April 23, 2007 Ms. Marie A. Jackson 21 Marymont Ave. Atherton, CA 94027 Dear Marie:
EXHIBIT 10.1
April 23, 2007
Xx. Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
00 Xxxxxxxx Xxx.
Xxxxxxxx, XX 00000
Dear Xxxxx:
This letter replaces my letter dated April 20, 2007, to incorporate certain terms that have
been the subject of subsequent negotiations. This letter confirms the discussion held with you
regarding termination of your employment with Intervoice, Inc. (“Intervoice”). The terms set forth
below constitute Intervoice’s offer and, by your signature, your acceptance of this proposed
Separation Agreement (the “Agreement”). On behalf of Intervoice, I want to express my appreciation
for your past service and contributions, and wish you success in your future endeavors.
1. Termination of Employment. Your employment with Intervoice pursuant to the Amended and
Restated Employment Agreement executed on October 9, 2006, between you and Intervoice (the
“Employment Agreement”) is terminated by mutual agreement effective April 27, 2007 (the “Separation
Date”). In connection with the forthcoming termination of your employment, your duties and
authority as Intervoice’s Senior Vice President Corporate Marketing is terminated effective today,
and your authorization to have access to Intervoice’s offices, facilities, property, confidential
information, and internal communications systems will be terminated as of April 27, 2007. In lieu
of Board action that would otherwise be required to vacate your office, you are requested to sign
at this time the accompanying form effecting your resignation as a corporate officer of Intervoice.
2. Salary and Benefits. Pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement and in
accordance with Intervoice’s existing policies or at its discretion, you have received or will
receive the following payments and benefits pursuant to your employment with Intervoice and your
participation in Intervoice’s benefit plans:
(a) Payment of your regular base salary through the Separation Date;
(b) Payment of accrued and unused vacation leave benefits, if any, as of the Separation
Date; and
(c) Present or future payment or other entitlement, in accordance with the terms of the
applicable plan or other benefit, of any benefits to which you have vested entitlement under
the terms of employee benefit plans established by Intervoice; and
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The amounts paid in accordance with subparagraphs (a) and (b) of this paragraph are gross amounts,
subject to lawful deductions, including any deductions you have previously authorized.
Your regular paid group health benefits (for which you enrolled only for dental and vision
coverage) will continue only through April 30, 2007. By law, you are entitled at your option to
continue your group health coverage for a period of time thereafter, at your own expense. Please
complete a COBRA election form, which will be furnished to you, and return it to Xxx Xxxx in
Intervoice’s Human Resources Department at your earliest convenience, if you wish to continue such
coverage (please note, however, the special arrangements offered to you under Paragraph 3 regarding
health coverage continuation). You should also contact Ms. Reel if you wish to review other
aspects of your benefits, such as life insurance conversion or flexible spending account expense
submission.
You have a limited time period in which to exercise any available stock options, should you wish to
do so. Please promptly review your Stock Option Agreements to determine your rights in this
regard.
Intervoice will settle all authorized reimbursable business expenses, if any, based on your
submission of appropriate expense reports along with the required receipts and documenting
information. Expense reports for any remaining outstanding reimbursable expenses must be submitted
by the close of business on April 27, 2007, except for any charges not billed to you by that time,
in which case the expense must be promptly submitted upon your receipt of the billing.
3. Special Separation Compensation. Contingent upon your acceptance of the terms of this
Agreement and in consideration of your undertakings set forth in Paragraphs 7 (General Release), 8
(Confidentiality and Other Commitments), and 9 (Agreement Not to Seek Reemployment) of this
Agreement, Intervoice offers you, in addition to the pay and benefits you will receive pursuant to
Paragraph 2 and in lieu of benefits under any other Intervoice severance pay program, the following
Special Separation Compensation:
(a) Payment of the sum of $71,666.68, equivalent to four months’ base salary. This sum is a
gross amount, subject to lawful deductions, and will be paid in installments over a period
of three months from the date of the first payment, as follows: The gross amount of each
payment (except for any final remainder) will be equal to your current regular semi-monthly
gross base pay as if you were still a continuing employee. Payments will begin on the first
regular Intervoice payday following the Effective Date of this Agreement as defined in
Paragraph 16 (provided, however, that because of required administrative processing time, if
the Effective Date is within three business days before a regular payday, payments may not
begin until the next following payday), and will terminate when the total aggregate amount
of all such payments and lawful deductions equals $71.666.68.
