UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 3, 2015

 

 

Western Digital Corporation

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-08703   33-0956711

(State or Other Jurisdiction of

Incorporation or Organization)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

 

3355 Michelson Drive, Suite 100

Irvine, California

  92612
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

(949) 672-7000

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

Not applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 240.425)

 

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

 


Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Amended and Restated 2004 Performance Incentive Plan

The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Western Digital Corporation (the “Company”) previously adopted an amendment and restatement of the Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2004 Performance Incentive Plan (the “Restated 2004 Plan”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders on November 4, 2015. Among other things, the Restated 2004 Plan reflects amendments to:

 

  (i) increase the number of shares of the Company’s common stock available for award grants under the Restated 2004 Plan by 17,000,000 shares, from 48,837,248 shares to a new maximum aggregate limit of 65,837,248 shares;

 

  (ii) renew the Company’s authority to grant certain qualified performance-based awards intended to satisfy the requirements for deductibility of compensation under Section 162(m) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code through the Company’s 2020 annual meeting of stockholders, and approve the performance criteria set forth in the Restated 2004 Plan for use in connection with such performance-based awards;

 

  (iii) increase the limit of the maximum number of shares that may be delivered under the Restated 2004 Plan pursuant to stock options qualified as incentive stock options under the Internal Revenue Code by an additional 16,137,935 shares, from 49,699,313 shares to a new aggregate incentive stock option limit of 65,837,248 shares. These stock option awards count against, and are not in addition to, the aggregate share limit of 65,837,248 shares referenced in (i) above;

 

  (iv) create a limit of $900,000 on the value of equity awards granted to any one non-employee director in any single measurement year (based on fair market value of the shares on the date of grant of the applicable award, using such valuation principles as determined by the plan administrator, and with the measurement year generally being the period from one annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders to the next); provided, that this limit does not apply to any award granted to an individual serving in a capacity other than as a non-employee director; and

 

  (v) extend the expiration date of the Restated 2004 Plan to August 4, 2025.

According to the results from the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders held on November 4, 2015, the Company’s stockholders have approved the Restated 2004 Plan.

The Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board administers the Restated 2004 Plan. The Board has delegated general administrative authority for the Restated 2004 Plan to the Compensation Committee of the Board, except the Board retains administrative authority with respect to awards granted to non-employee members of the Board. The administrator of the Restated 2004 Plan has broad authority under the plan to, among other things, select participants and determine the type(s) of award(s) that they are to receive, and determine the number of shares that are to be subject to awards and the terms and conditions of awards, including the price (if any) to be paid for the shares or the award.

Persons eligible to receive awards under the Restated 2004 Plan include officers or employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, members of the Board, and certain consultants and advisors to the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

The Restated 2004 Plan authorizes an increase in the number of shares of common stock available for award grants under the 2004 Restated Plan by an additional 17,000,000 shares, from 48,837,248 shares to a new aggregate total of 65,837,248 shares. As noted on page 63 of our Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 2015, as of August 13, 2015: (i) a total of 11,119,468 shares of our common stock were subject to outstanding awards granted under the Restated 2004 Plan, and (ii) an additional 3,113,485 shares of our common stock were available for new award grants under the Restated 2004 Plan (before giving effect to the increase of 17,000,000 shares in the aggregate share limit). Shares issued in respect of any “full-value award” (generally, any award other than a stock option or stock appreciation right) granted under the Restated 2004 Plan will continue to be counted against the share limit described in the preceding paragraph as 1.72 shares for every one share actually issued in connection with the award.

To the extent that an award is settled in cash or a form other than shares, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement will not be counted against the shares available for issuance under the Restated 2004 Plan. In the event that shares are delivered in respect of a dividend equivalent right, only the actual number of shares delivered with respect to the award shall be counted against the share limits of the Restated 2004 Plan. To the extent that shares are delivered pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right or stock option, the number of underlying shares as to which the exercise relates shall be counted against the applicable share limits, as opposed to only counting the shares actually issued. Shares that are reacquired or withheld by the Company to pay the exercise price of an award granted under the Restated 2004 Plan, shares reacquired or withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any award and shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of stock options, will not be available for subsequent awards under the Restated 2004 Plan. Shares that are subject to or underlie awards that expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under the Restated 2004 Plan will again be available for subsequent awards under the Restated 2004 Plan. In addition, the Restated 2004 Plan


generally provides that shares issued in connection with awards that are granted by or become obligations of the Company through the assumption of awards (or in substitution for awards) in connection with an acquisition of another company will not count against the shares available for issuance under the Restated 2004 Plan.

The types of awards that may be granted under the Restated 2004 Plan include stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, stock bonuses, performance stock, stock units, phantom stock, dividend equivalents and similar awards, which are granted or denominated in shares of the Company’s common stock, as well as cash bonus awards.

As is customary in incentive plans of this nature, each share limit and the number and kind of shares available under the Restated 2004 Plan and any outstanding awards, as well as the exercise or purchase price of awards, and the performance targets under certain types of performance-based awards, are subject to adjustment in the event of certain reorganizations, mergers, combinations, recapitalizations, stock splits, stock dividends, or other similar events that change the number or kind of shares outstanding, and extraordinary dividends or distributions of property to the stockholders.

The foregoing summary of the Restated 2004 Plan and the amendments thereto is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Restated 2004 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan

On November 3, 2015, the Board adopted an amendment and restatement of the Western Digital Corporation Change of Control Severance Plan (the “Restated Severance Plan”). Among other things, the Restated Severance Plan reflects amendments to provide for accelerated vesting of all equity awards granted by the Company to an eligible executive in the event the executive’s employment terminates in connection with a “Change in Control” (as defined in the Restated Severance Plan) and the executive is eligible for severance benefits under the plan. In such circumstances, equity awards with performance-based vesting conditions, such as performance stock units, generally would vest at the target level of performance if the performance period had not ended as of the date of the Change in Control. To the extent the terms of an applicable equity plan, award agreement, Board or Compensation Committee action or definitive agreement effecting a Change in Control provide for more favorable treatment of such awards in the circumstances (for example, vesting at greater than the target level), the executive would be entitled to the more favorable treatment.

The foregoing summary of the amendments to the Restated Severance Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the text of the Restated Severance Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by this reference.

 

Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

The annual meeting of stockholders of the Company was held on November 4, 2015. Results of the voting at the annual meeting of stockholders are set forth below.

Election of Directors . The stockholders elected the following eight directors to hold office until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. The voting results were as follows:

 

    

For

  

Against

  

Abstain

  

Broker Non-Votes

Martin I. Cole

   176,061,509    1,004,495    756,105    18,061,082

Kathleen A. Cote

   173,934,063    3,133,300    754,746    18,061,082

Henry T. DeNero

   173,174,210    3,892,384    755,515    18,061,082

Michael D. Lambert

   173,227,840    3,837,129    757,140    18,061,082

Len. J. Lauer

   175,210,058    1,847,965    764,086    18,061,082

Matthew E. Massengill

   174,458,698    2,614,291    749,120    18,061,082

Stephen D. Milligan

   174,959,744    2,128,170    734,195    18,061,082

Paula A. Price

   175,956,447    1,109,394    756,268    18,061,082


Advisory Vote on Named Executive Officer Compensation. The stockholders voted to approve, on an advisory basis, the named executive officer compensation described in the proxy statement for the annual meeting of stockholders. The voting results were as follows:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

168,222,756

  8,460,663   1,138,690   18,061,082

Approval of Restated 2004 Plan . As described in more detail above, the stockholders approved the Company’s Restated 2004 Plan. The voting results were as follows:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

160,840,360

  16,083,730   898,019   18,061,082

Approval of Amendment and Restatement of 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan . The stockholders approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s 2005 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The voting results were as follows:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

 

Broker Non-Votes

173,127,325

  3,273,607   1,421,177   18,061,082

Appointment of KPMG LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The stockholders ratified the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending July 1, 2016. The voting results were as follows:

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

190,277,612   4,857,195   748,384

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) The following exhibits are filed as a part of this report.

 

Exhibit
No.
   Description
10.1    Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2004 Performance Incentive Plan
10.2    Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

      Western Digital Corporation
      (Registrant)
    By:  

/s/ Michael C. Ray

Date: November 4, 2015

      Michael C. Ray
     

Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer

and Secretary


Exhibit Index

 

10.1    Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated 2004 Performance Incentive Plan
10.2    Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan

Exhibit 10.1

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED

2004 PERFORMANCE INCENTIVE PLAN

(Amended and Restated as of August 5, 2015)

 

1. PURPOSE OF PLAN

The purpose of this Western Digital Corporation 2004 Performance Incentive Plan (this “ Plan ”) of Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Corporation ”), is to promote the success of the Corporation and to increase stockholder value by providing an additional means through the grant of awards to attract, motivate, retain and reward selected employees and other eligible persons.

 

2. ELIGIBILITY

The Administrator (as such term is defined in Section 3.1) may grant awards under this Plan only to those persons that the Administrator determines to be Eligible Persons. An “ Eligible Person ” is any person who is either: (a) an officer (whether or not a director) or employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries; (b) a member of the Board; or (c) an individual consultant or advisor who renders or has rendered bona fide services (other than services in connection with the offering or sale of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in a capital-raising transaction or as a market maker or promoter of securities of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries) to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and who is selected to participate in this Plan by the Administrator; provided, however, that a person who is otherwise an Eligible Person under clause (c) above may participate in this Plan only if such participation would not adversely affect either the Corporation’s eligibility to use Form S-8 to register under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “ Securities Act ”), the offering and sale of shares issuable under this Plan by the Corporation or the Corporation’s compliance with any other applicable laws. An Eligible Person who has been granted an award (a “participant”) may, if otherwise eligible, be granted additional awards if the Administrator shall so determine. As used herein, “ Subsidiary ” means any corporation or other entity a majority of whose outstanding voting stock or voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Corporation; and “ Board ” means the Board of Directors of the Corporation.

 

3. PLAN ADMINISTRATION

 

  3.1

The Administrator . This Plan shall be administered by and all awards under this Plan shall be authorized by the Administrator. The “ Administrator ” means the Board or one or more committees appointed by the Board or another committee (within its delegated authority) to administer all or certain aspects of this Plan. Any such committee shall be comprised solely of one or more directors or such number of directors as may be required under applicable law. A committee may delegate some or all of its authority to another committee so constituted. The Board or a committee comprised solely of directors may also delegate, to the extent permitted by Section 157(c) of the Delaware General Corporation Law and any other applicable law, to one or more officers of the Corporation, its powers

 

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  under this Plan (a) to designate the officers and employees of the Corporation and its Subsidiaries who will receive grants of awards under this Plan, and (b) to determine the number of shares subject to, and the other terms and conditions of, such awards. The Board may delegate different levels of authority to different committees with administrative and grant authority under this Plan. Unless otherwise provided in the Bylaws of the Corporation or the applicable charter of any Administrator: (x) a majority of the members of the acting Administrator shall constitute a quorum, and (y) the vote of a majority of the members present assuming the presence of a quorum or the unanimous written consent of the members of the Administrator shall constitute action by the acting Administrator.

