Executive Employment Security Policy [Amended and Restated 2001] (25K)
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NATIONWIDE HEALTH PROPERTIES, INC.
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EXECUTIVE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY POLICY
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AS AMENDED AND RESTATED APRIL 20, 2001
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The following policy shall be applicable to such officers of the Company as
shall be selected by the Compensation Committee of the Company's Board and
notified thereof as hereinafter provided. This Policy shall not apply to any
officer of the Company who is a party to a separate employment agreement with
the Company or a subsidiary thereof, unless such employment agreement expressly
provides that this Policy shall be applicable to said Officer, and said
Agreement has been approved by the Compensation Committee, and he is provided
with notice hereunder.
This Policy shall be operative only for a period of three (3) years after a
Change of Control. This Policy shall not be applicable, and no payments shall
be made pursuant to it, unless a Change of Control occurs.
1. DEFINITIONS.
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For purposes of this Policy the following terms shall have the
meanings set forth in this Paragraph 1:
A. "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
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B. "Cause" shall mean (i) willful refusal by Participant to follow
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a lawful written order of the Board, (ii) willful misconduct, dishonesty or
reckless disregard of his duties by Participant, or (iii) the conviction of
Participant of any felony involving moral turpitude.
C. "Change of Control" shall mean a change in control of the
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Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item
6(e) of Schedule 14A, Regulation 240.14a-101, promulgated under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 as in effect on the date of this Policy or, if Item 6(e) is
no longer in effect, any regulation issued by the Securities and Exchange
Commission pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 which serves similar
purposes; provided that, without limitation, a Change of Control shall be deemed
to have occurred if and when (a) any "person" (as such term is used in Sections
13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) is or becomes a
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the
Company's then outstanding securities or (b) individuals who are members of the
Board immediately prior to a meeting of the shareholders of the
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Company involving a contest for the election of directors shall not constitute a
majority of the Board following such election.
D. "Company" shall mean Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.
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E. "Compensation Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee
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of the Board.
F. "Conflict of Interest" is defined in Paragraph 9 hereof.
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G. "Participant" shall mean an officer of the Company who has been
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selected by the Compensation Committee to participate under this Policy, who has
been so notified by the Compensation Committee and who acknowledged such
notification pursuant to Paragraph 13 hereof. Participants shall mean all
officers of the Company so selected and notified, and who have so acknowledged
notification.
H. "Period of Employment" shall mean the number of months of
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employment of a Participant by the Company. "Period of Employment" is used to
ascertain the number of months for which Termination Indemnity payments will be
paid pursuant to the terms hereof. Prior service may be included within the
Period of Employment at the discretion of the Compensation Committee if a
termination allowance was not paid at the time the prior service ended. Period
of Employment shall include disability and military leaves of absence but
exclude other leaves of absence unless such leaves of absence are for the
convenience of the Company and are approved by the Compensation Committee.
Earned but accrued vacation credits shall not be included within "Period of
Employment."
I. "Termination Indemnity Payments" shall mean those Termination
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Indemnity Payments provided by the terms of this Agreement.
J. "Total Compensation" shall mean the amount per annum equal to
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the highest annual compensation (salary plus bonus plus performance-based
dividend equivalents to the extent earned, as determined by the Company's
Compensation Committee, by the Participant through the date of termination,
except where the basis of such termination is Cause, death, disability, or
normal retirement age) paid to Participant by Company during any of Company's
three (3) fiscal years immediately preceding termination of employment. "Monthly
Total Compensation" shall mean one twelfth (1/12) of Total Compensation.
2. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY THE COMPANY.
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Within three years after a Change of Control of Company, in the event
of termination by the Company of the active employment of any Participant
(except where the basis of such termination is Cause, death, disability or
normal retirement age sixty-five (65)), such Participant shall be entitled to
receive and the Company shall be obligated to pay as Termination Indemnity
Payments an amount equal to the Participant's Monthly Total Compensation for the
number of months following such termination indicated in paragraph 6 below, less
one half ( 1/2) of all salary, bonus, other remuneration and the fair market
value to Participant of fringe benefits that the Participant may receive from
new employment during the period he is entitled to Termination Indemnity
Payments.
3. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT BY THE PARTICIPANT.
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During the three (3) years after a Change of Control of Company, if
the Board fails to reelect a Participant to his then existing or reasonably
comparable office, or if a change not acceptable to a Participant is made that
affects a substantial reduction in his compensation or benefits (except for (i)
a general reduction of compensation or benefits affecting all Participants and
resulting from a severe economic down-turn in the financial position of the
Company, or (ii) for normal retirement at age sixty-five (65) of such
Participant) such Participant shall have the right by written notice to the
Company to terminate his active employment as of the last day of the month in
which such written notice is delivered to the Company, and such Participant
shall be entitled to receive and the Company shall be obligated to pay as
Termination Indemnity Payments an amount equal to the Participant's Monthly
Total Compensation for the number of months following such termination indicated
in Paragraph 6 below, less one-half ( 1/2) of all salary, bonus, other
remuneration and the fair market value to Participant of fringe benefits that
the Participant may receive from new employment during the period he is entitled
to Termination Indemnity Payments. Except as provided above in this paragraph,
no Termination Indemnity Payments will be paid pursuant to the terms of this
Policy to any Participant whose employment at Company is terminated by voluntary
resignation (unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee).
