Senior Management Severance Plan - Novell Inc.
NOVELL, INC.
SENIOR MANAGEMENT SEVERANCE PLAN
ARTICLE I
INTRODUCTION
The Novell, Inc. Senior Management Severance Plan (the "Plan") was
established effective April 11, 2000. The purpose of the Plan is to provide
severance benefits to certain eligible senior management employees of Novell,
Inc. (the "Company") whose active employment with the Company is involuntarily
terminated by the Company. This Plan shall supersede any severance benefit plan,
policy or practice previously maintained by the Company with respect to the
employees covered hereby. This Plan amends and restates the Novell, Inc. Senior
Management Severance Plan (effective November 1, 1997).
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS AND CONSTRUCTION
Whenever used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings
set forth below.
A. Base Salary. "Base Salary" shall mean the Participant's gross annual
base salary, exclusive of bonuses, commissions and other incentive pay, as in
effect immediately preceding the Involuntary Termination or Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control.
B. Benefits Continuation Period. "Benefits Continuation Period" shall
mean the period set forth in a Participant's Notice of Participation.
C. Board. "Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
D. Cause. "Cause" shall mean (i) the Participant's continued violations
of the Participant's obligations which are demonstrably willful or deliberate on
the Participant's part after there has been delivered to the Participant a
written demand for performance from the Company which describes the basis for
the Company's belief that the Participant has not substantially performed his or
her duties, (ii) the Participant's engaging in willful misconduct which is
injurious to the Company or its affiliates, (iii) the Participant's committing a
felony, an act of fraud against or the misappropriation of property belonging to
the Company or its affiliates, (iv) the Participant's breaching, in any material
respect, terms of any confidentiality or proprietary information agreement
between the Participant and the Company, or (v) a determination by the Plan
Administrator that the Participant has committed a material violation of the
Standards of Employee Conduct, which standards may be altered from time to time
by the Company, as defined in the most current version of the Company's Employee
Handbook.
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E. Change in Control. A "Change in Control" shall be deemed to have
occurred if: (i) Novell sells or otherwise disposes of all or substantially all
of its assets; (ii) there is a merger or consolidation of Novell with any other
corporation or corporations, provided that the shareholders of Novell, as a
group, do not hold, immediately after such event, at least 50% of the voting
power of the surviving or successor corporation; or (iii) any person or entity,
including any "person" as such term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), becomes the
"beneficial owner" (as defined in the Exchange Act) of Common Stock of Novell
representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the voting securities
of Novell (exclusive of persons who are now officers or directors of Novell).
F. COBRA. "COBRA" shall mean the Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1986, as amended.
G. Code. "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended.
H. Company. "Company" shall mean Novell, Inc., any subsidiary
corporations, any successor entities as provided in Article VIII hereof, and any
parent or subsidiaries of such successor entities.
I. Disability. "Disability" shall mean that the Participant has been
unable to perform his or her duties as an Employee as the result of incapacity
due to physical or mental illness, and such inability, at least twenty-six (26)
weeks after its commencement, is determined to be total and permanent by a
physician selected by the Company or its insurers and acceptable to the
Participant or the Participant's legal representative (such agreement as to
acceptability not to be unreasonably withheld). Termination resulting from
Disability may only be effected after at least thirty (30) days' written notice
by the Company of its intention to terminate the Participant's employment. In
the event that the Participant resumes the performance of substantially all of
his or her duties hereunder before the termination of his or her employment
becomes effective, the notice of intent to terminate shall automatically be
deemed to have been revoked.
J. Effective Date. "Effective Date" shall mean April 11, 2000.
K. Employee. "Employee" shall mean a full-time regular employee of the
Company.
L. Involuntary Termination. "Involuntary Termination" shall mean (i)
without the Participant's express written consent, a comprehensive and
substantial reduction in all or most of the Participant's primary duties,
authority and responsibilities compared to the Participant's duties, authority
and responsibilities immediately prior to such reduction; (ii) without the
Participant's express written consent, a significant reduction in the
Participant's Base Salary compared to the Participant's Base Salary in effect
immediately prior to such reduction; provided, however, that a reduction in the
Participant's Base Salary of less than twenty percent (20%) or a reduction in
the Participant's Base Salary that is part of an overall reduction in
compensation also applied to other senior executives of the Company as a result
of decreased business performance by the Company or one of its business units,
shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination; (iii) any purported termination
of the Participant by the Company that is not effected for Disability or Cause;
or (iv) the
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failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of this Agreement by any
successors contemplated in Article IX.
M. Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control. "Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control" shall mean as a direct result of a
Change in Control: (i) without the Participant's express written consent, a
significant reduction of the Participant's duties, position or responsibilities,
or the removal of the Participant from such position and responsibilities,
unless the Participant is provided with a comparable position (i.e., a position
of equal or greater organizational level, duties, authority, compensation and
status); (ii) without the Participant's express written consent, a significant
reduction in the Participant's Base Salary compared to the Participant's Base
Salary in effect immediately prior to such reduction; provided, however, that a
reduction in the Participant's Base Salary of less than twenty percent (20%) or
a reduction in the Participant's Base Salary that is part of an overall
reduction in compensation also applied to other senior executives of the Company
as a result of decreased business performance by the Company or one of its
business units, shall not constitute an Involuntary Termination Following a
Change in Control; (iii) without the Participant's express written consent, the
relocation of the Participant to a facility or a location more than thirty-five
(35) miles from the Participant's then present location; (iv) any purported
termination of the Participant by the Company which is not effected for
Disability or for Cause, or any purported termination for which the grounds
relied upon are not valid; or (v) the failure of the Company to obtain the
assumption of this Agreement by any successors in the event of a change of
control.
N. Notice of Participation. "Notice of Participation" shall mean an
individualized written notice of participation in the Plan from an authorized
officer of the Company.
O. Participant. "Participant" shall mean an individual who meets the
eligibility requirements of Article III.
P. Plan. "Plan" shall mean this Novell, Inc. Senior Management Severance
Plan.
Q. Plan Administrator. "Plan Administrator" shall mean the Board of
Directors of the Company, or its committee or designate, as shall be
administering the Plan.
R. Plan Year. "Plan Year" shall mean the Company's fiscal year.
S. Restricted Business. "Restricted Business" shall mean (i) the design,
development, manufacture, marketing or support of local or wide area network
products, computer operating systems, applications products, or any other
software products of the type designed, developed, manufacturer, sold or
supported by the Company or as proposed to be designed, developed, manufactured,
sold or supported by the Company pursuant to a development project that is
actually being pursued during the term of this Plan; and (ii) any business that
competes directly or indirectly with the hardware and software business of the
Company.
T. Restricted Territory. "Restricted Territory" shall mean the counties,
cities or states of the United States.
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U. Severance Payment. "Severance Payment" shall mean the payment of
severance compensation as provided in Article IV hereof.
V. Severance Payment Percentage. "Severance Payment Percentage" shall
mean, for each Participant, the Severance Payment Percentage set forth in such
Participant's Notice of Participation.
W. Target Bonus. "Target Bonus" shall mean the annual percentage of
Participant's Base Salary which is available as a potential bonus.
ARTICLE III
ELIGIBILITY
A. Waiver. As a condition of receiving benefits under the Plan, an
Employee must sign a general waiver and release (the "Release") on a form
provided by the Company and not revoke the Release within the time permitted
under applicable state or federal law.
B. Participation in Plan. Each Employee who is designated by the Plan
Administrator and who signs and timely returns to the Company a Notice of
Participation shall be a Participant in the Plan. A Participant shall cease to
be a Participant in the Plan with respect to future Plan Years upon receiving
written notice from the Plan Administrator, in accordance with Article IX.A
herein, at least ten (10) days prior to the beginning of any Plan Year, unless
such Participant has incurred an Involuntary Termination or Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control prior to the receipt of such notice. A
Participant entitled to benefits hereunder shall remain a Participant in the
Plan until the full amount of the benefits has been delivered to the
Participant.
