APPENDIX C
PLANTRONICS, INC.
2002 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
Amended and restated effective June 4, 2021, approved by stockholders on July 26, 2021
1.Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to provide employees of the Company and its Designated Subsidiaries with an opportunity to purchase Common Stock of the Company through accumulated payroll deductions or a cash contribution, if applicable. This Plan includes two components: a Code Section 423 Plan Component and a Non-423 Plan Component. It is the intention of the Company to have the Code Section 423 Plan Component qualify as an “Employee Stock Purchase Plan” under Section 423 of the Code and the provisions of the Plan with respect to the Code Section 423 Component, accordingly, shall be construed so as to extend and limit participation in a manner consistent with the requirements of that section of the Code. In addition, this Plan authorizes the grant of options under the Non-423 Plan Component that do not qualify under Section 423 of the Code, pursuant to the rules, procedures or sub-plans adopted by the Administrator that are designed to achieve tax, securities laws or other objectives for Employees and/or the Company. Except as otherwise indicated, the Non-423 Plan Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the Code Section 423 Plan Component.
2.Definitions.
(a)“Administrator” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company or any committee of members of the Board of Directors authorized to administer the Plan.
(b)“Applicable Laws” shall mean the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where the Plan is, or will be, offered.
(c)“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or U.S. Treasury Regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or other official applicable guidance promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(d)“Code Section 423 Plan Component” shall mean the component of this Plan that is intended to meet the requirements set forth in Section 423(b) of the Code. The Code Section 423 Plan Component shall be construed, administered and enforced in accordance with Section 423(b) of the Code.
(e)“Common Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company.
(f)“Company” shall mean Plantronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(g)“Compensation” shall mean a Participant's base straight time gross earnings rate, exclusive of any payments for overtime, shift premium, incentive compensation, incentive payments, bonuses, commissions, car allowances, profit-sharing and other compensation. The Administrator shall have the discretion to determine what constitutes Compensation for Participants under the Plan, but for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, it will be applied on a uniform, non-discriminatory basis.
(h)“Designated Subsidiary” shall mean any Subsidiary that has been designated by the Administrator from time to time in its sole discretion as eligible to participate in the Plan. The Administrator may provide that any Designated Subsidiary shall only be eligible to participate in the Non-423 Plan Component and at any given time, a Subsidiary that is a Designated Subsidiary under the Code Section 423 Plan Component shall not be a Designated Subsidiary under the Non-423 Plan Component.
(i)“Employee” shall mean any individual who is an employee of the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for tax purposes. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship shall be treated as continuing intact while the individual is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or Designated Subsidiary, as applicable, or is legally protected under Applicable Laws. Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months and the individual's right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship shall be deemed to automatically terminate on the date three (3) months and one day following the commencement of such leave. The Administrator, in its discretion, from time to time may, prior to an Enrollment Date for all options to be granted on the first day of the Offering Period to which the Enrollment Date relates, determine (and for purposes of the Code Section 423 Plan Component, on a uniform and nondiscriminatory basis or as otherwise permitted by Treasury Regulation Section 1.423‑2) that the definition of Employee will or will not include an individual if he or she: (i) has not completed at least two (2) years of service since his or her last hire date (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (ii) customarily works not more than twenty (20) hours per week (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (iii) customarily works not more than five (5) months per calendar year (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Administrator in its discretion), (iv) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code, or (v) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 414(q) of the Code with compensation above a certain level or is an officer or subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, provided the exclusion is applied with respect to each Offering Period in an identical manner to all highly compensated individuals of the Company or Designated Subsidiary whose Employees are participating in that Offering Period. Each exclusion shall be applied with respect to an Offering Period in a manner complying with U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423‑2(e)(2)(ii). For Offering Periods under the Non-423 Plan Component, Employee will also mean any other employee of the Company or any Designated Subsidiary to the extent that Applicable Laws require participation in the Plan to be extended to such employee, as determined by the Administrator.
(j)“Enrollment Date” shall mean the date that is seven (7) calendar days prior to the first day of each Offering Period or such other date determined by the Administrator on or prior to that Offering Period in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.
(k)“Exercise Date” shall mean the last day of each Offering Period.
(l)“Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i)If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable, or;
(ii)If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the date of such determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable, or;
(iii)In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.
(m)“Non-423 Plan Component” shall mean a component of this Plan that is not intended to meet the requirements set forth in Section 423(b) of the Code.
(n)“Offering Period” shall mean a period of approximately six (6) months during which an option granted pursuant to the Plan may be exercised. The duration of Offering Periods may be changed pursuant to Sections 4 and 20 of this Plan.