4. DEATH/DISABILITY/RETIREMENT: CONTINUATION OF
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BENEFITS IN CASE OF DEATH.
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Participant shall not receive payments under this Policy on account
of termination of employment because of death or disability or upon normal
retirement at age sixty-five (65) or thereafter. Should a Participant covered by
this Policy die after commencement of payments to him of the Termination
Indemnity Payments but
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before such Termination Indemnity Payments are paid in full, the balance the
Participant would have received had he lived shall be paid in installments as
designated in writing by such Participant; or if there is not effective written
designation then to his spouse; or if there is neither an effective written
designation nor a surviving spouse, then to his estate. Designation of a
beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive the balance of any Termination Indemnity
Payments hereunder shall be made by written notice to the Company and the
Participant may revoke or change any such designation of beneficiary at any time
by a later written notice to the Company.
5. CAUSE.
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In the event Participant's employment is terminated for Cause,
Participant shall not receive any payments under this Policy.
6. TERMINATION INDEMNITY PAYMENTS.
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Termination Indemnity Payments shall be computed and paid to all
full-time officers of the Company in accordance with the following schedule:
Period of Employment Termination Indemnity Payments
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(Amount equal to 100% Monthly Total
Compensation for the number of months
set forth below)
Less than one year 12 months
One year or more 24 months
Three years or more 36 months
The maximum period of Termination Indemnity Payments shall be thirty-
six (36) months or age sixty-five (65), whichever occurs first.
Payments of the Monthly Termination Indemnity Payments hereunder
shall be made at the regular pay period of the Company or in such other manner
as may be agreed upon by the Participant entitled to receive such payments and
the Compensation Committee. Payments made to a Participant hereunder as
Termination Indemnity Payments shall be deemed to be compensation for services
rendered for all purposes and shall be subject to applicable Federal, State and
local tax withholding and deduction requirements.
If during the period a Participant is receiving Termination Indemnity
Payments under this Policy such Participant makes any false statement or
conducts himself in a fraudulent or dishonest manner which materially and
adversely affects the Company, the Board may terminate all payments hereunder.
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7. OTHER COMPANY EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
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Participants entitled to receive Termination Indemnity Payments under
this Policy shall be entitled to participate in certain employee insurance plans
(as described below) during the period the Termination Indemnity Payments
provided for herein are being paid. During the period of a Participant is
receiving payments hereunder, he shall be treated as a continuing employee for
purposes of participation in and accrual of rights and benefits under all of the
Company's life, accident, medical and dental insurance plans of Participant and
his spouse; however, he shall not be entitled to medical or dental coverages for
himself or his spouse if such medical or dental coverages are provided under any
other group plan or by another employer. In the event that such participation
in one or more of such Plans is not possible, Company shall arrange to provide
Participant with benefits substantially similar to those which Participant would
have been entitled to receive under such plans if he had continued as an
employee at the Total Compensation level; however, he shall not be entitled to
medical or dental coverages for himself or his spouse if such medical or dental
coverages are provided under any other group plan or by another employer.
Benefits of continued participation in the Company Retirement Plan and any
retirement plans hereafter adopted in which Participant was entitled to
participate prior to date of termination (hereinafter referred to as the
"Plans") shall continue, provided, however, that if Participant's continued
participation is not possible under the general terms and provisions of the
Plans, Company shall arrange to provide Participant with benefits substantially
similar to those which Participant would have been entitled to receive under the
Plans if he had continued as an employee for the full term provided in Paragraph
6 above at the Participant's Total Compensation level. This paragraph is not
intended to limit Participant's vested rights under any of Company's retirement
plans to a period of three (3) years or until age sixty-five (65); rather, such
rights shall continue pursuant to the terms of said Plans. Participants
receiving Termination Indemnity Payments hereunder shall not be entitled to
continued participation in or accrual of benefits under any Company stock option
or restricted stock plan. No stock option shall be granted to such Participant
under any Company stock option plan after the termination of active employment;
however, such Participant shall have the benefits of all rights vested as of the
date of termination of active employment pursuant to the terms of said plans.
A Participant receiving Termination Indemnity Payments under this
Policy shall be entitled to purchase at depreciated book value the automobile
(if any) which Company was providing for the use of such
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Participant. Also, such Participant shall have the option to have assigned to
him any assignable insurance policy owned by Company which relates specifically
to such Participant. Company shall have no obligation to pay off any loans
against such insurance policies and such former Participant shall reimburse the
Company for the cash value of such insurance policies (if any).
8. OTHER EMPLOYMENT.
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After ceasing active employment with the Company or a subsidiary of
the Company, and during the period the Participant is eligible to receive any
Termination Indemnity Payments hereunder, such Participant has an obligation to
use his best efforts to seek other employment, and shall have the right to
accept other employment or engage in other business activities subject to the
restrictions set forth in Paragraph 9 below (relating to Conflict of Interest).