 

  3.2 Powers of the Administrator . Subject to the express provisions of this Plan, the Administrator is authorized and empowered to do all things necessary or desirable in connection with the authorization of awards and the administration of this Plan (in the case of a committee or delegation to one or more officers, within the authority delegated to that committee or person(s)), including, without limitation, the authority to:

 

  (a) determine eligibility and, from among those persons determined to be eligible, the particular Eligible Persons who will receive an award under this Plan;

 

  (b) grant awards to Eligible Persons, determine the price (if any) at which securities will be offered or awarded and the number of securities to be offered or awarded to any of such persons (in the case of securities-based awards), determine the other specific terms and conditions of such awards consistent with the express limits of this Plan, establish the installment(s) (if any) in which such awards shall become exercisable or shall vest (which may include, without limitation, performance and/or time-based schedules), or determine that no delayed exercisability or vesting is required (subject to the minimum vesting rules of Section 5.1.5), establish any applicable performance-based exercisability or vesting requirements, determine the extent (if any) to which any applicable exercise and vesting requirements have been satisfied, and establish the events (if any) of termination or reversion of such awards;

 

  (c) approve the forms of award agreements (which need not be identical either as to type of award or among participants);

 

  (d) construe and interpret this Plan and any agreements defining the rights and obligations of the Corporation, its Subsidiaries, and participants under this Plan, make any and all determinations necessary under this Plan and any such agreements, further define the terms used in this Plan, and prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the administration of this Plan or the awards granted under this Plan;

 

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  (e) cancel, modify, or waive the Corporation’s rights with respect to, or modify, discontinue, suspend, or terminate any or all outstanding awards, subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5;

 

  (f) accelerate, waive or extend the vesting or exercisability, or modify or extend the term of any or all such outstanding awards (in the case of options or stock appreciation rights, within the maximum term of such awards) in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate (including, without limitation, in connection with a termination of employment or services or other events of a personal nature) subject to any required consent under Section 8.6.5 and subject to the minimum vesting rules of Section 5.1.5;

 

  (g) adjust the number of shares of Common Stock subject to any award, adjust the price of any or all outstanding awards or otherwise waive or change previously imposed terms and conditions, in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate, in each case subject to Sections 4 and 8.6 (and subject to the no repricing provision below);

 

  (h) determine the date of grant of an award, which may be a designated date after but not before the date of the Administrator’s action (unless otherwise designated by the Administrator, the date of grant of an award shall be the date upon which the Administrator took the action granting an award); provided, that the grant date of any award may not be modified once such grant date has occurred;

 

  (i) determine whether, and the extent to which, adjustments are required pursuant to Section 7 hereof and authorize the termination, conversion, substitution or succession of awards upon the occurrence of an event of the type described in Section 7;

 

  (j) acquire or settle (subject to Sections 7 and 8.6) rights under awards in cash, stock of equivalent value, or other consideration (subject to the no repricing provision below); and

 

  (k) determine the fair market value of the Common Stock or awards under this Plan from time to time and/or the manner in which such value will be determined.

Notwithstanding the foregoing and except for an adjustment pursuant to Section 7.1 or a repricing approved by stockholders, in no case may the Administrator (1) amend an outstanding stock option or SAR to reduce the exercise price or base price of the award, (2) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or SAR in exchange for cash or other awards for the purpose of repricing the award, or (3) cancel, exchange, or surrender an outstanding stock option or SAR in exchange for an option or SAR with an exercise or base price that is less than the exercise or base price of the original award.

 

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  3.3 Binding Determinations . Any determination or other action taken by, or inaction of, the Corporation, any Subsidiary, or the Administrator relating or pursuant to this Plan (or any award made under this Plan) and within its authority hereunder or under applicable law shall be within the absolute discretion of that entity or body and shall be conclusive and binding upon all persons. Neither the Board nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with this Plan (or any award made under this Plan), and all such persons shall be entitled to indemnification and reimbursement by the Corporation in respect of any claim, loss, damage or expense (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees) arising or resulting therefrom to the fullest extent permitted by law and/or under any directors and officers liability insurance coverage that may be in effect from time to time. Neither the Board nor any Board committee, nor any member thereof or person acting at the direction thereof, nor the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries, shall be liable for any damages of a participant should an award or other action with respect thereto not satisfy Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “ Exchange Act ”), should an option intended as an ISO (as defined below) fail to actually meet the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “ Code ”), applicable to ISOs, should any award fail to qualify for any intended tax treatment or be subject to tax, penalty, or interest under Section 409A of the Code or other tax penalties, or otherwise for any tax or other liability imposed on a participant with respect to an award.

 

  3.4 Reliance on Experts . In making any determination or in taking or not taking any action under this Plan, the Board or a committee, as the case may be, may obtain and may rely upon the advice of experts, including employees and professional advisors to the Corporation. No director, officer or agent of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries shall be liable for any such action or determination taken or made or omitted in good faith.

 

  3.5 Delegation . The Administrator may delegate ministerial, non-discretionary functions to individuals who are officers or employees of the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries or to third parties.

 

4. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN; SHARE LIMITS

 

  4.1 Shares Available . Subject to the provisions of Section 7.1, the capital stock that may be delivered under this Plan shall be shares of the Corporation’s authorized but unissued Common Stock and any shares of its Common Stock held as treasury shares. For purposes of this Plan, “ Common Stock ” shall mean the common stock of the Corporation and such other securities or property as may become the subject of awards under this Plan, or may become subject to such awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 7.1.

4.2 Share Limits . The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to awards granted to Eligible Persons under this Plan (the “ Share Limit ”) is 65,837,248.

 

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Shares issued in respect of any “Full-Value Award” granted under this Plan shall be counted against the foregoing Share Limit as 1.72 shares for every one share actually issued in connection with such award. For this purpose, a “ Full-Value Award ” means any award under this Plan that is not a stock option grant or a stock appreciation right grant.

The following limits also apply with respect to awards granted under this Plan:

 

  (1) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to options qualified as incentive stock options granted under this Plan is 65,837,248 shares.

 

  (2) The maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to those options and stock appreciation rights that are granted during any calendar year to any individual under this Plan is 1,000,000 shares.

 

  (3) Additional limits with respect to Qualified Performance-Based Awards are set forth in Section 5.2.3.

 

  (4) In no event will greater than five percent (5%) of the total shares of Common Stock available for award grant purposes under this Plan be used for purposes of granting certain “Special Full-Value Awards” referred to in Section 5.1.5.

 

  (5) In no event shall the value (based on the fair market value of the shares on the date of grant of the applicable award, using such valuation principles as determined by the Administrator) of the shares of Common Stock subject to awards granted under this Plan to any one non-employee member of the Board (a “ Non-Employee Director ”) in any one Grant Year exceed $900,000. The limit in the preceding sentence shall not apply as to any award granted to an individual for services in a capacity other than as a Non-Employee Director, even if such individual is, was or becomes a Non-Employee Director. For this purpose, “ Grant Year ” means the annual period commencing on the date of the Corporation’s annual meeting of stockholders and concluding on the day immediately preceding the next annual meeting of stockholders, or such other annual period as the Administrator may determine in its discretion.

Each of the foregoing numerical limits is subject to adjustment as contemplated by Section 4.3, Section 7.1, and Section 8.10.

 

  4.3 Awards Settled in Cash, Reissue of Awards and Shares . The share limits of this Plan are subject to adjustment pursuant to the following provisions of this Section 4.3, subject to any applicable limitations under Section 162(m) of the Code with respect to awards intended to qualify as performance-based compensation thereunder. Refer to Section 8.10 for application of this Plan’s share limits with respect to assumed awards.

 

  (a) Shares that are subject to or underlie awards which expire or for any reason are cancelled or terminated, are forfeited, fail to vest, or for any other reason are not paid or delivered under this Plan shall again be available for subsequent awards under this Plan.

 

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  (b) Shares that are exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Corporation as full or partial payment in connection with any award under this Plan, shares exchanged by a participant or withheld by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to any award, and shares purchased on the open market with the cash proceeds from the exercise of options, shall not be available for subsequent awards under this Plan.

 

  (c) To the extent that an award is settled in cash or a form other than shares of Common Stock, the shares that would have been delivered had there been no such cash or other settlement shall not be counted against the shares available for issuance under this Plan.

 

  (d) In the event that shares of Common Stock are delivered in respect of a dividend equivalent right, only the actual number of shares delivered with respect to the award shall be counted against the share limits of this Plan. To the extent that shares of Common Stock are delivered pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right or stock option, the number of underlying shares as to which the exercise related shall be counted against the applicable share limits under Section 4.2, as opposed to only counting the shares actually issued. (For purposes of clarity, if a stock appreciation right relates to 100,000 shares and is exercised at a time when the payment due to the participant is 15,000 shares, 100,000 shares shall be charged against the applicable share limits under Section 4.2 with respect to such exercise.)

 

  4.4 No Fractional Shares . No fractional shares shall be delivered under this Plan. The Administrator may pay cash in lieu of any fractional shares in settlements of awards under this Plan.

 

5. AWARDS

 

  5.1 Type and Form of Awards . The Administrator shall determine the type or types of award(s) to be made to each selected Eligible Person. Awards may be granted singly, in combination or in tandem. Awards also may be made in combination or in tandem with, in replacement of, as alternatives to, or as the payment form for grants or rights under any other employee or compensation plan of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. The types of awards that may be granted under this Plan are:

5.1.1     Stock Options . A stock option is the grant of a right to purchase a specified number of shares of Common Stock during a specified period as determined by the Administrator. An option may be intended as an incentive

 

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stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code (an “ ISO ”) or a nonqualified stock option (an option not intended to be an ISO). The award agreement for an option will indicate if the option is intended as an ISO; otherwise it will be deemed to be a nonqualified stock option. The maximum term of each option (ISO or nonqualified) shall be ten (10) years. The per share exercise price for each option shall be not less than 100% of the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date of grant of the option. When an option is exercised, the exercise price for the shares to be purchased shall be paid in full in cash or such other method permitted by the Administrator consistent with Section 5.5.

5.1.2     Additional Rules Applicable to ISOs . To the extent that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant of the applicable option) of stock with respect to which ISOs first become exercisable by a participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, taking into account both Common Stock subject to ISOs under this Plan and stock subject to ISOs under all other plans of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries (or any parent or predecessor corporation to the extent required by and within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder), such options shall be treated as nonqualified stock options. In reducing the number of options treated as ISOs to meet the $100,000 limit, the most recently granted options shall be reduced first. To the extent a reduction of simultaneously granted options is necessary to meet the $100,000 limit, the Administrator may, in the manner and to the extent permitted by law, designate which shares of Common Stock are to be treated as shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO. ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Corporation or one of its subsidiaries (for this purpose, the term “subsidiary” is used as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, which generally requires an unbroken chain of ownership of at least 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of each subsidiary in the chain beginning with the Corporation and ending with the subsidiary in question). No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time the option is granted, owns (or is deemed to own under Section 424(d) of the Code) shares of outstanding Common Stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Corporation, unless the exercise price of such option is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option and such option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date such option is granted. If an otherwise intended ISO fails to meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code, the option shall be rendered a nonqualified stock option.

5.1.3     Stock Appreciation Rights . A stock appreciation right or “ SAR ” is a right to receive a payment, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock on the date the SAR is exercised over the “base price” of the award, which base price shall not be less than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock on the date the SAR was granted and shall be set forth in the applicable award agreement. The maximum term of a SAR shall be ten (10) years.