(o)“Participant” shall mean an eligible Employee who has enrolled in an Offering Period in accordance with Section 5 of the Plan.
(p)“Plan” shall mean this Plantronics, Inc. 2002 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated from time to time.
(q)“Purchase Price” shall mean an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first day of the Offering Period or on the Exercise Date, whichever is lower; provided, however, that the Purchase Price may be adjusted by the Administrator pursuant to Section 20.
(r)“Reserves” shall mean the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which have not yet been exercised and the number of shares of Common Stock which have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but not yet placed under option.
(s)“Subscription Agreement” shall mean a form(s) of agreement approved by the Administrator from time to time authorizing payroll deductions or a cash contribution, if applicable, in connection with a Participant's enrollment in one or more Offering Periods under this Plan.
(t)“Subsidiary” shall mean a corporation, domestic or foreign, of which not less than 50% of the voting shares are held by the Company or a Subsidiary, whether or not such corporation now exists or is hereafter organized or acquired by the Company or a Subsidiary.
3.Eligibility.
(a)Subject to Section 3(b) below, any Employee who shall be employed by the Company or a Designated Subsidiary for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days prior to the first day of an Offering Period, or such other length of time determined by the Administrator on or prior to that Offering Period shall be eligible to participate in the Plan; provided that for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, it will be applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.
(b)Employees who are citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction (without regard to whether they also are citizens or residents of the United States or resident aliens (within the meaning of Section 7701(b)(1)(A) of the Code)) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering Period if the participation of such Employees is prohibited under the laws of the applicable jurisdiction or if complying with the laws of the applicable jurisdiction would cause the Plan or an offering under the Plan to violate Section 423 of the Code.
(c)Any provisions of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no Employee shall be granted an option under the Plan
(i)to the extent that, immediately after the grant, such Employee (or any other person whose stock would be attributed to such Employee pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) would own capital stock of the Company and/or hold outstanding options to purchase such stock possessing five percent (5%) or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of the capital stock of the Company or of any Subsidiary;
(ii)to the extent that his or her rights to purchase stock under all employee stock purchase plans (as defined in Section 423 of the Code) of the Company and its Subsidiaries accrues at a rate which exceeds twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) worth of Common Stock (determined at the Fair Market Value of the shares at the time such option is granted) for each calendar year in which such option is outstanding at any time; or
(iii)to purchase more than 5,000 shares in any Offering Period.
4.Offering Periods. The Plan shall be implemented by consecutive Offering Periods with the Offering Period commencing on or around February 15 and August 15 of each year and ending approximately six (6) months later on August 15 and February 15, respectively. If the commencement or ending date of any Offering Period occurs on a weekend, holiday or other day on which any stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is listed is not open, the last market trading date immediately prior shall be the applicable Offering Period commencement or ending date. The Administrator shall have the power to change the duration of Offering Periods (including the commencement dates thereof) with respect to future offerings without stockholder approval if such change is announced prior to the scheduled beginning of the first Offering Period to be affected thereafter; provided that an Offering Period will in no event be longer than twenty-seven (27) months.
5.Participation. An eligible Employee may become a Participant by submitting a properly completed Subscription Agreement to the Company either through an on-line enrollment process established by the Administrator or submitting a hard copy to the Company's stock administration manager on or prior to the applicable Enrollment Date; provided that for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, the processing of enrollments, whether on-line or via hard copy, will be applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.
6.Payroll Deductions.
(a)At the time a Participant submits his or her Subscription Agreement, he or she shall elect to have payroll deductions made on each payday during the Offering Period at a rate equal to not less than one percent (1.0%) and not exceeding ten percent (10.0%) (in whole percentages only) of his or her Compensation payable on each payday during the Offering Period.
(b)Any such payroll deductions for a Participant shall commence on the first payday following the first day of the Offering Period and shall end on the last payday in the Offering Period to which such authorization is applicable, unless sooner terminated by the Participant as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(c)Notwithstanding the foregoing and lieu of the payroll deductions in subsection (a) above, the Administrator may, for any Offering Period, permit a Participant to make a lump sum direct cash contribution to fund the exercise of any option granted to such Participant pursuant to the Plan, payable during the Offering Period, subject to such conditions and limitations as the Administrator may determine from time to time in its discretion; provided that for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, such conditions and limitations will be applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.
(d)All payroll deductions or any cash contribution, if applicable, made by or for a Participant shall be credited to his or her account under the Plan.
(e)A Participant may discontinue his or her participation in the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof. A Participant's Subscription Agreement shall remain in effect for successive Offering Periods unless terminated as provided in Section 10 hereof or modified by completion and timely submission of a new Subscription Agreement prior to the applicable successive Offering Period Enrollment Date.