One-half ( 1/2) of all salary, bonus, other remuneration and the fair market
value to Participant of fringe benefits from any such new employment shall be
deducted from or set off against Termination Indemnity Payments and other
benefits provided in this Policy.
9. CONFLICT OF INTEREST.
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During the period a Participant is entitled to receive Termination
Indemnity Payments hereunder, such Participant shall not, without the prior
written consent of the Company, engage directly or indirectly (including, by way
of example only, as a principal, partner, venturer, employee or agent), nor have
any direct or indirect interest, in any business which competes with the
Company, or any of its subsidiaries in any area of the world in which the
Company or such subsidiary engages in business at the time of termination of the
Participant's active employment with the Company. Included within the meaning
of an indirect interest for purposes of this Policy would be, by way of example
only, an interest in any such business held through a nominee, agent, option or
other device. The foregoing clause does not apply to an investment by any
Participant in the stock of a publicly held corporation if the market value of
such investment at the time the Participant acknowledges this Policy and the
provisions hereof (if then owned) or when acquired by such Participant (if
acquired after the date of such acknowledgment) does not exceed One Hundred
Thousand Dollars ($100,000) or to any investment by such Participant in a mutual
fund.
If Participant directly or indirectly discloses to any third person
any confidential records or information, trade secrets or customer list relating
to Company's business, Participant's right to Termination
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Indemnity Payments hereunder shall terminate immediately (in addition to any
other remedies that Company may have).
10. CONSULTATION FOR COMPANY.
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During the period Participant is entitled to receive Termination
Indemnity Payments hereunder, he shall be available at reasonable times and upon
reasonable notice to consult with and advise officers and executives of the
Company regarding the business and affairs of the Company; provided, however,
that such consultation and advice shall be scheduled and arranged so that it
does not interfere unreasonably with any other employment or business activities
of Participant.
11. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF POLICY.
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The Company reserves the right to alter, amend or revoke this Policy
prospectively at any time prior to a Change of Control, by notice to the
Participants, but no such alteration, amendment or revocation shall be made
after a Change of Control except with the express prior written consent and
agreement of such Participant. Nothing herein shall entitle any Participant to
continue employment with the Company or to continued tenure in any specific
office or position.
12. TERMINATION OF TERMINATION INDEMNITY PAYMENTS.
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The Termination Indemnity Payments and all other benefits to which
any Participant is entitled hereunder shall terminate immediately if following
termination of active employment such person (1) breaches the Conflict of
Interest provisions in Paragraph 9 hereof, or (2) fails or refuses to consult
with and advise officers and other executives of the Company in accordance with
Paragraph 10 hereof, or (3) makes false statements or conducts himself in a
manner that in the reasonable discretion of the Board materially and adversely
affects the Company, or (4) reaches his sixty-fifth (65) birthday.
13. ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY COMPANY OFFICERS
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Each officer of the Company to whom this Policy is to be applicable
shall be informed thereof by letter substantially in the form attached as
Exhibit "A" hereto and, as a condition to entitlement, shall acknowledge in a
writing substantially similar to the form letter attached as Exhibit "B" hereto
that the Participant understands and agrees to be bound by the provisions of
this Policy. A list of the Participants shall be maintained by the Secretary of
the Company.
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14. OTHER PROVISIONS.
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This Policy shall become effective as of February 8, 1990. The
Termination Indemnity Payments provided hereby supersede and replace any and all
other termination compensation to which any Participant is or might become
entitled under any other policies or practices of the Company, except
termination compensation covered by an agreement in effect on the effective date
hereof which has separately been approved by the Compensation Committee. The
rights and obligations of the Company under this Policy shall inure to the
benefit of and shall be binding upon the Company's successors and assigns.
References in this Policy to the male gender shall include the female gender.
In any action at law or in equity to enforce any of the provisions or rights
under this Policy, the unsuccessful party to such litigation as determined by
the court in a final judgment or decree shall pay the successful party or
parties all costs, expenses and reasonable attorneys fees incurred therein by
such party or parties (including without limitation such costs, expenses and
fees on any appeals) and if such successful party shall recover judgment in any
such action or proceedings, such costs, expenses and attorneys fees shall be
included as a part of such judgment. Paragraphs or other headings contained in
this Policy are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the
meaning or interpretation of this Policy. To the full extent controllable by
stipulation of the parties, this Policy shall be interpreted and enforced under
California law.
NOTE: This Policy is intended to remain outside the provisions of Section
67 of the Tax Reform Act of 1984, as originally enacted (adding
Sections 280G and 4999 and amending Sections 275(a) and 3121 (v) of
the Internal Revenue Code) (the "1984 Act"). Notwithstanding any
other term or provision contained in this Policy, no Termination
Indemnity Payment shall be made to any Participant in an amount which
would subject any portion of such Termination Indemnity Payment, or
any such Termination Indemnity Payment theretofore received by the
Participant, to the excise tax provided in Section 67 of the 1984
Act.
8379B/788A
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PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
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(Date)
(Address)
Re: Nationwide Health Properties, Inc.
Executive Employment Security Policy
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Dear __________________:
You have been designated as one of the officers of Nationwide Health
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