UNITED STATES |
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FORM 8-K |
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CURRENT REPORT Pursuant |
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December 19, 2011 |
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Date of report (date of earliest event reported) |
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STEINER LEISURE LIMITED |
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(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) |
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Commonwealth of The Bahamas |
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(State or other Jurisdiction of Incorporation) |
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0-28972 |
98-0164731 |
(Commission File Number) |
(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
Suite 104A, Saffrey Square |
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P.O. Box N-9306 |
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Nassau, The Bahamas |
Not Applicable |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) |
(Zip Code) |
(242) 356-0006 |
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) |
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Not Applicable |
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report) |
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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 (see General Instruction A.2. below): |
Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
(e) The compensation committee (the "Committee") of the board of directors of Steiner Leisure Limited (the "Company") approved a new employment and severance agreement with Glenn Fusfield (the "New Employment Agreement"), President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company's Steiner Transocean Limited subsidiary ("STO").
The New Employment Agreement was executed by STO and Mr. Fusfield on December 19, 2011. The New Employment Agreement is effective as of January 1, 2012, and succeeds the previous employment agreement between the Company and Mr. Fusfield that expires pursuant to its terms on December 31, 2011. The New Employment Agreement has an "evergreen" term of one year ending December 31, 2012, which will automatically renew on an annual basis for one year terms ending December 31st of each successive year, unless and until either party elects during any given year to provide a notice of non-renewal. Among other things, the New Employment Agreement also provides for:
The above summary of the New Employment Agreement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the New Employment Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.36 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statement and Exhibits
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit Number |
Description |
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10.36 |
Employment and Severance Agreement dated December 19, 2011 between Steiner Transocean Limited and Glenn Fusfield. |
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.
STEINER LEISURE LIMITED |
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Date: December 20, 2011 |
/s/ Leonard I. Fluxman |
Leonard I. Fluxman |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
Exhibit 10.36
EMPLOYMENT AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT
This Employment and Severance Agreement (this "Agreement") is made December 19, 2011, between Steiner Transocean Limited, a Bahamas international business company (the "Company"), and Glenn Fusfield ("Employee").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee entered into an Employment Agreement with Steiner Leisure Limited, the parent company of the Company ("SLL"), as of April 25, 2007 (as amended and restated, the "2007 Agreement"); and
WHEREAS, the 2007 Agreement by its terms expires on December 31, 2011; and
WHEREAS, the Company and Employee desire to enter into this Agreement to provide for the terms of the services to be performed by Employee for the Company commencing January 1, 2012.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual agreements hereinafter contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:
Effective on the Effective Date (as defined in Section 2, below), the Company hereby employs Employee as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company and Employee hereby accepts such employment. In that capacity, Employee shall have such duties and responsibilities consistent with the foregoing and otherwise consistent with Employee's position as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board") or the Chief Executive Officer of SLL (the "SLL CEO"), including duties with respect to Affiliates of the Company. For purposes of this Agreement, "Affiliate" means an entity controlled by, controlling or under common control with the entity in question.
While he is employed by the Company, Employee shall devote all his business time and effort to the conduct of his duties hereunder, provided that Employee may (i) serve on corporate, civic and charitable boards or committees, subject to approval by the Board (other than for non-profit organizations) in light of potential conflicts of interest with the Company, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, (ii) provide services on a pro bono basis to civic and charitable organizations and (iii) attend to his personal investments, so long as such activities do not interfere with the performance of Employee's responsibilities as an employee of the Company in accordance with this Agreement and are consistent with the Company's policies. The Company also agrees that Employee may receive compensation in connection with his service on corporate boards, without set-off, adjustment or diminution of his salary, bonus or any other rights hereunder. For purposes of this Agreement, references to Company policies herein include policies of SLL.
By Employee's execution below, Employee acknowledges that (i) Employee's employment with the Company is at will, and may be terminated by the Company at any time, with or without notice and for Cause (as defined below) or any other reason or no reason (subject to the provisions of this Agreement) and (ii) except for this Agreement, there is no arrangement or agreement between Employee and the Company concerning the terms of Employee's employment with the Company commencing January 1, 2012 and that nothing in this Agreement guarantees employment for any definitive or specific term or duration or any particular level of benefits or compensation except as specifically provided for herein.
