0001171843-19-004184.txt : 20190626 0001171843-19-004184.hdr.sgml : 20190626 20190626163056 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001171843-19-004184 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 4 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20190625 ITEM INFORMATION: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20190626 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20190626 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: VARONIS SYSTEMS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0001361113 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: SERVICES-PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE [7372] IRS NUMBER: 571222280 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 001-36324 FILM NUMBER: 19921977 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1250 BROADWAY, 31ST FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10001 BUSINESS PHONE: 877-292-8767 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1250 BROADWAY, 31ST FLOOR CITY: NEW YORK STATE: NY ZIP: 10001 8-K 1 f8k_062619.htm FORM 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): June 25, 2019

 

VARONIS SYSTEMS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

Delaware   001-36324   57-1222280
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)   (Commission File Number)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
         
1250 Broadway, 29th Floor         
New York, NY       10001 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)       (Zip Code)

 

(877) 292-8767
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

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

 

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

 

☐   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

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

 

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

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

     
Title of each class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share VRNS The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company   ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.    ☐

 

 

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

 

(e) The CEO’s Original 2019 Equity Grants

 

As previously disclosed, on February 14, 2019, the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Varonis Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) granted to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, Yakov Faitelson (the “CEO”), a mix of performance-vesting restricted stock units (“PSUs”) and time-vesting restricted stock units (“RSUs”) under the Company’s 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2013 Plan”). The Committee determined during its annual executive compensation review to introduce PSUs to the CEO’s executive compensation package for 2019 and to allocate 50% of his long-term equity compensation to PSUs and 50% to RSUs, based on benchmarking against the practices of peer companies, the CEO’s performance, the policies of proxy advisory firms and institutional investors, and general competitive market conditions.

 

With respect to the 2019 PSUs, the Committee established subscription revenues as a percentage of total license revenues as the performance metric due to the Company’s ongoing transition to a subscription licensing model and set the initial target revenue percentages based on the practices of peer companies and the pace of their subscription revenues growth over time. The PSUs were scheduled to vest, subject to continued employment, in one-third annual installments over 2020, 2021 and 2022 after being earned upon the achievement of this target percentage at the end of a one-year performance period in 2019. The Committee believes that the target percentages, when originally set shortly after fiscal 2018 year-end, were appropriately aggressive as a performance metric to incentivize strong subscription revenues growth in 2019.

 

Review of the CEO’s 2019 Equity Grants Based on Post-Grant Events and Stockholder Engagement

 

After completing the first quarter of 2019, the Company found that it was transitioning to a subscription licensing model at a pace much faster than initially anticipated. To reflect this successful start to the transition and maintain the challenging nature of the performance metric, the Committee thus determined at its April meeting that the previously-established target revenue percentages for the CEO’s 2019 PSUs should be substantially increased. At that meeting, the Committee also decided to review further throughout the second quarter any additional changes that should be made to the CEO’s long-term equity compensation.

 

Additionally, in April 2019, the Company undertook an extensive outreach initiative to its considerably diffuse stockholder base, seeking investors’ feedback on its executive compensation program in response to the negative recommendations of proxy advisory firms and the preliminary results of the stockholder vote on the non-binding, advisory proposal for the 2018 executive compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, including the CEO (the “Say-on-Pay Proposal”). In its outreach efforts, the Company contacted stockholders representing approximately 60% of its outstanding shares, including 23 of the largest 30 stockholders, offered to meet in person or telephonically with them, and ultimately spoke with stockholders representing approximately 35% of its outstanding shares on various executive compensation issues. In these conversations, which occurred in person or telephonically, Company management, with the participation of the Chair of the Committee in most instances, explained that the 2018 RSU award was intended to remediate the CEO’s historically low equity pay in prior years, at levels substantially below the chief executive officer median of peer companies, and that the Company had already determined that the CEO’s 2019 long-term equity award would be 50% performance-vesting. Nonetheless, stockholders cited concerns with the CEO’s 2018 equity compensation, referencing in particular the negative recommendations of proxy advisory firms on the Say-on-Pay Proposal. Stockholders primarily emphasized the concerns raised by the proxy advisory firms focusing on (i) the lack of performance-vesting equity awarded to the CEO in 2018 and (ii) the nominal amount of the CEO’s 2018 RSU grant on a standalone basis, without factoring in his below-average equity awards from prior years. At the annual meeting held on May 2, 2019, a majority of stockholders present cast votes against the Say-on-Pay Proposal.

 

Changes to the CEO’s 2019 Equity Grants

 

In furtherance of the preliminary steps taken in April to change the CEO’s 2019 equity grants and in response to comments from investors on the CEO’s 2018 equity pay package and the outcome of the vote on the Say-on-Pay Proposal at the annual meeting, the Committee met several times in 2019 to develop a long-term plan for enhancing the effectiveness of the CEO’s compensation. The Committee sought to meet the goals of the Company’s overall executive compensation program—motivating, attracting and retaining highly-skilled executives and driving top performance—while remaining responsive to stockholders on compensation issues. With respect to the CEO’s 2019 equity compensation, the Committee explored ways of changing the size and terms of the RSU and PSU grants to align them further with peer company practices and to heighten their performance-based impact. In addition to the above-referenced Committee meeting in April where the Committee decided that the 2019 target revenue percentages should be substantially increased, at a meeting in May 2019, the Committee evaluated with respect to the CEO’s 2019 equity compensation (i) potentially reduced grant sizes, (ii) performance targets that would be harder to achieve, including in light of the Company’s first quarter 2019 performance and revised full year 2019 projections, (iii) an overall performance period of three years rather than one year, and (iv) no release to the CEO of any shares underlying PSUs (even those earned during the 2019 and 2020 performance periods) until February 28, 2022. Throughout this process, the Committee consulted with its independent compensation consultant, Compensia, Inc., and engaged Equity Methods, LLC to advise the Committee on related disclosure, tax and accounting issues.

