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

September 29, 2020

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

001-37575

 

68-0680859

 

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

641 Lexington Avenue

27th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(Address of principal executive offices)

(646) 507-5710

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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 230.425)

 

 

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))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b–2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b–2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  

 

Title of each class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common stock

 

STAF

 

NASDAQ



Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangement of Certain Officers.

 

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

 

On September 29, 2020, Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. (the “Company”) held its 2020 virtual annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), pursuant to which the Company may grant equity incentive awards to key employees, key contractors, and non-employee directors of the Company. The Plan provides for the granting of incentive stock options, nonqualified stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards, dividend equivalent rights, and other awards, which may be granted singly or in combination, and that may be paid in cash, shares of the Company’s common stock, or a combination of cash and common stock. A total of 750,000 shares of common stock are reserved for grant under the Plan, plus any Prior Plan Awards (as defined in the Plan), subject to adjustment in certain circumstances to prevent dilution or enlargement. The Plan had been previously approved by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) on June 30, 2020, subject to stockholder approval, and will terminate on June 30, 2030.

 

The description of the Plan and such portions of the Company’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A (the “Proxy Statement”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2020 are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the Plan, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The Board approved forms of restricted stock award agreement, incentive stock option agreement and nonqualified stock option agreement pursuant to the authority set forth in the Plan, copies of which are filed as Exhibits 10.2, 10.3 and 10.4 to this report and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Election of Directors

 

As previously reported in the Proxy Statement, the terms of the Company’s Class II directors, Jeff Grout and Alicia Barker, and Non-Classified Director, Brendan Flood, were scheduled to expire at the Annual Meeting, and the Board nominated for re-election at the Annual Meeting Jeff Grout and Alicia Barker as Class II directors and Brendan Flood as Non-Classified director.

 

At the Annual Meeting, Mr. Grout and Ms. Barker were elected as Class II directors of the Board to serve for a term expiring at the Company’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2022 Annual Meeting”) or until his or her successor is elected or qualified. At the Annual Meeting, Mr. Flood was elected as Non-Classified director of the Board to serve for a term expiring at the Company’s 2021 annual meeting of stockholders (the “2021 Annual Meeting”) or until his or her successor is elected or qualified.

 

For more information about the matters above, see the Company’s Proxy Statement, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

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

 

At the Annual Meeting, the proposals set forth below were submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. The final voting results are as follows:

 

 

1.

Elect Jeff Grout and Alicia Barker as Class II Directors to serve until the 2022 Annual Meeting, and to elect Brendan Flood as a Non-Classified Director to serve until the 2021 Annual Meeting, or until successors have been duly elected and qualified.

 

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

Broker non-votes


 

          Jeff Grout (Class II Director)

 

1,636,353

391,098

18,960

3,049,954

 

          Alicia Barker (Class II Director)

 

1,768,831

 

258,620

 

18,960

3,049,954

 

          Brendan Flood (Non-Classified Director)

 

1,718,406

310,145

17,860

3,049,954

 

 

2.

To approve the Plan.

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

Broker non-votes

1,541,602

458,079

46,730

3,049,954

 

 

3.

Ratify the appointment of BDO USA, LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the 2020 fiscal year.

 

For

 

Against

 

Abstain

4,800,610

230,916

64,839

 

For more information about the foregoing proposals, see the Proxy Statement, the relevant portions of which are incorporated herein by reference. The results reported above are final voting results. No other matters were considered or voted upon at the meeting.

 

Item 9.01Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit No.

Description

10.1

2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

10.2

Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement

10.3

Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

10.4

Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



SIGNATURES

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date:  October 1, 2020

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ Brendan Flood

 

 

Brendan Flood

 

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.1

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.
2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

The Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) was adopted by the Board of Directors of Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), effective as of June 30, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders.

Article 1.
PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to attract and retain the services of key Employees, key Contractors, and Outside Directors of the Company and its Subsidiaries and to provide such persons with a proprietary interest in the Company through the granting of Incentive Stock Options, Nonqualified Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Awards, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Awards, whether granted singly, or in combination, or in tandem, that will:

(a)increase the interest of such persons in the Company’s welfare;

(b)furnish an incentive to such persons to continue their services for the Company or its Subsidiaries; and

(c)provide a means through which the Company may attract able persons as Employees, Contractors, and Outside Directors.

With respect to Reporting Participants, the Plan and all transactions under the Plan are intended to comply with all applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  To the extent any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee fails to so comply, such provision or action shall be deemed null and void ab initio, to the extent permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

Article 2.
DEFINITIONS

For the purpose of the Plan, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

2.1Applicable Law” means all legal requirements relating to the administration of equity incentive plans and the issuance and distribution of shares of Common Stock, if any, under applicable corporate laws, applicable securities laws, the rules of any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, the rules of any foreign jurisdiction applicable to Incentives granted to residents therein, and any other applicable law, rule or restriction.

2.2Authorized Officer” is defined in Section 3.2(b) hereof.

2.3Award” means the grant of any Incentive Stock Option, Nonqualified Stock Option, Restricted Stock, SAR, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent Right or Other Award, whether granted singly or in combination or in tandem (each individually referred to herein as an “Incentive”).

 


 

2.4Award Agreement” means a written agreement between a Participant and the Company which sets out the terms of the grant of an Award.

2.5Award Period” means the period set forth in the Award Agreement during which one or more Incentives granted under an Award may be exercised.

2.6Board” means the board of directors of the Company.

2.7Change in Control” means (a) an acquisition (whether directly from the Company or otherwise) of any voting securities of the Company (the “Voting Securities”) by any “Person” (as the term person is used for purposes of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act, immediately after which such Person has “Beneficial Ownership” (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act) of more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding Voting Securities; (b) the individuals who constitute the members of the Board cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover, or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members of the Board; or (c) approval by the Board and, if required, stockholders of the Company of, or execution by the Company of any definitive agreement with respect to, or the consummation of (it being understood that the mere execution of a term sheet, memorandum of understanding, or other non-binding document shall not constitute a Change of Control): (i) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (a) or (b) above would be the result, (ii) a liquidation or dissolution of or appointment of a receiver, rehabilitator, conservator or similar person for, or the filing by a third party of an involuntary bankruptcy against, the Company; provided, however, that to the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A of the Code, the occurrence of an event described in this subsection (ii) shall not trigger the settlement or payment of any Award granted under this Plan that constitutes non-exempt “deferred compensation” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, and (iii) an agreement for the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any Person (other than a transfer to a subsidiary of the Company).

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.7, if an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then an event shall not constitute a Change in Control for purposes of such Award under the Plan unless such event also constitutes a change in the Company’s ownership, its effective control or the ownership of a substantial portion of its assets within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.

2.8Claim” means any claim, liability or obligation of any nature, arising out of or relating to this Plan or an alleged breach of this Plan or an Award Agreement.

2.9Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

2.10Committee” means the committee appointed or designated by the Board to administer the Plan in accordance with Article 3 of this Plan.

2.11Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, which the Company is currently authorized to issue or may in the future be authorized to issue, or any securities into which or for which the common stock of the Company may be converted or exchanged, as the case may be, pursuant to the terms of this Plan.

2.12Company” means Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and any successor entity.

 


 

2.13Contractor means any natural person, who is not an Employee, rendering bona fide services to the Company or a Subsidiary, with compensation, pursuant to a written independent contractor agreement between such person and the Company or a Subsidiary, provided that such services are not rendered in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities.

2.14Corporation” means any entity that (a) is defined as a corporation under Section 7701 of the Code and (b) is the Company or is in an unbroken chain of corporations (other than the Company) beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain.  For purposes of clause (b) hereof, an entity shall be treated as a “corporation” if it satisfies the definition of a corporation under Section 7701 of the Code.