C. Benefit Ineligibility. Employees are not eligible for benefits under
this Plan under any of the following conditions: (i) if he or she is a temporary
employee or temporary agency worker; (ii) if the Company is not treating the
individual as a common-law employee, as conclusively evidenced by its failure to
withhold taxes from the individual's compensation, even if the individual is
determined by a governmental agency or court to be a common-law employee of the
Company; (iii) if he or she is covered under a separate written agreement or
employment contract with the Company relating to severance benefits that is in
effect at the time of his or her termination of employment with the Company;
(iv) if he or she is on an unpaid leave of absence without a right of
reinstatement; or (v) if he or she is otherwise ineligible under Article IV of
this Plan.
ARTICLE IV
SEVERANCE BENEFITS
A. Upon an Involuntary Termination Other than for Cause and Other than
Following a Change in Control. If the Participant's employment with the Company
terminates as a result of an Involuntary Termination other than for Cause and
other than Following a Change in Control, the Participant shall be entitled to
receive the following severance benefits:
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1. Severance Payment. Participant shall receive a cash payment
equal to the product obtained by multiplying the Participant's Severance Payment
Percentage times the Participant's Base Salary. Any such Severance Payment shall
be paid in cash by the Company to the Participant in substantially equal monthly
installments, subject to the Participant's compliance with Article VII, and
shall be in lieu of any other severance or severance-type benefits to which the
Participant may be entitled under any other Company-sponsored plan, practice or
arrangement. Notwithstanding the forgoing, the Plan Administrator may, in its
sole discretion, pay the Severance Payment in a single, lump sum payment in lieu
of monthly installments.
2. Option Vesting and Restricted Stock.
(i)With respect to any Company stock options held by the
Participant as of the date of such Involuntary Termination, the Company shall
accelerate the vesting of that portion of the Participant's stock options, if
any, which would have vested within one (1) year after the date of the
Participant's Involuntary Termination, such options to remain exercisable,
notwithstanding anything in any other agreement governing such options, for a
period of six (6) months after such Involuntary Termination, subject only to the
original term of the option; and
(ii) With respect to any shares of Company common stock
held by the Participant that is, at the time of such Involuntary Termination,
subject to the Company's repurchase right upon termination of the Participant's
employment ("Restricted Stock"), the Company shall waive such repurchase right
as to the number of shares of Restricted Stock that would have vested on the
next anniversary of the Restricted Stock grant date.
3. COBRA Benefits. Participant shall receive a lump sum payment
in an amount equal to the cost of COBRA continuation for the Participant's
Benefits Continuation Period.
B. Upon Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control. If the
Participant's employment with the Company terminates as a direct result of an
Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control without Cause within two
(2) months prior to or twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, the
Participant shall be entitled to receive the following severance benefits:
1. Severance Payment. Participant shall receive a cash payment
equal to three (3) times Participant's Base Salary and Target Bonus at the time
of Participant's Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control. Any such
Severance Payment shall be paid in cash by the Company to the Participant in
substantially equal monthly installments, subject to the Participant's
compliance with Article VII, and shall be in lieu of any other severance or
severance-type benefits to which the Participant may be entitled under any other
Company-sponsored plan, practice or arrangement. Notwithstanding the forgoing,
the Plan Administrator may, in its sole discretion, pay the Severance Payment in
a single, lump sum payment in lieu of monthly installments.
2. Option Vesting and Restricted Stock.
(i) With respect to any Company stock options held by
the Participant as of the date of such Involuntary Termination Following a
Change in Control, the Company shall accelerate the vesting of that portion of
the Participant's stock options, if any, which would have
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vested within two (2) years after the date of the Participant's Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control, such options to remain exercisable,
notwithstanding anything in any other agreement governing such options, for a
period of one (1) year after such Involuntary Termination Following a Change in
Control, but in no event later than the expiration of such options as set forth
in the option agreement(s); and
(ii) With respect to any shares of Company common stock
held by the Participant that is, at the time of such Involuntary Termination
Following a Change in Control, subject to the Company's repurchase right upon
termination of the Participant's employment ("Restricted Stock"), the Company
shall waive such repurchase right as to the number of shares of Restricted Stock
that would have vested on the next two (2) anniversaries of the Restricted Stock
grant date.
