that guarantees the payment of any incentive cash compensation, then the amount payable to Participant pursuant to this Section 5 shall be the greater of (a) that guaranteed amount or (b) the amount determined under the first sentence of this Section 5.2.   The incentive payment will be made to the Participant in a single lump sum cash payment as soon as administratively feasible following the Participant’s Termination of Employment.  If the Participant should die before actually receiving the payment, such payment will be made to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate.

 

5.3.          Adjusted Incentive Payments.  At the end of the incentive period, the Employer shall calculate the amount a Participant would receive for a incentive period in which a Termination of Employment occurs based on actual performance over the entire incentive period multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days worked by the Participant in the incentive period prior to the Termination of Employment and the denominator of which is the number of days in the incentive period (the “Actual Incentive Amount”).  If the Actual Incentive Amount is greater than the amount calculated under Section 5.2 above, the Employer shall pay the difference to the Participant in a single lump sum cash payment as soon as administratively feasible following the end of the incentive period.  If the Participant should die before actually receiving the payment, such payment will be made to the personal representative of the Participant’s estate.

 

11



 

SECTION 6

 

280G LIMITATION

 

6.1.          Gross-Up Payment.  In the event a Participant becomes entitled to payments under the Plan, the Employer shall cause an independent accounting firm (the “Independent Accounting Firm”) promptly to review, at the Employer’s sole expense, the applicability of Section 4999 of the Code to those payments.

 

If the Independent Accounting Firm  shall determine that any payment or distribution of any type by the Employer to a Participant or for a Participant’s benefit, whether paid or payable or distributed or distributable pursuant to the terms of the Plan, pursuant to the acceleration of vesting of a stock option or any other equity award, or otherwise (the “Total Payments”), would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (the excise tax, together with any interest and penalties, are collectively referred to as the “Excise Tax”), then the Participant shall be entitled to receive an additional cash payment (a “Gross-Up Payment”) equal to an amount such that after payment by the Participant of all taxes (including any interest or penalties imposed with respect to such taxes), including any Excise Tax, imposed upon the Gross-Up Payment, the Participant would retain an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Total Payments.

 

For purposes of determining the amount of any tax pursuant to this Section, the Participant’s tax rate shall be deemed to be the highest statutory marginal state and Federal tax rate (on a combined basis and including the Participant’s share of F.I.C.A. and Medicare taxes) then in effect.

 

A Participant shall in good faith cooperate with the Independent Accounting Firm  in making the determination of whether a Gross-Up Payment is required, including but not limited to providing the Independent Accounting Firm  with information or documentation as reasonably requested by the Independent Accounting Firm .  A determination by the Independent Accounting Firm  regarding whether a Gross-Up Payment is required and the amount of such Gross-Up Payment shall be conclusive and binding upon the Participant and the Employer for all purposes.

 

6.2.          Payment Date.  A Gross-Up Payment required to be made by Section 6.1 of this Plan shall be paid to Participant within 15 after a final determination by the Independent Accounting Firm  that the Gross-Up Payment is required.  If the Independent Accounting Firm  have not yet made the determination required by Section 6.1 prior to the time the Participant is required to file a tax return reflecting the Total Payments, the Participant will be entitled to receive a Gross-Up Payment calculated on the basis of the Total Payments reported by the Participant in such tax return, within 15 days after the filing of such tax return.

 

6.3.          Controversies with Tax Authorities.  The Employer and the Participant shall promptly deliver to each other copies of any written communications, and summaries of any oral

 

12



 

communications, with any taxing authority regarding the applicability of Section 280G or 4999 of the Code to any portion of the Total Payments.  In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service or other tax authority with regard to the applicability of Section 280G or 4999 of the Code to any portion of the Total Payments, Employer shall have the right, exercisable in its sole discretion, to control the resolution of such controversy at its own expense.  Participant and the Employer shall in good faith cooperate in the resolution of such controversy.