2.15Date of Grant” means the effective date on which an Award is made to a Participant as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that solely for purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, the Date of Grant of an Award shall be the date of stockholder approval of the Plan if such date is later than the effective date of such Award as set forth in the Award Agreement.

2.16Dividend Equivalent Right” means the right of the holder thereof to receive credits based on the cash dividends that would have been paid on the shares of Common Stock specified in the Award if such shares were held by the Participant to whom the Award is made.

2.17Employee” means a common law employee (as defined in accordance with the Regulations and Revenue Rulings then applicable under Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company; provided, however, in the case of individuals whose employment status, by virtue of their employer or residence, is not determined under Section 3401(c) of the Code, “Employee” shall mean an individual treated as an employee for local payroll tax or employment purposes by the applicable employer under Applicable Law for the relevant period.

2.18Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

2.19Executive Officer” means an officer of the Company or a Subsidiary subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

2.20Exercise Date” is defined in Section 8.3(b) hereof.

2.21Exercise Notice” is defined in Section 8.3(b) hereof.

2.22Fair Market Valuemeans, as of a particular date, (a) if the shares of Common Stock are listed on any established national securities exchange, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system for the principal securities exchange for the Common Stock on that date (as determined by the Committee, in its discretion), or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported; (b) if the shares of Common Stock are not so listed, but are quoted on an automated quotation system, the closing sales price per share of Common Stock reported on the automated quotation system on that date, or, if there shall have been no such sale so reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which such a sale was so reported; (c) if the Common Stock is not so listed or quoted, the mean between the closing bid and asked price on that date, or, if there are no quotations available for such date, on the last preceding date on which such quotations shall be available, as reported by the National Association of Securities Dealer, Inc.’s OTC Bulletin Board or the Pink OTC Markets, Inc. (previously known as the National Quotation Bureau, Inc.);

 


 

or (d) if none of the above is applicable, such amount as may be determined by the Board (acting on the advice of an Independent Third Party, should the Board elect in its sole discretion to utilize an Independent Third Party for this purpose), in good faith, to be the fair market value per share of Common Stock.  The determination of Fair Market Value shall, where applicable, be in compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

2.23Immediate Family Members” is defined in Section 15.8 hereof.

2.24Incentive” is defined in Section 2.3 hereof.

2.25Incentive Stock Option” means an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, granted pursuant to this Plan.

2.26Independent Third Party” means an individual or entity independent of the Company having experience in providing investment banking or similar appraisal or valuation services and with expertise generally in the valuation of securities or other property for purposes of this Plan.  The Board may utilize one or more Independent Third Parties.

2.27Nonqualified Stock Option” means a nonqualified stock option, granted pursuant to this Plan, which is not an Incentive Stock Option.

2.28Option Price” means the price which must be paid by a Participant upon exercise of a Stock Option to purchase a share of Common Stock.

2.29Other Award” means an Award issued pursuant to Section 6.9 hereof.

2.30Outside Director” means a director of the Company who is not an Employee or a Contractor.

2.31Participant” means an Employee, Contractor or an Outside Director to whom an Award is granted under this Plan.

2.32Performance Award” means an Award hereunder of cash, shares of Common Stock, units or rights based upon, payable in, or otherwise related to, Common Stock pursuant to Section 6.7 hereof.

2.33Performance Goal” means any of the Performance Criteria set forth in Section 6.10 hereof.

2.34Plan” means this Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

2.35Prior Plan Awards” means (a) any awards under the Prior Plans that are outstanding on the Effective Date, and that on or after the Effective Date, are forfeited, expire or are canceled; and (b) any shares subject to awards relating to Common Stock under the Prior Plans that, on or after the Effective Date are settled in cash.

2.36Prior Plans” means the Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2016 Omnibus Incentive Plan.

2.37Reporting Participant” means a Participant who is subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

 


 

2.38Restricted Stock” means shares of Common Stock issued or transferred to a Participant pursuant to Section 6.4 of this Plan which are subject to restrictions or limitations set forth in this Plan and in the related Award Agreement.

2.39Restricted Stock Units” means units awarded to Participants pursuant to Section 6.6 hereof, which are convertible into Common Stock at such time as such units are no longer subject to restrictions as established by the Committee.

2.40Restriction Period” is defined in Section 6.4(b)(i) hereof.

2.41Retirement” shall have the meaning set forth in the Participant’s Award Agreement.

2.42SAR” or “Stock Appreciation Right” means the right to receive an amount, in cash and/or Common Stock, equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of a specified number of shares of Common Stock as of the date the SAR is exercised (or, as provided in the Award Agreement, converted) over the SAR Price for such shares.

2.43SAR Price” means the exercise price or conversion price of each share of Common Stock covered by a SAR, determined on the Date of Grant of the SAR.

2.44Spread” is defined in Section 12.4(b) hereof.

2.45Stock Option” means a Nonqualified Stock Option or an Incentive Stock Option.

2.46Subsidiary” means (a) any corporation in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing a majority of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in the chain, (b) any limited partnership, if the Company or any corporation described in item (a) above owns a majority of the general partnership interest and a majority of the limited partnership interests entitled to vote on the removal and replacement of the general partner, and (c) any partnership or limited liability company, if the partners or members thereof are composed only of the Company, any corporation listed in item (a) above or any limited partnership listed in item (b) above.  “Subsidiaries” means more than one of any such corporations, limited partnerships, partnerships or limited liability companies.

2.47Termination of Service” occurs when a Participant who is (a) an Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary ceases to serve as an Employee of the Company and its Subsidiaries, for any reason; (b) an Outside Director of the Company or a Subsidiary ceases to serve as a director of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason; or (c) a Contractor of the Company or a Subsidiary ceases to serve as a Contractor of the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason.  Except as may be necessary or desirable to comply with applicable federal or state law, a “Termination of Service” shall not be deemed to have occurred when a Participant who is an Employee becomes an Outside Director or Contractor or vice versa.  If, however, a Participant who is an Employee and who has an Incentive Stock Option ceases to be an Employee but does not suffer a Termination of Service, and if that Participant does not exercise the Incentive Stock Option within the time required under Section 422 of the Code upon ceasing to be an Employee, the Incentive Stock Option shall thereafter become a Nonqualified Stock Option.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.47, in the event an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then, in lieu of the foregoing definition and to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Termination of Service” for purposes of such Award shall be the definition of “separation from service” provided for under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.

 


 

2.48Total and Permanent Disability” means a Participant is qualified for long-term disability benefits under the Company’s or Subsidiary’s disability plan or insurance policy; or, if no such plan or policy is then in existence or if the Participant is not eligible to participate in such plan or policy, that the Participant, because of a physical or mental condition resulting from bodily injury, disease, or mental disorder, is unable to perform his or her duties of employment for a period of six (6) continuous months, as determined in good faith by the Committee, based upon medical reports or other evidence satisfactory to the Committee; provided that, with respect to any Incentive Stock Option, Total and Permanent Disability shall have the meaning given it under the rules governing Incentive Stock Options under the Code.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2.48, in the event an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, then, in lieu of the foregoing definition and to the extent necessary to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the definition of “Total and Permanent Disability” for purposes of such Award shall be the definition of “disability” provided for under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.

Article 3.
ADMINISTRATION

General Administration; Establishment of Committee.  Subject to the terms of this Article 3, the Plan shall be administered by the Board or such committee of the Board as is designated by the Board to administer the Plan (the “Committee”).  The Committee shall consist of not fewer than two persons.  Any member of the Committee may be removed at any time, with or without cause, by resolution of the Board. Any vacancy occurring in the membership of the Committee may be filled by appointment by the Board.  At any time there is no Committee to administer the Plan, any references in this Plan to the Committee shall be deemed to refer to the Board.