This Agreement is for an initial term commencing on January 1, 2012 (the "Effective Date") and terminating on December 31, 2012 (the "Initial Term") and shall thereafter be automatically extended for one or more additional one-year periods (each, a "Renewal Period") unless notice of non-renewal is provided by either party to the other in accordance with the notice provisions of Section 8 hereof, at least ninety (90) days prior to the expiration of the Initial Term or the Renewal Period, as the case may be, or unless terminated sooner in accordance with the terms and conditions in Section 5 of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the above-referenced notice of non-renewal may not be given by the Company during the twenty four (24) month period commencing upon a Change in Control (as defined below).
Any Incentive Bonus payable to Employee shall be paid (i) pursuant to the terms and conditions of SLL's 2009 Incentive Plan or any successor plan, and (ii) notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, no later than sixty (60) days following the end of the Year with respect to which the Incentive Bonus was earned.
Except as otherwise provided in Sections 5(a), 5(b), 5(d) and 5(e), below, Employee shall only be entitled to receive an Incentive Bonus if Employee is employed by the Company pursuant to this Agreement at the close of business on the last day of the applicable performance period with respect to the Incentive Bonus (the "Determination Date"). As used in this Agreement, the term "accrued" with respect to an Incentive Bonus refers to only an Incentive Bonus for a performance period in which Employee was employed on the Determination Date.
Employee shall be entitled to (i) four (4) weeks paid vacation per Year (the "Vacation Days") and (ii) additional vacation days on each day that is a United States federal holiday. The vacation provided for in this Section 4 shall be coextensive with, and not cumulative with, vacations allowed pursuant to any other arrangements with any Affiliates of the Company. With respect to the Vacation Days not taken by Employee during a Year, the Company shall pay to Employee on or before January 30th of the following Year, an amount representing the Base Salary (at the rate in effect for the Year during which the Vacation Days were to have been taken) with respect to the Vacation Days not taken by Employee during a Year (if any, the "Vacation Payment"); provided, however, that no payment shall be made with respect to more than ten (10) Vacation Days for any one Year (prorated for partial Years of employment) and Employee may not use any unused Vacation Days in any subsequent Years. As used in this Agreement, the term "accrued" with respect to Vacation Payment means the Vacation Payment to which Employee is entitled hereunder through the date in question.
For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) Employee's continued failure to substantially perform Employee's duties with the Company (other than any such failure resulting from Employee's Disability); (ii) a violation by Employee of any lawful written policy or directive of the Company or any Affiliate applicable to Employee specifically, or to officers or employees of the Company or any Affiliate generally, the violation of which policy or directive is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; (iii) Employee's excessive alcoholism or drug abuse that substantially impairs the ability of Employee to perform Employee's duties hereunder; (iv) continued gross negligence by Employee in the performance of his duties hereunder that results in material and demonstrable damage to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; (v) violation by Employee of any lawful direction from the Board, provided such direction is not inconsistent with Employee's duties and responsibilities to the Company or any Affiliate hereunder; (vi) fraud, embezzlement or other criminal conduct by Employee that results in material and demonstrable damage to the Company or any Affiliate; (vii) intentional or reckless conduct by Employee that results in material and demonstrable damage to the Company or any Affiliate; or (viii) the committing by Employee of an act involving moral turpitude that results in material and demonstrable damage to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company; provided, however, that in the case of any of the events described in clauses (i), (ii), (iv) or (v) above, such event shall not constitute Cause hereunder unless and until there is given to Employee by the Company a written notice which sets forth the specific respects in which it believes that Employee's conduct constitutes Cause hereunder, which conduct is not cured within ten (10) days after written notice thereof.