3. COBRA Benefits. Participant shall receive a lump sum payment
in an amount equal to the cost of COBRA continuation for a period of thirty-six
(36) months after Participant's Involuntary Termination Following a Change in
Control.
C. Voluntary Resignation; Termination For Cause. If the Participant's
employment terminates by reason of the Participant's voluntary resignation (and
is not an Involuntary Termination and is not an Involuntary Termination
Following a Change in Control), or if the Company terminates the Participant for
Cause, then the Participant shall not be entitled to receive severance or other
benefits under this Plan and shall be entitled only to those benefits (if any)
as may be available under the Company's then existing benefit plans and policies
at the time of such termination.
D. Disability; Death. If the Participant's employment terminates by
reason of the Participant's death, or by reason of Participant's Disability,
then the Participant shall not be entitled to receive severance or other
benefits under this Plan and shall be entitled only to those benefits (if any)
as may be available under the Company's then existing benefit plans and policies
at the time of such death or Disability.
E. Integration with Other Payments. Should the Plan Administrator, in
its sole and absolute discretion, determine that any other benefits are or may
become payable, including but not limited to workers' compensation wage
replacement benefits, severance pay, or similar benefits under benefit plans,
severance programs, employment contracts, or applicable laws such as the
Workers' Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, Participant's
benefits under this Plan will be reduced accordingly or alternatively, benefits
previously paid under the Plan will be treated as having been paid to satisfy
such other benefit obligations. In either case, the Plan Administrator will
determine how to apply this provision, and may override other provisions in this
Plan in doing so.
F. Time of Payment. Severance Payments will be paid as soon as
administratively feasible after Participant's termination of employment, except
that Participant's Severance Payments will not be payable until the expiration
of any revocation time under applicable state and federal law.
ARTICLE V
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GOLDEN PARACHUTE EXCISE TAX AND NON-DEDUCTIBILITY LIMITATIONS
In the event that a payment or benefit received or to be received by the
Participant could result in all or portion of such payment to be subject to the
excise tax under Section 4999 of the Code, then the Participant's payment shall
be either (i) the full payment, or (ii) such lesser amount which would result in
no portion of the payment being subject to excise tax under Section 4999 of the
Code, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable
federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes and the excise tax
imposed by Section 4999 of the Code, results in the receipt by the Participant,
on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of the payment notwithstanding
that all or some portion of the payment may be taxable under Section 4999 of the
Code. All determinations required to be made under this Article V shall be made
by Ernst & Young or any other nationally recognized accounting firm that is the
Company's outside auditor at the time of such determination (the "Accounting
Firm"). The Company shall cause the Accounting Firm to provide detailed
supporting calculations of its determination to the Company and the Participant.
Notice must be given to the Accounting Firm within fifteen (15) business days
after an event entitling the Participant to a payment under this Plan. For
purposes of making a calculation required by this Article, the Accounting Firm
may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes
and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the
applications of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code. The Company and the
Participant shall furnish to the Accounting Firm such information and documents
as the Accounting Firm may reasonably request in order to make a determination
under this Article. The Company shall bear all costs the Accounting Firm may
reasonably incur in connection with the any calculations contemplated by this
Article.
ARTICLE VI
POOLING OF INTERESTS LIMITATIONS
To the extent any of the benefits (including the equity compensation
vesting acceleration) hereunder would cause a contemplated Change in Control
transaction that was intended to be accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests"
transaction to become ineligible for such accounting treatment under generally
accepted accounting principles, as determined by the Accounting Firm, then this
Agreement shall automatically be deemed amended to provide Employee with such
lesser benefits as would allow for the contemplated Change in Control
transaction to be accounted for as a "pooling-of-interests" transaction.
ARTICLE VII
COVENANTS NOT TO COMPETE AND NOT TO SOLICIT
In the event of a Participant's Involuntary Termination other than for
Cause or Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control, the Company's
obligations to provide severance pay as provided in Article IV.A and Article
IV.B shall be expressly conditioned upon the Participant's covenants not to
compete and not to solicit as provided herein. In the event the Participant
breaches his or her obligations to the Company as provided herein, the Company's
obligations to make
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severance payments to the Participant pursuant to Article IV.A and Article IV.B
shall cease, without prejudice to any other remedies that may be available to
the Company.