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(b) Payment, by way of reimbursement to you, through August 31, 2007, of the employer’s
portion of the premium cost for Intervoice’s group health coverage on you and any covered
dependents as in effect on the Separation Date, to the same extent as if you had continued
as an employee; provided, however, that the amount of any such payment shall be treated as
taxable income to you, and Intervoice’s obligation to make such payments shall terminate at
such earlier date as you and your family members who are then under Intervoice’s coverage
have become eligible and qualified for comparable coverage (including any
preexisting-condition requirements) under another employer’s plan. To receive this payment
of the employer portion of premium costs, you must (i) make the COBRA election referred to
in Paragraph 2 above; and (ii) make arrangements with Xxx Xxxx regarding your payment of the
entire monthly premium cost and the procedure for obtaining reimbursement for the employer
portion.
4. Separation Payment Conditional on Absence of Certain Acts or Omissions. If for actions
or omissions related to your employment with Intervoice, you are arrested or indicted for any
felony, other criminal offense punishable by imprisonment or jail term of one year or more, or any
violation of federal or state securities laws, or have any civil enforcement action brought against
you by any regulatory agency (or if Intervoice is charged with or indicted for any criminal offense
or has a civil enforcement action brought against it because of your actions or omissions),
Intervoice may suspend any payments remaining under Paragraph 3(a) until the final resolution of
such criminal or civil proceedings or until such earlier date on which Intervoice’s Board of
Directors (the “Board”) has made a final determination as to whether you committed such an act or
omission. If you are found guilty or enter into a plea agreement, consent decree, or similar
arrangement with respect to any such criminal or civil proceedings, or if the Board determines that
you have committed such an act or omission, (i) Intervoice’s obligation to provide the payments set
out in Paragraph 3(a) shall immediately end (but all other provisions of this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect), and (ii) you shall repay to Intervoice any amounts paid to you
pursuant to Paragraph 3(a) within 30 days after a written request to do so by Intervoice. If any
such criminal or civil proceedings do not result in a finding of guilt or the entry of a plea
agreement or consent decree or similar arrangement, or the Board determines that you have not
committed such an act or omission, Intervoice shall pay you any payments that it has suspended,
with interest on such suspended payments at its cost of funds, and shall make any remaining
payments due under Paragraph 3(a).
5. Return of Property. Whether or not you accept the terms of this Agreement, you must
return to Intervoice any and all items of its property, including without limitation keys,
badge/access card, computers, software, cellphones, calculators, equipment, credit cards, forms,
files, manuals, correspondence, business records, personnel data, lists of employees, employee
salary and benefits information, customer lists and files, lists of suppliers and vendors, price
lists, contracts, contract information, marketing plans, brochures, catalogs, training materials,
product samples, computer data storage media of any kind, computer-readable files and data stored
on any hard drive or other installed
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device, and data processing reports, and any and all other documents or property which you have had
possession of or control over during the course of your employment with Intervoice. You must
return all such property to Intervoice by no later than the close of business on April 24, 2007.
If you have any Intervoice property that is not immediately available to you, please make
arrangements for its prompt return. By your signature below, you represent that you have complied
with these requirements.
6. Use of Confidential and Proprietary Information; Continuation of Certain Contractual
Obligations. You are a party to an agreement with Intervoice entitled “Employee Agreement on
Ideas, Inventions and Confidential Information,” your obligations under which remain fully in force
and unaffected by the terms of this Agreement. Further, various obligations under the Employment
Agreement, as specified therein, including your obligations pertaining to Confidential Information
(as that term is defined in the Employment Agreement), survive the termination of your employment
under that agreement and remain in full force and unaffected by the terms of this Agreement.
7. General Release. In consideration of the mutual promises and undertakings herein and
the Special Separation Compensation as described in Paragraph 3 above, you and your family members,
heirs, successors, and assigns (collectively the “Releasing Parties”) hereby release, acquit, and
forever waive and discharge any and all claims and demands of whatever kind or character, whether
vicarious, derivative, or direct, that you or they, individually, collectively, or otherwise, may
have or assert against: (i) Intervoice; (ii) any direct or indirect subsidiary or other affiliated
entity of Intervoice; or (iii) any officer, director, fiduciary, agent, employee, representative,
insurer, attorney, or any successors and assigns of the persons or entities just named
(collectively the “Released Parties”). This General Release includes but is not limited to any
claim or demand based on any federal, state, or local statutory or common law or constitutional
provision that applies or is asserted to apply, directly or indirectly, to the formation,
continuation, or termination of your employment relationship with Intervoice. Thus, you and the
other Releasing Parties agree to waive to the maximum extent permitted by law any claims or demands
against Intervoice or any of the other Released Parties such as for wrongful discharge; unlawful
employment discrimination on the basis of age or any other form of unlawful employment
discrimination; retaliation; breach of contract (express or implied); breach of the duty of good
faith and fair dealing; violation of the public policy of the United States, the State of Texas, or
any other state; intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress; tortious interference
with contract; promissory estoppel; detrimental reliance; defamation of character; duress;
negligent misrepresentation; intentional misrepresentation or fraud; invasion of privacy; loss of
consortium; assault; battery; conspiracy; bad faith; negligent hiring, retention, or supervision;
any intentional or negligent act of personal injury; any alleged act of harassment or intimidation;
or any other intentional or negligent tort; or any alleged violation of the Age Discrimination in
Employment Act of 1967 (“ADEA”), Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the
Americans
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with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the
Xxxxxxxx-Xxxxx Act of 2002, the Texas Wage Payment Statute, and any other applicable federal,
state, and local employment statutes.