 

If the Internal Revenue Service or any tax authority makes a final determination that a greater Excise Tax should be imposed upon the Total Payments than is determined by the Independent Accounting Firm  or reflected in the Participant’s tax return pursuant to this Section, the Participant shall be entitled to receive from the Employer the full Gross-Up Payment calculated on the basis of the amount of Excise Tax determined to be payable by such tax authority.  That amount shall be paid to the Participant within 15 days after the date of such final determination by the relevant tax authority.

 

13



 

SECTION 7

 

FUNDING

 

The Employer may establish a trust to fund the Plan but the Employer is not under any obligation to establish or fund a trust.  A Participant will be entitled to claim benefits from the trust to the extent the Plan is funded under a trust and a Participant shall have only such rights as set forth in the trust.  To the extent benefits are not funded under a trust, payments made pursuant to the Plan will be paid out of the general funds of the Employer.  To the extent benefits are not funded under a trust, a Participant will not have any secured or preferred interest by way of trust, escrow, lien or otherwise in any specific assets and the Participant’s rights shall be solely those of an unsecured general creditor of the Employer.

 

14



 

SECTION 8

 

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

 

8.1           Prior to a Change in Control.  Prior to the occurrence of a Change in Control:  (a) the Plan and Plan Statement shall have successive 12-month terms, commencing on the Effective Date and each anniversary of the Effective Date, unless at any time before expiration of the then current 12-month term the Board of Directors of the Principal Sponsor elects not to renew the Plan and Plan Statement and (b) the Board of Directors of the Principal Sponsor may at any time amend the provisions of the Plan and Plan Statement and amend or terminate the Plan and Plan Statement, but no such termination or amendment that is materially adverse to any Participant shall take effect until at least one year after the approval of such termination or amendment by the Board of Directors of the Principal Sponsor.  If any of the actions described in this Section 8.1 are taken, the affected Participants will be notified in advance.

 

8.2           Upon or After a Change in Control.  If the Plan and Plan Statement are in effect immediately prior to a Change in Control, then (a) the then current term of the Plan and Plan Statement shall automatically remain in effect for two years after the Change in Control and (b) except to the extent benefits have become payable but have not actually been paid, the Plan and Plan Statement shall  terminate automatically on the second anniversary of the date of a Change in Control, except to pay any remaining severance benefits to any Participant who has a Termination of Employment on or before the Plan’s termination date and except to resolve claims for benefits under the Plan arising on or before the Plan’s termination date.  During the two-year period following the date of a Change in Control, the provisions of the Plan Statement may not be amended if any amendment would adversely affect the rights, expectancies or benefits provided by the Plan (as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control) of any Participant or other person entitled to payment under the Plan.

 

15



 

SECTION 9

 

CLAIMS PROCEDURE

 

The claims procedure set forth in this section shall be the exclusive procedure for the disposition of claims for benefits arising under this Plan.

 

(a)                                                                      Original Claim.  Any Participant, former Participant, or beneficiary of such Participant or former Participant, if he or she so desires, may file with the Principal Sponsor a written claim for benefits under this Plan.  Within 30 days after the filing of such a claim, the Principal Sponsor shall notify the claimant in writing whether the claim is upheld or denied in whole or in part or shall furnish the claimant a written notice describing specific special circumstances requiring a specified amount of additional time (but not more than 60 days from the date the claim was filed) to reach a decision on the claim.  If the claim is denied in whole or in part, the Principal Sponsor shall state in writing:

 

(i)                                     the specific reasons for the denial;

 

(ii)                                  the specific references to the pertinent provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based;

 

(iii)                               a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect the claim and an explanation of why such material or information is necessary; and

 

(iv)                              an explanation of the claims review procedure set forth in this section.

 

(b)                                                                     Review of Denied Claim.  Within 60 days after receipt of notice that the claim has been denied in whole or in part, the claimant may file with the Principal Sponsor a written request for a review and may, in conjunction therewith, submit written issues and comments.  Within 30 days after the filing of such a request for review, the Principal Sponsor shall notify the claimant in writing whether, upon review, the claim was upheld or denied in whole or in part or shall furnish the claimant a written notice describing specific special circumstances requiring a specified amount of additional time (but not more than 60 days from the date the request for review was filed) to reach a decision on the request for review.

 

(c)                                                                      General Rules.