If the Employee's employment terminates under this Section 5(c), the terminating party shall (i) notify the other party of such termination pursuant to notice provisions of Section 8 hereof no later than as soon as reasonably practicable after the effective time of such termination and (ii) have no further obligations to make payments or otherwise to, or on behalf of, Employee, except that Employee shall be entitled to receive any (i) unpaid accrued Base Salary pursuant to Section 3(a)(i), above, through the date of termination, (ii) Incentive Bonus that is accrued and unpaid as of the date of such termination (except that, if termination occurs as a result of the matters described in clauses (iv), (v), (vi) or (vii), above, then no such Incentive Bonus shall be payable) and (iii) any other amounts due to Employee under this Agreement as of the date of termination, including, but not limited to, reimbursement of expenses under Section 3(e), above, in each case within sixty (60) days after the termination of employment. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Employee shall, for all purposes, cease to be deemed to be employed by the Company as of the date of any termination of Employee pursuant to this Section 5(c). In the event Employee's employment terminates pursuant to this Section 5(c), all unvested equity awards granted to Employee on or after the date hereof by SLL shall be immediately forfeited by Employee as of the date of such termination.
For purposes of this Agreement "Good Reason" shall mean any one or more of the following conditions which initially occur without Employee's consent within the one (1) year period immediately preceding the date of termination of his employment by Employee: (i) a material breach or default by the Company of this Agreement; (ii) a material decrease in the Employee's Base Salary; (iii) a material diminution in Employee's title as stated by this Agreement or a material diminution in the Employee's authority, duties or responsibilities under this Agreement, (iv) if Employee is required to report to another corporate officer or employee instead of reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, and (v) a change in the location of Employee's office of more than 50 miles from the Company's current principal place of business in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Provided, however, no Good Reason for termination shall be deemed to exist unless Employee provides to the Company a written notice of the existence of the condition establishing Good Reason within ninety (90) days of its initial existence, and the Company fails to remedy the condition within thirty (30) days following the receipt of such notice.
In the event that Employee's employment terminates pursuant to this Section 5(d), then the Company shall pay to Employee within sixty (60) days after the date of termination, an amount equal to: (i) any unpaid accrued Base Salary pursuant to Section 3(a)(i), above, and any unpaid accrued Incentive Bonus pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii), above, in each case to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (ii) any amount due to Employee as of the date of termination as reimbursement of expenses under Section 3(e), above; (iii) any unpaid accrued Vacation Payment to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (iv) a lump sum amount equal to two (2) times the sum of (A) one year of Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of Employee's employment plus (B) the Target Incentive Bonus (as if the applicable performance criteria have been met irrespective of whether or not that is the case) in effect for the Year of termination; and (v) a lump sum amount equal to the maximum monthly premium the Family would be required to pay pursuant to COBRA in order to avail them of continuation of medical and dental coverage in effect immediately prior to termination (assuming all were eligible for such continuation) multiplied by twenty four (24). For avoidance of doubt it is understood that the amount described in clause (v) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be due regardless of whether the Family elects COBRA coverage, procures other medical and dental coverage or elects to have no such coverage. Furthermore, Employee shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Termination Incentive Bonus (as defined below) payable within sixty (60) days following the end of the Year in which the termination occurred. In addition to Employee's rights under any applicable equity award agreements, Employee shall also be entitled to immediate vesting of any unvested equity awards granted to Employee by SLL, except as provided in Section 3(f) with respect to Performance Awards and in addition to Employee's rights under any applicable share option agreements, any share options held by Employee at the time of termination which were granted to Employee by SLL, shall remain exercisable until the earlier of two (2) years following Employee's date of termination and, if applicable, the date (or dates) any such options would otherwise expire in the absence of Employee's termination. For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Termination Incentive Bonus" shall mean an amount, payable only if the applicable performance criteria are attained, equal to the Employee's Incentive Bonus that would have been payable to Employee for the Year during which a termination of, or by, as the case may be, Employee occurred, determined as if Employee had been employed by the Company on the Determination Date with respect to the Incentive Bonus in question.
For purposes of this Agreement, a "Change in Control" of SLL shall be deemed to occur if (i) over a twelve (12) month period, a person or group of persons acquires shares of SLL representing thirty-five percent (35%) of the voting power of SLL or a majority of the members of the Board is replaced by directors not endorsed by the members of the Board before their appointment or (ii) a person or group of persons (other than a person or group of persons controlled, directly or indirectly, by shareholders of SLL) acquires forty percent (40%) or more of the gross fair market value of the assets of SLL over a 12-week period. The interpretation of the meanings of the terms in the preceding sentence shall be made in accordance with the meanings ascribed to those terms under Section 409A of the Code, except that the words "person," "persons" or "group" in the immediately preceding sentence shall be interpreted in accordance with the meanings ascribed to those words under Section 280G of the Code and the regulations thereunder.