(f)Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Participant's payroll deductions or cash contribution, if applicable, may be decreased at any time to the extent necessary to comply with Section 423(b)(8) of the Code and Section 3(c) hereof. Any payroll deductions shall recommence at the rate provided in such Participant's Subscription Agreement at the beginning of the first Offering Period which is scheduled to end in the following calendar year, unless the Participant terminates the Subscription Agreement as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(g)At the time the option is exercised, in whole or in part, or at the time some or all of the Common Stock issued under the Plan is disposed of, the Participant must make adequate provision for the Company's federal, state, or other tax withholding obligations, if any, which arise upon the exercise of the option or the disposition of the Common Stock, or otherwise as a result of participating in the Plan. At any time, the Company may, but shall not be obligated to, withhold from the Participant's pay the amount necessary for the Company to meet applicable withholding obligations, including any withholding required to make available to the Company any tax deductions or benefits attributable to sale or early disposition of Common Stock by the Participant. In addition, the Company or its Subsidiary, as applicable, may withhold (a) from the proceeds of the sale of Common Stock, (b) a sufficient whole number of Common Stock otherwise issuable following purchase having an aggregate Fair Market Value sufficient to pay applicable withholding obligations, or (c) by any other means set forth in the applicable Subscription Agreement.
7.Grant of Option. On the first day of each Offering Period, each Participant shall be granted an option to purchase on the Exercise Date of such Offering Period (at the applicable Purchase Price) up to a number of shares of Common Stock determined by dividing such Participant's payroll deductions or cash contribution, if applicable, accumulated prior to such Exercise Date and retained in the Participant's account as of the Exercise Date by the applicable Purchase Price; provided that such purchase shall be subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 3(c) and 12 hereof. Exercise of the option shall occur as provided in Section 8 hereof, unless the Participant has previously withdrawn pursuant to Section 10 hereof. The Administrator may, for future Offering Periods, increase or decrease, in its absolute discretion, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock a Participant may purchase during an Offering Period. The option shall expire on the last day of the Offering Period.
8.Exercise of Option. Unless a Participant previously withdraws from the Plan as provided in Section 10 hereof, his or her option for the purchase of shares shall be exercised automatically on the Exercise Date, and the maximum number of shares subject to the option shall be purchased for such Participant at the applicable Purchase Price with the accumulated payroll deductions or cash contribution, if applicable, in his or her account. If the Exercise Date of any Offering Period occurs on a weekend, holiday or other day on which any stock exchange or national market system on which the Common Stock is listed is not open, the applicable Offering Period Exercise Date shall be the last market trading date immediately prior to the Exercise Date. Fractional shares may be purchased subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3(c). Any payroll deductions or cash contribution, if applicable, accumulated in a Participant's account which are in excess of the amounts permissible for the purchase of shares authorized under Section 3(c), shall be returned to the Participant as soon as administratively practicable after the Exercise Date of the relevant Offering Period. During a Participant's lifetime, a Participant's option to purchase shares hereunder is exercisable only by him or her.
9.Delivery. As promptly as practicable after each Exercise Date, the Company shall cause to be delivered to each Participant, as appropriate, the shares purchased upon exercise of his or her option.
10.Withdrawal.
(a)A Participant may withdraw the entire balance credited to his or her account and not yet used to exercise his or her option under the Plan at any time through an on-line process established by the Administrator or by giving written notice to the Company in a form(s) approved by the Administrator from time to time at least two (2) business days prior to the applicable Exercise Date or such other deadline determined by the Administrator from time to time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, the processing of withdrawals, whether on-line or via hard copy, will be applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis. The entire balance credited to a Participant's account shall be paid to such Participant as soon as reasonably practicable after timely receipt of the Participant's notice of withdrawal pursuant to this subsection, in which case such Participant's option for the Offering Period shall be automatically terminated, and no further payroll deductions or cash contribution, if applicable, for the purchase of shares shall be made for such Offering Period. If a Participant withdraws from an Offering Period (or submits a withdrawal request pursuant to this subsection that is not timely received for a particular Offering Period), his or her participation in the Plan shall not resume at the beginning of the succeeding Offering Period unless the Participant re-enrolls in the Plan by timely submitting to the Company a new Subscription Agreement.
(b)A Participant's withdrawal from an Offering Period shall not have any effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any similar plan which may hereafter be adopted by the Company or in succeeding Offering Periods which commence after the termination of the Offering Period from which the Participant withdraws.