A. Covenant Not to Compete. For a period of one (1) year following a
Participant's Involuntary Termination other than for Cause or Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control, the Participant shall not directly or
indirectly, engage in (whether as employee, consultant, proprietor, partner,
director or otherwise), or have any ownership interest in, or participate in a
financing, operation, management or control of, any person, firm, corporation or
business that is a Restricted Business in a Restricted Territory without the
prior written consent of the Plan Administrator. For this purpose, ownership of
no more than .5% of the outstanding voting stock of a publicly traded
corporation shall not constitute a violation of this provision.
B. Covenant Not to Solicit. The Participant shall not, for a period of
one (1) year after the Participant's Involuntary Termination other than for
Cause or Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control: (i) solicit,
encourage or take any other action which is intended to induce any other
employee of the Company to terminate his or her employment with the Company; or
(ii) interfere in any manner with the contractual or employment relationship
between the Company and any such employee of the Company. The foregoing shall
not prohibit the Participant or any entity with which the Participant may be
affiliated from hiring a former employee of the Company, provided that such
hiring results exclusively from such former employee's affirmative response to a
general recruitment effort.
C. Interpretation. The covenants contained herein are intended to be
construed as a series of separate covenants, one for each county, city and state
or other political subdivision of a Restricted Territory. Except for geographic
coverage, each such separate covenant shall be deemed identical in terms to the
covenant contained in the preceding paragraphs. If, in any judicial proceeding,
the court shall refuse to enforce any of the separate covenants (or any part
thereof) deemed included in such paragraphs, then such unenforceable covenant
(or such part) shall be deemed to be eliminated from this Plan for the purpose
of those proceedings to the extent necessary to permit the remaining separate
covenants (or portions thereof) to be enforced.
D. Reasonableness. In the event that the provisions of this Article VII
shall ever be deemed to exceed the time, scope or geographic limitations
permitted by applicable laws, then such provisions shall be reformed to the
maximum time, scope or geographic limitations, as the case may be, permitted by
applicable laws.
ARTICLE VIII
EMPLOYMENT STATUS; WITHHOLDING
A. Employment Status. This Plan does not constitute a contract of
employment or impose on the Participant or the Company any obligation to retain
the Participant as an Employee, to change the status of the Participant's
employment, or to change the Company's policies regarding termination of
employment. The Participant's employment is and shall continue to be at-will, as
defined under applicable law. If the Participant's employment with the Company
or a successor
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entity terminates for any reason, the Participant shall not be entitled to any
payments, benefits, damages, awards or compensation other than as provided by
this Plan, or as may otherwise be available in accordance with the Company's
established employee plans and practices or other agreements with the Company at
the time of termination.
B. Taxation of Plan Payments. All amounts paid pursuant to this Plan
shall be subject to regular payroll and withholding taxes.
ARTICLE IX
SUCCESSORS TO COMPANY AND PARTICIPANTS
A. Company's Successors. Any successor to the Company (whether direct or
indirect and whether by purchase, lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or
otherwise) to all or substantially all of the Company's business and/or assets
shall assume the obligations under this Plan and agree expressly to perform the
obligations under this Plan by executing a written agreement. For all purposes
under this Plan, the term "Company" shall include any successor to the Company's
business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption agreement
described in this subsection or which becomes bound by the terms of this Plan by
operation of law.
B. Participant's Successors. All rights of the Participant hereunder
shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Participant's personal
or legal representatives, executors, administrators, successors, heirs,
distributes, devisees and legatees.
ARTICLE X
DURATION, AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
A. Duration. This Plan shall be effective for consecutive one year
periods unless terminated by the Board, provided that any such termination shall
be effective only with respect to future Plan Years. Participants shall be given
notice of a Plan termination within thirty (30) days of the Board's decision. A
termination of this Plan pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be effective
for all purposes, except that such termination shall not affect the payment or
provision of compensation or benefits earned by a Participant prior to the
termination of this Plan.