In the event that Employee's employment terminates pursuant to this Section 5(e), then the Company shall pay to Employee within sixty (60) days after the date of termination: (i) any unpaid accrued Base Salary pursuant to Section 3(a)(i), above, and any unpaid accrued Incentive Bonus pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii), above, in each case to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (ii) any amount due to Employee as of the date of termination as reimbursement of expenses under Section 3(e), above; (iii) any unpaid accrued Vacation Payment to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (iv) a lump sum amount equal to two and a half (2.5) times the sum of (A) one year of Base Salary in effect on the date of the termination of Employee's employment plus (B) the Target Incentive Bonus in effect for the year of termination (as if the applicable performance criteria have been met irrespective of whether or not that is the case); and (v) a lump sum amount equal to the maximum monthly premium the Family would be required to pay pursuant to COBRA in order to avail them of continuation of medical and dental coverage in effect immediately prior to termination (assuming all were eligible for such continuation) multiplied by twenty four (24). For avoidance of doubt it is understood that the amount described in clause (v) of the immediately preceding sentence shall be due regardless of whether the Family elects COBRA coverage, procures other medical and dental coverage or elects to have no such coverage. Furthermore: (i) in the event Employee's employment with the Company terminates pursuant to this Section 5(e) due to termination by Employee for Good Reason or by the Company without Cause, Employee shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Termination Incentive Bonus payable within sixty (60) days following the end of the Year in which the termination occurred; and (ii) in the event Employee's employment with the Company terminates pursuant to this Section 5(e) due to death or Disability, Employee shall be entitled to an amount equal to the Pro-Rata Target Bonus payable within sixty (60) days after the date of termination. Furthermore, in the event that Employee's employment terminates pursuant to this Section 5(e), then, in addition to Employee's rights under any applicable equity award agreements, Employee shall also be entitled to immediate vesting of any unvested equity awards granted to Employee by SLL, unless otherwise provided in Section 3(f) with respect to Performance Awards and in addition to Employee's rights under any applicable share option agreements, any share options held by Employee at the time of termination which were granted to Employee by SLL, shall remain exercisable until the earlier of two (2) years following Employee's date of termination and, if applicable, the date (or dates) any such options would otherwise expire in the absence of Employee's termination.
All references to the "Company" in this Section 6 shall include all Affiliates where the context permits.
The Company may assign any of its rights, under this Agreement, but it may not assign any of its obligations, under this Agreement without the prior written consent of Employee, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding on and enforceable by, the successors and assigns of the Company. The successors and assigns of the Company shall be bound by the terms hereof, and where the context permits, references to "Company" herein shall be deemed to apply to any such successors and assigns. Employee may assign his rights, but not his obligations, hereunder, and the obligations of Employee hereunder, other than the obligations set forth in Section 1, above, shall continue after the termination of his employment with the Company for any reason and shall be binding upon his estate, personal representatives, designees or other legal representatives, as the case may be ("Heirs"), and all of Employee's rights hereunder shall inure to the benefit of his Heirs.
Except as may be otherwise set forth in this Agreement, any notices or demands given in connection herewith shall be in writing and deemed given when (i) personally delivered, (ii) sent by facsimile transmission to a number provided in writing by the addressee and a confirmation of the transmission is received by the sender or (iii) three (3) days after being deposited for delivery with a recognized overnight courier, such as FedEx or UPS, and addressed or sent, as the case may be, to the address or facsimile number set forth below or to such other address or facsimile number as such party may in writing designate:
If to Employee: |
10040 SW 141st Street Miami, FL 33176 |
If to the Company: |
Leonard Fluxman c/o Steiner Management Services LLC 770 South Dixie Highway, Suite #200 Coral Gables, FL 33146 Facsimile Number: (305) 358-7704 |
This Agreement, together with the form of the Release of Claims attached hereto as Exhibit A, constitutes and contains the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the matters addressed herein and, as of the Effective Date, supersedes any and all prior negotiations, correspondence, understandings and agreements between the parties respecting the subject matter hereof, including, but not limited to, effective January 1, 2012, the 2007 Agreement and all other agreements and arrangements relating to the payment of any compensation to Employee with respect to any services performed, or to be performed, on behalf of the Company or any Affiliate, and may only be modified by an agreement in writing executed by Employee and the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in this Agreement is intended to reduce or limit in any way the rights of Employee under any equity awards agreements entered into by SLL and Employee prior to the date thereof; and (ii) the Company shall cause SLL to comply with the terms of the 2007 Agreement. When used in this Agreement, the terms "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" refer to this Agreement in their entirety, including any exhibits or schedules attached to this Agreement and not to any particular provisions of this Agreement, unless otherwise indicated.