Membership on the Committee shall be limited to those members of the Board who are “non-employee directors” as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act.  The Committee shall select one of its members to act as its Chairman.  A majority of the Committee shall constitute a quorum, and the act of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Committee.

3.1Designation of Participants and Awards.

(a)The Committee or the Board shall determine and designate from time to time the eligible persons to whom Awards will be granted and shall set forth in each related Award Agreement, where applicable, the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance requirements, as are approved by the Committee, but not inconsistent with the Plan.  The Committee shall determine whether an Award shall include one type of Incentive or two or more Incentives granted in combination or two or more Incentives granted in tandem (that is, a joint grant where exercise of one Incentive results in cancellation of all or a portion of the other Incentive).  Although the members of the Committee shall be eligible to receive Awards, all decisions with respect to any Award, and the terms and conditions thereof, to be granted under the Plan to any member of the Committee shall be made solely and exclusively by the other members of the Committee, or if such member is the only member of the Committee, by the Board.

(b)Notwithstanding Section 3.1(a), to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board may, in its discretion and by a resolution adopted by the Board, authorize one or more officers of the Company (an “Authorized Officer”) to (i) designate one or more Employees as eligible persons to whom Awards will be granted under the Plan, and (ii) determine the number of

 


 

shares of Common Stock that will be subject to such Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options or SARs; provided, however, that the resolution of the Board granting such authority shall (x) specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be made subject to the Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options or SARs, (y) set forth the price or prices (or a formula by which such price or prices may be determined) to be paid for the purchase of the Common Stock subject to such Nonqualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options or SARs, and (z) not authorize an officer to designate himself as a recipient of any Award.

3.2Authority of the Committee.  The Committee, in its discretion, shall (a) interpret the Plan and Award Agreements, (b) prescribe, amend, and rescind any rules and regulations and sub-plans (including sub-plans for Awards made to Participants who are not resident in the United States), as necessary or appropriate for the administration of the Plan, (c) establish performance goals for an Award and certify the extent of their achievement, and (d) make such other determinations or certifications and take such other action as it deems necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan.  Any interpretation, determination, or other action made or taken by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all interested parties.  The Committee’s discretion set forth herein shall not be limited by any provision of the Plan, including any provision which by its terms is applicable notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary.

The Committee may delegate to officers of the Company, pursuant to a written delegation, the authority to perform specified functions under the Plan.  Any actions taken by any officers of the Company pursuant to such written delegation of authority shall be deemed to have been taken by the Committee.

With respect to restrictions in the Plan that are based on the requirements of Rule 16b‑3 promulgated under the Exchange Act, Section 422 of the Code, the rules of any exchange or inter-dealer quotation system upon which the Company’s securities are listed or quoted, or any other Applicable Law, to the extent that any such restrictions are no longer required by Applicable Law, the Committee shall have the sole discretion and authority to grant Awards that are not subject to such mandated restrictions and/or to waive any such mandated restrictions with respect to outstanding Awards.

Article 4.
ELIGIBILITY

Any Employee (including an Employee who is also a director or an officer), Contractor or Outside Director of the Company whose judgment, initiative, and efforts contributed or may be expected to contribute to the successful performance of the Company is eligible to participate in the Plan; provided that only Employees of a Corporation shall be eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.  The Committee, upon its own action, may grant, but shall not be required to grant, an Award to any Employee, Contractor or Outside Director.  Awards may be granted by the Committee at any time and from time to time to new Participants, or to then Participants, or to a greater or lesser number of Participants, and may include or exclude previous Participants, as the Committee shall determine.  Except as required by this Plan, Awards need not contain similar provisions.  The Committee’s determinations under the Plan (including without limitation determinations of which Employees, Contractors or Outside Directors, if any, are to receive Awards, the form, amount and timing of such Awards, the terms and provisions of such Awards and the agreements evidencing same) need not be uniform and may be made by it selectively among Participants who receive, or are eligible to receive, Awards under the Plan.

 


 

Article 5.
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN

5.1Number Available for Awards.  Subject to adjustment as provided in Articles 11 and 12 and any increase by any Prior Plan Awards eligible for reuse pursuant to Section 5.2, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Awards granted under the Plan is ________________ (_______) shares, of which one hundred percent (100%) may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.  Shares to be issued may be made available from authorized but unissued Common Stock, Common Stock held by the Company in its treasury, or Common Stock purchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.  During the term of this Plan, the Company will at all times reserve and keep available the number of shares of Common Stock that shall be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of this Plan.

5.2Reuse of Shares.  To the extent that any Award under this Plan or any Prior Plan Award shall be forfeited, shall expire or be canceled, in whole or in part, then the number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Award or Prior Plan Award so forfeited, expired or canceled may again be awarded pursuant to the provisions of this Plan.  Awards that may be satisfied either by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or by cash or other consideration shall be counted against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan only during the period that the Award is outstanding or to the extent the Award is ultimately satisfied by the issuance of shares of Common Stock.  Shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable pursuant to an Award that are withheld upon exercise or vesting of an Award for purposes of paying the exercise price or tax withholdings shall be treated as delivered to the Participant and shall be counted against the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan.  Awards will not reduce the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to this Plan if the settlement of the Award will not require the issuance of shares of Common Stock, as, for example, a SAR that can be satisfied only by the payment of cash.  Notwithstanding any provisions of the Plan to the contrary, only shares forfeited back to the Company, shares canceled on account of termination, expiration or lapse of an Award, shall again be available for grant of Incentive Stock Options under the Plan, but shall not increase the maximum number of shares described in Section 5.1 above as the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be delivered pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.

Article 6.
GRANT OF AWARDS

6.1In General.

(a)The grant of an Award shall be authorized by the Committee and shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement setting forth the Incentive or Incentives being granted, the total number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive(s), the Option Price (if applicable), the Award Period, the Date of Grant, and such other terms, provisions, limitations, and performance objectives, as are approved by the Committee, but (i) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (ii) to the extent an Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  The Company shall execute an Award Agreement with a Participant after the Committee approves the issuance of an Award.  Any Award granted pursuant to this Plan must be granted within ten (10) years of the date of adoption of this Plan by the Board. The Plan shall be submitted to the Company’s stockholders for approval; however, the Committee may grant Awards under the Plan prior to the time of stockholder approval.  Any such Award granted prior to such stockholder approval shall be made subject to such stockholder approval.  The grant of an Award

 


 

to a Participant shall not be deemed either to entitle the Participant to, or to disqualify the Participant from, receipt of any other Award under the Plan.

(b)If the Committee establishes a purchase price for an Award, the Participant must accept such Award within a period of thirty (30) days (or such shorter period as the Committee may specify) after the Date of Grant by executing the applicable Award Agreement and paying such purchase price.

(c)Any Award under this Plan that is settled in whole or in part in cash on a deferred basis may provide for interest equivalents to be credited with respect to such cash payment. Interest equivalents may be compounded and shall be paid upon such terms and conditions as may be specified by the grant.

6.2Option Price.  The Option Price for any share of Common Stock which may be purchased under a Nonqualified Stock Option for any share of Common Stock must be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant.  The Option Price for any share of Common Stock which may be purchased under an Incentive Stock Option must be at least equal to the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant; if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to an Employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than  ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary), the Option Price shall be at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant.  No dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any Stock Option granted hereunder.