 

 

 

 

After further analysis, on June 25, 2019, the Committee finalized its discussions and resolved to maintain the CEO’s 50%/50% split between RSUs and PSUs, while revising the 2019 RSU and PSU grants as follows.

 

2019 RSU grant: The Committee decreased the number of RSUs, which vest over four years subject to continued employment, from 66,642 to 38,536.
2019 PSU grant:
oThe Committee amended the vesting terms of the grant to vest in three equal installments based on the achievement of applicable annual 2019, 2020 and 2021 target revenue percentages. Upon vesting and after all applicable tax withholding, shares earned in respect of the 2019 and 2020 performance periods will be placed in a trust account or otherwise retained by the Company and only paid to the CEO on February 28, 2022 (the time of payment of awards in respect of the 2021 performance period), subject to the CEO’s continued employment through such date.
oAs it previously determined should be done in its April meeting, the Committee raised the target revenue percentages for the 2019 performance period and set successively more challenging target percentages for the 2020 and 2021 performance periods, based on a survey of peer companies also using subscription revenue percentages as their performance metric, in order to ensure the difficulty of reaching such goals.
oThe Committee decreased the target number of PSUs from 66,642 to 38,536 and increased the maximum number of PSUs from 170% of the target number to 200% of the target number.

 

The foregoing summary descriptions of the terms of the CEO’s 2019 RSU and PSU grants are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Company’s forms of RSU grant notice and award agreement and the CEO’s amended and restated 2019 PSU grant notice and award agreement, which are attached as Exhibits 10.1 and Exhibit 10.3 hereto, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Committee, Board and management continue to welcome feedback from stockholders on the Company’s executive compensation program, as well as its business and governance. Stockholders are strongly encouraged to reach out to the Board or management to discuss issues important to them and should continue using the communication methods disclosed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Forms of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2014).*
10.2   Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan, dated February 14, 2019, between Yakov Faitelson and the Company.*
10.3   Amended and Restated Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan, dated June 25, 2019, between Yakov Faitelson and the Company.*
10.4   Forms of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan.*

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

 

 


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.

 

  VARONIS SYSTEMS, INC.
   
   
Dated: June 26, 2019 By: /s/ Guy Melamed  
  Name:  Guy Melamed
  Title:    Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit No.   Description
10.1   Forms of Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 6, 2014).*
10.2   Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan, dated February 14, 2019, between Yakov Faitelson and the Company.*
10.3   Amended and Restated Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan, dated June 25, 2019, between Yakov Faitelson and the Company.*
10.4   Forms of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the 2013 Plan.*

 

* Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EX-10.2 2 exh_102.htm EXHIBIT 10.2

Exhibit 10.2

 

Varonis Systems, INC.
2013 Omnibus Equity INCENTIVE PLAN

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE

 

Varonis Systems, Inc. (the "Company"), pursuant to its 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the "Participant") an Award of performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs"). Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive, in accordance with the PSU Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the "Agreement"), one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each, a "Share"). This Award of PSUs is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan.

 

Participant:           Yakov Faitelson

 

Grant Date:           February 14, 2019

 

Performance Period: The period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2019.

 

Target Number of PSUs Subject to Grant:           66,642

 

Vesting Schedule: The number of PSUs earned with respect to the Performance Period shall be determined in accordance with the performance matrix attached as Exhibit B to this Notice (the “Performance Matrix”), as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion and subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through the expiration of the Performance Period (each PSU earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix, an “Earned PSU”). One-third (1/3) of the Earned PSU shall thereafter vest annually upon the last day of the calendar month of Grant Date, beginning on the first anniversary of the Grant Date, subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through each applicable vesting date. PSUs deemed by the Administrator not to have been earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix shall immediately terminate.

 

Termination:    Except to the extent paid in accordance with the above vesting schedule, the PSUs shall terminate, become forfeited or expire without settlement in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

 

 

 

By his or her signature, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the Award of PSUs. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement by (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant's behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs and submit the proceeds of such sale to the Company, or (iii) using any other method permitted by Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement or the Plan.

 

Varonis Systems, INC. PARTICIPANT  
     
By: /s/ Guy Melamed By: /s/Yakov Faitelson  
     
Print Name:   Guy Melamed Print Name:   Yakov Faitelson  
     
Title:   CFO and COO    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the "Notice") to which this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this "Agreement") is attached, Varonis Systems, Inc. (the "Company") has granted to the Participant an Award of performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs") under the Company's 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each a "Share"). Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and Notice.

 

ARTICLE I

 

GENERAL

 

1.1           Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The PSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

ARTICLE II

 

GRANT OF PSUS

 

2.1           Grant of PSUs. In consideration of the Participant's employment or service to the Company or any Affiliate and other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an Award of PSUs under the Plan, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice, the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.2           Unsecured Obligation. Unless and until the PSUs have been earned and vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Shares with respect to any such PSUs. Prior to actual payment of any earned and vested PSUs, such PSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

 

2.3           Vesting Schedule. Subject to Sections 2.5 and 3.1 hereof, the PSUs shall be earned and shall thereafter vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).

 

2.4           Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Award of PSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient employment or other service to the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the employment or service of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause.

 

A-1

 

 

2.5           Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation Upon Termination of Employment or Service.

 

(a)            Upon the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof, the PSUs shall be treated as follows, except as specifically provided in an employment agreement between the Company and the Participant:

 

(i)             In the event that the employment or service of the Participant with the Company and all Affiliates thereof (including by reason of the Affiliate employing or engaging Participant ceasing to be an Affiliate of the Company) shall terminate for any reason other than for Cause, unvested PSUs granted to the Participant shall terminate at the close of business on the date of such termination.

 

(ii)           In the event of the termination of the Participant's employment or service for Cause, all outstanding PSUs (whether vested or not and whether an Earned PSU or not) granted to the Participant shall terminate at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(b)           In the sole discretion of the Administrator, PSUs shall be affected, both with regard to the vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial disability or other changes in the employment status of the Participant.