11.Termination of Employment. Upon a Participant's ceasing to be an Employee for any reason, he or she shall be deemed to have automatically and immediately elected to withdraw from the Plan and the entire balance then credited to such Participant's account shall be returned to such Participant or, in the case of his or her death, to the person or persons entitled thereto under Section 15 hereof, and such Participant's option shall be automatically terminated. The foregoing shall apply whether or not a Participant ceases to be an Employee within the two (2) business days prior to an applicable Exercise Date referred to in Section 10(a) above or such other deadline determined by the Administrator from time to time.
12.Interest. No interest shall accrue on any amounts credited to a Participant's account under the Plan, except as may be required by Applicable Laws, as determined by the Administrator, for Participants in the Non-423 Plan Component (or the Code Section 423 Plan Component if permitted under Section 423 of the Code).
13.Stock.
(a)Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 19 hereof, the maximum number of shares of the Common Stock available for sale under the Plan shall be 4,600,000 shares. If, on a given Exercise Date, the number of shares with respect to which options for all Participants are to be exercised exceeds the number of shares then available under the Plan, the Company shall make a pro rata allocation of the shares remaining available for purchase in as uniform a manner as shall be practicable and as it shall determine to be equitable; provided, however, for purposes of Participants participating in the Code Section 423 Plan Component, any pro rata allocation, will be applied in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis.
(b)The Participant shall have no interest, voting right or rights to dividends in connection with shares covered by his or her option until such option has been exercised.
(c)Shares to be delivered to a Participant under the Plan shall be registered in the name of the Participant.
14.Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator shall have full and exclusive discretionary authority to construe, interpret and apply the terms of the Plan, to determine eligibility, to adjudicate all disputed claims filed under the Plan and to establish such procedures that it deems necessary for the administration of the Plan (including, without limitation, to adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit the participation in the Plan by Employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside the U.S., the terms of which sub-plans may take precedence over other provisions of this Plan, with the exception of Section 13(a) hereof, but unless otherwise superseded by the terms of such sub-plan, the provisions of this Plan shall govern the operation of such sub-plan). Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, the Employees eligible to participate in each sub-plan will participate in a separate offering. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Administrator is specifically authorized to adopt rules and procedures regarding eligibility to participate, the definition of Compensation, making of payroll deductions and/or cash contributions under the Plan, handling of payroll deductions and/or cash contributions, establishment of any bank or trust accounts to hold payroll amounts deducted and/or cash contributions, any payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of stock certificates that vary with applicable local requirements. The Administrator also is authorized to determine that, to the extent permitted by U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.423‑2(f), the terms of an option granted under the Plan or an Offering Period to citizens or residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction will be less favorable than the terms of options granted under the Plan or the same Offering Period to Employees resident solely in the U.S. Every finding, decision and determination made by the Administrator shall, to the full extent permitted by law, be final and binding upon all parties, and shall be given the maximum possible deference permitted by Applicable Laws.
15.Designation of Beneficiary.
(a)To the extent permitted by the Administrator and under Applicable Law, a Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any shares and cash, if any, from the Participant's account under the Plan in the event of such Participant's death subsequent to an Exercise Date on which the option is exercised but prior to delivery to such Participant of such shares and cash. In addition, to the extent permitted by the Administrator and under Applicable Law, a Participant may file a written designation of a beneficiary who is to receive any cash from the Participant's account under the Plan in the event of such Participant's death prior to exercise of an option. If a Participant is married and the designated beneficiary is not the spouse, spousal consent shall be required for such designation to be effective.
(b)If applicable, such designation of beneficiary may be changed by the Participant at any time by written notice. In the event of the death of a Participant and in the absence of a beneficiary validly designated under the Plan who is living at the time of such Participant's death, the Company shall deliver such shares and/or cash to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant, or if to the knowledge of the Company no such executor or administrator has been appointed, the Company, in its discretion, may retain the shares and/or cash until such time as a representative of the Participant's estate is so appointed or provides to the Administrator an order or instructions from a court or administrative body of competent jurisdiction authorizing the release of such shares and/or cash to the representative. The Administrator may, prior to the release of any shares and/or cash, require execution of an indemnification or other form of agreement relieving the Company, Administrator and all Company agents and representatives from liability for invalid release of any shares and/or cash.
(c)Any beneficiary designations made pursuant to this Section shall be made in the form and manner determined by the Administrator from time to time in its discretion.
16.Transferability. Neither payroll deductions nor any cash contribution, if applicable, credited to a Participant's account nor any rights with regard to the exercise of an option or to receive shares under the Plan may be assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise disposed of in any way (other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or as provided in Section 15 hereof) by the Participant. Any such attempt at assignment, transfer, pledge or other disposition shall be without effect, except that the Company may treat such act as an election to withdraw funds from an Offering Period in accordance with Section 10 hereof.