6.3Maximum ISO Grants.  The Committee may not grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan to any Employee which would permit the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the Date of Grant) of the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options (under this and any other plan of the Company and its Subsidiaries) are exercisable for the first time by such Employee during any calendar year to exceed $100,000.  To the extent any Stock Option granted under this Plan which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option exceeds this limit or otherwise fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, such Stock Option (or any such portion thereof) shall be a Nonqualified Stock Option.  In such case, the Committee shall designate which stock will be treated as Incentive Stock Option stock by causing the issuance of a separate stock certificate and identifying such stock as Incentive Stock Option stock on the Company’s stock transfer records.

6.4Restricted Stock.  If Restricted Stock is granted to or received by a Participant under an Award (including a Stock Option), the Committee shall set forth in the related Award Agreement: (a) the number of shares of Common Stock awarded, (b) the price, if any, to be paid by the Participant for such Restricted Stock and the method of payment of the price, (c) the time or times within which such Award may be subject to forfeiture, (d) specified Performance Goals of the Company, a Subsidiary, any division thereof or any group of Employees of the Company, or other criteria, which the Committee determines must be met in order to remove any restrictions (including vesting) on such Award, and (e) all other terms, limitations, restrictions, and conditions of the Restricted Stock, which shall be consistent with this Plan, to the extent applicable and, to the extent Restricted Stock granted under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  The provisions of Restricted Stock need not be the same with respect to each Participant.

(a)Legend on Shares.  The Company shall electronically register the Restricted Stock awarded to a Participant in the name of such Participant, which shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock,

 


 

substantially as provided in Section 15.10 of the Plan.  No stock certificate or certificates shall be issued with respect to such shares of Common Stock, unless, following the expiration of the Restriction Period (as defined in Section 6.4(b)(i)) without forfeiture in respect of such shares of Common Stock, the Participant requests delivery of the certificate or certificates by submitting a written request to the Committee (or such party designated by the Company) requesting delivery of the certificates.  The Company shall deliver the certificates requested by the Participant to the Participant as soon as administratively practicable following the Company’s receipt of such request.

(b)Restrictions and Conditions.  Shares of Restricted Stock shall be subject to the following restrictions and conditions:

(i)Subject to the other provisions of this Plan and the terms of the particular Award Agreements, during such period as may be determined by the Committee commencing on the Date of Grant or the date of exercise of an Award (the “Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge or assign shares of Restricted Stock. Except for these limitations, the Committee may in its sole discretion, remove any or all of the restrictions on such Restricted Stock whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or other changes in circumstances arising after the date of the Award, such action is appropriate.

(ii)Except as provided in sub-paragraph (a) above or in the applicable Award Agreement, the Participant shall have, with respect to his or her Restricted Stock, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares, and the right to receive any dividends thereon.  Certificates for shares of Common Stock free of restriction under this Plan shall be delivered to the Participant promptly after, and only after, the Restriction Period shall expire without forfeiture in respect of such shares of Common Stock or after any other restrictions imposed on such shares of Common Stock by the applicable Award Agreement or other agreement have expired.  Certificates for the shares of Common Stock forfeited under the provisions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement shall be promptly returned to the Company by the forfeiting Participant.  Each Award Agreement shall require that each Participant, in connection with the issuance of a certificate for Restricted Stock, shall endorse such certificate in blank or execute a stock power in form satisfactory to the Company in blank and deliver such certificate and executed stock power to the Company.

(iii)The Restriction Period of Restricted Stock shall commence on the Date of Grant or the date of exercise of an Award, as specified in the Award Agreement, and, subject to Article 12 of the Plan, unless otherwise established by the Committee in the Award Agreement setting forth the terms of the Restricted Stock, shall expire upon satisfaction of the conditions set forth in the Award Agreement; such conditions may provide for vesting based on length of continuous service or such Performance Goals, as may be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

(iv)Except as otherwise provided in the particular Award Agreement, upon Termination of Service for any reason during the Restriction Period, the nonvested shares of Restricted Stock shall be forfeited by the Participant.  In the event a Participant has paid any consideration to the Company for such forfeited Restricted Stock, the Committee shall specify in the Award Agreement that either (1) the Company shall be obligated to, or (2) the Company may, in its sole discretion, elect to, pay to the Participant, as soon as practicable after the event causing forfeiture, in cash, an amount equal to the lesser of the total consideration paid by the Participant for such forfeited shares or the Fair Market Value

 


 

of such forfeited shares as of the date of Termination of Service, as the Committee, in its sole discretion shall select. Upon any forfeiture, all rights of a Participant with respect to the forfeited shares of the Restricted Stock shall cease and terminate, without any further obligation on the part of the Company.

6.5SARs.  The Committee may grant SARs to any Participant, either as a separate Award or in connection with a Stock Option.  SARs shall be subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall impose, provided that such terms and conditions are (a) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (b) to the extent a SAR issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  The grant of the SAR may provide that the holder may be paid for the value of the SAR either in cash or in shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof.  In the event of the exercise of a SAR payable in shares of Common Stock, the holder of the SAR shall receive that number of whole shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise equal to the value obtained by multiplying (x) the difference between the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the date of exercise over the SAR Price as set forth in such SAR (or other value specified in the agreement granting the SAR), by (y) the number of shares of Common Stock as to which the SAR is exercised, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional shares of Common Stock.  The SAR Price for any share of Common Stock subject to a SAR may be equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the share on the Date of Grant.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, may place a ceiling on the amount payable upon exercise of a SAR, but any such limitation shall be specified at the time that the SAR is granted.  No dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any SAR granted hereunder.

6.6Restricted Stock Units.  Restricted Stock Units may be awarded or sold to any Participant under such terms and conditions as shall be established by the Committee, provided, however, that such terms and conditions are (a) not inconsistent with the Plan, and (b) to the extent a Restricted Stock Unit issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee determines, including, without limitation, (x) a prohibition against sale, assignment, transfer, pledge, hypothecation or other encumbrance for a specified period; or (y) a requirement that the holder forfeit (or in the case of shares of Common Stock or units sold to the Participant, resell to the Company at cost) such shares or units in the event of Termination of Service during the period of restriction.

6.7Performance Awards.

(a)The Committee may grant Performance Awards to one or more Participants.  The terms and conditions of Performance Awards shall be specified at the time of the grant and may include provisions establishing the performance period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during a performance period, and the maximum or minimum settlement values, provided that such terms and conditions are (i) not inconsistent with the Plan and (ii) to the extent a Performance Award issued under the Plan is subject to Section 409A of the Code, in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  If the Performance Award is to be in shares of Common Stock, the Performance Awards may provide for the issuance of the shares of Common Stock at the time of the grant of the Performance Award or at the time of the certification by the Committee that the Performance Goals for the performance period have been met; provided, however, if shares of Common Stock are issued at the time of the grant of the Performance Award and if, at the end of the performance period, the Performance Goals are not certified by the Committee to have been fully satisfied, then, notwithstanding any other provisions of this Plan to the contrary, the Common Stock shall be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the grant to the extent the Committee determines that the

 


 

Performance Goals were not met.  The forfeiture of shares of Common Stock issued at the time of the grant of the Performance Award due to failure to achieve the established Performance Goals shall be separate from and in addition to any other restrictions provided for in this Plan that may be applicable to such shares of Common Stock.  Each Performance Award granted to one or more Participants shall have its own terms and conditions.

If the Committee determines, in its sole discretion, that the established performance measures or objectives are no longer suitable because of a change in the Company’s business, operations, corporate structure, or for other reasons that the Committee deemed satisfactory, the Committee may modify the performance measures or objectives and/or the performance period.