This release includes any claims or demands for damages (actual or punitive), back wages, future
wages or front pay, commissions, bonuses, severance benefits, medical expenses and the costs of any
counseling, reinstatement or priority placement, promotion, vacation leave benefits, past and
future medical or other employment benefits (except as to which there is, as of the Separation
Date, existing contractual or vested entitlement) including contributions to any employee benefit
plans, retirement benefits (except as to which there is, as of the Separation Date, vested
entitlement), relocation expenses, compensatory damages, injunctive relief, liquidated damages,
penalties, equitable relief, attorney’s fees, costs of court, disbursements, interest, and any and
all other loss, expense, or detriment of whatever kind or character resulting from, growing out of,
connected with, or related in any way to the formation, continuation, or termination of your
employment relationship with Intervoice.
Further, you forever waive any right to monetary recovery from the Released Parties, whether sought
directly by you or in the event any administrative agency or other public authority, individual, or
group of individuals should pursue any claim on your behalf; and you will not request or accept
from the Released Parties, as compensation or damages related to your employment or the termination
of your employment by Intervoice, anything of value that is not provided for in this Agreement.
This General Release does not apply to any rights or claims that may arise after the date this
Agreement is executed. As provided by law, after you have signed this Agreement, you will still
have an additional seven days in which to reconsider and revoke your acceptance, if you wish.
8. Confidentiality and Other Commitments. You agree that:
(a) Confidentiality. The terms of this Agreement shall be and remain confidential,
and shall not be disclosed by you to any party other than your spouse, attorney, and
accountant or tax return preparer, if such persons have agreed to keep such information
confidential, and except as otherwise may be required by law, regulation, or judicial
process. It shall not be a breach of the obligations set forth in this subparagraph for
you, your spouse, or your attorneys to state to any person that any differences between you
and Intervoice have been settled or satisfactorily resolved.
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(b) Assistance to Others in Claims or Litigation. Except as requested by
Intervoice, as permitted by valid law or regulation that supersedes the terms of this
Agreement, or as compelled by law or judicial process, you will not assist, cooperate with,
or supply information of any kind to any individual or private-party litigant or their
agents or attorneys in any claims or litigation against Intervoice or any of the other
Released Parties.
(c) No Other Proceedings. Except as permitted by valid law or regulation that
supersedes the terms of this Agreement, you will not initiate any investigation, inquiry, or
any other proceeding of any kind with respect to Intervoice’s facilities, workplace safety,
or sales or business operations.
9. Agreement Not to Seek Reemployment. To prevent any future dispute regarding further
employment with Intervoice, you hereby agree: (i) that you will not ever apply for or otherwise
seek employment by Intervoice or any subsidiary or other Affiliate of Intervoice at any time in the
future, at any location, office, or place of business, and (ii) that your forbearance to seek
future employment as just stated is purely contractual and is in no way involuntary,
discriminatory, or retaliatory.
10. Nonadmission of Liability or Wrongdoing. This Agreement does not in any manner
constitute an admission of liability or wrongdoing on the part of Intervoice or any of the other
Released Parties, but Intervoice and the other Released Parties expressly deny any such liability
or wrongdoing; and, except to the extent necessary to enforce this Agreement, neither this
Agreement nor any part of it may be construed, used, or admitted into evidence in any judicial,
administrative, or arbitral proceedings as an admission of any kind by Intervoice or any of the
other Released Parties.
11. Authority to Execute. You represent and warrant that you have the authority to execute
this Agreement on behalf of all the Releasing Parties.
12. Governing Law and Interpretation. This Agreement and the rights and duties of the
parties under it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Texas, without regard for any conflicts-of-laws provisions. If any provision of this Agreement is
held to be unenforceable, such provision shall be considered separate, distinct, and severable from
the other remaining provisions of this Agreement, and shall not affect the validity or
enforceability of such other remaining provisions; and in all other respects, this Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be unenforceable as
written but may be made to be enforceable by limitation thereof, then such provision shall be
enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law. The language of all parts of this
Agreement shall in all cases be construed as a whole, according to its fair meaning, and not
strictly for or against any of the parties.