 

(i)                                     No inquiry or question shall be deemed to be a claim or a request for a review of a denied claim unless made in accordance with the

 

16



 

claims procedure.  The Principal Sponsor may require that any claim for benefits and any request for a review of a denied claim be filed on forms to be furnished by the claimant upon request.

 

(ii)                                  All decisions on claims and on requests for a review of denied claims shall be made by the Principal Sponsor or its delegate in good faith.

 

(iii)                               The Principal Sponsor may, in its discretion, hold one or more hearings on a claim or a request for a review of a denied claim.

 

(iv)                              A claimant may be represented by a lawyer or other representative (at the claimant’s own expense except as otherwise provided in Section 10.13 below), but the Principal Sponsor reserves the right to require the claimant to furnish written authorization.  A claimant’s representative shall be entitled, upon request, to copies of all notices given to the claimant.  In no event shall a claimant be liable or responsible for payment or reimbursement of legal fees or other costs incurred by the Principal Sponsor.

 

(v)                                 The decision of the Principal Sponsor on a claim and on a request for a review of a denied claim shall be served on the claimant in writing.  If a decision or notice is not received by a claimant within the time specified, the claim or request for a review of a denied claim shall be deemed to have been denied.

 

(vi)                              Prior to filing a claim or a request for a review of a denied claim, the claimant or his or her representative shall have a reasonable opportunity to review a copy of the Plan and all other pertinent documents in the possession of the Principal Sponsor.

 

(vii)                           The Principal Sponsor may permanently or temporarily delegate its responsibilities under this claims procedure to an individual or a committee of individuals, but the Principal Sponsor shall remain legally obligated to fulfill its obligations under the Plan.

 

17



 

SECTION 10

 

MISCELLANEOUS

 

10.1.        Type of Plan.  Section 3 of the Plan is a severance pay welfare benefit plan and not a pension benefit plan.  Any severance payment under Section 3 of the Plan will not be contingent directly or indirectly upon an employee retiring and shall not be made beyond 24 months after the employee’s Termination of Employment.  The plan is established with the understanding that it is an unfunded welfare plan maintained primarily for the benefit of a select group of management or highly compensated individuals within the meaning of ERISA.

 

10.2.        No Assignment.  No Participant shall have any transmissible interest in any benefit under the Plan nor shall any Participant have any power to anticipate, alienate, dispose of, pledge or encumber the same, nor shall the Employer recognize any assignment thereof, either in whole or in part, nor shall any benefit be subject to attachment, garnishment, execution following judgment or other legal process.

 

10.3.        Named Fiduciaries.  The Principal Sponsor and any committee appointed hereunder to decide claims shall be named fiduciaries for the purpose of section 402(a) of ERISA.

 

10.4.        Administrator.  The Principal Sponsor shall be the administrator for purposes of section 3(16)(A) of ERISA.

 

10.5.        Service of Legal Process.  The corporate secretary of Lawson Software, Inc., or its successor is designated as agent for service of legal process against the Plan.

 

10.6.        Validity.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of the Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of the Plan which shall remain in full force and effect.

 

10.7.        Governing Law.  This Plan Statement has been executed and delivered in the State of Minnesota and has been drawn in conformity to the laws of that State and shall, except to the extent that U.S. federal law is controlling, be construed and enforced in accordance with the domestic laws of the State of Minnesota without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule (whether of the State of Minnesota or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of Minnesota.

 

10.8.        No Employment Rights.  Neither the terms of this Plan Statement nor the benefits hereunder nor the continuance thereof shall be a term of the employment of any employee, and the Employer shall not be obliged to continue the Plan.  The terms of this Plan Statement shall not give any employee the right to be retained in the employment of the Employer.  The Employer assumes no obligation to the participants under this Plan Statement with respect to any doctrine or principle of acquired rights or similar concept.

 

18



 

10.9.        No Guarantee.  Neither the members of any committee appointed by the Principal Sponsor nor any of the Employer’s officers in any way secure or guarantee the payment of any benefit or amount which may become due and payable hereunder to any Participant.  Neither the members of any committee nor any of the Employer’s officers shall be under any liability or responsibility (except to the extent that liability is imposed under ERISA) for failure to effect any of the objectives or purposes of the Plan by reason of the insolvency of the Employer.