 

2.6           Issuance of Shares upon Vesting.

 

(a)       Earned PSUs to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee after the applicable year-end audit shall represent the right to receive, on the first business day following the applicable vesting date, the number of Shares determined in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice and provided that the Participant remains employed by the Company or an Affiliate through the applicable vesting date, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5 or Section 3.1. Notwithstanding the above, Shares earned with respect to vested Earned PSUs shall be treated as delivered on the first business day following the applicable vesting date (the "Delivery Date") provided that they are delivered on a date following the Delivery Date that is in the same calendar year as the Delivery Date. On the Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 4.3 hereof) a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Earned PSUs that vest on the applicable vesting date, unless such Earned PSUs terminate prior to the applicable vesting date pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Shares cannot be issued pursuant to Section 19 of the Plan, the Shares shall be issued pursuant to the preceding sentence as soon as administratively practicable after the Administrator determines that Shares can again be issued in accordance with such Section.

 

(b)       As set forth in Section 16 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the PSUs. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any new certificate representing Shares to the Participant or the Participant's legal representative or enter such Shares in book entry form unless and until the Participant or the Participant's legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the PSUs or the issuance of Shares.

 

A-2

 

 

2.7           Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 19 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE III

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

3.1           Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the PSUs shall be treated in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1           Administration. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to interpret and construe the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All decisions made by the Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Participant, the Company and any other interested persons and entities.

 

4.2           Transferability of Grant. Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan:

 

(a)       The PSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution;

 

(b)       Neither the PSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 4.2(a).

 

4.3           Responsibility for Taxes. Regardless of any action the Company or, if different, the Affiliate to which the Participant provides services takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant (“Tax-Related Items”), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the PSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or dividend equivalent; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

 

A-3

 

 

4.4           Withholding of Taxes. Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Affiliate to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Affiliate, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:

 

(a)            withholding from the Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Participant by the Company and/or the Affiliate;

 

(b)           withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon settlement of the PSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); and

 

(c)            withholding in Shares to be issued upon settlement of the PSUs, unless the use of such withholding method is problematic under Applicable Laws, in which case the obligation for Tax-Related Items may be satisfied by one or a combination of methods (a) and (b) above.

 

Depending on the withholding method, the Company and/or the Affiliate may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates, in which case the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the Share equivalent. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested PSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

 

Finally, the Participant agrees to pay to the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares, if the Participant fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

 

A-4

 

 

4.5           No Advice Regarding Grant. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the grant of PSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice. The Company makes no warranties or representations whatsoever to the Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant of PSUs or the receipt of Shares with respect thereto. The Participant shall be solely responsible for any taxes in respect of the PSUs.

 

4.6           Equitable Adjustments. The Participant acknowledges that the PSUs are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Section 5 of the Plan.

 

4.7           Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Legal Department at the Company's principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant's last address reflected on the Company's records. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to the PSUs pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof by written notice under this Section 4.7.

 

4.8           Participant's Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.

 

4.9           Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

4.10        Governing Law and Venue. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or this Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the U.S. for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

 

4.11        Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the PSUs are granted and settled, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

 

A-5

 

 

4.12        Amendments and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended, altered or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board.

 

4.13        Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 4.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

4.14        Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the PSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.15        Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

4.16        Section 409A. This PSU Award is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto and shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Grant Date. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or Agreement to the contrary, no payment or distribution under this Agreement that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and becomes payable by reason of the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company will be made to the Participant until the Participant's termination of employment or service constitutes a "separation from service" (as defined in Code Section 409A). For purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. If the Participant is a "specified employee" (as defined in Code Section 409A), then to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments upon a termination of his or her employment or service until the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such Participant's "separation from service" or (ii) the date of the Participant's death. Upon the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in the preceding sentence, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 4.14 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days, following such expired period, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. The Administrator may, in its discretion, adopt such amendments to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

A-6

 

 

4.17        Electronic Signature; Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Participant's electronic signature of this Agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by hand. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Participant's current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

4.18        Addendum. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the PSUs shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in the Country Addendum attached hereto for the Participant's country of residence, if any. If the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Country Addendum or the United States during the term of the PSUs, the special provisions for such country shall apply to Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Country Addendum constitutes part of this Agreement.

 

4.19        Waiver. The Participant acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by the Participant.

 

4.20        Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

 

4.21        Data Privacy Notice and Consents.

 

(a)           Data Collection and Usage. The Company collects, processes and uses personal data of the Participant, including, but not limited to, his or her name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all PSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor. If the Company offers the Participant a grant of PSUs under the Plan, then the Company will collect the Participant’s personal data for purposes of allocating stock and implementing, administering and managing the Plan. The Company’s legal basis for the processing of the Participant’s personal data would be his or her consent.

 

(b)           Stock Plan Administration Service Providers. The Company transfers participant data to Morgan Stanley, an independent service provider based in the United States, which assists the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. In the future, the Company may select a different service provider and may share the Participant’s data with another company that serves in a similar manner. The Company’s service provider(s) will open an account for the Participant to receive and trade Shares. The Participant will be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with such service provider(s), which is a condition to the Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

 

A-7

 

 

(c)            Data Retention. The Company will use the Participant’s personal data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs the Participant’s personal data, which will generally be seven years after the Participant is granted PSUs under the Plan, the Company will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations.

 

(d)           Voluntariness and Consequences of Consent Denial or Withdrawal. The Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant’s grant of consent is purely voluntary. The Participant may deny or withdraw his or her consent at any time. If the Participant does not consent, or if the Participant withdraws his or her consent, the Participant cannot participate in the Plan. This would not affect the Participant’s salary as an employee or his or her career; the Participant would merely forfeit the opportunities associated with the Plan.

 

(e)            Data Subject Rights. The Participant has a number of rights under data privacy laws in his or her country. Depending on where the Participant is based, the Participant’s rights may include the right to (a) request access or copies of personal data the Company processes, (b) rectification of incorrect data, (c) deletion of data, (d) restrictions on processing, (e) portability of data, (f) lodge complaints with competent authorities in the Participant’s country, and/or (g) request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Participant’s personal data. To receive clarification regarding the Participant’s rights or to exercise the Participant’s rights, please contact a local human resources representative.