17.Use of Funds. All payroll deductions and/or cash contributions received or held by the Company under the Plan may be used by the Company for any corporate purpose, and the Company shall not be obligated to segregate such amounts unless otherwise required by Applicable Laws, as determined by the Administrator.
18.Reports. Individual accounts shall be maintained for each Participant. Statements of account shall be given to Participants at least annually, which statements shall set forth the amounts of payroll deductions and/or cash contributions, if applicable, made by or for the Participant, the Purchase Price, the number of shares of Common Stock purchased and the remaining cash balance, if any.
19.Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Liquidation, Merger or Asset Sale.
(a)Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the Reserves, the maximum number of shares each Participant may purchase per Offering Period (pursuant to Section 7), as well as the price per share and the number of shares of Common Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Administrator, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an option.
(b)Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”), and shall terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation, unless provided otherwise by the Administrator. The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.
(c)Merger or Asset Sale. In the event of a proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the merger of the Company with or into another corporation, each outstanding option shall be assumed or an equivalent option substituted by the successor corporation or a parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the option, the Offering Period then in progress shall be shortened by setting a new Exercise Date (the “New Exercise Date”). The New Exercise Date shall be before the date of the Company's proposed sale or merger. The Administrator shall notify each Participant in writing, at least ten (10) business days prior to the New Exercise Date, that the Exercise Date for the Participant's option has been changed to the New Exercise Date and that the Participant's option shall be exercised automatically on the New Exercise Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering Period as provided in Section 10 hereof.
20.Amendment or Termination. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. Except as provided in Section 19 hereof, no such termination can affect options previously granted, provided that an Offering Period may be terminated by the Administrator on any Exercise Date if the Administrator determines that the termination of the Offering Period or the Plan is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. Except as provided in Sections 19 and 20 hereof, no amendment may make any change in any option theretofore granted which adversely affects the rights of any Participant.
21.Notices. All notices or other communications by a Participant to the Company under or in connection with the Plan shall be deemed to have been duly given when received in the form specified by the Company at the location, or by the person, designated by the Company for the receipt thereof.
22.Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a)Shares shall not be issued with respect to an option unless the exercise of such option and the issuance and delivery of such shares pursuant thereto shall comply with all applicable provisions of law, domestic or foreign, including, without limitation, the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and the requirements of any stock exchange upon which the shares may then be listed, and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b)As a condition to the exercise of an option, the Company may require a Participant to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required by any of the aforementioned applicable provisions of law.
23.Code Section 409A. The Code Section 423 Plan Component is exempt from the application of Code Section 409A. The Non-423 Plan Component is intended to be exempt from Code Section 409A under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities herein will be interpreted to so be exempt from Code Section 409A. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Administrator determines that an option granted under the Plan may be subject to Code Section 409A or that any provision in the Plan would cause an option under the Plan to be subject to Code Section 409A, the Administrator may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding option granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Administrator determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the Participant's consent, to exempt any outstanding option or future option that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such options to comply with Code Section 409A, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Administrator would not violate Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the option to purchase Common Stock under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Code Section 409A is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Administrator with respect thereto. The Company makes no representation that the option to purchase Common Stock under the Plan is compliant with Code Section 409A.
24.Term of Plan. The Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Administrator or its approval by the stockholders of the Company, if applicable, and shall continue in effect until terminated under Section 20 hereof.
25.Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
26.Governing Law; Severability. The Plan and all determinations made and actions taken thereunder shall be governed by the internal substantive laws, and not the choice of law rules, of the State of California, United States and construed accordingly, to the extent not superseded by applicable U.S. federal law. If any provision of the Plan shall be held unlawful or otherwise invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part, the unlawfulness, invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan or part thereof, each of which shall remain in full force and effect.
APPENDIX D
PLANTRONICS, INC.
2003 STOCK PLAN
Amended and restated effective June 4, 2021, approved by stockholders on July 26, 2021
SECTION 1.PURPOSES AND DEFINITIONS
1.1Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2003 Stock Plan are:
(A)to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
(B)to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and
(C)to promote the success of the Company’s business.
1.2The Plan permits the Administrator to grant Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and Restricted Stock Units.
1.3Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
(A)“Administrator” means the Board or any Committees as shall be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 2.2.
(B)“Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity based awards under U.S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(C)“Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Restricted Stock Awards, and Restricted Stock Units.
(D)“Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan, for purposes of clarification, and shall include an Option Agreement, a Restricted Stock Award Agreement, and Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, as applicable. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(E)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(F)“Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i)Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or
(ii)The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(iii)A change in the composition of the Board occurring within a two-year period, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the Directors are Incumbent Directors. “Incumbent Directors” means Directors who either (A) are Directors as of the effective date of the Plan, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors at the time of such election or nomination (but will not include an individual whose election or nomination is in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of Directors to the Company); or
(iv)The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) at least fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation.