B. Amendment and Termination. The Board or, if authorized by the Board,
the Plan Administrator, shall have the discretionary authority to amend the Plan
prior to a Change-in-Control by resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the
Board or the Plan Administrator, as applicable, provided that no such amendment
shall reduce the benefits for which Participants may be eligible under the Plan.
Subject to the provisions of Article X.A above, the Plan may be terminated prior
to a Change-in-Control by resolution adopted by at least two-thirds of the
Board. If a Change-in-Control occurs, the Plan no longer shall be subject to
amendment, change or termination in any respect.
ARTICLE XI
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PLAN ADMINISTRATION
A. Plan Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Plan
Administrator.
(1) Subject to the provisions set forth in this Plan and to the
specific duties delegated by the Board of Directors to the Plan Administrator,
the Company as the Plan Administrator shall be responsible for the general
administration and interpretation of the Plan and for carrying out its
provisions. The Plan Administrator shall have such powers as may be necessary to
discharge its duties hereunder, including, but not by way of limitation, the
following powers and duties:
X discretionary authority to construe and interpret the terms of
the Plan, to determine eligibility (including a determination
whether a Participant has experienced a comprehensive and
substantial reduction in the Participant's duties, authority and
responsibilities as described in Article II.L and Article II.M),
and to determine the amount, manner and time of payment of any
benefits hereunder;
X to prescribe procedures to be followed by the Participants for
purposes of Plan participation and distribution of benefits; and
X to take such other action as may be necessary and appropriate
for the proper administration of the Plan.
B. Procedures. The Plan Administrator may adopt such rules, regulations
and bylaws and may make such decisions as it deems necessary or desirable for
the proper administration of the Plan. Any rule or decision that is not
inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan shall be conclusive and binding
upon all persons affected by it, and there shall be no appeal from any ruling by
the Plan Administrator that is within its authority, except as otherwise
provided herein.
ARTICLE XII
CLAIMS AND APPEALS PROCEDURES
A. Claim Dispute. If any person (Claimant) believes that benefits are
being denied improperly, the Claimant must file a formal written claim with the
Plan Administrator. Any claim may only relate to a matter under the Plan and not
to any matter under the separation procedures or any other Company policy,
practice or procedure.
B. Time for Filing Claims. A formal claim must be filed within ninety
(90) days after the date the Claimant first knew or should have known of the
facts upon which the claim is based, unless the Plan Administrator in writing
consents otherwise.
C. Claim Procedure. A written claim should be sent to the General
Counsel, Novell, Inc., 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131.
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If the written claim is denied, in whole or in part, the
Claimant will receive notice from the General Counsel, including the specific
reason for the denial, within ninety (90) days of the date the claim was
received. In some cases, more than ninety (90) days may be needed to make a
decision. In such cases, the Claimant will be notified in writing, within the
initial ninety (90) day period, of the reason more time is needed. An additional
ninety (90) days may be taken to make the decision if the Claimant is sent such
a notice. The extension notice will show the date by which the decision will be
sent.
If no response is received by Claimant within the ninety (90)
day period, the claim is considered denied.
The appeal procedure which follows gives the rules for appealing
a denied claim.
D. Appeal Procedures. A claimant may use this procedure if:
X no reply at all is received by the claimant within
ninety (90) days after filing the claim;
X a notice has extended the time an additional ninety (90)
days and no reply is received within
one-hundred-and-eighty (180) days after filing the
claim; or
X written denial of the claim for benefits or other
matters is received within the proper time limit and the
Claimant wishes to appeal the written denial.
If a claim for benefits is denied, in whole or in part, either expressly
or by virtue of the Claimant not having received a reply, the Claimant or other
duty authorized person, may appeal this denial in writing within sixty (60) days
after the denial is or should have been received. Written request for review of
any denied claim should be sent directly to the Novell, Inc. Senior Management
Severance Plan Appeal Committee, Legal Department, Novell, Inc., 2211 North
First Street, San Jose, California 94131, Attn: General Counsel. The Plan
Administrator serves as the final review under the Plan for all Participants.