(b)Performance Awards may be valued by reference to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock or according to any formula or method deemed appropriate by the Committee, in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, achievement of Performance Goals or other specific financial, production, sales or cost performance objectives that the Committee believes to be relevant to the Company’s business and/or remaining in the employ of the Company or a Subsidiary for a specified period of time.  Performance Awards may be paid in cash, shares of Common Stock, or other consideration, or any combination thereof.  If payable in shares of Common Stock, the consideration for the issuance of such shares may be the achievement of the performance objective established at the time of the grant of the Performance Award.  Performance Awards may be payable in a single payment or in installments and may be payable at a specified date or dates or upon attaining the performance objective.  The extent to which any applicable performance objective has been achieved shall be conclusively determined by the Committee.

6.8Dividend Equivalent Rights.  The Committee may grant a Dividend Equivalent Right to any Participant, either as a component of another Award or as a separate Award. The terms and conditions of the Dividend Equivalent Right shall be specified by the grant.  Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Common Stock (which may thereafter accrue additional dividend equivalents).  Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value at the time thereof.  Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash or shares of Common Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single payment or in installments.  A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award, and that such Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may also contain terms and conditions different from such other Award; provided that (a) any Dividend Equivalent Rights with respect to such Award may be withheld by the Company for the Participant’s account until such Award is vested, subject to such terms as determined by the Committee; and (b) such Dividend Equivalent Rights so withheld by the Company and attributable to any particular Award shall be distributed to such Participant in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, in shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such Dividend Equivalent Rights, if applicable, upon vesting of the Award and if such Award is forfeited, the Participant shall have no right to such Dividend Equivalent Rights.  No Dividend Equivalent Rights may be paid or granted with respect to any Stock Option or SAR.

6.9Other Awards.  The Committee may grant to any Participant other forms of Awards, based upon, payable in, or otherwise related to, in whole or in part, shares of Common Stock, if the Committee determines that such other form of Award is consistent with the purpose and restrictions of this Plan.  The terms and conditions of such other form of Award shall be specified by the grant.  Such Other Awards may be granted for no cash consideration, for such minimum consideration as may be required by Applicable Law, or for such other consideration as may be specified by the grant.

 


 

6.10Performance Goals.  Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Award and Other Awards (whether relating to cash or shares of Common Stock) under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of Performance Goals relating to one or more business criteria which may consist of one or more or any combination of the following criteria:  cash flow; cost; revenues; sales; ratio of debt to debt plus equity; net borrowing, credit quality or debt ratings; profit before tax; economic profit; earnings before interest and taxes; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; gross margin; earnings per share (whether on a pre-tax, after-tax, operational or other basis); operating earnings; capital expenditures; expenses or expense levels; economic value added; ratio of operating earnings to capital spending or any other operating ratios; free cash flow; net profit; net sales; net asset value per share; the accomplishment of mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, public offerings or similar extraordinary business transactions; sales growth; price of the Company’s Common Stock; return on assets, equity or stockholders’ equity; market share; inventory management, inventory turn or shrinkage; employee retention; safety standards; service or product delivery or quality; or total return to stockholders (“Performance Criteria”).  Any Performance Criteria may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or any business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index.  Any Performance Criteria may include or exclude (a) events that are of an unusual nature or indicate infrequency of occurrence, (b) gains or losses on the disposition of a business, (c) changes in tax or accounting regulations or laws, (d) the effect of a merger or acquisition, as identified in the Company’s quarterly and annual earnings releases, or (e) other similar occurrences.  In all other respects, Performance Criteria shall be calculated in accordance with the Company’s financial statements, under generally accepted accounting principles, or under a methodology established by the Committee prior to the issuance of an Award which is consistently applied and identified in the audited financial statements, including footnotes, or the Compensation Discussion and Analysis section of the Company’s annual report.

6.11Tandem Awards.  The Committee may grant two or more Incentives in one Award in the form of a “tandem Award,” so that the right of the Participant to exercise one Incentive shall be canceled if, and to the extent, the other Incentive is exercised.  For example, if a Stock Option and a SAR are issued in a tandem Award, and the Participant exercises the SAR with respect to one hundred (100) shares of Common Stock, the right of the Participant to exercise the related Stock Option shall be canceled to the extent of one hundred (100) shares of Common Stock.

6.12Repricing of Stock Options or SARs. The Committee may “reprice” any Stock Option or SAR.  For purposes of this Section 6.12, “reprice” means any of the following or any other action that has the same effect: (a) amending a Stock Option or SAR to reduce its exercise price or base price, (b) canceling a Stock Option or SAR at a time when its exercise price or base price exceeds the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock in exchange for cash or a Stock Option, SAR, award of Restricted Stock or other equity award, or (c) taking any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles; provided, however, that repricing of any Stock Option or SAR shall not be permitted without stockholder approval to the extent stockholder approval is required either by (x) any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or traded or (y) Applicable Law, unless such repricing is approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, nothing in this Section 6.12 shall prevent the Committee from making adjustments pursuant to Article 11, from exchanging or cancelling Incentives pursuant to Article 12, or substituting Incentives in accordance with Article 14.

6.13Recoupment for Restatements.  Notwithstanding any other language in this Plan to the contrary, the Company may recoup all or any portion of any shares or cash paid to a Participant in connection with an Award, in the event of a restatement of the Company’s financial statements as set forth in the Company’s clawback policy, if any, approved by the Company’s Board from time to time.

 


 

Article 7.
AWARD PERIOD; VESTING

7.1Award Period.  Subject to the other provisions of this Plan, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that an Incentive may not be exercised in whole or in part for any period or periods of time or beyond any date specified in the Award Agreement.  Except as provided in the Award Agreement, an Incentive may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during its term.  The Award Period for an Incentive shall be reduced or terminated upon Termination of Service.  No Incentive granted under the Plan may be exercised at any time after the end of its Award Period.  No portion of any Incentive may be exercised after the expiration of ten (10) years from its Date of Grant.  However, if an Employee owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules of Section 424(d) of the Code) more than ten percent (10%) of the combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company (or any parent or Subsidiary) and an Incentive Stock Option is granted to such Employee, the term of such Incentive Stock Option (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no more than five (5) years from the Date of Grant.

7.2Vesting.  The Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine that an Incentive will be immediately vested in whole or in part, or that all or any portion may not be vested until a date, or dates, subsequent to its Date of Grant, or until the occurrence of one or more specified events, subject in any case to the terms of the Plan.  If the Committee imposes conditions upon vesting, then, subsequent to the Date of Grant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the date on which all or any portion of the Incentive may be vested.

Article 8.
EXERCISE OR CONVERSION OF INCENTIVE

8.1In General.  A vested Incentive may be exercised or converted, during its Award Period, subject to limitations and restrictions set forth in the Award Agreement.

8.2Securities Law and Exchange Restrictions.  In no event may an Incentive be exercised or shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to an Award if a necessary listing or quotation of the shares of Common Stock on a stock exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or any registration under state or federal securities laws required under the circumstances has not been accomplished.

8.3Exercise of Stock Option.

(a)In General.  If a Stock Option is exercisable prior to the time it is vested, the Common Stock obtained on the exercise of the Stock Option shall be Restricted Stock which is subject to the applicable provisions of the Plan and the Award Agreement.  If the Committee imposes conditions upon exercise, then subsequent to the Date of Grant, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, accelerate the date on which all or any portion of the Stock Option may be exercised.  No Stock Option may be exercised for a fractional share of Common Stock.  The granting of a Stock Option shall impose no obligation upon the Participant to exercise that Stock Option.