 

10.10.      No Co-Fiduciary Responsibility.  Except as is otherwise provided in ERISA, no fiduciary shall be liable for an act or omission of another person with regard to a fiduciary responsibility that has been allocated to or delegated in this Plan Statement or pursuant to procedures set forth in this Plan Statement.

 

10.11.      Notices.  All notices under the Plan shall be in writing, addressed to the recipient at the most current address reasonably available to the sender, sent via any means that allows for confirmation of delivery, and effective upon receipt or when properly returned as undeliverable.

 

10.12       Successors.

 

(a)                                                                      The Principal Sponsor shall 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 Principal Sponsor to expressly assume the Plan and all obligations of the Principal Sponsor hereunder in the same manner and to the same extent that the Principal Sponsor would be so obligated if no such succession had taken place.

 

(b)                                                                     The Plan shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the Principal Sponsor, its successors and assigns, but without the prior written consent of the Participants the Plan may not be assigned other than in connection with the merger or sale of substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Principal Sponsor or similar transaction in which the successor or assignee assumes (whether by operation of law or express assumption) all obligations of the Principal Sponsor hereunder.

 

(c)                                                                      The Plan shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Participant’s personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees or other beneficiaries.

 

10.13.      Expenses, Legal Fees. If a Participant commences a legal action to enforce any of the obligations of the Principal Sponsor under the Plan and it is ultimately determined that the Participant is entitled to any payments or benefits under the Plan, the Company shall pay the Participant the amount necessary to reimburse the Participant in full for all reasonable expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and legal expenses) incurred by the Participant with respect to such action.

 

19



 

EXHIBIT A

 

GENERAL RELEASE AND RESTRICTIVE COVENANT

 

This Release and Restrictive Covenant (“Release/Restrictive Covenant”) is made and entered into as of the                 day of                     , by                                        (“Participant”) and                                                          (“Principal Sponsor”).

 

WHEREAS, Principal Sponsor has previously adopted an Executive Change in Control Severance Pay Plan (the “Plan”) which provides for the payment of Severance Payment/Benefits as defined in the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, under the Plan, Participant must execute and deliver this Release/Restrictive Covenant as a condition precedent to the receipt of any Severance Payment/Benefits under the Plan;

 

WHEREAS, a Termination of Employment (as defined in the Plan) has occurred for Participant within 24 months after a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan);

 

WHEREAS, Participant intends to settle any and all claims that Participant has or may have because of that Termination of Employment  against the Principal Sponsor as a result of the Participant’s employment with Principal Sponsor and the cessation of the Participant’s employment with Principal Sponsor;

 

WHEREAS, under the terms of the Agreement, which the Participant agrees are fair and reasonable, the Participant agreed to enter into this Release/Restrictive Covenant as a condition precedent to the Severance Payment as defined and described in the Agreement;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the provisions and the covenants herein contained, the parties agree as follows:

 

1.             Definitions.  All of the capitalized terms not defined herein shall have the same respective meanings as set forth in the Plan.

 

2.             Severance Payment/Benefits.

 

A.            In consideration of the release set forth in Section 3(B) below, Principal Sponsor agrees to pay Participant Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) out of the Severance Payment/Benefits.

 

B.            In consideration of the release set forth in Section 3(A) below and the covenants of Participant in Section 4 below, Principal Sponsor agrees to pay Participant the remaining portion of the Severance Payment/Benefits pursuant to the Plan.