 

If the Participant agrees with the data processing practices as described in this notice, he or she should declare his or her consent by clicking “Accept” on the Morgan Stanley award acceptance page.

 

4.22        Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the PSUs and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

A-8

 

 

Exhibit B

 

PERFORMANCE MATRIX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-1

 

EX-10.3 3 exh_103.htm EXHIBIT 10.3

Exhibit 10.3

 

Varonis Systems, INC.
2013 Omnibus Equity INCENTIVE PLAN

AMENDED AND RESTATED PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE

This Amended & Restated Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice, dated June 25, 2019 (this “Notice”), is by and between Varonis Systems, Inc. (the “Company”) and Yakov Faitelson (the “Participant”). Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan (defined below).

 

WHEREAS, pursuant to its 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), the Company and the Participant previously entered into a Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Prior Notice”), pursuant to which, among other things, the Participant received an award of performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) with a grant date of February 14, 2019;

 

WHEREAS, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company resolved that it is in the best interests of the Company to amend and restate the Prior Notice with this Notice and the terms set forth herein;

 

WHEREAS, the Participant, pursuant to Section 14 of the Plan, hereby desires to consent to the amendment and restatement of the Prior Notice, pursuant to this Notice and the terms set forth herein;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing, the Company and the Participant, intending to be legally bound hereby agree as follows:

 

The Company, hereby modifies the terms of the Prior Notice as of the date of modification and subject to the modified performance periods, in each case, as set forth in the table immediately below. Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive, in accordance with the PSU Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each, a “Share”). This Notice is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Participant: Yakov Faitelson
Original Grant Date:  February 14, 2019 Date of Modification:  June 25, 2019
Performance Period:  The period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2019

Modified Performance Periods:

(i) With respect to 33% of the PSUs, the period beginning on January 1, 2019 and ending on December 31, 2019 (the “2019 Performance Period”);

(ii) With respect to 33% of the PSUs, the period beginning on January 1, 2020 and ending on December 31, 2020 (the “2020 Performance Period”); and

(iii) With respect to the remaining 34% of the PSUs, the period beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021 (the “2021 Performance Period”).

Target Number of PSUs Subject to Grant:  66,642 Target Number of PSUs Subject to Grant after Modification:  38,536

 

 

Vesting Schedule: The number of PSUs earned with respect to the Performance Periods shall be determined in accordance with the performance matrix attached as Exhibit B to this Notice (the “Performance Matrix”), as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion and subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through the expiration of the applicable Performance Period (each PSU earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix, an “Earned PSU”). One-third (1/3) of the Earned PSU shall thereafter vest annually upon the last day of the calendar month of the Original Grant Date, beginning on the first anniversary of the Original Grant Date, subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through each applicable vesting date. After any applicable tax withholding, any Shares issued in respect of the vested Earned PSUs for the 2019 Performance Period and the 2020 Performance Period shall be placed in a trust account or retained by the Company (the “Trust Account”) as determined by the Company and shall only be released to the Participant, together with all Earned PSUs for the 2021 Performance Period, on February 28, 2022, subject to the Participant’s continued employment through such date. PSUs deemed by the Administrator not to have been earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix shall immediately terminate.

Termination: Except to the extent paid in accordance with the above vesting schedule, the PSUs shall terminate, become forfeited or expire without settlement in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

By his or her signature, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the award of PSUs. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement by (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs and submit the proceeds of such sale to the Company, or (iii) using any other method permitted by Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement or the Plan.

 

 

VARONIS SYSTEMS, INC. PARTICIPANT
   
   
By:  /s/ Guy Melamed_________________ By:  /s/ Yakov Faitelson_________________
Print Name:  Guy Melamed Print Name:  Yakov Faitelson
Title:  CFO and COO  


 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the "Notice") to which this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this "Agreement") is attached, Varonis Systems, Inc. (the "Company") has granted to the Participant an Award of performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs") under the Company's 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each a "Share"). Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and Notice.

ARTICLE I

GENERAL

1.1              Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The PSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

ARTICLE II

GRANT OF PSUS

2.1              Grant of PSUs. In consideration of the Participant's employment or service to the Company or any Affiliate and other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an Award of PSUs under the Plan, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice, the Plan and this Agreement.

2.2              Unsecured Obligation. Unless and until the PSUs have been earned and vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Shares with respect to any such PSUs. Prior to actual payment of any earned and vested PSUs, such PSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

2.3              Vesting Schedule. Subject to Sections 2.5 and 3.1 hereof, the PSUs shall be earned and shall thereafter vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).

2.4              Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Award of PSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient employment or other service to the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the employment or service of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause.

 A-1 

 

2.5              Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation Upon Termination of Employment or Service.

(a)               Upon the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof, the PSUs shall be treated as follows, except as specifically provided in an employment agreement between the Company and the Participant:

(i)               In the event that the employment or service of the Participant with the Company and all Affiliates thereof (including by reason of the Affiliate employing or engaging Participant ceasing to be an Affiliate of the Company) shall terminate for any reason other than for Cause, unvested PSUs granted to the Participant shall terminate at the close of business on the date of such termination.

(ii)              In the event of the termination of the Participant's employment or service for Cause, all outstanding PSUs (whether vested or not and whether an Earned PSU or not) granted to the Participant shall terminate at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

(b)               In the sole discretion of the Administrator, PSUs shall be affected, both with regard to the vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial disability or other changes in the employment status of the Participant.