(b)Notice and Payment.  Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, a Stock Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised (the “Exercise Notice”) and the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) with respect to any Stock Option shall be the date that the Participant has delivered both the

 


 

Exercise Notice and consideration to the Company with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased (plus any employment tax withholding or other tax payment due with respect to such Award), payable as provided in the Award Agreement, which may provide for payment in any one or more of the following ways:  (i) cash or check, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company, (ii) Common Stock owned by the Participant on the Exercise Date, valued at its Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, and which the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the Exercise Date, (iii) by delivery (including by FAX or electronic transmission) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form (or, to the extent permitted by the Company, exercise instructions, which may be communicated in writing, telephonically, or electronically) together with irrevocable instructions from the Participant to a broker or dealer, reasonably acceptable to the Company, to sell certain of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option or to pledge such shares as collateral for a loan and promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay such purchase price, (iv) by requesting the Company to withhold the number of shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Stock Option by the number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price at the time of exercise (i.e., a cashless net exercise), and/or (v) in any other form of valid consideration that is acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion.  If the Participant fails to deliver the consideration described in this Section 8.3(b) within three (3) business days of the date of the Exercise Notice, then the Exercise Notice shall be null and void and the Company will have no obligation to deliver any shares of Common Stock to the Participant in connection with such Exercise Notice.  

(c)Issuance of Certificate.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.4 hereof (with respect to shares of Restricted Stock) or in the applicable Award Agreement, upon payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company shall cause the Common Stock then being purchased to be registered in the Participant’s name (or the person exercising the Participant’s Stock Option in the event of his or her death), but shall not issue certificates for the Common Stock unless the Participant or such other person requests delivery of the certificates for the Common Stock, in writing in accordance with the procedures established by the Committee.  The Company shall deliver certificates to the Participant (or the person exercising the Participant’s Stock Option in the event of his or her death) as soon as administratively practicable following the Company’s receipt of a written request from the Participant or such other person for delivery of the certificates.  Notwithstanding the forgoing, if the Participant has exercised an Incentive Stock Option, the Company may at its option retain physical possession of the certificate evidencing the shares acquired upon exercise until the expiration of the holding periods described in Section 422(a)(1) of the Code.  Any obligation of the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock shall, however, be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Committee shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not reasonably acceptable to the Committee.

(d)Failure to Pay.  Except as may otherwise be provided in an Award Agreement, if the Participant fails to pay for any of the Common Stock specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, that portion of the Participant’s Stock Option and right to purchase such Common Stock may be forfeited by the Participant.

 


 

8.4SARs.  Subject to the conditions of this Section 8.4 and such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, a SAR may be exercised by the delivery (including by FAX) of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the SAR is to be exercised and the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon.  Subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and only if permissible under Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder (or, if not so permissible, at such time as permitted by Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder), the Participant shall receive from the Company in exchange therefor in the discretion of the Committee, and subject to the terms of the Award Agreement:

(a)cash in an amount equal to the excess (if any) of the Fair Market Value (as of the Exercise Date, or if provided in the Award Agreement, conversion, of the SAR) per share of Common Stock over the SAR Price per share specified in such SAR, multiplied by the total number of shares of Common Stock of the SAR being surrendered;

(b)that number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value (as of the Exercise Date, or if provided in the Award Agreement, conversion, of the SAR) equal to the amount of cash otherwise payable to the Participant, with a cash settlement to be made for any fractional share interests; or

(c)the Company may settle such obligation in part with shares of Common Stock and in part with cash.

The distribution of any cash or Common Stock pursuant to the foregoing sentence shall be made at such time as set forth in the Award Agreement.

8.5Disqualifying Disposition of Incentive Stock Option.  If shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of an Incentive Stock Option are disposed of by a Participant prior to the expiration of either two (2) years from the Date of Grant of such Stock Option or one (1) year from the transfer of shares of Common Stock to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of such Stock Option, or in any other disqualifying disposition within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, such Participant shall notify the Company in writing of the date and terms of such disposition.  A disqualifying disposition by a Participant shall not affect the status of any other Stock Option granted under the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

Article 9.
AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE

Subject to the limitations set forth in this Article 9, the Board may at any time and from time to time, without the consent of the Participants, alter, amend, revise, suspend, or discontinue the Plan in whole or in part; provided, however, that no amendment for which stockholder approval is required either (a) by any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or traded or (b) in order for the Plan and Incentives awarded under the Plan to continue to comply with Sections 421 and 422 of the Code, including any successors to such Sections, or other Applicable Law, shall be effective unless such amendment shall be approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders of the Company entitled to vote thereon.  Any such amendment shall, to the extent deemed necessary or advisable by the Committee, be applicable to any outstanding Incentives theretofore granted under the Plan, notwithstanding any contrary provisions contained in any Award Agreement.  In the event of any such amendment to the Plan, the holder of any Incentive outstanding under the Plan shall, upon request of the Committee and as a

 


 

condition to the exercisability thereof, execute a conforming amendment in the form prescribed by the Committee to any Award Agreement relating thereto.  Notwithstanding anything contained in this Plan to the contrary, unless required by law, no action contemplated or permitted by this Article 9 shall adversely affect any rights of Participants or obligations of the Company to Participants with respect to any Incentive theretofore granted under the Plan without the consent of the affected Participant.

Article 10.
TERM

The Plan shall be effective from the date that this Plan is adopted by the Board.  Unless sooner terminated by action of the Board, the Plan will terminate on the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, but Incentives granted before that date will continue to be effective in accordance with their terms and conditions.

Article 11.
CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS

In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, rights offering, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, split-off, combination, subdivision, repurchase, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the fair value of an Award, then the Committee shall adjust any or all of the following so that the fair value of the Award immediately after the transaction or event is equal to the fair value of the Award immediately prior to the transaction or event (a) the number of shares and type of Common Stock (or the securities or property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (b) the number of shares and type of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards, (c) the Option Price of each outstanding Award, (d) the amount, if any, the Company pays for forfeited shares of Common Stock in accordance with Section 6.4, and (e) the number of or SAR Price of shares of Common Stock then subject to outstanding SARs previously granted and unexercised under the Plan, to the end that the same proportion of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock in each instance shall remain subject to exercise at the same aggregate SAR Price; provided, however, that the number of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or property) subject to any Award shall always be a whole number.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, no such adjustment shall be made or authorized to the extent that such adjustment would cause the Plan or any Stock Option to violate Section 422 of the Code or Section 409A of the Code.  Such adjustments shall be made in accordance with the rules of any securities exchange, stock market, or stock quotation system to which the Company is subject.

Upon the occurrence of any such adjustment, the Company shall provide notice to each affected Participant of its computation of such adjustment which shall be conclusive and shall be binding upon each such Participant.

Article 12.
RECAPITALIZATION, MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION

12.1No Effect on Company’s Authority.  The existence of this Plan and Incentives granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any or all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations, or other changes in the Company’s

 


 

capital structure and its business, or any Change in Control, or any merger or consolidation of the Company, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase same), or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

12.2Conversion of Incentives Where Company Survives.  Subject to any required action by the stockholders and except as otherwise provided by Section 12.4 hereof or as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, if the Company shall be the surviving or resulting corporation in any merger, consolidation or share exchange, any Incentive granted hereunder shall pertain to and apply to the securities or rights (including cash, property, or assets) to which a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Incentive would have been entitled.

12.3Exchange or Cancellation of Incentives Where Company Does Not Survive.  Except as otherwise provided by Section 12.4 hereof or as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, in the event of any merger, consolidation or share exchange pursuant to which the Company is not the surviving or resulting corporation, there shall be substituted for each share of Common Stock subject to the unexercised portions of outstanding Incentives, that number of shares of each class of stock or other securities or that amount of cash, property, or assets of the surviving, resulting or consolidated company which were distributed or distributable to the stockholders of the Company in respect to each share of Common Stock held by them, such outstanding Incentives to be thereafter exercisable for such stock, securities, cash, or property in accordance with their terms.