 

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5.1.4     Other Awards . The other types of awards that may be granted under this Plan include: (a) stock bonuses, restricted stock, performance stock, stock units, phantom stock, dividend equivalents, or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, whether at a fixed or variable price (or no price) or fixed or variable ratio related to the Common Stock, and any of which may (but need not) be fully vested at grant or vest upon the passage of time, the occurrence of one or more events, or the satisfaction of performance criteria or other conditions, or any combination thereof; or (b) cash awards. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted as a separate award or in connection with another award under this Plan; provided, however, that dividend equivalent rights may not be granted in connection with a stock option or SAR granted under this Plan. In addition, any dividends and/or dividend equivalents as to the unvested portion of a restricted stock award that is subject to performance-based vesting requirements or the unvested portion of a stock unit award that is subject to performance-based vesting requirements will be subject to termination and forfeiture to the same extent as the corresponding portion of the award to which they relate in the event the applicable performance-based vesting conditions are not satisfied.

5.1.5     Minimum Vesting Requirements . Except for any accelerated vesting required or permitted pursuant to Section 7 and except as otherwise provided in the following provisions of this Section 5.1.5, and subject to such additional vesting requirements or conditions as the Administrator may establish with respect to the award, each award granted under this Plan that is a Full-Value Award and payable in shares of Common Stock shall be subject to the following minimum vesting requirements: (a) if the award includes a performance-based vesting condition, the award shall not vest earlier than the first anniversary of the date of grant of the award and vesting shall occur only if the award holder is employed by, a director of, or otherwise providing services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on such vesting date; and (b) if the award does not include a performance-based vesting condition, the award shall not vest more rapidly than in monthly installments over the three-year period immediately following the date of grant of the award and vesting of any vesting installment of the award shall occur only if the award holder is employed by, a director of, or otherwise providing services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on the date such installment is scheduled to vest; provided that the Administrator may accelerate or provide in the applicable award agreement for the accelerated vesting of any Full-Value Award in connection with a change in control of the award holder’s employer (or a parent thereof) in accordance with the Plan, the termination of the award holder’s service (including a termination of service due to the award holder’s death, disability or retirement, but not including a termination of service by the award holder’s employer for cause), or as consideration or partial consideration for a release by the award holder of pending or threatened claims against the Corporation, the award holder’s employer, or any of their respective officers, directors or other affiliates (regardless of whether the release is given in connection with a termination of service by the award holder’s employer for cause or other circumstances). The Administrator may, however, accelerate or provide in the applicable award agreement for the accelerated vesting of any Full-Value Award in circumstances not contemplated by the preceding sentence, and/or provide for a vesting schedule that is

 

8


shorter than the minimum schedule contemplated by the preceding sentence, in such circumstances as the Administrator may deem appropriate; provided, however, that the portion of any such Full-Value Award that vests earlier than the minimum vesting dates that would be applicable pursuant to the minimum vesting requirements of the preceding sentence (or, as to any accelerated vesting, provides for accelerated vesting other than in the circumstances contemplated by the preceding sentence) shall count against the applicable share limits of Section 4.2 as a Special Full-Value Award (as opposed to counting against such limits only as a Full-Value Award).

 

  5.2 Section 162(m) Performance-Based Awards . Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any of the types of awards listed in Section 5.1.4 above may be granted as awards intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. An award (other than an option or SAR) intended by the Administrator to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code is referred to as a “ Qualified Performance-Based Awards . An option or SAR intended to satisfy the requirements for “performance-based compensation” within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code is referred to as a “ Qualifying Option ” or “ Qualifying SAR ,” respectively. The grant, vesting, exercisability or payment of Qualified Performance-Based Awards may depend (or, in the case of Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs, may also depend) on the degree of achievement of one or more performance goals relative to a pre-established targeted level or levels using one or more of the Business Criteria set forth below (on an absolute or relative (including, without limitation, relative to the performance of one or more other companies or upon comparisons of any of the indicators of performance relative to one or more other companies) basis) for the Corporation on a consolidated basis or for one or more of the Corporation’s subsidiaries, segments, divisions or business units, or any combination of the foregoing. Any Qualified Performance-Based Award shall be subject to all of the following provisions of this Section 5.2, and a Qualifying Option or Qualifying SAR shall be subject to the following provisions of this Section 5.2 only to the extent expressly provided below. Nothing in this Plan, however, requires the Administrator to qualify any award or compensation as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

5.2.1     Class; Administrator . The eligible class of persons for Qualified Performance-Based Awards under this Section 5.2, as well as Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs, shall be officers and employees of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries. To qualify awards as performance-based under Section 162(m), the Administrator approving Qualified Performance-Based Awards or Qualifying Options or Qualifying SARs, or making any certification required pursuant to Section 5.2.4, must consist of a committee consisting solely of two or more outside directors (as this requirement is applied under Section 162(m) of the Code).

 

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5.2.2     Performance Goals .

 

  (a) The specific performance goals for Qualified Performance-Based Awards (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall be, on an absolute or relative basis, established based on one or more of the following business criteria (“ Business Criteria ”) as selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion: (i) earnings per share, (ii) adjusted earnings per share, (iii) cash flow (which means cash and cash equivalents derived from either net cash flow from operations or net cash flow from operations, financing and investing activities), (iv) stock price, (v) total stockholder return, (vi) gross or net sales or revenue, (vii) revenue growth, (viii) operating income (before or after taxes), (ix) net earnings (before or after interest, taxes, depreciation and/or amortization), (x) return on equity, assets, capital or net investment, (xi) cost or expense containment or reduction, (xii) market share or total available market, (xiii) economic value added, (xiv) gross margin or adjusted gross margin, (xv) net income, or any combination thereof. To qualify awards as performance-based under Section 162(m) of the Code, the applicable Business Criterion (or Business Criteria, as the case may be) and specific performance formula, goal or goals (“targets”) must be established and approved by the Administrator during the first 90 days of the performance period (and, in the case of performance periods of less than one year, in no event after 25% or more of the performance period has elapsed) and while performance relating to such target(s) remains substantially uncertain within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The applicable performance measurement period may not be less than three months nor more than 10 years.

 

  (b)

Performance targets for Qualified Performance-Based Awards shall be adjusted to mitigate the unbudgeted impact of significant, material, unusual or nonrecurring items, accounting changes and extraordinary events not foreseen at the time the targets were set unless the Administrator provides otherwise at the time of establishing the targets. By way of example, such adjustment items may include, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: (i) items related to a change in accounting principle, (ii) items relating to financing activities, (iii) expenses for restructuring or productivity initiatives, (iv) other non-operating items, (v) items related to acquisitions, (vi) items attributable to the business operations of any entity acquired by the Corporation during the performance period, (vii) items related to the disposal of a business or segment of a business, (viii) items related to discontinued operations that do not qualify as a segment of a business under applicable accounting standards, (ix) items attributable to any stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of stock occurring during the performance period, (x) any other items of significant income or expense, (xi) items relating to unusual or extraordinary corporate transactions, events or developments, (xii) items related to amortization of acquired intangible assets, (xiii) items that are outside the scope of core, on-going business activities, (xiv) items related to acquired in-process research and development, (xv) items relating to changes in tax laws, (xvi) items relating to licensing or partnership arrangements, (xvii) items relating to asset impairment charges, (xviii) items relating to gains or losses for litigation, arbitration and contractual settlements, or (xix) items relating to any

 

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  other unusual or nonrecurring events or changes in applicable law or business conditions.

5.2.3     Form of Payment; Maximum Qualified Performance-Based Award . Grants or awards under this Section 5.2 may be paid in cash or shares of Common Stock or any combination thereof. Grants of Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs to any one participant in any one calendar year shall be subject to the limit set forth in Section 4.2(2). The maximum number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Qualified Performance-Based Awards (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs, but including Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable in shares of Common Stock and Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable in cash where the amount of cash payment upon or following vesting of the award is determined with reference to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock) that are granted to any one participant in any one calendar year shall not exceed 800,000 shares, either individually or in the aggregate, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7.1. The aggregate amount of compensation to be paid to any one participant in respect of all Qualified Performance-Based Awards payable only in cash (excluding cash awards covered by the preceding sentence where the cash payment is determined with reference to the fair market value of a share of Common Stock upon or following the vesting of the award) granted to that participant in any one calendar year shall not exceed $10,000,000. Awards that are cancelled during the year shall be counted against these limits to the extent required by Section 162(m) of the Code.

5.2.4     Certification of Payment . Before any Qualified Performance-Based Award (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) is paid and to the extent applicable to qualify the award as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code, the Administrator must certify in writing that the performance target(s) and any other material terms of the Qualified Performance-Based Award were satisfied.

5.2.5     Reservation of Discretion . The Administrator will have the discretion to determine the restrictions or other limitations of the individual awards granted under this Section 5.2 including the authority to reduce awards, payouts or vesting or to pay no awards, in its sole discretion, if the Administrator preserves such authority at the time of grant by language to this effect in its authorizing resolutions or otherwise.

5.2.6     Expiration of Grant Authority . As required pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, the Administrator’s authority to grant new awards that are intended to qualify as performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code (other than Qualifying Options and Qualifying SARs) shall terminate upon the first meeting of the Corporation’s stockholders that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which the Corporation’s stockholders approve this restatement of the Plan, subject to any subsequent extension that may be approved by stockholders.

 

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  5.3 Award Agreements . Each award shall be evidenced by either (1) a written award agreement in a form approved by the Administrator, or (2) an electronic notice of award grant in a form approved by the Administrator and recorded by the Corporation (or its designee) in an electronic recordkeeping system used for the purpose of tracking award grants under this Plan generally (in each case, an “award agreement”), as the Administrator may provide and, in each case and if required by the Administrator, executed or otherwise electronically accepted (including deemed acceptance) by the recipient of the award in such form and manner as the Administrator may require. The Administrator may authorize any officer of the Corporation (other than the particular award recipient) to execute any or all award agreements on behalf of the Corporation. The award agreement shall set forth the material terms and conditions of the award as established by the Administrator consistent with the express limitations of this Plan.

 

  5.4 Deferrals and Settlements . Payment of awards may be in the form of cash, Common Stock, other awards or combinations thereof as the Administrator shall determine, and with such restrictions (if any) as it may impose, as set forth in the applicable award agreement. The Administrator may also require or permit participants to elect to defer the issuance of shares or the settlement of awards in cash under such rules and procedures as it may establish under this Plan and in accordance with the applicable award agreement. The Administrator may also provide that deferred settlements include the payment or crediting of interest or other earnings on the deferral amounts, or the payment or crediting of dividend equivalents where the deferred amounts are denominated in shares.

 

  5.5 Consideration for Common Stock or Awards . The purchase price (if any) for any award granted under this Plan or the Common Stock to be delivered pursuant to an award, as applicable, may be paid by means of any lawful consideration as determined by the Administrator, including, without limitation, one or a combination of the following methods:

 

    a reduction in compensation otherwise payable to the recipient of such award or for services rendered by the recipient;

 

    cash, check payable to the order of the Corporation, or electronic funds transfer;

 

    notice and third party payment in such manner as may be authorized by the Administrator;

 

    the delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock;

 

    by a reduction in the number of shares otherwise deliverable pursuant to the award; or

 

    subject to such procedures as the Administrator may adopt, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” with a third party who provides financing for the purposes of (or who otherwise facilitates) the purchase or exercise of awards, including through same-day sales.

 

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In no event shall any shares newly-issued by the Corporation be issued for less than the minimum lawful consideration for such shares or for consideration other than consideration permitted by applicable state law. The Corporation will not be obligated to deliver any shares unless and until it receives full payment of the exercise or purchase price therefor and any related withholding obligations under Section 8.5 and any other conditions to exercise or purchase have been satisfied. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, the Administrator may at any time eliminate or limit a participant’s ability to pay any purchase or exercise price of any award or shares by any method other than cash payment to the Corporation.