(G)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(H)“Committee” means a committee of individuals appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 2.2.
(I)“Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(J)“Company” means Plantronics, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(K)“Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged, directly or indirectly, by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.
(L) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(M) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
(N) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a Director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(O) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(P) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:
(i)If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price a Share (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii)If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii)In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator
(Q) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(R) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an "incentive stock option" under Section 422 of the Code.
(S) “Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of the grant of an individual Option, a Restricted Stock Award, and Restricted Stock Unit. The Notice of Grant is part of the agreement evidencing the terms and conditions of a specific grant.
(T) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(U) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.
(V) “Option Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(W) “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.
(X) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.
(Y) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(Z) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.
(AA) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year or such other longer or shorter period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(BB) "Period of Restriction" means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(CC) “Plan” means this 2003 Stock Plan, as amended and restated.
(DD) “Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock Award or the early exercise of an Option.
(EE) “Restricted Stock Award” means a grant of Restricted Stock pursuant to the Plan, as evidenced by a Notice of Grant.
(FF) “Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to stock granted under a Restricted Stock Award. The Restricted Stock Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(GG) “Restricted Stock Unit” means an Award granted to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.
(HH) “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to a Restricted Stock Unit Award. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(II) “Retirement” unless otherwise defined in the Award Agreement or in a written employment, services or other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, will have such meaning as the Administrator may determine, or, if not so defined, will mean termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider after he or she reaches age 55 and has completed at least ten (10) years of employment or service with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, that with respect to Outside Directors “Retirement” will mean termination of an Outside Director’s status as a Director when (i) the Outside Director’s age is 55 or over and he or she has continuously been a Director for at least seven (7) years on the date of such termination or (ii) the Outside Director has continuously been a Director for at least ten (10) years from the date of such termination.
(JJ) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(KK) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(LL) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(MM) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
(NN) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 7.5.
(OO) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
SECTION 2.ADMINISTRATION
2.1Stock Subject to the Plan.
(A)Subject to the provisions of Section 7.5, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be optioned and sold under the Plan is 21,400,000 Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(B)Shares will not be deemed to have been issued pursuant to the Plan with respect to any portion of an Award that is settled in cash.
(C)The following Shares shall not become or again be available for Award grants under the Plan: (i) Shares tendered or delivered to the Company or withheld by the Company to satisfy the applicable exercise price of an Option under the Plan or any prior plan or to satisfy any tax withholding obligation with respect to an Option under the Plan or any prior plan (including Shares retained by the Company from the Award being exercised and/or creating the tax obligation), and (b) Shares repurchased by the Company with the cash proceeds from the exercise of Options.
(D)If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated); provided, however, that Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan, whether upon exercise or of an Award or issuance with respect thereto, shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan, except that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by or forfeited to the Company, such Shares shall become available for future grant under the Plan.
2.2Administration of the Plan.
(A)Procedure.
(i)Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(B)Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:
(i)to determine the Fair Market Value;
(ii)to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted under the Plan;
(iii)to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted under the Plan;
(iv)to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;
(v)to determine the terms and conditions of any Award in accordance with the provisions of the Plan; provided, however, that the Administrator will not permit any Participant to issue a promissory note in order to exercise or otherwise acquire Shares pursuant to an Award;
(vi)to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(vii)to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to subplans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;
(viii)to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 7.6(C)), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan (but not beyond the maximum term permitted under Section 3.3); provided, however, that no such modification or amendment may invalidate this Plan as qualified under Applicable Laws;
(ix)to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company withhold from the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Award that number of Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion. The fair market value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. All elections by the Participant to have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;
(x)to authorize any person to (i) make decisions, determinations and interpretations on behalf of the Administrator to the extent allowed under Applicable Laws, and (ii) execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; and
(xi)to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(C)Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations, and those of any person authorized by the Administrator to make decisions, determinations and interpretations on behalf of the Administrator, shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.
2.3Eligibility. Awards may be granted to Service Providers subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
SECTION 3.STOCK OPTIONS
3.1 Limitations. An Option granted under the Plan may only qualify as a Nonstatutory Stock Option and shall be designated in an Award Agreement as such.
3.2Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be seven (7) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be approved by the Administrator.
3.3Option Exercise Price. The per Share exercise price of an Option shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
3.4Minimum 12-Month Vesting and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised, an Options may not be exercisable until at least 12 months have passed following the date of the Option grant. Accordingly, for any Option which vests in installments, the first installment must be at least 12 months from the date of grant.