12.4Cancellation of Incentives.  Notwithstanding the provisions of Sections 12.2 and 12.3 hereof, and except as may be required to comply with Section 409A of the Code and the regulations or other guidance issued thereunder, all Incentives granted hereunder may be canceled by the Company, in its sole discretion, as of the effective date of any Change in Control, merger, consolidation or share exchange, or any issuance of bonds, debentures, preferred or preference stocks ranking prior to or otherwise affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof (or any rights, options, or warrants to purchase same), or of any proposed sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, or of any dissolution or liquidation of the Company, by either:

(a)giving notice to each holder thereof or his personal representative of its intention to cancel those Incentives for which the issuance of shares of Common Stock involved payment by the Participant for such shares, and permitting the purchase during the thirty (30) day period next preceding such effective date of any or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to such outstanding Incentives, including in the Board’s discretion some or all of the shares as to which such Incentives would not otherwise be vested and exercisable; or

(b)in the case of Incentives that are either (i) settled only in shares of Common Stock, or (ii) at the election of the Participant, settled in shares of Common Stock, paying the holder thereof an amount equal to a reasonable estimate of the difference between the net amount per share payable in such transaction or as a result of such transaction, and the price per share of such Incentive to be paid by the Participant (hereinafter the “Spread”), multiplied by the number of shares subject to the Incentive.  In cases where the shares constitute, or would after exercise, constitute Restricted Stock, the Company, in its discretion, may include some or all of those shares in the calculation of the amount payable hereunder.  In estimating the Spread, appropriate adjustments to give effect to the existence of the Incentives shall be made, such as deeming the Incentives to have been exercised, with the Company receiving the exercise price payable

 


 

thereunder, and treating the shares receivable upon exercise of the Incentives as being outstanding in determining the net amount per share.  In cases where the proposed transaction consists of the acquisition of assets of the Company, the net amount per share shall be calculated on the basis of the net amount receivable with respect to shares of Common Stock upon a distribution and liquidation by the Company after giving effect to expenses and charges, including but not limited to taxes, payable by the Company before such liquidation could be completed.

An Award that by its terms would be fully vested or exercisable upon a Change in Control will be considered vested or exercisable for purposes of Section 12.4(a) hereof.

Article 13.
LIQUIDATION OR DISSOLUTION

Subject to Section 12.4 hereof, in case the Company shall, at any time while any Incentive under this Plan shall be in force and remain unexpired, (a) sell all or substantially all of its property, or (b) dissolve, liquidate, or wind up its affairs, then each Participant shall be entitled to receive, in lieu of each share of Common Stock of the Company which such Participant would have been entitled to receive under the Incentive, the same kind and amount of any securities or assets as may be issuable, distributable, or payable upon any such sale, dissolution, liquidation, or winding up with respect to each share of Common Stock of the Company.  If the Company shall, at any time prior to the expiration of any Incentive, make any partial distribution of its assets, in the nature of a partial liquidation, whether payable in cash or in kind (but excluding the distribution of a cash dividend payable out of earned surplus and designated as such) and an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate to prevent the dilution of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, make such adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Article 11 hereof.

Article 14.
INCENTIVES IN SUBSTITUTION FOR
INCENTIVES GRANTED BY OTHER ENTITIES

Incentives may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for similar instruments held by employees, independent contractors or directors of a corporation, partnership, or limited liability company who become or are about to become Employees, Contractors or Outside Directors of the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the Company, the acquisition by the Company of equity of the employing entity, or any other similar transaction pursuant to which the Company becomes the successor employer.  The terms and conditions of the substitute Incentives so granted may vary from the terms and conditions set forth in this Plan to such extent as the Committee at the time of grant may deem appropriate to conform, in whole or in part, to the provisions of the incentives in substitution for which they are granted.

Article 15.
MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

15.1Investment Intent.  The Company may require that there be presented to and filed with it by any Participant under the Plan, such evidence as it may deem necessary to establish that the Incentives granted or the shares of Common Stock to be purchased or transferred are being acquired for investment and not with a view to their distribution.

 


 

15.2No Right to Continued Employment.  Neither the Plan nor any Incentive granted under the Plan shall confer upon any Participant any right with respect to continuance of employment by the Company or any Subsidiary.

15.3Indemnification of Board and Committee.  No member of the Board or the Committee, nor any officer or Employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee, shall be personally liable for any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and all members of the Board and the Committee, each officer of the Company, and each Employee of the Company acting on behalf of the Board or the Committee shall, to the extent permitted by law, be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination, or interpretation to the fullest extent provided by law.  Except to the extent required by any unwaiveable requirement under applicable law, no member of the Board or the Committee (and no Subsidiary of the Company) shall have any duties or liabilities, including without limitation any fiduciary duties, to any Participant (or any Person claiming by and through any Participant) as a result of this Plan, any Award Agreement or any Claim arising hereunder and, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, each Participant (as consideration for receiving and accepting an Award Agreement) irrevocably waives and releases any right or opportunity such Participant might have to assert (or participate or cooperate in) any Claim against any member of the Board or the Committee and any Subsidiary of the Company arising out of this Plan.

15.4Effect of the Plan.  Neither the adoption of this Plan nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give any person any right to be granted an Award or any other rights except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement, or any amendment thereto, duly authorized by the Committee and executed on behalf of the Company, and then only to the extent and upon the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.

15.5Compliance with Other Laws and Regulations.  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the Company shall not be required to sell or issue shares of Common Stock under any Incentive if the issuance thereof would constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provisions of any law or regulation of any governmental authority or any national securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or other forum in which shares of Common Stock are quoted or traded (including without limitation Section 16 of the Exchange Act); and, as a condition of any sale or issuance of shares of Common Stock under an Incentive, the Committee may require such agreements or undertakings, if any, as the Committee may deem necessary or advisable to assure compliance with any such law or regulation.  The Plan, the grant and exercise of Incentives hereunder, and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares of Common Stock, shall be subject to all applicable federal and state laws, rules and regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.

15.6Foreign Participation.  To assure the viability of Awards granted to Participants employed in foreign countries, the Committee may provide for such special terms as it may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate differences in local law, tax policy or custom.  Moreover, the Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments, restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan as it determines is necessary or appropriate for such purposes.  Any such amendment, restatement or alternative versions that the Committee approves for purposes of using this Plan in a foreign country will not affect the terms of this Plan for any other country.

15.7Tax Requirements.  The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 15.7, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with an Award granted under this Plan.  

 


 

The Company may, in its sole discretion, also require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to the Award.  Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock.  Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the exercising Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the date of exercise, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise of the Stock Option, which shares so withheld have an aggregate fair market value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c).  The Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant.  The Committee may in the Award Agreement impose any additional tax requirements or provisions that the Committee deems necessary or desirable.