 

  5.6 Definition of Fair Market Value .  For purposes of this Plan, “fair market value” shall mean, unless otherwise determined or provided by the Administrator in the circumstances, the closing price (in regular trading) of a share of Common Stock on the NASDAQ Stock Market (or, if the Common Stock is not then traded on the NASDAQ Stock Market, on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed or admitted to trade) (the “ Exchange ”) for the date in question or, if no sales of Common Stock were made on the Exchange on that date, the closing price (in regular trading) of a share of Common Stock on the Exchange for the next preceding day on which sales of Common Stock were made on the Exchange. The Administrator may, however, provide with respect to one or more awards that the fair market value shall equal the last closing price (in regular trading) of a share of Common Stock on the Exchange available at the relevant time or the average of the high and low trading prices of a share of Common Stock on the Exchange for the date in question or the most recent trading day. If the Common Stock is no longer listed or is no longer actively traded on the Exchange as of the applicable date, the fair market value of the Common Stock shall be the value as reasonably determined by the Administrator for purposes of the award in the circumstances. The Administrator also may adopt a different methodology for determining fair market value with respect to one or more awards if a different methodology is necessary or advisable to secure any intended favorable tax, legal or other treatment for the particular award(s) (for example, and without limitation, the Administrator may provide that fair market value for purposes of one or more awards will be based on an average of closing prices (or the average of high and low daily trading prices) for a specified period preceding the relevant date).

 

  5.7 Transfer Restrictions .

5.7.1     Limitations on Exercise and Transfer .  Unless otherwise expressly provided in (or pursuant to) this Section 5.7, by applicable law and by the award agreement, as the same may be amended, (a) all awards are non-transferable and shall not be subject in any manner to sale, transfer, anticipation, alienation, assignment, pledge, encumbrance or charge; (b) awards shall be exercised only by the participant; and (c) amounts payable or shares issuable pursuant to any award shall be delivered only to (or for the account of) the participant.

 

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5.7.2     Exceptions .  The Administrator may permit awards to be transferred to other persons or entities pursuant to such conditions and procedures, including limitations on subsequent transfers, as the Administrator may, in its sole discretion, establish in writing; provided, however, that any such transfer shall only be permitted if it is made by the participant for estate or tax planning or charitable purposes for no (or nominal) consideration, as determined by the Administrator. Any permitted transfer shall be subject to compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws.

5.7.3     Further Exceptions to Limits on Transfer .  The exercise and transfer restrictions in Section 5.7.1 shall not apply to:

 

  (a) transfers to the Corporation,

 

  (b) the designation of a beneficiary to receive benefits in the event of the participant’s death or, if the participant has died, transfers to or exercise by the participant’s beneficiary, or, in the absence of a validly designated beneficiary, transfers by will or the laws of descent and distribution,

 

  (c) subject to any applicable limitations on ISOs and to such procedures as the Administrator may prescribe, transfers to a family member (or former family member) pursuant to a domestic relations order,

 

  (d) if the participant has suffered a disability, permitted transfers or exercises on behalf of the participant by his or her legal representative, or

 

  (e) the authorization by the Administrator of “cashless exercise” procedures with third parties who provide financing for the purpose of (or who otherwise facilitate) the exercise of awards consistent with applicable laws and the express authorization of the Administrator.

 

  5.8 International Awards .  One or more awards may be granted to Eligible Persons who provide services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries outside of the United States. Any awards granted to such persons may be granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of any applicable sub-plans, if any, appended to this Plan and approved by the Administrator.

 

6. EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON AWARDS

 

  6.1

General .  The Administrator shall establish the effect (if any) of a termination of employment or service on the rights and benefits under each award under this Plan and in so doing may make distinctions based upon, inter alia, the cause of termination and type of award. If the participant is not an employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and provides other services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, the Administrator shall be the sole judge for purposes of this Plan (unless a contract or the award otherwise provides) of whether the participant continues to

 

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  render services to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and the date, if any, upon which such services shall be deemed to have terminated.

 

  6.2 Events Not Deemed Terminations of Service .  Unless the express policy of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator, otherwise provides, or except as otherwise required by applicable law, the employment relationship shall not be considered terminated in the case of (a) sick leave, (b) military leave, or (c) any other leave of absence authorized by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, or the Administrator; provided that unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or law or the Administrator otherwise provides, such leave is for a period of not more than three months. In the case of any employee of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries on an approved leave of absence, continued vesting of the award while on leave from the employ of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be suspended until the employee returns to service, unless the Administrator otherwise provides or applicable law otherwise requires. In no event shall an award be exercised after the expiration of the term set forth in the award agreement.

 

  6.3 Effect of Change of Subsidiary Status .  For purposes of this Plan and any award, if an entity ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Corporation a termination of employment or service shall be deemed to have occurred with respect to each Eligible Person in respect of such Subsidiary who does not continue as an Eligible Person in respect of the Corporation or another Subsidiary that continues as such after giving effect to the transaction or other event giving rise to the change in status unless the Subsidiary that is sold, spun-off or otherwise divested (or its successor or a direct or indirect parent of such Subsidiary or successor) assumes the Eligible Person’s award(s) in connection with such transaction.

 

7. ADJUSTMENTS; ACCELERATION

 

  7.1 Adjustments .  Subject to Section 7.2, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to): any reclassification, recapitalization, stock split (including a stock split in the form of a stock dividend) or reverse stock split; any merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any spin-off, split-up, or similar extraordinary dividend distribution in respect of the Common Stock; or any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation, or any similar, unusual or extraordinary corporate transaction in respect of the Common Stock; then the Administrator shall equitably and proportionately adjust (1) the number and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities) that thereafter may be made the subject of awards (including the specific share limits, maximums and numbers of shares set forth elsewhere in this Plan), (2) the number, amount and type of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any outstanding awards, (3) the grant, purchase, or exercise price (which term includes the base price of any SAR or similar right) of any outstanding awards, and/or (4) the securities, cash or other property deliverable upon exercise or payment of any outstanding awards, in each case to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by this Plan and the then-outstanding awards.

 

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Unless otherwise expressly provided in the applicable award agreement, upon (or, as may be necessary to effect the adjustment, immediately prior to) any event or transaction described in the preceding paragraph or a sale of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Corporation as an entirety, the Administrator shall equitably and proportionately adjust the performance standards applicable to any then-outstanding performance-based awards to the extent necessary to preserve (but not increase) the level of incentives intended by this Plan and the then-outstanding performance-based awards.

It is intended that, if possible, any adjustments contemplated by the preceding two paragraphs be made in a manner that satisfies applicable U.S. legal, tax (including, without limitation and as applicable in the circumstances, Section 424 of the Code as to ISOs, Section 409A of the Code as to awards intended to comply therewith and not be subject to taxation thereunder, and Section 162(m) of the Code as to any awarded intended as “performance-based compensation” thereunder) and accounting (so as to not trigger any unintended charge to earnings with respect to such adjustment) requirements.

Without limiting the generality of Section 3.3, any good faith determination by the Administrator as to whether an adjustment is required in the circumstances pursuant to this Section 7.1, and the extent and nature of any such adjustment, shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

 

  7.2

Corporate Transactions - Assumption and Termination of Awards .  Upon any event in which the Corporation does not survive, or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock (including, without limitation, a merger, combination, consolidation, or other reorganization; any exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Corporation; a sale of all or substantially all the business, stock or assets of the Corporation; a dissolution of the Corporation; or other event in which the Corporation does not survive or does not survive as a public company in respect of its Common Stock), then the Administrator may make provision for a cash payment in settlement of, or for the assumption, substitution or exchange of any or all outstanding share-based awards or the cash, securities or property deliverable to the holder of any or all outstanding share-based awards, based upon, to the extent relevant under the circumstances, the distribution or consideration payable to holders of the Common Stock upon or in respect of such event. Upon the occurrence of (or, as may be necessary to effect such action, immediately prior to) any event described in the preceding sentence, then, unless the Administrator has made a provision for the substitution, assumption, exchange or other continuation or settlement of the award or the award would otherwise continue in accordance with its terms in the circumstances: (1) subject to Section 7.5 and unless otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, each then-outstanding option and SAR shall become fully vested, all shares of restricted stock then outstanding shall fully vest free of restrictions, and each other award granted under this Plan that is then outstanding

 

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  shall become payable to the holder of such award; and (2) each award shall terminate upon the related event; provided that the holder of an option or SAR shall be given reasonable advance notice of the impending termination and a reasonable opportunity to exercise his or her outstanding vested options and SARs (after giving effect to any accelerated vesting required in the circumstances) in accordance with their terms before the termination of such awards (except that in no case shall more than ten days’ notice of the impending termination be required and any acceleration of vesting and any exercise of any portion of an award that is so accelerated may be made contingent upon the actual occurrence of the event).

The Administrator may adopt such valuation methodologies for outstanding awards as it deems reasonable in the event of a cash or property settlement and, in the case of options, SARs or similar rights, but without limitation on other methodologies, may base such settlement solely upon the excess if any of the per share amount payable upon or in respect of such event over the exercise or base price of the award.

Without limiting the generality of Section 3.3, any good faith determination by the Administrator pursuant to its authority under this Section 7.2 shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

 

  7.3 Possible Acceleration of Awards .  Without limiting Section 7.2 or the Administrator’s broad authority to establish vesting provisions, in the event of a Change in Control Event (as defined below), the Administrator may, in its discretion, provide that any outstanding option or SAR shall become fully vested, that any share of restricted stock then outstanding shall fully vest free of restrictions, and that any other award granted under this Plan that is then outstanding shall be payable to the holder of such award. The Administrator may take such action with respect to all awards then outstanding or only with respect to certain specific awards identified by the Administrator in the circumstances and may condition any such acceleration upon the occurrence of another event (such as, without limitation, a termination of the award holder’s service). For purposes of this Plan, “ Change in Control Event ” means any of the following:

 

  (a)

Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, a “ Person ”), alone or together with its affiliates and associates, including any group of persons which is deemed a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act (other than the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Corporation or any subsidiary thereof, or any underwriter in connection with a firm commitment public offering of the Corporation’s capital stock), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, except that a person shall also be deemed the beneficial owner of all securities which such person may have a right to acquire, whether or not such right is presently exercisable, referred to herein as “ Beneficially Own ” or “ Beneficial Owner ” as the context may require) of thirty-three and one third percent or more of (i) the then outstanding shares of the Corporation’s common stock (“ Outstanding

 

17


  Company Common Stock ”) or (ii) securities representing thirty-three and one-third percent or more of the combined voting power of the Corporation’s then outstanding voting securities (“ Outstanding Company Voting Securities ”) (in each case, other than an acquisition in the context of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, asset sale or other extraordinary transaction covered by, and which does not constitute a Change in Control Event under, clause (c) below);

 

  (b) A change, during any period of two consecutive years, of a majority of the Board as constituted as of the beginning of such period, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders, of each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period was approved by vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office (for purposes hereof, “ Incumbent Directors ” shall consist of the directors holding office as of the Effective Date and any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Corporation’s stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then in office);

 

  (c) Consummation of any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other extraordinary transaction (or series of related transactions) involving the Corporation, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “ Business Combination ”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the Beneficial Owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Corporation or all or substantially all of the Corporation’s assets directly or through one or more subsidiaries (a “ Parent ”)), (2) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or a Parent or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Corporation or such entity resulting from such Business Combination or Parent, and excluding any underwriter in connection with a firm commitment public offering of the Corporation’s capital stock) Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, more than thirty-three and one third percent of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or trustees of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or a Parent were Incumbent Directors at the time of the execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

 

  (d) The stockholders of the Corporation approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Corporation (other than in the context of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, asset sale or other extraordinary transaction covered by, and which does not constitute a Change in Control Event under, clause (c) above).