Unless the Plan Administrator sends notice in writing that the claim is a
special case needing more time, the Plan Administrator will conduct a review and
decide on the appeal of the denied claim within sixty (60) days after receipt of
the written request for review. If more time is required to make a decision, the
Plan Administrator will send notice in writing that there will be a delay and
give the reasons for the delay. In such cases, the Plan Administrator may have
sixty (60) days more, a total of one-hundred-and-twenty (120) days, to make its
decision.
Procedure:
If the Claimant sends a written request for review of a denied
claim, the Claimant has the right to:
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X Review pertinent Plan documents which may be obtained by
sending a written claim to the General Counsel, Novell,
Inc., 2211 North First Street, San Jose, California
95131, and
X Send to the Plan Administrator a written statement of
the issues and any other documents in support of the
claim for benefits or other matter upon review.
The Plan Administrator's decision shall be given to the Claimant
in writing within sixty (60) days or, if extended, one-hundred-and-twenty (120)
days, and shall include specific reasons for the decision. If the Plan
Administrator does not give its decision on review within the appropriate time
span, the Claimant may consider the claim denied.
The right to receive benefits under this Plan is contingent on a
Claimant using the prescribed claims and appeal procedures to resolve any claim.
Therefore, if a Claimant seeks to resolve any claim by any means other than the
prescribed claims and appeals procedures, he or she must repay all benefits
received under this Plan and shall not be entitled to any further Plan benefits.
ARTICLE XIII
NOTICE
A. General. Notices and all other communications contemplated by this
Plan shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given when
personally delivered or when mailed by U.S. registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested and postage prepaid. In the case of the Participant, mailed
notices shall be addressed to him or her at the home address which he or she
most recently communicated to the Company in writing. In the case of the
Company, mailed notices shall be addressed to the Company's General Counsel,
2211 North First Street, San Jose, California 95131.
B. Notice of Termination by the Company. Any termination by the Company
of the Participant's employment with the Company shall be communicated by a
notice of termination to the Participant at least fourteen (14) days prior to
the date of such termination (or at least thirty (30) days prior to the date of
a termination by reason of the Participant's Disability). Such notice shall
indicate the specific termination provision or provisions in this Plan relied
upon (if any), shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances
claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision or provisions so
indicated, and shall specify the termination date.
C. Notice by the Participant of Involuntary Termination by the Company
and Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control. In the event that the
Participant determines that an Involuntary Termination or an Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control has occurred, the Participant shall
give written notice to the Company that such Involuntary Termination or
Involuntary Termination Following a Change in Control has occurred. Such notice
shall be delivered by the Participant to the Company within ninety (90) days
following the date on which such Involuntary Termination or Involuntary
Termination Following a Change in Control occurred, shall indicate the specific
provision or provisions in this Plan upon which the Participant relied to
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make such determination and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and
circumstances claimed to provide a basis for such determination. The failure by
the Participant to include in the notice any fact or circumstance which
contributes to a showing of Involuntary Termination or Involuntary Termination
Following a Change in Control shall not waive any right of the Participant
hereunder or preclude the Participant from asserting such fact or circumstance
in enforcing his or her rights hereunder.
ARTICLE XIV
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
A. No Duty to Mitigate. The Participant shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any benefits contemplated by this Plan, nor shall any
such benefits be reduced by any earnings or benefits that the Participant may
receive from any other source.
B. Severability. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or
provisions of this Plan shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any
other provision hereof, which shall remain in full force and effect.
C. No Assignment of Benefits. The rights of any person to payments or
benefits under this Plan shall not be made subject to option or assignment,
either by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, including
(without limitation) bankruptcy, garnishment, attachment or other creditor's
process, and any action in violation of this subsection shall be void. However,
payments and benefits under the Plan may be reduced or offset by any amount a
Participant may owe the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
D. Assignment by Company. The Company may assign its rights under this
Plan to an affiliate, and an affiliate may assign its rights under this Plan to
another affiliate of the Company or to the Company; provided, however, that no
assignment shall be made if the net worth of the assignee is less than the net
worth of the Company at the time of assignment; provided, further, that the
Company shall guarantee all benefits payable hereunder. In the case of any such
assignment, the term "Company" when used in this Plan shall mean the corporation
that actually employs the Participant.
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