3.5Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. Such consideration may consist, subject to Applicable Laws, entirely of:
(A)cash;
(B)check;
(C)other Shares, including reservation by the Company of Shares issuable to the Participant upon exercise of an Option, which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender or reservation equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised;
(D)consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;
(E)a reduction in the amount of any Company liability to the Participant, including any liability attributable to the Participant’s participation in any Company sponsored deferred compensation program or arrangement;
(F)any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or
(G)such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; provided, however, that the issuance of a promissory note will not be a permissible form of consideration under the Plan.
3.6Exercise of Option.
(A)Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.
(i)An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (x) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Award Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (y) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable withholding taxes). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Participant. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 7.5.
(ii)Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.
(B)Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s death, Disability or, in the case of Retirement, as set forth in Section 3.6(E) below, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for ninety (90) days following the Participant’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(C)Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (of at least six (6) months) to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination. If, on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(D)Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to
whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s death. If, at the time of death, a Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
(E)Retirement of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of his or her Retirement, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement, to the extent the Option is vested on the date of Retirement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the date of Participant’s Retirement. If, on the date of Retirement, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after his or her Retirement, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.
SECTION 4.RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
4.1Grant of Restricted Stock. Awards of Restricted Stock may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Except as set forth in Section 7.8, the Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted to each Participant.
4.2Restricted Stock Agreement. Subject to Section 4.3, each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. The granting and/or vesting of Restricted Stock Awards may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company, as escrow agent, will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.
4.3 Minimum 12-Month Vesting and Other Terms of Restricted Stock Awards. The Administrator determines the period during which an Award of Restricted Stock will vest, which must be at least 12 months from the date of grant. Additionally, if an Award of Restricted Stock is not subject to achievement of performance goals, then such Award generally will fully vest over at least three years from the grant date. For any Restricted Stock Award which vests in installments, the first installment must be at least 12 months from the date of grant. Subject to the foregoing 12-month minimum vesting period, the Administrator may determine the vesting schedule of a Restricted Stock Award in its sole discretion and the Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed in the event of a Change of Control.
4.4 Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 4 or the Award Agreement, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
4.5 Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
4.6 Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 4, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Award of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
4.7 Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
4.8 Dividends, Dividend Equivalents and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, all dividends and other distributions, if any, including dividend equivalents, will continue to accrue for all Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock for the Period of Restriction that has not lapsed or been satisfied. Such dividend or other distribution, if any, including dividend equivalents, shall not be paid unless and until Shares are transferred to a Service Provider in settlement of Restricted Stock Award. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.
4.9 Cancellation of Restricted Stock Award. On the date set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Restricted Stock shall be forfeited to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan as set forth in Section 2.1.
SECTION 5.RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS
5.1Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Except as set forth in Section 7.8, the Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Restricted Stock Units granted to each Participant.
5.2Value of Restricted Stock Unit. Each Restricted Stock Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant.
5.3Minimum 12-Month Vesting. The minimum vesting period for Restricted Stock Units must be at least 12 months from the date of grant, provided that if an Restricted Stock Unit Award is not subject to the achievement of performance goals, then such Award generally will fully vest over at least three years from the grant date (except in France where local law requires a two year vesting period and a two-year holding period). For any Restricted Stock Unit which vests in installments, the first installment must be at least 12 months from the date of grant. Subject to the foregoing 12-month minimum vesting period, a Restricted Stock Unit may, in the discretion of the Administrator, vest over the Participant’s period of service or upon attainment of specified performance objectives.
5.4Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives (including, without limitation, continued service) in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number of Shares issuable or value of Restricted Stock Units paid out to the Participants. The granting and/or vesting of Restricted Stock Units may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
5.5Earning of Restricted Stock Units. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Restricted Stock Units will be entitled to receive all or a portion of the Shares issuable or a cash amount payable in accordance with Section 5.6 below based on the number of Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Restricted Stock Unit.
5.6Form and Timing of Payment of Restricted Stock Units. Issuance of Shares and/or payment of cash earned pursuant to Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in the form of cash, by the issuance of Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Restricted Stock Units at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
5.7Cancellation of Restricted Stock Units. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Shares subject to Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
5.8 Dividends, Dividend Equivalents and Other Distributions. During the period of restriction, all dividends and other distributions, if any, including dividend equivalents, will continue to accrue for all service providers holding Restricted Stock Units for which the Period of Restriction has not lapsed or been satisfied. Such dividend or other distribution, if any, including a dividend equivalent, shall not be paid unless and until Shares are transferred to a Participant in settlement of the Restricted Stock Unit. If any such dividends or distribution are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which they were paid.