 

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  7.4 Other Acceleration Rules .  Any acceleration of awards pursuant to this Section 7 shall comply with applicable legal requirements and, if necessary to accomplish the purposes of the acceleration or if the circumstances require, may be deemed by the Administrator to occur prior to the applicable event, provided that the original terms of the award will be reinstated if the event giving rise to the acceleration does not actually occur. The Administrator may override the provisions of Section 7.2, 7.3 and 7.5 by express provision in the award agreement and may accord any Eligible Person a right to refuse any acceleration, whether pursuant to the award agreement or otherwise, in such circumstances as the Administrator may approve. The portion of any ISO accelerated in connection with a Change in Control Event or any other action permitted hereunder shall remain exercisable as an ISO only to the extent the applicable $100,000 limitation on ISOs is not exceeded. To the extent exceeded, the accelerated portion of the option shall be exercisable as a nonqualified stock option under the Code.

 

  7.5 Golden Parachute Limitation .  Notwithstanding anything else contained in this Section 7 to the contrary and unless otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, in no event shall an award be accelerated under this Plan to an extent or in a manner which would not be fully deductible by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries for federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Code, nor shall any payment hereunder be accelerated to the extent any portion of such accelerated payment would not be deductible by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries because of Section 280G of the Code. If a participant would be entitled to benefits or payments hereunder and under any other plan or program that would constitute “parachute payments” as defined in Section 280G of the Code, then the participant may by written notice to the Corporation designate the order in which such parachute payments will be reduced or modified so that the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries is not denied federal income tax deductions for any “parachute payments” because of Section 280G of the Code.

 

8. OTHER PROVISIONS

 

  8.1

Compliance with Laws .  This Plan, the granting and vesting of awards under this Plan, the offer, issuance and delivery of shares of Common Stock, the acceptance of promissory notes and/or the payment of money under this Plan or under awards are subject to compliance with all applicable federal, state, local and foreign laws, rules and regulations (including but not limited to state and federal securities law and federal margin requirements) and to such approvals by any listing, regulatory or governmental authority as may, in the opinion of counsel for the Corporation, be necessary or advisable in connection therewith. The person acquiring any securities under this Plan will, if requested

 

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  by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, provide such assurances and representations to the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries as the Administrator may deem necessary or desirable to assure compliance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements.

 

  8.2 No Rights to Award .  No person shall have any claim or rights to be granted an award (or additional awards, as the case may be) under this Plan, subject to any express contractual rights (set forth in a document other than this Plan) to the contrary.

 

  8.3 No Employment/Service Contract .  Nothing contained in this Plan (or in any other documents under this Plan or in any award) shall confer upon any Eligible Person or other participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, constitute any contract or agreement of employment or other service or affect an employee’s status as an employee at will, nor shall interfere in any way with the right of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries to change a person’s compensation or other benefits, or to terminate his or her employment or other service, with or without cause. Nothing in this Section 8.3, however, is intended to adversely affect any express independent right of such person under a separate employment or service contract other than an award agreement.

 

  8.4 Plan Not Funded .  Awards payable under this Plan shall be payable in shares or from the general assets of the Corporation, and no special or separate reserve, fund or deposit shall be made to assure payment of such awards. No participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any right, title or interest in any fund or in any specific asset (including shares of Common Stock, except as expressly otherwise provided) of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries by reason of any award hereunder. Neither the provisions of this Plan (or of any related documents), nor the creation or adoption of this Plan, nor any action taken pursuant to the provisions of this Plan shall create, or be construed to create, a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries and any participant, beneficiary or other person. To the extent that a participant, beneficiary or other person acquires a right to receive payment pursuant to any award hereunder, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Corporation.

 

  8.5 Tax Withholding .  Upon any exercise, vesting, or payment of any award or upon the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO prior to satisfaction of the holding period requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or upon any other tax withholding event with respect to any award, arrangements satisfactory to the Corporation shall be made to provide for any taxes the Corporation or any of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment. Such arrangements may include (but are not limited to) any one of (or a combination of) the following:

 

  (a) The Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to require the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) to pay or provide for payment of at least the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment.

 

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  (b) The Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries shall have the right to deduct from any amount otherwise payable in cash (whether related to the award or otherwise) to the participant (or the participant’s personal representative or beneficiary, as the case may be) the minimum amount of any taxes which the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries may be required to withhold with respect to such award event or payment.

In any case where a tax is required to be withheld in connection with the delivery of shares of Common Stock under this Plan, the Administrator may in its sole discretion (subject to Section 8.1) require or grant (either at the time of the award or thereafter) to the participant the right to elect, pursuant to such rules and subject to such conditions as the Administrator may establish, that the Corporation reduce the number of shares to be delivered by (or otherwise reacquire) the appropriate number of shares, valued in a consistent manner at their fair market value or at the sales price in accordance with authorized procedures for cashless exercises, necessary to satisfy the minimum applicable withholding obligation on exercise, vesting or payment (unless otherwise provided by the Administrator and such change does not trigger unintended accounting consequences). The Corporation may, with the Administrator’s approval, accept one or more promissory notes from any Eligible Person in connection with taxes required to be withheld upon the exercise, vesting or payment of any award under this Plan; provided that any such note shall be subject to terms and conditions established by the Administrator and the requirements of applicable law.

 

  8.6 Effective Date, Termination and Suspension, Amendments .

8.6.1     Effective Date .  This Plan is effective as of September 21, 2004, the date of its initial approval by the Board (the “ Effective Date ”). The Amendment and Restatement of this Plan is effective as of August 5, 2015. Unless earlier terminated by the Board and subject to any extension that may be approved by stockholders, this Plan shall terminate at the close of business on August 4, 2025. After the termination of this Plan either upon such stated expiration date or its earlier termination by the Board, no additional awards may be granted under this Plan, but previously granted awards (and the authority of the Administrator with respect thereto, including the authority to amend such awards) shall remain outstanding in accordance with their applicable terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of this Plan.

8.6.2     Board Authorization .  The Board may, at any time, terminate or, from time to time, amend, modify or suspend this Plan, in whole or in part. No awards may be granted during any period that the Board suspends this Plan.

 

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8.6.3     Stockholder Approval .  An amendment to this Plan shall be subject to stockholder approval only to the extent then required by applicable law or stock exchange rules or deemed necessary or advisable by the Board.

8.6.4     Amendments to Awards .  Without limiting any other express authority of the Administrator under (but subject to) the express limits of this Plan, the Administrator by agreement or resolution may waive conditions of or limitations on awards to participants that the Administrator in the prior exercise of its discretion has imposed, without the consent of a participant, and (subject to the requirements of Sections 3.2 and 8.6.5) may make other changes to the terms and conditions of awards. Any amendment or other action that would constitute a repricing of an award is subject to the limitations set forth in Section 3.2.

8.6.5     Limitations on Amendments to Plan and Awards .  No amendment, suspension or termination of this Plan or change of or affecting any outstanding award agreement shall, without written consent of the participant, affect in any manner materially adverse to the participant any rights or benefits of the participant or obligations of the Corporation under any award granted under this Plan prior to the effective date of such change. Changes, settlements and other actions contemplated by Section 7 shall not be deemed to constitute changes or amendments for purposes of this Section 8.6 and shall not require stockholder approval or the consent of the award holder.

 

  8.7 Privileges of Stock Ownership .  Except as otherwise expressly authorized by the Administrator or this Plan, a participant shall not be entitled to any privilege of stock ownership as to any shares of Common Stock not actually delivered to and held of record by the participant. Except expressly required by Section 7.1 or otherwise expressly provided by the Administrator, no adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights as a stockholder for which a record date is prior to such date of delivery.

 

  8.8 Governing Law; Construction; Severability .

8.8.1     Choice of Law .  This Plan, the awards, all documents evidencing awards and all other related documents shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, notwithstanding any Delaware or other conflict of law provision to the contrary.

8.8.2     Severability .  If a court of competent jurisdiction holds any provision invalid and unenforceable, the remaining provisions of this Plan shall continue in effect.

8.8.3     Plan Construction .  It is intended that this Plan, as well as awards granted under this Plan, comply with, and not result in any tax, penalty or interest under, Section 409A of the Code. This Plan, as well as awards granted under this Plan, shall be construed and interpreted accordingly.

 

  8.9 Captions .  Captions and headings are given to the sections and subsections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of this Plan or any provision thereof.

 

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  8.10 Stock-Based Awards in Substitution for Stock Options or Awards Granted by Other Corporation .  Awards may be granted to Eligible Persons in substitution for or in connection with an assumption of employee stock options, SARs, restricted stock or other stock-based awards granted by other entities to persons who are or who will become Eligible Persons in respect of the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, in connection with a distribution, merger or other reorganization by or with the granting entity or an affiliated entity, or the acquisition by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries, directly or indirectly, of all or a substantial part of the stock or assets of the employing entity. The awards so granted need not comply with other specific terms of this Plan, provided that the awards reflect adjustments giving effect to the assumption or substitution consistent with the conversion applicable to the Common Stock (or the securities otherwise subject to the award) in the transaction and any change in the issuer of the security. Any shares that are delivered and any awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Corporation, as a result of the assumption by the Corporation of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company (or previously granted by a predecessor employer (or direct or indirect parent thereof) in the case of persons that become employed by the Corporation or one of its Subsidiaries in connection with a business or asset acquisition or similar transaction) shall not be counted against the Share Limit or other limits on the number of shares available for issuance under this Plan.

 

  8.11 Non-Exclusivity of Plan .  Nothing in this Plan shall limit or be deemed to limit the authority of the Board or the Administrator to grant awards or authorize any other compensation, with or without reference to the Common Stock, under any other plan or authority.

 

  8.12 No Corporate Action Restriction .  The existence of this Plan, the award agreements and the awards granted hereunder shall not limit, affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Corporation or any Subsidiary (or any of their respective shareholders, board of directors or committees thereof, as the case may be) to make or authorize: (a) any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the capital structure or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (b) any merger, amalgamation, consolidation or change in the ownership of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (c) any issue of bonds, debentures, capital, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or affecting the capital stock (or the rights thereof) of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (d) any dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (e) any sale or transfer of all or any part of the assets or business of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, (f) any other award, grant, or payment of incentives or other compensation under any other plan or authority (or any other action with respect to any benefit, incentive or compensation), or (g) any other corporate act or proceeding by the Corporation or any Subsidiary. No participant, beneficiary or any other person shall have any claim under any award or award agreement against any member of the Board or the Administrator, or the Corporation or any employees, officers or agents of the Corporation or any Subsidiary, as a result of any such action.

 

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  8.13 Other Company Benefit and Compensation Programs .  Payments and other benefits received by a participant under an award made pursuant to this Plan shall not be deemed a part of a participant’s compensation for purposes of the determination of benefits under any other employee welfare or benefit plans or arrangements, if any, provided by the Corporation or any Subsidiary, except where the Administrator expressly otherwise provides or authorizes in writing. Awards under this Plan may be made in addition to, in combination with, as alternatives to or in payment of grants, awards or commitments under any other plans, arrangements or authority of the Corporation or its Subsidiaries.