This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but both of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Florida without regard to choice of law provisions and the venue for all actions or proceedings brought by Employee arising out of or relating to this Agreement shall be in the state or federal courts, as the case may be, located in Miami-Dade County, Florida (collectively, the "Courts"). Employee hereby irrevocably waives any objection which he now or hereafter may have to the laying of venue of any action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement brought in any of the Courts and any objection on the ground that any such action or proceeding in any of the Courts has been brought in an inconvenient forum. Nothing in this Section 11 shall affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to bring any action or proceeding against Employee or his property in the courts of other jurisdictions. In the event of any litigation between the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement, each party shall bear his or its own costs and expenses ("Legal Costs and Expenses") in connection with such litigation, including, but not limited to, reasonable attorneys' fees at the trial and appellate court levels; provided, however, that with respect to any litigation concerning whether a termination by Employee was for Good Reason, the Company shall pay Employee's Legal Costs and Expenses (regardless of whether Employee is the prevailing party), and provided, further, that with respect to any litigation concerning whether a termination by the Company was for Cause, Employee shall be entitled to recover his Legal Costs and Expenses from the Company unless the Company is the prevailing party in any such litigation as determined by a final and nonappealable decision or order.
It is the intention of the parties hereto that any provision of this Agreement found to be invalid or unenforceable be reformed rather than eliminated. If any of the provisions of this Agreement, or any part hereof, is hereinafter construed to be invalid or unenforceable, the same shall not affect the remainder of such provision or the other provisions of this Agreement, which shall be given full effect, without regard to the invalid portions. If any of the provisions of Section 6, above, or any portion thereof, is held to be unenforceable because of the duration of such provision or portions thereof, the area covered thereby or the type of conduct restricted therein, the parties hereto agree that the court making such determination shall have the power to modify the duration, geographic area and/or, as the case may be, other terms of such provisions or portions thereof, and, as so modified, said provisions or portions thereof shall then be enforceable. In the event that the courts of any one or more jurisdictions shall hold such provisions wholly or partially unenforceable by reason of the scope thereof or otherwise, it is the intention of the parties hereto that such determination not bar or in any way affect the Company's rights provided for herein in the courts of any other jurisdictions as to breaches or threatened breaches of such provisions in such other jurisdictions, the above provisions as they relate to each jurisdiction being, for this purpose, severable into diverse and independent covenants.
As a condition to the obligation of the Company to make any payment or to continue any payment to Employee hereunder in connection with the termination of Employee's employment with the Company, (i) Employee, or Employee's estate, as the case may be, shall be obligated to execute and not revoke a release of claims in favor of the Company and its Affiliates and parties related thereto in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, provided by the Company, no later than thirty (30) days following termination (ii) and Employee must be in compliance with his obligations hereunder, including, but not limited to those obligations under Section 6. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the preceding provisions of this Section 13 shall not apply (i.e. the Company's obligation to make payment shall not be conditioned as provided above) to the following severance payments: (i) any unpaid accrued Base Salary pursuant to Section 3(a)(i), above, to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (ii) any unpaid accrued Vacation Payment to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; (iii) any unpaid accrued Incentive Bonus pursuant to Section 3(a)(ii) to which Employee was entitled as of the date of termination; and (iv) amounts due to Employee as of the date of termination as reimbursement of expenses under Section 3(e)
Failure by either the Company or Employee to enforce any of the provisions of this Agreement or any rights with respect hereto, or the failure to exercise any option provided hereunder, shall in no way be considered to be waiver of such provisions, rights or options, or to in any way affect the validity of this Agreement.