2.6              Issuance of Shares upon Vesting.

(a)         Earned PSUs to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee after the applicable year-end audit shall represent the right to receive, on the first business day following the applicable vesting date, the number of Shares determined in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice and provided that the Participant remains employed by the Company or an Affiliate through the applicable vesting date, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5 or Section 3.1. Notwithstanding the above, Shares earned with respect to vested Earned PSUs shall be treated as delivered on the first business day following the applicable vesting date (the "Delivery Date") provided that they are delivered on a date following the Delivery Date that is in the same calendar year as the Delivery Date. On the Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver to the Trust Account or the Participant (as applicable) a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Earned PSUs that vest on the applicable vesting date, unless such Earned PSUs terminate prior to the applicable vesting date pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Shares cannot be issued pursuant to Section 19 of the Plan, the Shares shall be issued pursuant to the preceding sentence as soon as administratively practicable after the Administrator determines that Shares can again be issued in accordance with such Section.

(b)         As set forth in Section 16 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the PSUs. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any new certificate representing Shares to the Participant or the Participant's legal representative or enter such Shares in book entry form unless and until the Participant or the Participant's legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the PSUs or the issuance of Shares.

 A-2 

 

2.7              Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 19 of the Plan.

ARTICLE III 

CHANGE IN CONTROL

3.1              Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the PSUs shall be treated in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

ARTICLE IV 

OTHER PROVISIONS

4.1              Administration. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to interpret and construe the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All decisions made by the Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Participant, the Company and any other interested persons and entities.

4.2              Transferability of Grant. Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan:

(a)         The PSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution;

(b)         Neither the PSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 4.2(a).

 A-3 

 

4.3              Responsibility for Taxes. Regardless of any action the Company or, if different, the Affiliate to which the Participant provides services takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant (“Tax-Related Items”), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the PSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or dividend equivalent; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

4.4              Withholding of Taxes. Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Affiliate to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Affiliate, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:

(a)               withholding from the Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Participant by the Company and/or the Affiliate;

(b)               withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon settlement of the PSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); and

(c)               withholding in Shares to be issued upon settlement of the PSUs, unless the use of such withholding method is problematic under Applicable Laws, in which case the obligation for Tax-Related Items may be satisfied by one or a combination of methods (a) and (b) above.

Depending on the withholding method, the Company and/or the Affiliate may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates, in which case the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the Share equivalent. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested PSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

Finally, the Participant agrees to pay to the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares, if the Participant fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

 A-4 

 

4.5              No Advice Regarding Grant. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the grant of PSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice. The Company makes no warranties or representations whatsoever to the Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant of PSUs or the receipt of Shares with respect thereto. The Participant shall be solely responsible for any taxes in respect of the PSUs.

4.6              Equitable Adjustments. The Participant acknowledges that the PSUs are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Section 5 of the Plan.

4.7              Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Legal Department at the Company's principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant's last address reflected on the Company's records. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to the PSUs pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof by written notice under this Section 4.7.

4.8              Participant's Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.

4.9              Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

4.10          Governing Law and Venue. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or this Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the U.S. for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

4.11          Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the PSUs are granted and settled, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

4.12          Amendments and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended, altered or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board.

 A-5 

 

4.13          Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 4.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

4.14          Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the PSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

4.15          Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

4.16          Section 409A. This PSU Award is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto and shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Grant Date. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or Agreement to the contrary, no payment or distribution under this Agreement that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and becomes payable by reason of the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company will be made to the Participant until the Participant's termination of employment or service constitutes a "separation from service" (as defined in Code Section 409A). For purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. If the Participant is a "specified employee" (as defined in Code Section 409A), then to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments upon a termination of his or her employment or service until the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such Participant's "separation from service" or (ii) the date of the Participant's death. Upon the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in the preceding sentence, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 4.14 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days, following such expired period, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. The Administrator may, in its discretion, adopt such amendments to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 A-6 

 

4.17          Electronic Signature; Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Participant's electronic signature of this Agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by hand. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Participant's current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

4.18          Addendum. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the PSUs shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in the Country Addendum attached hereto for the Participant's country of residence, if any. If the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Country Addendum or the United States during the term of the PSUs, the special provisions for such country shall apply to Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Country Addendum constitutes part of this Agreement.

4.19          Waiver. The Participant acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by the Participant.

4.20          Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

4.21          Data Privacy Notice and Consents.

(a)               Data Collection and Usage. The Company collects, processes and uses personal data of the Participant, including, but not limited to, his or her name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all PSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor. If the Company offers the Participant a grant of PSUs under the Plan, then the Company will collect the Participant’s personal data for purposes of allocating stock and implementing, administering and managing the Plan. The Company’s legal basis for the processing of the Participant’s personal data would be his or her consent.

(b)               Stock Plan Administration Service Providers. The Company transfers participant data to Morgan Stanley, an independent service provider based in the United States, which assists the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. In the future, the Company may select a different service provider and may share the Participant’s data with another company that serves in a similar manner. The Company’s service provider(s) will open an account for the Participant to receive and trade Shares. The Participant will be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with such service provider(s), which is a condition to the Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

 A-7 

 

(c)               Data Retention. The Company will use the Participant’s personal data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs the Participant’s personal data, which will generally be seven years after the Participant is granted PSUs under the Plan, the Company will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations.

(d)               Voluntariness and Consequences of Consent Denial or Withdrawal. The Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant’s grant of consent is purely voluntary. The Participant may deny or withdraw his or her consent at any time. If the Participant does not consent, or if the Participant withdraws his or her consent, the Participant cannot participate in the Plan. This would not affect the Participant’s salary as an employee or his or her career; the Participant would merely forfeit the opportunities associated with the Plan.

(e)               Data Subject Rights. The Participant has a number of rights under data privacy laws in his or her country. Depending on where the Participant is based, the Participant’s rights may include the right to (a) request access or copies of personal data the Company processes, (b) rectification of incorrect data, (c) deletion of data, (d) restrictions on processing, (e) portability of data, (f) lodge complaints with competent authorities in the Participant’s country, and/or (g) request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Participant’s personal data. To receive clarification regarding the Participant’s rights or to exercise the Participant’s rights, please contact a local human resources representative.

If the Participant agrees with the data processing practices as described in this notice, he or she should declare his or her consent by clicking “Accept” on the Morgan Stanley award acceptance page.