 

  8.14 Forfeiture and Clawback Provisions .

 

  (a) All awards (including any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the award holder upon any receipt, vesting, payment or exercise of any award or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the award) shall be subject to the provisions of any clawback or similar policy implemented by the Corporation from time to time, including, without limitation, any clawback or similar policy adopted to comply with the requirements of applicable law, such as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules or regulations promulgated thereunder, to the extent set forth in such clawback policy and/or in the applicable award agreement.

 

  (b) Pursuant to its authority to determine the terms and conditions applicable to awards under the Plan and without limiting the generality of that authority, the Administrator shall have the right to provide, in the applicable award agreement or other written agreement that: (i) any proceeds, gains or other economic benefit actually or constructively received by the award holder upon any receipt, vesting, payment or exercise of the award, or upon the receipt or resale of any shares of Common Stock underlying the award, shall be paid to the Corporation, and (ii) the award shall terminate and any outstanding portion of the award (whether or not vested) shall be forfeited, if (x) a termination of service occurs prior to a specified date, or within a specified time period following receipt, vesting or exercise of the award, or (y) the award holder at any time, or during a specified time period, engages in any activity in competition with the Corporation, or which is inimical, contrary or harmful to the interests of the Corporation, as further defined by the Administrator for purposes of the award, or (z) the award holder incurs a termination of service for “cause” (as such term is defined by the Administrator for purposes of the award).

 

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Exhibit 10.2

WESTERN DIGITAL CORPORATION

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CHANGE OF CONTROL SEVERANCE PLAN

1. Purpose of Plan . The Executives have made and are expected to make major contributions to the profitability, growth and financial strength of the Company and its affiliates. In addition, the Company considers the continued availability of the Executives’ services, managerial skills and business experience to be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders and desires to assure the continued services of the Executives on behalf of the Company and/or its affiliates without the distraction of the Executives occasioned by the possibility of an abrupt change in control of the Company. This Plan was initially approved by the Board on March 29, 2001 and most recently amended and restated on November 3, 2015.

2. Definitions . Whenever the following terms are used in this Plan, they shall have the meaning specified below unless the context clearly indicates to the contrary:

2.01 “ Board ” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.02 “ Cause ” shall mean the occurrence or existence of any of the following with respect to the Executive, as determined by a majority of the disinterested directors of the Board or the Committee:

(a) the Executive’s conviction by, or entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere in, a court of competent and final jurisdiction for any crime involving moral turpitude or any felony punishable by imprisonment in the jurisdiction involved;

(b) whether prior or subsequent to the Effective Date, the Executive’s willful engaging in dishonest or fraudulent actions or omissions which results directly or indirectly in any demonstrable material financial or economic harm to the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

(c) the Executive’s failure or refusal to perform his or her duties as reasonably required by the Employer, provided that the Executive shall have first received written notice from the Employer stating with specificity the nature of such failure or refusal and affording the Executive at least five (5) days to correct the act or omission complained of;

(d) gross negligence, insubordination, material violation by the Executive of any duty of loyalty to the Company or any subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, or any other material misconduct on the part of the Executive, provided that the Executive shall have first received written notice from the Company stating with specificity the nature of such action or violation and affording the Executive at least five (5) days to correct such action or violation;


(e) the repeated non-prescription use of any controlled substance, or the repeated use of alcohol or any other non-controlled substance which in the Board’s reasonable determination renders the Executive unfit to serve in his or her capacity as an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

(f) sexual harassment by the Executive that has been reasonably substantiated and investigated;

(g) involvement in activities representing conflicts of interest with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates;

(h) improper disclosure of confidential information;

(i) conduct endangering, or likely to endanger, the health or safety of another employee;

(j) falsifying or misrepresenting information on the records of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates; or

(k) the Executive’s physical destruction or theft of substantial property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.

2.03 “ Change in Control ” shall mean an occurrence of any of the following events, unless the Board shall provide otherwise:

(a) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, a “Person”), alone or together with its affiliates and associates, including any group of persons which is deemed a “person” under Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act (other than the Company or any subsidiary thereof or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or any subsidiary thereof, or any underwriter in connection with a firm commitment public offering of the Company’s capital stock), becomes the “beneficial owner” (as such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act, except that a person shall also be deemed the beneficial owner of all securities which such person may have a right to acquire, whether or not such right is presently exercisable, referred to herein as “Beneficially Own” or “Beneficial Owner” as the context may require) of (i) thirty-three and one-third percent or more of the then outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock (“Outstanding Company Common Stock”) or (ii) securities representing thirty-three and one-third percent or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities (“Outstanding Company Voting Securities”) (in each case, other than an acquisition in the context of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, asset sale or other extraordinary transaction covered by, and which does not constitute a Change in Control under, clause (c) below);

(b) a change, during any period of two consecutive years, of a majority of the Board as constituted as of the beginning of such period, unless the election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, of each director who was not a director at the beginning of such period was approved by vote of at least two-thirds of the Incumbent Directors then in office (for purposes hereof, “Incumbent Directors” shall consist of the directors holding office as of the Effective Date and any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, is approved by a vote of at least a majority of the Incumbent Directors then in office);

 

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(c) consummation of any merger, consolidation, reorganization or other extraordinary transaction (or series of related transactions) involving the Company, a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or the acquisition of assets or stock of another entity by the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each, a “Business Combination”), in each case unless, following such Business Combination, (1) all or substantially all of the individuals and entities that were the Beneficial Owners of the Outstanding Company Common Stock and the Outstanding Company Voting Securities immediately prior to such Business Combination Beneficially Own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the then-outstanding shares of common stock and the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, as the case may be, of the entity resulting from such Business Combination (including, without limitation, an entity that, as a result of such transaction, owns the Company or all or substantially all of the Company’s assets directly or through one or more subsidiaries (a “Parent”)), (2) no Person (excluding any entity resulting from such Business Combination or a Parent or any employee benefit plan (or related trust) of the Company or such entity resulting from such Business Combination or Parent, and excluding any underwriter in connection with a firm commitment public offering of the Company’s capital stock) Beneficially Owns, directly or indirectly, more than thirty-three and one-third percent of, respectively, the then-outstanding shares of common stock of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or the combined voting power of the then-outstanding voting securities of such entity, and (3) at least a majority of the members of the board of directors or trustees of the entity resulting from such Business Combination or a Parent were Incumbent Directors at the time of execution of the initial agreement or of the action of the Board providing for such Business Combination; or

(d) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company (other than in the context of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, asset sale or other extraordinary transaction covered by, and which does not constitute a Change in Control under, clause (c) above).

2.04 “ Code ” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2.05 “ Committee ” shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.06 “ Company ” shall mean Western Digital Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and, as permitted by Section 13.03(b) , its successors and assigns.

2.07 “ Date of Termination ” following a Change in Control shall mean the dates, as the case may be, for the following events: (a) if the Executive’s employment is terminated by death, the date of death, (b) if the Executive’s employment is terminated due to a Permanent Disability, thirty (30) days after the Notice of Termination is given (provided that the Executive shall not have returned to the performance of his or her duties on a full-time basis during such period), (c) if the Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to a termination for Cause, the date specified in the Notice of Termination, and (d) if the Executive’s employment is terminated for any other reason, fifteen (15) days after delivery of the Notice of Termination unless otherwise agreed by the Executive and the Company.

 

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2.08 “ Disability ” shall mean that the Executive is unable, by reason of injury, illness or other physical or mental impairment, to perform each and every task of the position for which the Executive is employed, which inability is certified by a licensed physician reasonably selected by the Employer.

2.09 “ Effective Date ” shall mean September 11, 2014.

2.10 “ Employer ” shall mean the Company or one of its affiliates employing Executive, as the case may be (including any affiliate of the Company or any successor or acquirer thereof that employs the Executive after a Change in Control), provided however, that nothing contained herein shall prohibit the Company or another of its affiliates fulfilling any obligation of the employing entity to the Executive and for such purposes will be deemed the act of the Employer.

2.11 “ Exchange Act ” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.12 “ Executive ” shall mean any Tier 1 Executive or Tier 2 Executive.

2.13 “ Good Reason ” shall mean any of the following without the Executive’s express written consent:

(a) a material diminution in the Executive’s authority, duties or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(b) a material diminution by the Employer in the Executive’s base compensation in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;

(c) any material breach by the Company or the Employer of any provision of this Plan;

(d) the requirement by the Employer that the Executive’s principal place of employment be relocated more than fifty (50) miles from his or her place of employment immediately prior to a Change in Control; or

(e) the Company’s failure to obtain a satisfactory agreement from any successor to assume and agree to perform the Company’s obligations under this Plan, as contemplated in Section 13.03(b) hereof;

provided, however, that any such condition shall not constitute “Good Reason” unless both (i) the Executive provides written notice to the Company of the condition claimed to constitute Good Reason within ninety (90) days of the initial existence of such condition, and (ii) the Company fails to remedy such condition within thirty (30) days of receiving such written notice thereof; and provided, further, that in all events the termination of the Executive’s employment with the Company shall not be treated as a termination for “Good Reason” unless such termination occurs not more than one (1) year following the initial existence of the condition claimed to constitute “Good Reason.”

 

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2.14 “ Notice of Termination ” shall mean a written notice which shall indicate the specific termination provision in this Plan relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination of the Executive’s employment under the provision so indicated.

2.15 “ Permanent Disability ” shall mean if, as a result of the Executive’s Disability, the Executive shall have been absent from his or her duties with the Employer on a full-time basis for six (6) months of any consecutive eight (8) month period.

2.16 “ Separation from Service ,” with respect to an Executive, shall mean that the Executive dies, retires, or otherwise has a termination of employment with the Company that constitutes a “separation from service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h)(1), without regard to the optional alternative definitions available thereunder.

2.17 “ Termination of Employment ” shall mean the time when the employee-employer relationship between the Executive and the Employer is terminated for any reason, voluntarily or involuntarily, with or without Cause, including, without limitation, a termination by reason of resignation, discharge (with or without Cause), Permanent Disability, death or retirement, but excluding terminations where there is a simultaneous re-employment of the Executive by the Company or a subsidiary or affiliate of the Company.

2.18 “ Tier 1 Executive ” shall mean an officer of the Company who is elected or appointed by the Board of Directors and is subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, and any other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who is designated as a Tier 1 Executive by the Board or the Committee.

2.19 “ Tier 2 Executive ” shall mean an employee who is appointed as an officer of the Company by the President of the Company pursuant to the Company’s Bylaws and such other employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who is designated as a Tier 2 Executive by the Board or the Committee.

3. [Reserved .]

4. Compensation Upon A Change In Control .

4.01 Salary . Commencing on the date a Change in Control shall occur, the Employer shall pay a salary to the Executive at an annual rate at least equal to the annual salary payable to the Executive immediately prior to such date. The salary, as it may be changed from time to time by mutual agreement between the Executive and the Employer, shall be paid in equal installments on each regular payroll payment date after the date of the Change in Control and shall be subject to regular withholding for federal, state and local taxes in accordance with law.

 

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4.02 Other Benefits .