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13. Breach of Agreement.
(a) If you should fail to comply with any of your obligations as set forth in this
Agreement, Intervoice shall have all rights and remedies lawfully available to it, including
but not limited to (i) ceasing to make any unpaid installments of the Special Separation
Compensation described above, and (ii) instituting a legal action to require you to repay so
much of the Special Separation Compensation as has already been remitted to you; but all
other provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.
(b) Additionally, if, notwithstanding your release and waiver of claims as described in
Paragraph 7 above, you or any other of the Releasing Parties (or any other party asserting
any claim derivative of your own) should nonetheless proceed to make any such claims against
the Released Parties by bringing an action in a federal, state, or municipal court, or
before any administrative body that has the power to make a monetary or equitable award,
then in addition to any other legal or equitable remedies available to Intervoice for your
breach of this Agreement, Intervoice may seek, and the court or other body hearing the
claims may hold you liable for, Intervoice’s damages and costs, including attorney’s fees,
incurred in defending against your claims. The foregoing provision does not apply with
respect to an action brought under the ADEA in which the provisions of this Agreement are
challenged. With respect to any such action, the first sentence of this subparagraph is
modified to state: “If, notwithstanding your release and waiver of claims as described in
Paragraph 7 above, you should nonetheless proceed to make any such claims by bringing an
action in a federal, state, or municipal court, or before any administrative body that has
the power to make a monetary or equitable award, the court or other body hearing your claims
may allow the employer to recover attorney’s fees and/or costs specifically authorized under
federal law or as may otherwise be determined by the court or other body hearing the
claims.”
14. Expiration of Offer. Intervoice’s offer of the proposed Special Separation
Compensation will expire at 10:00 a.m on the 22nd day after the date on which you were furnished
with the terms of the original offer, i.e., expiration will be on May 12, 2007. In this regard,
you agree that the changes made to the original offer, whether the same may be considered material
or immaterial, do not restart the running of the minimum 21-day period required by law for
consideration of this offer and the General Release contained herein. You may accept this offer at
any time before expiration by signing this letter in the space provided below, and returning it
confidentially to Xxx Xxxxx, Intervoice’s Senior Vice President Human Resources. Whether or not
you execute this Agreement, you will receive the items set forth in Paragraph 2, and are required
to follow the obligations set forth in Paragraphs 5 and 6.
15. Consultation With an Attorney. You have the right and are encouraged by Intervoice to
consult with an attorney of your choosing before executing this Agreement.
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16. Effective Date. This Agreement will become effective and enforceable upon the
expiration of seven days after your execution and return of this document (“Effective Date”). At
any time before the Effective Date of this Agreement, you may revoke your acceptance by delivery of
written notification to Xxx Xxxxx, Senior Vice President Human Resources.
17. Exempt from IRC § 409A. The parties intend that all payments made hereunder be exempt
from Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code pursuant to Proposed Treasury Regulation Section
1.409A(b)(9)(iii) and (iv).
18. Voluntary Agreement. You acknowledge that execution of this Agreement is knowing and
voluntary on your part, and that you have had a reasonable time to deliberate regarding its terms.
19. Consideration. Whether expressly stated herein or not, all obligations that you assume
and undertakings that you make by executing this Agreement are understood to be in consideration of
the mutual promises and undertakings herein and the Special Separation Compensation offered to you
as described in Paragraph 3 above. Further, by executing this Agreement, you acknowledge and agree
that neither Intervoice nor any of the other Released Parties has any legal obligation to provide
the Special Separation Compensation to you.
20. Entire Agreement. Except with respect to the “Employee Agreement on Ideas, Inventions
and Confidential Information” and the Employment Agreement referred to in Paragraph 6 hereof, this
Agreement contains and constitutes the entire understanding and agreement between you and
Intervoice as to its subject matter, and may be modified only by a writing of contemporaneous or
subsequent date executed by both you and an authorized official of Intervoice.
21. Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined by a court to be
invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby,
shall remain in full force and effect, and shall be enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law.
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If you are in agreement with the foregoing provisions, please execute both copies of this letter in
the space provided below. You should return one executed original to the undersigned, and maintain
the other executed original in your files. Seven days after your unrevoked execution and return of
this Agreement to the undersigned, it shall constitute a valid and binding agreement by and between
Intervoice and you.
Sincerely,
INTERVOICE, INC.
By :
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/s/ H. Xxx Xxxxx, SPHR | |||
Senior Vice President Human Resources | ||||
ACCEPTED AND AGREED TO: | ||||
/s/ Xxxxx X.
Xxxxxxx Xxxxx X. Xxxxxxx |
Date Signed:
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April
23,
2007
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