 

20



 

3.             Release of Claims.

 

A.            Except for any rights of Participant under the Plan, for the consideration expressed in Section 2(B) above, the Participant does hereby fully and completely release and waive any and all claims, complaints, causes of action, demands, suits, and damages, of any kind or character, which the Participant has or may have against the Releasees, as hereinafter defined, arising out of any acts, omissions, conduct, decisions, behavior, or events occurring up through the date of the Participant’s signature on this Release, including the Participant’s employment with Principal Sponsor and the cessation of that employment, with the exception of possible claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.  For purposes of this Release, the “Releasees” means collectively the Principal Sponsor, its predecessors, successors, assigns, parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, related companies, officers, directors, shareholders, agents, servants, auditors, attorneys, employees, and insurers, and each and all thereof.  The Participant understands and accepts that the Participant’s release of claims includes any and all possible claims, both known or unknown, asserted or unasserted,  direct or indirect, including but not limited to claims based upon:

 

(i)                                     the value of stock options that have not vested or are unexercisable pursuant to the express terms of the applicable stock option agreements, grant notices or stock option plans;

 

(ii)                                  the value of stock options previously granted to the Participant and that have vested and are exercisable as of the date of termination of the Participant’s employment with Principal Sponsor, but that the Participant elects not to exercise and pay for before the applicable termination date of the stock options pursuant to the express terms of the applicable stock option agreements, grant notices or stock option plans;

 

(iii)                               Title VII of the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended;

 

(iv)                              the Americans with Disabilities Act; the Equal Pay Act;

 

(v)                                 the Fair Labor Standards Act; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act; or

 

(vi)                              any other federal, state or local statute, ordinance or law.

 

the Participant also understands that the Participant is giving up all other claims, including those grounded in contract or tort theories, including but not limited to:  wrongful discharge; violation of [fill in citation to law of the state of residence of Participant]; breach of contract; tortious interference with contractual relations; promissory estoppel; breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing; breach of express or implied promise; breach of manuals or other policies; assault; battery; fraud; sexual harassment; false imprisonment; invasion of privacy; intentional or negligent misrepresentation; defamation, including libel, slander, discharge defamation and self-publication defamation; discharge in violation of public policy; whistleblower; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; or any other theory, whether legal or equitable.

 

The Participant further understands that the Participant is releasing, and does hereby release, any claims for damages, by charge or otherwise, whether brought by the Participant or on the Participant’s behalf by any other party, governmental or otherwise, and agrees not to institute any claims for damages via administrative or legal proceedings against any of the Releasees.  the Participant also waives and releases any

 

21



 

and all rights to money damages or other legal relief awarded by any governmental agency related to any charge or other claim against any of the Releasees.

 

B.            For the consideration expressed in Section 2(A) above, the Participant does hereby fully and completely release the Releasees, as above defined, from each and every legal claim or demand of any kind, that the Participant ever had or might now have arising out of any action, conduct, or decision taking place during the Participant’s employment with Principal Sponsor, asserted or unasserted, known or unknown, direct or indirect, arising under or relating to the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, as amended.

 

C.            This Release does not apply to any post-termination claim that the Participant may have under the Agreement or for benefits under the provisions of any employee benefit plan maintained by Principal Sponsor.

 

D.            the Participant’s release of claims shall not apply to any claims the Participant might have to indemnification under Delaware law, any other applicable statute or regulation, or Principal Sponsor’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws.

 

4.             Covenants Restricting Participant.  Participant covenants and agrees as follows:

 

A.            Covenant Not To Compete—Five Competitors.  Participant covenants and agrees that throughout the one year period after the date of this Release/Restrictive Covenant, Participant shall not:  (a) be employed by            [fill in names of up to 5 competitors of Principal Sponsor         (or any of their respective wholly owned subsidiaries) (collectively referred to as the “Five Competitors”) or (b) directly or indirectly provide any consulting or other services to any of the Five Competitors anywhere in the world.  If one or more of the Five Competitors acquire one another, this Section 4(A) shall remain in effect through the end of the time period described above for each of the resulting successors to the Five Competitors.  If one of the Five Competitors acquires Participant’s then current employer, that acquisition will not result in a violation of this Section 4(A) (e.g. Participant may continue to work for that employer or its successor).  If another company buys one of the Five Competitors, that acquisition and this Section 4(A) will not prohibit Participant from working for the combined company.