(a) Commencing on the date a Change in Control shall occur and for so long as the Executive is employed by the Company or one of its affiliates, the Executive shall be entitled to participate in and to receive benefits under those employee benefit plans or arrangements (including, without limitation, any pension or welfare plan, life, health, hospitalization and other forms of insurance and all other “fringe” benefits or perquisites) made available to executives of the Company or the Employer, or any successor thereto. The Executive’s level of participation in, or entitlements under, any such employee benefit plan or arrangement of any successor to the Company (or an affiliate thereof) shall be calculated as if the Executive had been an employee of such successor to the Company (or an affiliate thereof) from the date of the Executive’s employment by the Employer.

(b) Commencing on the date a Change in Control shall occur, the Executive shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable travel and other business expenses incurred by the Executive in the performance of his or her duties on behalf of the Employer for so long as the Executive is employed by the Company or one of its affiliates. Any such reimbursement shall be paid in accordance with the usual practices of the Employer and in all events not later than the end of the Executive’s taxable year following the Executive’s taxable year in which the related expense was incurred.

5. Termination of Employment of Executive .

5.01 Payment of Severance Benefits Upon Change of Control . In the event of a Change in Control of the Company, Executive shall be entitled to the severance benefits set forth in Section 6 , but only if prior to any termination of this Plan pursuant to Section 13.02:

(a) the Executive’s employment by the Employer is terminated by the Employer without Cause within one (1) year after the date of the Change in Control;

(b) the Executive terminates his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason within one (1) year after the date of the Change in Control and complies with the procedures set forth in Section 5.02 ;

(c) the Executive’s employment by the Employer is terminated by the Employer without Cause prior to the Change in Control and such termination arose “in connection with or in anticipation of the Change in Control” (for purposes of this Plan, meaning that at the time of such termination the Company had entered into a material definitive agreement, the consummation of which would result in a Change in Control, or any person had publicly announced its intent to take or consider actions that would constitute a Change in Control, and in each case such Change in Control is consummated, or the Board adopts a resolution to the effect that a potential Change in Control for purposes of this Plan has occurred); or

(d) the Executive terminates his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason prior to the Change in Control, the event constituting Good Reason arose in connection with or in anticipation of the Change in Control and the Executive complies with the procedures set forth in Section 5.02 .

 

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5.02 Good Reason .

(a) Notwithstanding anything contained in any employment agreement between the Executive and the Employer to the contrary, prior to any termination of this Plan pursuant to Section 13.02, the Executive may terminate his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason as set forth in Section 5.01(b) or (d)  and be entitled to the benefits set forth in Section 6 .

(b) If the Executive believes that he or she is entitled to terminate his or her employment with the Employer for Good Reason, he or she may apply in writing to the Company for confirmation of such entitlement prior to the Executive’s actual separation from employment, by following the claims procedure set forth in Section 9 . The submission of such a request by the Executive shall not constitute “Cause” for the Company to terminate the Executive’s employment and the Executive shall continue to receive all compensation and benefits he or she was receiving at the time of such submission throughout the resolution of the matter pursuant to the procedures set forth in Section 9 . If the Executive’s request for a termination of employment for Good Reason is denied under both the request and appeal procedures set forth in Sections 9.02 and 9.03 , then the parties shall use their best efforts to resolve the claim within ninety (90) days after the claim is submitted to binding arbitration pursuant to Section 9.04 . Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.02(b) , the Executive’s termination shall not constitute a termination for Good Reason unless the applicable notice, cure and termination provisions set forth in the definition of Good Reason above are satisfied.

5.03 Permanent Disability . In the event of a Permanent Disability of the Executive, the Executive shall be entitled to no further benefits under this Plan, provided that the Employer shall have provided the Executive a Notice of Termination and the Executive shall not have returned to the full-time performance of the Executive’s duties within thirty (30) days of such Notice of Termination.

5.04 Cause . The Employer may terminate the employment of the Executive for Cause. The Executive shall not be deemed to have been terminated for Cause unless and until there shall have been delivered to the Executive a Notice of Termination and a certified copy of a resolution of the Board adopted by the affirmative vote of not less than a majority of the entire membership of the Board (other than the Executive if he or she is a member of the Board at such time) at a meeting called and held for that purpose and at which the Executive was given an opportunity to be heard, finding that the Executive was guilty of conduct constituting Cause based on reasonable evidence, specifying the particulars thereof in detail. For purposes of this Section 5.04 , no act or failure to act on the Executive’s part shall be considered “willful” unless done or omitted to be done by him or her not in good faith and without reasonable belief that his or her action or omission was in the best interest of the Company and the Employer.

5.05 Notice of Termination . Any termination of the Executive’s employment by the Employer or by the Executive (other than termination based on the Executive’s death) following a Change in Control shall be communicated by the terminating party in a Notice of Termination to the other party hereto.

 

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6. Compensation and Benefits Upon Termination of Employment .

6.01 Severance Benefits . If the Executive shall be terminated from employment with the Employer or shall terminate his or her employment with the Employer as described in Section 5.01 , then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following:

(a) In lieu of any further payments to the Executive except as expressly contemplated hereunder, the Employer shall pay as severance pay to the Executive a cash amount equal to two times (in the case of a Tier 1 Executive) or one times (in the case of a Tier 2 Executive) the sum of the Executive’s annual base salary plus his or her target bonus plus his or her annualized car allowance, in each case as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control or as in effect on the date of the Notice of Termination, whichever is higher. Subject to Section 6.03 , such cash payment shall be payable in a single sum, within ten (10) business days following the Executive’s Separation from Service (or if later, the date of the Change in Control).

(b) Any equity awards granted to the Executive by the Company that are outstanding and unvested immediately prior to the Date of Termination shall become 100% vested on the Date of Termination (or if later, the date of the Change in Control), with any performance-based equity awards as to which the applicable performance period has not ended as of the Date of Termination (or, if later, the date of the Change in Control) becoming 100% vested at target level, and any stock options may be exercised by the Executive for the longer of (i) ninety (90) days after the Date of Termination (or, if the Date of Termination occurs prior to a Change in Control but the applicable termination of employment arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control, ninety (90) days after the Change in Control) or (ii) the period specified in the plan or agreement governing such options (subject in each case to earlier termination at the end of the option term or in connection with a change in control of the Company in accordance with the provisions of such plan or agreement). In the event the Company’s applicable equity incentive plan, the award agreement evidencing the outstanding award, any applicable written agreement between Executive and the Company, the definitive agreement effecting the Change in Control or any action by the Board or Committee provide for more favorable treatment to the Executive in the circumstances with respect to the treatment of any performance-based vesting equity award outstanding and unvested immediately prior to the Date of Termination (for example, and without limitation, should the applicable plan, agreement or other action provide for greater than 100% vesting at the target level of such award in the circumstances), the Executive shall be entitled to the more favorable treatment as to that award. For purposes of this Section 6.01(b), the Board or the Committee shall determine in its sole discretion whether the Executive is entitled to more favorable treatment of the Executive’s equity award(s) under a separate plan, agreement or otherwise. In the context of a Date of Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control but the applicable termination of employment arose in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control (within the meaning of Section 5.01), any provision applicable to an equity award granted to the Executive by the Company that is outstanding and unvested immediately prior to the Date of Termination purporting to terminate the award on the Date of Termination shall be subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.01(b) in the event the Change in Control actually occurs in order to give effect to the intent hereof; provided, however , that (i) in all cases a stock option or stock appreciation right shall continue to be subject to any applicable maximum term of the award, and (ii) any such award shall terminate be deemed to have terminated as of the Date of Termination if the anticipated

 

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Change in Control event does not occur. An award agreement may expressly override the provisions of this Section 6.01(b) as to the covered award, and in such event the applicable award agreement shall control as to that award.

(c) For a period of twenty-four months (in the case of a Tier 1 Executive) or twelve months (in the case of a Tier 2 Executive) following the Executive’s Date of Termination (or if later, the date of the Change in Control) (the “payment period”), the Executive shall be entitled to the continuation of the same or equivalent life, health, hospitalization, dental and disability insurance coverage and other employee insurance or welfare benefits (including equivalent coverage for his or her spouse and dependent children) as he or she was receiving immediately prior to the Date of Termination (or, if later, the date of the Change in Control). In the event that the Executive is ineligible under the terms of such insurance to continue to be so covered or as otherwise determined necessary or appropriate by the Administrator, the Employer shall provide the Executive with a lump sum payment equal to the cost of obtaining such coverage for the payment period. If the Executive, prior to the Date of Termination (or, if later, the date of a Change in Control), was receiving any cash-in-lieu payments designed to enable the Executive to obtain insurance coverage of his or her choosing, the Employer shall, in addition to any other benefits to be provided under this Section 6.01(c) , provide the Executive with a lump-sum payment equal to the amount of such in-lieu payments that the Executive would have been entitled to receive over the payment period. To the extent that the payment of any benefits pursuant to this Section 6.01(c) is taxable to the Executive, any such payment shall be made to the Executive on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the related expense was incurred, provided that any lump-sum payment made to the Executive pursuant to either of the preceding two sentences shall be made within ten (10) business days following the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if later, the date of the Change in Control). The Executive’s right to payment of such benefits is not subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit and the amount of such benefits that the Executive receives in one taxable year shall not affect the amount of such benefits that the Executive receives in any other taxable year. The benefits to be provided under this Section 6.01(c) shall be reduced to the extent of the receipt of substantially equivalent coverage by the Executive from any successor employer.

(d) All awards under the Company’s Executive Retention Plan adopted in July, 1998 or any similar plan shall accelerate and be payable within fifteen (15) days after the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if later, the date of the Change in Control).

(e) In the event that the amount of payments or other benefits payable to the Executive under this Plan, together with any payments or benefits payable under any other plan, program, arrangement or agreement maintained by the Employer or one of its affiliates, would constitute an ‘excess parachute payment’ (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code), the payments under this Plan shall be reduced (by the minimum possible amounts) until no amount payable to the Executive under this Plan constitutes an ‘excess parachute payment’ (within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code); provided, however, that no such reduction shall be made if the net after-tax payment (after taking into account Federal, state, local or other income and excise taxes) to which the Executive would otherwise be entitled without such reduction would be greater than the net after-tax payment (after taking into account Federal, state, local or other income and excise taxes) to the Executive resulting from the receipt of such payments with such

 

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reduction. If, as a result of subsequent events or conditions (including a subsequent payment or absence of a subsequent payment under this Plan or other plans, programs, arrangements or agreements maintained by the Employer or one of its affiliates), it is determined that payments hereunder have been reduced by more than the minimum amount required under this Section 6.01(e) , then an additional payment shall be promptly made to the Executive in an amount equal to the excess reduction. All determinations required to be made under this Section 6.01(e) , including whether a payment would result in an ‘excess parachute payment’ and the assumptions to be utilized in arriving at such determination, shall be made and approved by the Company’s independent certified public accounting firm and the Executive’s designated financial advisor.

6.02 Accrued Benefits . Upon termination of the employment of Executive for any reason, any accumulated but unused vacation shall be paid through the Date of Termination. Upon termination of the employment of Executive as set forth in Section 5.01 , any accrued but unpaid salary and bonus shall be paid through the Date of Termination. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Plan, any payments or benefits payable to the Executive hereunder, including without limitation any bonus, in respect of any calendar year during which the Executive is employed by the Employer for less than the entire such year shall be prorated in accordance with the number of days in such calendar year during which he or she is so employed. Any such payment shall be made within ten (10) business days following the Executive’s Separation from Service.