The headings preceding the text of the paragraphs of this Agreement have been inserted solely for convenience of reference and neither constitutes a part of this Agreement nor affect its meaning, interpretation or effect.
Employee acknowledges that during the negotiation of this Agreement, he has retained or been advised to retain counsel of his choosing who has provided or will provide advice to Employee in connection with his decision to enter into this Agreement.
The following sections of this Agreement shall survive the expiration or termination of this Agreement and shall survive Employee's termination of employment from the Company for any reason: Section 5 (Termination), Section 6 (Non-Competition, Confidentiality, etc.) and Section 11 (Governing Law, etc.). In addition, all sections of this Agreement that would, by their terms, survive expiration or termination of this Agreement shall so survive such expiration and termination and shall also survive termination for any reason of Employee's employment with the Company.
It is the intention of both the Company and Employee that the benefits and rights to which Employee could be entitled pursuant to this Agreement comply with Section 409A of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other guidance promulgated or issued thereunder, to the extent that the requirements of Section 409A of the Code are applicable thereto, and this Agreement shall be construed in a manner consistent with that intention. If Employee or the Company believes, at any time, that any such benefit or right that is subject to Section 409A of the Code does not so comply, it shall promptly advise the other and shall negotiate reasonably and in good faith to amend the terms of such benefits and rights such that they comply with Section 409A of the Code (with the most limited possible economic effect on Employee and on the Company or its Affiliates).
In the event that Employee receives any payments under this Agreement in the form of a series of installment payments, such payments shall be treated as a right to a series of separate payments, and in accordance with Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii), as amended, all or a portion of such payments shall qualify as separation pay under the aforementioned regulation to the extent the requirements of such regulation are met.
If and to the extent required to comply with Section 409A of the Code, any payment or benefit required to be paid hereunder on account of termination of Employee's employment, service (or any other similar term) shall be made only in connection with a "separation from service" with respect to Employee within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in the event Employee is treated as a "specified employee" under Section 409A of the Code (and under the terms and conditions of SLL's Specified Employee Policy) and any payment under this Agreement is treated as a nonqualified deferred compensation payment under Section 409A of the Code, then payment of such amounts shall be delayed for six months and a day following the effective date of Employee's termination of employment, at which time a lump sum payment shall be made to Employee consisting of the sum of the delayed payments. This provision shall not apply in the event of a specified employee's termination of employment on account of death and, in the event of a specified employee's death during the aforementioned six-month and a day period, such nonqualified deferred compensation may be paid at any time on or after such specified employee's death.
Neither the Company nor Employee, individually or in combination, may accelerate any payment or benefit that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, except in compliance with Section 409A of the Code and this Agreement, and no amount that is subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be paid prior to the earliest date on which it may be paid without violating Section 409A of the Code.
[signatures on next page]
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed these presents as of the day and year first above written.
STEINER TRANSOCEAN LIMITED |
|
/s/ Glenn Fusfield |
By: /s/ Clive Warshaw |
Glenn Fusfield |
Name: Clive Warshaw |
Title: Chairman of the Board |
Exhibit A
RELEASE OF CLAIMS
1. Consistent with Section 13 of the Employment and Severance Agreement dated November 29, 2011 (the "Employment Agreement") by and between me, Glenn Fusfield, and Steiner Transocean Limited, a Bahamas international business company (the "Company"), and in consideration for and as a condition of my receipt of certain severance payments and benefits pursuant to the Employment Agreement, I, for myself, my attorneys, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns, do hereby fully and forever release and discharge the Company, its affiliated companies, as well as its and their respective successors, assigns, and current or former members, managers, directors, officers, partners, agents, employees, attorneys, and administrators (together with the Company, the "Released Parties"), from all lawsuits, causes of action, claims, demands and entitlements of any nature whatsoever, whether known, unknown, or unforeseen, which I have or may have against any of the Released Parties, including those arising out of or in connection with: (1) my employment with the Company, (2) my separation from employment with the Company, (3) the Employment Agreement and/or any other agreement between me and the Company (except for obligations in such agreements that expressly survive my separation from employment), or (4) any event, transaction, or matter occurring or existing on or before the date of my signing of this Release of Claims; provided, however, that I am not releasing any claims that may not be released as a matter of law. I agree not to file or otherwise institute any claim, demand or lawsuit seeking damages or other relief and not to otherwise assert any claims or demands that are lawfully released herein, except in the event that the Company breaches this Agreement or where I challenge the validity of this Agreement under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act. I further hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive any and all rights to recover any relief or damages concerning the lawsuits, claims, demands, or actions that are lawfully released herein, except as otherwise provided in the preceding sentence. I represent and warrant that I have not previously filed or joined in any such lawsuits, claims, demands, or actions against any of the persons or entities released herein with respect to the matters described above, and that I will indemnify and hold them harmless from all liabilities, claims, demands, costs, expenses and/or attorneys' fees incurred by them as a result of any such lawsuits, claims, demands, or actions. I also agree not to participate, cooperate or assist in any manner, whether as a witness, expert, consultant or otherwise, in any lawsuit, complaint, charge or other proceeding involving any of the Released Parties unless compelled by subpoena or court order.