4.22          Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the PSUs and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 A-8 

 

Exhibit B

PERFORMANCE MATRIX

 

 

 

 

 

B-1

EX-10.4 4 exh_104.htm EXHIBIT 10.4

Exhibit 10.4

 

[FORM OF]

 

Varonis Systems, INC.
2013 Omnibus Equity INCENTIVE PLAN

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD GRANT NOTICE

 

Varonis Systems, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby grants to the individual listed below (the “Participant”) an award of performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”). Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive, in accordance with the PSU Award Agreement attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Agreement”), one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each, a “Share”). This Notice of PSUs is subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the Agreement and the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference

 

Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan.

 

Participant:      [●]

 

Grant Date:      [●], 20[●]

 

Performance Period(s): [The period beginning on [●], 20[●] and ending on [●], 20[●]]1

 

Target Number of PSUs Subject to Grant:     [●]

 

 

Vesting Schedule: The number of PSUs earned with respect to the Performance Period(s) shall be determined in accordance with the performance matrix attached as Exhibit B to this Notice (the “Performance Matrix”), as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion and subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through the expiration of the applicable Performance Period (each PSU earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix, an “Earned PSU”). The Earned PSUs shall vest after the expiration of [all of] the Performance Period(s) on [●], 20[●], subject to the Participant’s continued employment or service with the Company or an Affiliate thereof through such date. PSUs deemed by the Administrator not to have been earned in accordance with the Performance Matrix shall immediately terminate.

 

Termination: Except to the extent paid in accordance with the above vesting schedule, the PSUs shall terminate, become forfeited or expire without settlement in accordance with the terms of the Agreement.

 

_____________________

1 Applicable performance period(s) to be determined.

 

 

By his or her signature, the Participant agrees to be bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Agreement and this Notice. The Participant has reviewed the Agreement, the Plan and this Notice in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Notice and fully understands all provisions of this Notice, the Agreement and the Plan. The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions arising under the Plan or relating to the award of PSUs. In addition, by signing below, the Participant also agrees that the Company, in its sole discretion, may satisfy any withholding obligations in accordance with Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement by (i) withholding shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs, (ii) instructing a broker on the Participant’s behalf to sell shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to the Participant upon vesting of the Earned PSUs and submit the proceeds of such sale to the Company, or (iii) using any other method permitted by Section 2.6(b) of the Agreement or the Plan.

 

VARONIS SYSTEMS, INC.   PARTICIPANT
     
By:   By:
     
     
Print Name:   Print Name:
     
     
Title:    
     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit A

 

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD AGREEMENT

 

Pursuant to the Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the "Notice") to which this Performance-Based Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement (this "Agreement") is attached, Varonis Systems, Inc. (the "Company") has granted to the Participant an Award of performance-based restricted stock units ("PSUs") under the Company's 2013 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"). Each earned and vested PSU represents the right to receive one share of the Common Stock of the Company (each a "Share"). Capitalized terms not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings specified in the Plan and Notice.

 

ARTICLE I

 

GENERAL

 

1.1           Incorporation of Terms of Plan. The PSUs are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and this Agreement, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

ARTICLE II

 

GRANT OF PSUS

 

2.1           Grant of PSUs. In consideration of the Participant's employment or service to the Company or any Affiliate and other good and valuable consideration, effective as of the Grant Date set forth in the Notice, the Company hereby grants to the Participant an Award of PSUs under the Plan, upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice, the Plan and this Agreement.

 

2.2           Unsecured Obligation. Unless and until the PSUs have been earned and vested in the manner set forth in Article 2 hereof, the Participant will have no right to receive Shares with respect to any such PSUs. Prior to actual payment of any earned and vested PSUs, such PSUs will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

 

2.3           Vesting Schedule. Subject to Sections 2.5 and 3.1 hereof, the PSUs shall be earned and shall thereafter vest and become nonforfeitable with respect to the applicable portion thereof according to the vesting schedule set forth in the Notice (rounding down to the nearest whole Share).

 

2.4           Consideration to the Company. In consideration of the grant of the Award of PSUs pursuant hereto, the Participant agrees to render faithful and efficient employment or other service to the Company or any Affiliate. Nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employment or service of the Company or any Affiliate or shall interfere with or restrict in any way the rights of the Company and its Affiliates, which rights are hereby expressly reserved, to discharge or terminate the employment or service of the Participant at any time for any reason whatsoever, with or without Cause.

 

A-1

 

 

2.5           Forfeiture, Termination and Cancellation Upon Termination of Employment or Service.

 

(a)            Upon the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company and all Affiliates thereof, the PSUs shall be treated as follows, except as specifically provided in an employment agreement between the Company and the Participant:

 

(i)             In the event that the employment or service of the Participant with the Company and all Affiliates thereof (including by reason of the Affiliate employing or engaging Participant ceasing to be an Affiliate of the Company) shall terminate for any reason other than for Cause, unvested PSUs granted to the Participant shall terminate at the close of business on the date of such termination.

 

(ii)           In the event of the termination of the Participant's employment or service for Cause, all outstanding PSUs (whether vested or not and whether an Earned PSU or not) granted to the Participant shall terminate at the commencement of business on the date of such termination.

 

(b)           In the sole discretion of the Administrator, PSUs shall be affected, both with regard to the vesting schedule and termination, by leaves of absence, including unpaid and un-protected leaves of absence, changes from full-time to part-time employment, partial disability or other changes in the employment status of the Participant.