6.03 Specified Employees . The provisions of this Section 6.03 shall apply if any severance payments hereunder constitute “deferred compensation” (within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code) payable upon the Executive’s Separation from Service and, in such event, such provisions shall apply only to the extent required to avoid the imputation of any tax, penalty or interest pursuant to Section 409A of the Code. It is the Company’s intent that severance payments hereunder should not constitute “deferred compensation” payable upon a Separation from Service (because such payments should constitute a “short-term deferral” within the meaning of Code Section 409A or otherwise) based on the guidance available as of the date hereof and, accordingly, should not be subject to the delayed-payment provisions set forth in this Section 6.03 . Notwithstanding Section 6.01(a) or any other provision of this Plan to the contrary but subject to the limitations of the first sentence of this Section 6.03, if the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(i) as of the date of the Executive’s Separation from Service, the Executive shall not be entitled to any severance payments hereunder until the earlier of (i) the date which is six (6) months after the Executive’s Separation from Service for any reason other than death, or (ii) the date of the Executive’s death. Any amounts otherwise payable to the Executive upon or in the six (6) month period following the Executive’s Separation from Service that are not so paid by reason of this Section 6.03 shall be paid (without interest) as soon as practicable (and in all events within thirty (30) days) after the date that is six (6) months after the Executive’s Separation from Service (or, if earlier, as soon as practicable, and in all events within thirty (30) days, after the date of the Executive’s death).

7. No Mitigation . The Executive shall not be required to mitigate the amount of any payments provided for by this Plan by seeking employment or otherwise, nor shall the amount of any cash payments or benefits provided under this Plan be reduced by any compensation or

 

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benefits earned by the Executive after his or her Date of Termination (except as provided in the last sentence of Section 6.01(d) above). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Executive is entitled, by operation of any applicable law, to unemployment compensation benefits or benefits under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Act of 1988 (known as the “WARN” Act) in connection with the termination of his or her employment in addition to amounts required to be paid to him or her under this Plan, then to the extent permitted by applicable statutory law governing severance payments or notice of termination of employment, the Company shall be entitled to offset the amounts payable hereunder by the amounts of any such statutorily mandated payments.

8. Limitation on Rights .

8.01 No Employment Contract . This Plan shall not be deemed to create a contract of employment between the Employer and the Executive and shall create no right in the Executive to continue in the Employer’s employment for any specific period of time, or to create any other rights in the Executive or obligations on the part of the Company or its subsidiaries, except as set forth herein. Except as set forth herein, this Plan shall not restrict the right of the Employer to terminate the employment of Executive, or restrict the right of the Executive to terminate his or her employment.

8.02 No Other Exclusions . This Plan shall not be construed to exclude the Executive from participation in any other compensation or benefit programs in which he or she is specifically eligible to participate either prior to or following the Effective Date of this Plan, or any such programs that generally are available to other executive personnel of the Company, nor shall it affect the kind and amount of other compensation to which the Executive is entitled.

9. Administrator and Claims Procedure .

9.01 Administrator . Except as set forth herein, the administrator (the “Administrator”) for purposes of this Plan shall be the Company. The Company shall have the right to designate one or more of the Company’s or the Employer’s employees as the Administrator at any time. The Company shall give the Executive written notice of any change in the Administrator, or in the address or telephone number of the same.

9.02 Claims Procedure . The Executive, or other person claiming through the Executive, must file a written claim for benefits with the Administrator as a prerequisite to the payment of benefits under this Plan. The Administrator shall make all determinations as to the right of any person to receive benefits under Sections 9.02 and 9.03 . The decision by the Administrator of a claim for benefits by the Executive, his or her heirs or personal representative (the “claimant”) shall be stated in writing by the Administrator and delivered or mailed to the claimant within thirty (30) days after receipt of the claim, unless special circumstances require an extension of time for processing the claim. If such an extension is required, written notice of the extension shall be furnished to the claimant prior to the termination of the initial thirty-day period. In no event shall such extension exceed a period of thirty (30) days from the end of the initial period. Any notice of denial shall set forth the specific reasons for the denial, specific reference to pertinent provisions of this Plan upon which the denial is based, a description of any additional material or information necessary for the claimant to perfect his or her claim, with an

 

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explanation of why such material or information is necessary, and a description of claim review procedures, written to the best of the Administrator’s ability in a manner that may be understood without legal or actuarial counsel.

9.03 Appeals . A claimant whose claim for benefits has been wholly or partially denied by the Administrator may request, within sixty (60) days following the date of such denial, in a writing addressed to the Administrator, a review of such denial. The claimant shall be entitled to submit written comments, documents, records and other information he or she shall consider relevant to a determination of his or her claim, and he or she may include a request for a hearing in person before the Administrator. Prior to submitting his or her request, the claimant shall be entitled to review such documents, records, and other information as the Administrator shall reasonably agree are pertinent to his or her claim. The claimant may, at all stages of the review, be represented by counsel, legal or otherwise, of his or her choice, provided that the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be borne by the claimant, unless the claimant is successful, in which case, such costs shall be borne by the Company. The review of the claim shall take into account all information submitted by claimant relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted in the initial benefit determination. All requests for review shall be promptly resolved. The Administrator’s decision with respect to any such review shall be set forth in writing and shall be mailed to the claimant not later than sixty (60) days following receipt by the Administrator of the claimant’s request unless special circumstances, such as the need to hold a hearing, require an extension of time for processing, in which case the Administrator’s decision shall be so mailed not later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after receipt of the claimant’s request. The time and place of any hearing shall be as mutually agreed by the parties. If the claimant is dissatisfied with the Administrator’s decision on review, the claimant may then either, at his or her option, invoke the arbitration procedures described in Section 9.04 or pursue a remedy in a judicial forum. No legal action may be commenced prior to the completion of the claims and appeals procedures described in the foregoing provisions of Section 9.02 and 9.03 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, no legal action may be commenced after ninety (90) days after the date upon which the Administrator’s written decision on appeal was sent to claimant.

9.04 Arbitration . A claimant who has followed the procedures in Sections 9.02 and 9.03, but who has not obtained full relief on his or her claim for benefits, may, within sixty (60) days following his or her receipt of the Administrator’s written decision on review pursuant to Section 9.03, apply in writing to the Administrator for expedited and binding arbitration of his or her claim before an arbitrator in Orange County, California in accordance with the commercial arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association, as then in effect, or pursuant to such other form of alternative dispute resolution as the parties may agree (collectively, the “arbitration”). Subject to Section 10 , the Company or the Employer shall pay filing fees and other costs required to initiate the arbitration. The arbitrator’s sole authority shall be to interpret and apply the provisions of this Plan; and except as set forth herein he or she shall not change, add to, or subtract from, any of its provisions. The arbitrator shall have the power to compel attendance of witnesses at the hearing. Any court having jurisdiction may enter a judgment based upon such arbitration. The arbitrator shall be appointed by mutual agreement of the Company and the claimant; provided that if the Company and the claimant cannot agree, the arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the applicable commercial arbitration rules. The arbitrator shall be a professional person with a reputation in the community for expertise in

 

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employee benefit matters and who is unrelated to the claimant, the Company or its subsidiaries or any employees of the Company or its subsidiaries. All decisions of the arbitrator shall be final and binding on the claimant and the Company.

10. Legal Fees and Expenses . If any dispute arises between the parties with respect to the interpretation or performance of this Plan, the prevailing party in any arbitration or proceeding shall be entitled to recover from the other party its attorneys’ fees, arbitration or court costs and other expenses incurred in connection with any such proceeding. Amounts, if any, paid to the Executive under this Section 10 shall be in addition to all other amounts due to the Executive pursuant to this Plan.

11. ERISA . This Plan is an unfunded compensation arrangement for a member of a select group of the Company’s management or that of its subsidiaries and any exemptions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, as applicable to such an arrangement shall be applicable to this Plan.

12. Taxes . The Executive shall be solely responsible for his or her own tax liability with respect to participation in this Plan. The Company may withhold (or cause there to be withheld, as the case may be) from any amounts otherwise due or payable under or pursuant to this Plan such federal, state and local income, employment, or other taxes as may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation. Notwithstanding anything else contained herein to the contrary, nothing in this Plan is intended to constitute, nor does it constitute, tax advice, and in all cases, the Executive should obtain and rely solely on the tax advice provided by the Executive’s own independent tax advisors (and not this Plan, the Company, any of the Company’s affiliates, or any officer, employee or agent of the Company or any of its affiliates).

13. Miscellaneous .

13.01 Administration . This Plan shall be administered by the Board or the Committee. When this Plan refers to any action by the Board, the Committee may take such action with the same effect as if it had been taken by the Board.

13.02 Amendments; Termination . This Plan may be changed, amended, modified or terminated by resolution of the Board or the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall this Plan be terminated in the event of a Change in Control or in connection with or in anticipation of a Change in Control or at any time following a Change in Control.

13.03 Assignment and Binding Effect .

(a) Neither this Plan nor the rights or obligations hereunder shall be assignable by the Executive or the Company except that this Plan shall be assignable to, binding upon and inure to the benefit of any successor of the Company, and any successor shall be deemed substituted for the Company upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof’.

(b) The Company will require any successor (whether by purchase of assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the

 

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Company to expressly assume and agree to perform all of the obligations of the Company under this Plan (including the obligation to cause any subsequent successor to also assume the obligations of this Plan) unless such assumption occurs by operation of law. Nothing in this Section 13.03 is intended, however, to require that a person or group referred to in Section 2.03(a) as being the beneficial owner of shares of stock of the Company must assume the obligations under this Plan as a result of such stock ownership.

13.04 No Waiver . No waiver of any term, provision or condition of this Plan, whether by conduct or otherwise, in any one or more instances shall be deemed or be construed as a further or continuing waiver of any such term, provision or condition or as a waiver of any other term, provision or condition of this Plan.

13.05 Rules of Construction .

(a) This Plan has been executed in, and shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of, the State of California. Captions contained in this Plan are for convenience of reference only and shall not be considered or referred to in resolving questions of interpretation with respect to this Plan.

(b) If any provision of this Plan is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future law, and if the rights or obligations of any party hereto under this Plan will not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (i) such provision will be fully severable, (ii) this Plan will be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof, (iii) the remaining provisions of this Plan will remain in full force and effect and will not be affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by its severance herefrom and (iv) in lieu of such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision, there will be added automatically as a part of this Plan a legal, valid and enforceable provision as similar in terms to such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision as may be possible.

13.06 Notices . Any notice required or permitted by this Plan shall be in writing, delivered by hand, or sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, or by recognized courier service (regularly providing proof of delivery), addressed to the Board and the Company and where applicable, the Administrator, at the Company’s then principal office, or to the Executive at the address set forth in the records of the Employer, as the case may be, or to such other address or addresses the Company or the Executive may from time to time specify in writing. Notices shall be deemed given when received.

13.07 Section 409A . This Plan is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Code (including the Treasury regulations and other published guidance relating thereto) so as not to subject any Executive to payment of any interest or additional tax imposed under Code Section 409A. The provisions of this Plan shall be construed and interpreted to avoid the imputation of any such additional tax, penalty or interest under Code Section 409A yet preserve (to the nearest extent reasonably possible) the intended benefit payable to the Executive.

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Western Digital Corporation Amended and Restated Change of Control Severance Plan

 

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As amended November 5, 2008

As amended May 17, 2011

As amended August 7, 2012

As amended September 11, 2014

As amended November 3, 2015

 

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