2. This Release of Claims specifically includes, but is not limited to, all claims of breach of contract, employment discrimination (including any claims coming within the scope of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act, all as amended, or any other applicable federal, state, or local law), claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, as amended, claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended (or any other applicable federal, state or local statute relating to payment of wages), claims concerning recruitment, hiring, termination, salary rate, severance pay, equity, stock options, benefits due, sick leave, vacation pay, life insurance, group medical insurance, any other fringe benefits, libel, slander, defamation, intentional or negligent misrepresentation and/or infliction of emotional distress, together with any and all tort or other claims which might have been asserted by me or on my behalf in any lawsuit, charge of discrimination, demand, or claim against any of the persons or entities released herein.
3. This Release of Claims is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, and venue of any action brought under this Release of Claims shall be exclusively in Miami-Dade County, Florida. Any trial/hearing/proceeding under this Agreement shall be heard by a JUDGE WITHOUT A JURY. It is agreed that in the event of any litigation or proceeding under this Agreement, other than an action challenging the validity of this Agreement under the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the prevailing party shall be entitled to all costs and expenses incurred in such litigation or proceeding, including reasonable attorney's fees.
4. I acknowledge that nothing in this Release of Claims shall be construed as an admission or concession by the Company of any liability, unlawful conduct, or wrongdoing. I may not assign any rights or benefits due or owing under this Agreement unless the Company agrees to such assignment in writing. This Release of Claims shall be binding upon my personal representatives, heirs, and permitted assigns. This Release of Claims may be assigned by the Company and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by any of its successors and assigns. This Release of Claims, together with the post-employment and post-termination obligations in the Employment Agreement, contains the complete, full, and exclusive understanding of myself and the Company and supersedes any and all other oral or written agreements between us. Any amendments to this Release of Claims shall be effective and binding only if any such amendments are in writing and signed by the party against which it is to be enforced.
5. I specifically acknowledge and agree that:
(a) I have read and understand this Release of Claims and sign it voluntarily and without coercion;
(b) I have been given an opportunity of twenty-one (21) days to consider this Release of Claims;
(c) I have been encouraged by the Company to discuss fully the terms of this Release of Claims with legal counsel of my own choosing; and
(d) for a period of seven (7) days following my signing of this Release of Claims, I shall have the right to revoke the waiver of claims arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act.
6. If I elect to revoke this Release of Claims within this seven-day period, I must inform the Company by delivering a written notice of revocation to Robert C. Boehm c/o Steiner Management Services, 770 South Dixie Highway, Suite #200, Coral Gables, FL 33146, no later than 11:59 p.m. on the seventh calendar day after I sign this Release of Claims. I understand that, if I elect to exercise this revocation right, this Release of Claims shall be voided in its entirety at the election of the Company and the Company shall be relieved of all obligations to provide the severance payments and benefits which are contingent on the execution of this Release of Claims. I may, if I wish, elect to sign this Release of Claims prior to the expiration of the 21-day consideration period, and I agree that if I elect to do so, my election is made freely and voluntarily and after having an opportunity to consult counsel.
AGREED: |
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_____________________________ |
_______________________ |
Glenn Fusfield |
Date |
ACCEPTED: |
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STEINER TRANSOCEAN LIMITED |
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By:__________________________ |
_______________________ |
Name/Title: Leonard Fluxman, CEO |
Date |