 

2.6           Issuance of Shares upon Vesting.

 

(a)       Earned PSUs to the extent determined by the Compensation Committee after the applicable year-end audit shall represent the right to receive, on the first business day following the applicable vesting date, the number of Shares determined in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice and provided that the Participant remains employed by the Company or an Affiliate through the applicable vesting date, subject to the provisions of Section 2.5 or Section 3.1. Notwithstanding the above, Shares earned with respect to vested Earned PSUs shall be treated as delivered on the first business day following the applicable vesting date (the "Delivery Date") provided that they are delivered on a date following the Delivery Date that is in the same calendar year as the Delivery Date. On the Delivery Date, the Company shall deliver to the Participant (or any transferee permitted under Section 4.3 hereof) a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion) equal to the number of Earned PSUs that vest on the applicable vesting date, unless such Earned PSUs terminate prior to the applicable vesting date pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event Shares cannot be issued pursuant to Section 19 of the Plan, the Shares shall be issued pursuant to the preceding sentence as soon as administratively practicable after the Administrator determines that Shares can again be issued in accordance with such Section.

 

(b)       As set forth in Section 16 of the Plan, the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold, or to require the Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all applicable federal, state and local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to any taxable event arising in connection with the PSUs. The Company shall not be obligated to deliver any new certificate representing Shares to the Participant or the Participant's legal representative or enter such Shares in book entry form unless and until the Participant or the Participant's legal representative shall have paid or otherwise satisfied in full the amount of all federal, state and local taxes applicable to the taxable income of the Participant resulting from the grant or vesting of the PSUs or the issuance of Shares.

 

A-2

 

 

2.7           Conditions to Delivery of Shares. The Shares deliverable hereunder may be either previously authorized but unissued Shares, treasury Shares or issued Shares which have then been reacquired by the Company. Such Shares shall be fully paid and nonassessable. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates or make any book entries evidencing Shares deliverable hereunder prior to fulfillment of the conditions set forth in Section 19 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE III

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

3.1           Change in Control. In the event of a Change in Control, the PSUs shall be treated in accordance with Section 13 of the Plan.

 

ARTICLE IV

 

OTHER PROVISIONS

 

4.1           Administration. The Administrator shall have the power and authority to interpret and construe the terms and provisions of this Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of this Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret, amend or revoke any such rules. All decisions made by the Administrator shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Participant, the Company and any other interested persons and entities.

 

4.2           Transferability of Grant. Except as otherwise set forth in the Plan:

 

(a)       The PSUs may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution;

 

(b)       Neither the PSUs nor any interest or right therein shall be liable for the debts, contracts or engagements of the Participant or his or her successors in interest or shall be subject to disposition by transfer, alienation, anticipation, pledge, encumbrance, assignment or any other means whether such disposition be voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law by judgment, levy, attachment, garnishment or any other legal or equitable proceedings (including bankruptcy), and any attempted disposition thereof shall be null and void and of no effect, except to the extent that such disposition is permitted by Section 4.2(a).

 

4.3           Responsibility for Taxes. Regardless of any action the Company or, if different, the Affiliate to which the Participant provides services takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant (“Tax-Related Items”), the Participant acknowledges that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains the Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Affiliate. The Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the PSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or dividend equivalent; and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the PSUs to reduce or eliminate the Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if the Participant has become subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, the Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

 

A-3

 

 

4.4           Withholding of Taxes. Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, the Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Affiliate to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, the Participant authorizes the Company and/or the Affiliate, or their respective agents, at their discretion, to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items by one or a combination of the following:

 

(a)            withholding from the Participant’s wages or other cash compensation paid to the Participant by the Company and/or the Affiliate;

 

(b)           withholding from proceeds of the sale of Shares acquired upon settlement of the PSUs either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on the Participant’s behalf pursuant to this authorization); and

 

(c)            withholding in Shares to be issued upon settlement of the PSUs, unless the use of such withholding method is problematic under Applicable Laws, in which case the obligation for Tax-Related Items may be satisfied by one or a combination of methods (a) and (b) above.

 

Depending on the withholding method, the Company and/or the Affiliate may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates, in which case the Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the Share equivalent. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, the Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested PSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

 

Finally, the Participant agrees to pay to the Company or the Affiliate any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Affiliate may be required to withhold or account for as a result of the Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares or the proceeds of the sale of Shares, if the Participant fails to comply with his or her obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

 

A-4

 

 

4.5           No Advice Regarding Grant. The Participant represents that the Participant has consulted with any tax consultants the Participant deems advisable in connection with the grant of PSUs and the issuance of Shares with respect thereto and that the Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice. The Company makes no warranties or representations whatsoever to the Participant regarding the tax consequences of the grant of PSUs or the receipt of Shares with respect thereto. The Participant shall be solely responsible for any taxes in respect of the PSUs.

 

4.6           Equitable Adjustments. The Participant acknowledges that the PSUs are subject to modification and termination in certain events as provided in this Agreement and Section 5 of the Plan.

 

4.7           Notices. Any notice to be given under the terms of this Agreement to the Company shall be addressed to the Company in care of the Legal Department at the Company's principal office, and any notice to be given to the Participant shall be addressed to the Participant at the Participant's last address reflected on the Company's records. Any notice which is required to be given to the Participant shall, if the Participant is then deceased, be given to the person entitled to the PSUs pursuant to Section 4.2(a) hereof by written notice under this Section 4.7.

 

4.8           Participant's Representations. If the Shares issuable hereunder have not been registered under the Securities Act or any applicable state laws on an effective registration statement at the time of such issuance, the Participant shall, if required by the Company, concurrently with such issuance, make such written representations as are deemed necessary or appropriate by the Company and/or its counsel.

 

4.9           Titles. Titles are provided herein for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

 

4.10        Governing Law and Venue. The laws of the State of Delaware shall govern the interpretation, validity, administration, enforcement and performance of the terms of this Agreement regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises under this grant or this Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New York, agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the courts of New York County, New York, or the federal courts for the U.S. for the Southern District of New York, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

 

4.11        Conformity to Securities Laws. The Participant acknowledges that the Plan and this Agreement are intended to conform to the extent necessary with all provisions of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act and any and all regulations and rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder, and state securities laws and regulations. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Plan shall be administered, and the PSUs are granted and settled, only in such a manner as to conform to such laws, rules and regulations. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Plan and this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such laws, rules and regulations.