SECTION 6.(RESERVED)
SECTION 7.GENERAL PROVISIONS
7.1Term of Plan. The Plan originally became effective on September 24, 2003, and was most recently amended and restated on June 4, 2021, subject to obtaining stockholder approval in accordance with Section 7.12. It shall continue in effect until terminated under Section 7.6.
7.2 Officer Participant Clawback Provision for Restatement. The Administrator has the right to recoup from any Officer performance-based Awards granted under the Plan in the case of a material financial restatement of results for prior years. It is not the Company’s policy to automatically require such recoupment in the case of a restatement of results (except for select Officer participants as may be required under various laws and regulations). However, the Administrator will evaluate the facts and circumstances of each case and may require recoupment from the Officer who received undue awards based on a material and intentional or negligent misrepresentation of financial results.
7.3 Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator, in its sole discretion, makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, or (iii) to family members (as such term is defined in the general instructions to Form S-8 under the Securities Act) through gifts or domestic relations orders, as permitted by the instructions to Form S-8 of the Securities Act.
7.4 Leaves of Absence. The vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence, unless the Administrator determines otherwise pursuant to a leave of absence policy in effect from time to time. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary.
7.5 Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Merger or Change in Control.
(A)Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the stockholders of the Company, the number of Shares that have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation or expiration of an Award, and the number of Shares as well as the price per Share covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits in Sections 2, shall be proportionately adjusted for any change in, or increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares, resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other change, or increase or decrease in the number of issued Shares, effected without receipt of consideration by the Company; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been “effected without receipt of consideration.” The Board shall make such adjustment, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of Shares subject to an Award.
(B)Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for the Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Award prior to such transaction as to all of the Shares covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Award would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option applicable to any Shares purchased upon exercise of an Award shall lapse as to all such Shares, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, or earned, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(C)Merger or Change in Control.
(i)Awards. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award shall be assumed or an equivalent award substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation.
(1)In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise his or her Option as to all of the Shares, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, and all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse and all performance goals or other vesting criteria with respect to an Award will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of not less than fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option shall terminate upon the expiration of such period.
(2)For the purposes of this Section 7.5(C)(i), an Award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control (and in the case of Restricted Stock Units, for each implied Share determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Unit by the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control), an amount of consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) equal to the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, the Administrator may, with the consent of the successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Option for each Share subject to such Award, or in the case of Restricted Stock Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Restricted Stock Units by the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per Share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control.
(3)Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.5(C)(i)(2) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more performance goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such performance goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such performance goals only to reflect the successor corporation’s post-merger or post-asset sale corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.
(D)Outside Director Option and Restricted Stock Grants. Notwithstanding anything in Section 7.5(C)(i) to the contrary, in the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or a Change in Control, in which an Outside Director is terminated or asked to resign Awards granted to such Outside Director shall vest 100% immediately prior to such merger or Change in Control. In the event of a merger or Change in Control in which an Outside Director is not terminated or asked to resign, such Outside Director’s Awards shall be treated under the terms of Section 7.5(C)(i).
7.6 Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award shall be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award or such later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
7.7 Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(A)Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(B)Stockholder Approval. The Company shall obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws. Additionally, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board may not, without the approval of the Company’s stockholders:
(i)materially increase the number of shares of Common Stock issuable under the Plan, except for permissible adjustments in the event of certain changes in the Company’s capitalization as set forth in Section 7.5(A);
(ii)materially modify the requirements for eligibility to participate in the Plan; or
(iii)reprice Options issued under the Plan by lowering the exercise price of a previously granted Option, by canceling outstanding Options and issuing replacement Options, by otherwise replacing existing Options with substitute Options with a lower exercise price, or by substituting full value Awards for underwater Options and SARS, or by buying back or buying out underwater Options in exchange for cash.
(C)Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
7.8 Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(A)Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(B)Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
7.9 Limitation of Awards to Outside Directors. No Outside Director may receive one or more Awards in any Fiscal Year with an aggregate grant date fair value of more than US$500,000. For these purposes the grant date fair value will mean (i) with respect to any Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units the product of (A) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the grant date of such Award, and (B) the aggregate number of Shares subject to the Award, and (ii) with respect to any Option, the Black-Scholes option valuation methodology, or such other methodology the Administrator may determine prior to the grant of an Award becoming effective, on the grant date of such Award. The minimum vesting period for Awards of Options or Restricted Stock must be at least 12 months from the date of grant. Accordingly, for any Award which vests in installments, the first installment must be at least 12 months from the date of grant.
7.10 Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.
7.11 Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
7.12 Participant’s Relationship with Company. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon the Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.
7.13 Stockholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company after the date the Plan is adopted. Such stockholder approval shall be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