 

B.            Covenant Not To Compete—Ten Clients/Prospects.  Participant covenants and agrees that throughout the one year period after the date of this Release/Restrictive Covenant, Participant shall not:  (a) directly solicit any of the following clients or prospects of Principal Sponsor         [fill in names of up to 10 clients and/or prospects of Principal Sponsor         (collectively referred to as the “Ten Clients/Prospects”) with the purpose of inducing the Ten Clients/Prospects to diminish any business conducted or to be conducted with Principal Sponsor or (b) directly provide any employment, consulting or other services to any of the Ten Clients/Prospects anywhere in the world.  If one or more of the Ten Clients/Prospects acquire one another, this Section 4(B) shall remain in effect through the end of the time period described above for each of the resulting successors to the Ten Clients/Prospects.  If one of the Ten Clients/Prospects acquires Participant’s then current employer, that acquisition will not result in a violation of this Section 4(B) (e.g. Participant may continue to work for that employer or its successor).  If another company buys one of the Ten Clients/Prospects, that acquisition and this Section 4(B) will not prohibit Participant from working for the combined company.

 

22



 

C.            Covenant Not To Hire or Solicit Principal Sponsor Participants.  Participant covenants and agrees that throughout the one year period after the date of this Release/Restrictive Covenant, Participant shall not directly or indirectly, hire or solicit any Principal Sponsor employees for the purpose of hiring them or inducing them to leave employment at Principal Sponsor.

 

D.            Remedies.  Participant acknowledges that the violation of this Section 4 will cause irreparable harm to Principal Sponsor and agrees that, in addition to any other relief afforded by law, an injunction against any violation of this Section 4 may issue against Participant.  Both damages and injunction shall be proper modes of relief and are not alternative remedies for Participant’s violation of this Section 4.  If Principal Sponsor commences any action in equity to specifically enforce any of its rights under this Section 4, Participant waives and agrees not to assert the defense that Principal Sponsor has an adequate remedy at law.

 

5.             Rescission.  The Participant has been informed of the Participant’s right to rescind this Release/Restrictive Covenant by written notice to Principal Sponsor within fifteen (15) calendar days after the execution of this Release/Restrictive Covenant.  The Participant has been informed and understands that any such rescission must be in writing and delivered by hand, or sent by mail within the 15-day time period to Principal Sponsor’s General Counsel, at Principal Sponsor’s principal office address.  If delivered by mail, the rescission must be:  (1) postmarked within the applicable period and (2) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.  The Participant understands that the Principal Sponsor will have no obligations under the Release/Restrictive Covenant in the event a notice of rescission by the Participant is timely delivered.

 

6.             Acceptance Period; Advice of Counsel.  The terms of this Release/Restrictive Covenant will be open for acceptance by the Participant for a period of 21 days, during which time the Participant may consider whether or not to accept this Release/Restrictive Covenant.  The Participant agrees that changes to this Release/Restrictive Covenant, whether material or immaterial, will not restart this acceptance period.  The Participant is hereby advised to seek the advice of an attorney regarding this Release, at the Participant’s expense.

 

7.             Binding Agreement.  This Release/Restrictive Covenant shall be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of, the Participant and Principal Sponsor and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

 

8.             Representation.  The Participant hereby acknowledges and states that the Participant has read this Release/Restrictive Covenant.  The Participant further represents that this Release/Restrictive Covenant is written in language which is understandable to the Participant, that the Participant fully appreciates the meaning of its terms, and that the Participant enters into this Release/Restrictive Covenant freely and voluntarily.

 

9.             Non-Admission.  It is understood and agreed that this Release/Restrictive Covenant  does not constitute an admission by Principal Sponsor of any liability, wrongdoing, or violation of any law.  Further, Principal Sponsor expressly denies any wrongdoing of any kind whatsoever in its actions and dealings with the Participant.

 

10.          Savings Clause.  If any provision of this Release/Restrictive Covenant is determined later to be unenforceable or illegal, other than the provisions contained in Section 3 above, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

 

11.          Amendments.  No amendment or modification of this Release/Restrictive Covenant shall be deemed effective unless made in writing and signed by the Participant and Principal Sponsor.

 

23



 

 

PARTICIPANT

 

 

 

Signature

 

 

 

Printed Name

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

[Name of Principal Sponsor]

 

 

 

By

 

 

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

 

 

Date

 

 

 

24


-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----