 

A-5

 

 

4.12        Amendments and Termination. To the extent permitted by the Plan, this Agreement may be wholly or partially amended, altered or terminated at any time or from time to time by the Administrator or the Board.

 

4.13        Successors and Assigns. The Company may assign any of its rights under this Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company. Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth in Section 4.2 hereof, this Agreement shall be binding upon the Participant and his or her heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.

 

4.14        Limitations Applicable to Section 16 Persons. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or this Agreement, if the Participant is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, then the Plan, the PSUs and this Agreement shall be subject to any additional limitations set forth in any applicable exemptive rule under Section 16 of the Exchange Act (including any amendment to Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act) that are requirements for the application of such exemptive rule. To the extent permitted by applicable law, this Agreement shall be deemed amended to the extent necessary to conform to such applicable exemptive rule.

 

4.15        Entire Agreement. The Plan, the Notice and this Agreement (including all Exhibits thereto, if any) constitute the entire agreement of the parties and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and the Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof.

 

4.16        Section 409A. This PSU Award is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto and shall be interpreted in accordance with Code Section 409A and Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the Grant Date. Notwithstanding any provision in the Plan or Agreement to the contrary, no payment or distribution under this Agreement that constitutes an item of deferred compensation under Code Section 409A and becomes payable by reason of the Participant's termination of employment or service with the Company will be made to the Participant until the Participant's termination of employment or service constitutes a "separation from service" (as defined in Code Section 409A). For purposes of this Agreement, each amount to be paid or benefit to be provided shall be construed as a separate identified payment for purposes of Code Section 409A. If the Participant is a "specified employee" (as defined in Code Section 409A), then to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of taxes under Code Section 409A, the Participant shall not be entitled to any payments upon a termination of his or her employment or service until the earlier of: (i) the expiration of the six (6)-month period measured from the date of such Participant's "separation from service" or (ii) the date of the Participant's death. Upon the expiration of the applicable waiting period set forth in the preceding sentence, all payments and benefits deferred pursuant to this Section 4.14 (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such deferral) shall be paid to the Participant in a lump sum as soon as practicable, but in no event later than sixty (60) calendar days, following such expired period, and any remaining payments due under this Agreement will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them herein. The Administrator may, in its discretion, adopt such amendments to the Plan, this Agreement or the Notice or adopt other policies and procedures (including amendments, policies and procedures with retroactive effect), or take any other actions, as the Administrator determines are necessary or appropriate to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A.

 

A-6

 

 

4.17        Electronic Signature; Electronic Delivery and Acceptance. The Participant's electronic signature of this Agreement shall have the same validity and effect as a signature affixed by hand. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Participant's current or future participation in the Plan by electronic means. The Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

4.18        Addendum. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the PSUs shall be subject to any special provisions set forth in the Country Addendum attached hereto for the Participant's country of residence, if any. If the Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Country Addendum or the United States during the term of the PSUs, the special provisions for such country shall apply to Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such provisions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Country Addendum constitutes part of this Agreement.

 

4.19        Waiver. The Participant acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement, or of any subsequent breach by the Participant.

 

4.20        Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are severable and if any one or more provisions are determined to be illegal or otherwise unenforceable, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions shall nevertheless be binding and enforceable.

 

4.21        Data Privacy Notice and Consents.

 

(a)           Data Collection and Usage. The Company collects, processes and uses personal data of the Participant, including, but not limited to, his or her name, home address and telephone number, email address, date of birth, social insurance, passport or other identification number (e.g., resident registration number), salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all PSUs or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in the Participant’s favor. If the Company offers the Participant a grant of PSUs under the Plan, then the Company will collect the Participant’s personal data for purposes of allocating stock and implementing, administering and managing the Plan. The Company’s legal basis for the processing of the Participant’s personal data would be his or her consent.

 

(b)           Stock Plan Administration Service Providers. The Company transfers participant data to Morgan Stanley, an independent service provider based in the United States, which assists the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan. In the future, the Company may select a different service provider and may share the Participant’s data with another company that serves in a similar manner. The Company’s service provider(s) will open an account for the Participant to receive and trade Shares. The Participant will be asked to agree on separate terms and data processing practices with such service provider(s), which is a condition to the Participant’s ability to participate in the Plan.

 

A-7

 

 

(c)            Data Retention. The Company will use the Participant’s personal data only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage the Participant’s participation in the Plan or as required to comply with legal or regulatory obligations, including under tax and securities laws. When the Company no longer needs the Participant’s personal data, which will generally be seven years after the Participant is granted PSUs under the Plan, the Company will remove it from its systems. If the Company keeps data longer, it would be to satisfy legal or regulatory obligations and the Company’s legal basis would be relevant laws or regulations.

 

(d)           Voluntariness and Consequences of Consent Denial or Withdrawal. The Participant’s participation in the Plan and the Participant’s grant of consent is purely voluntary. The Participant may deny or withdraw his or her consent at any time. If the Participant does not consent, or if the Participant withdraws his or her consent, the Participant cannot participate in the Plan. This would not affect the Participant’s salary as an employee or his or her career; the Participant would merely forfeit the opportunities associated with the Plan.

 

(e)            Data Subject Rights. The Participant has a number of rights under data privacy laws in his or her country. Depending on where the Participant is based, the Participant’s rights may include the right to (a) request access or copies of personal data the Company processes, (b) rectification of incorrect data, (c) deletion of data, (d) restrictions on processing, (e) portability of data, (f) lodge complaints with competent authorities in the Participant’s country, and/or (g) request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Participant’s personal data. To receive clarification regarding the Participant’s rights or to exercise the Participant’s rights, please contact a local human resources representative.

 

If the Participant agrees with the data processing practices as described in this notice, he or she should declare his or her consent by clicking “Accept” on the Morgan Stanley award acceptance page.

 

4.22        Imposition of Other Requirements. The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on the Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the PSUs and on any Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require the Participant to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

 

A-8

 

 

Exhibit B

 

PERFORMANCE MATRIX

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B-1