15.8Assignability.  Incentive Stock Options may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed or encumbered other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or the Participant’s legally authorized representative, and each Award Agreement in respect of an Incentive Stock Option shall so provide.  The designation by a Participant of a beneficiary will not constitute a transfer of the Stock Option.  The Committee may waive or modify any limitation contained in the preceding sentences of this Section 15.8 that is not required for compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

Except as otherwise provided herein, Awards may not be transferred, assigned, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise conveyed or encumbered other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, authorize all or a portion of a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR to be granted to a Participant on terms which permit transfer by such Participant to (a) the spouse (or former spouse), children or grandchildren of the Participant (“Immediate Family Members”), (b) a trust or trusts for the exclusive benefit of such Immediate Family Members, (c) a partnership in which the only partners are (1) such Immediate Family Members and/or (2) entities which are controlled by the Participant and/or Immediate Family Members, (d) an entity exempt from federal income tax pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code or any successor provision, or (e) a split interest trust or pooled income fund described in Section 2522(c)(2) of the Code or any successor provision, provided that (x) there shall be no consideration for any such transfer, (y) the Award Agreement pursuant to which such Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR is granted must be approved by the Committee and must expressly provide for transferability in a manner consistent with this Section, and (z) subsequent transfers of transferred Nonqualified Stock Options or SARs shall be prohibited except those by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

Following any transfer, any such Nonqualified Stock Option and SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer, provided that for purposes of Articles 8, 9, 11, 13 and 15 hereof the term “Participant” shall be deemed to include the transferee.  The events of Termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Participant, following which the Nonqualified Stock Options and SARs shall be exercisable or convertible by the transferee only to the extent and for the periods specified in the Award Agreement.  The Committee and the Company shall have no obligation to inform any transferee of a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR of any expiration, termination, lapse or acceleration of such Stock Option or SAR.  The Company shall

 


 

have no obligation to register with any federal or state securities commission or agency any Common Stock issuable or issued under a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR that has been transferred by a Participant under this Section 15.8.

15.9Use of Proceeds.  Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Incentives granted under this Plan shall constitute general funds of the Company.

15.10Legend.  Each certificate representing shares of Restricted Stock issued to a Participant shall bear the following legend, or a similar legend deemed by the Company to constitute an appropriate notice of the provisions hereof (any such certificate not having such legend shall be surrendered upon demand by the Company and so endorsed):

On the face of the certificate:

“Transfer of this stock is restricted in accordance with conditions printed on the reverse of this certificate.”

On the reverse:

“The shares of stock evidenced by this certificate are subject to and transferable only in accordance with that certain Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, a copy of which is on file at the principal office of the Company in New York City, New York.  No transfer or pledge of the shares evidenced hereby may be made except in accordance with and subject to the provisions of said Plan.  By acceptance of this certificate, any holder, transferee or pledgee hereof agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of said Plan.”

The following legend shall be inserted on a certificate evidencing Common Stock issued under the Plan if the shares were not issued in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws:

“Shares of stock represented by this certificate have been acquired by the holder for investment and not for resale, transfer or distribution, have been issued pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of applicable state and federal securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold or transferred other than pursuant to effective registration under such laws, or in transactions otherwise in compliance with such laws, and upon evidence satisfactory to the Company of compliance with such laws, as to which the Company may rely upon an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.”

15.11Governing Law.  The Plan shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws, rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this Plan to the laws of another state).  A Participant’s sole remedy for any Claim shall be against the Company, and no Participant shall have any claim or right of any nature against any Subsidiary of the Company or any stockholder or existing or former director, officer or Employee of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company.  The individuals and

 


 

entities described above in this Section 15.11 (other than the Company) shall be third-party beneficiaries of this Plan for purposes of enforcing the terms of this Section 15.11.

A copy of this Plan shall be kept on file in the principal office of the Company in New York City, New York.

***************


 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed as of September 30, 2020, by its Chief Executive Officer pursuant to prior action taken by the Board.

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:/s/Brendan Flood

Name:Brendan Flood

Title:Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan

1.Grant of Award.  Pursuant to the Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for Employees, Contractors, and Outside Directors of Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company grants to

_________________________________

(the “Participant”)

an Award of Restricted Stock in accordance with Section 6.4 of the Plan.  The number of shares of Common Stock awarded under this Restricted Stock Award Agreement (the “Agreement”) is _____________________ (__________) shares (the “Awarded Shares”).  The “Date of Grant” of this Award is ______________, 2020.  

2.Subject to Plan.  This Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.  The capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan.  This Agreement is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Board or the Committee and communicated to the Participant in writing.

3.Vesting.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Awarded Shares shall vest as follows: a.____________________ of the total Awarded Shares shall vest on the first anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

b.____________________ of the total Awarded Shares shall vest on the second anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

c.____________________ of the total Awarded Shares shall vest on the third anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

d.____________________ of the total Awarded Shares shall vest on the fourth anniversary of the Date of Grant, provided the Participant is employed by (or if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

e.[In the event that (i) a Change in Control occurs, and (ii) this Agreement is not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent, or the surviving corporation or its

 


 

parent does not substitute its own restricted shares, then immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control, all Awarded Shares not previously vested shall thereupon immediately become fully vested.]

4.Forfeiture of Awarded Shares.  Awarded Shares that are not vested in accordance with Section 3 shall be forfeited on the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service.  Upon forfeiture, all of the Participant’s rights with respect to the forfeited Awarded Shares shall cease and terminate, without any further obligations on the part of the Company.  

5.Restrictions on Awarded Shares.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the terms of this Agreement, from the Date of Grant until the date the Awarded Shares are vested in accordance with Section 3 and are no longer subject to forfeiture in accordance with Section 4 (the “Restriction Period”), the Participant shall not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, hypothecate, margin, assign, or otherwise encumber any of the Awarded Shares that have not vested.  Except for these limitations, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, remove any or all of the restrictions on such Awarded Shares whenever it may determine that, by reason of changes in Applicable Laws or changes in circumstances after the date of this Agreement, such action is appropriate.

6.Legend.  The following legend shall be placed on all certificates issued representing Awarded Shares:

On the face of the certificate:

“Transfer of this stock is restricted in accordance with conditions printed on the reverse of this certificate.”

On the reverse:

“The shares of stock evidenced by this certificate are subject to and transferable only in accordance with that certain Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan, a copy of which is on file at the principal office of the Company in New York City, New York.  No transfer or pledge of the shares evidenced hereby may be made except in accordance with and subject to the provisions of said Plan.  By acceptance of this certificate, any holder, transferee or pledgee hereof agrees to be bound by all of the provisions of said Plan.”

The following legend shall be inserted on a certificate evidencing Common Stock issued under the Plan if the shares were not issued in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws:

“Shares of stock represented by this certificate have been acquired by the holder for investment and not for resale, transfer or distribution, have been issued pursuant to exemptions from the registration requirements of applicable state and federal securities laws, and may not be offered for sale, sold or transferred other than pursuant to effective registration under such laws, or in transactions otherwise in compliance with such laws, and upon evidence satisfactory to the Company of compliance with such

 


 

laws, as to which the Company may rely upon an opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company.”

All Awarded Shares owned by the Participant shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement and shall be represented by a certificate or certificates bearing the foregoing legend.

7.Delivery of Certificates; Registration of Shares.  The Company shall deliver certificates for the Awarded Shares to the Participant or shall register the Awarded Shares in the Participant’s name, free of restriction under this Agreement, promptly after, and only after, the Restriction Period has expired without forfeiture pursuant to Section 4.  In connection with any issuance of a certificate for Restricted Stock, the Participant shall endorse such certificate in blank or execute a stock power in a form satisfactory to the Company in blank and deliver such certificate and executed stock power to the Company.

8.Rights of a Stockholder.  Except as provided in Section 4 and Section 5 above, the Participant shall have, with respect to his Awarded Shares, all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote the shares and the right to receive any dividends thereon.  Any stock dividends paid with respect to Awarded Shares shall at all times be treated as the Awarded Shares and shall be subject to all restrictions placed on such Awarded Shares; any such stock dividends paid with respect to such Awarded Shares shall vest as the related Awarded Shares become vested.  Any cash dividends paid with respect to unvested Awarded Shares shall at all times be subject to the provisions of this Agreement (including the vesting and forfeiture provisions set forth above); any such cash dividends paid with respect to such unvested Awarded Shares shall vest as such Awarded Shares become vested, and shall be paid to the Participant on the date the Awarded Shares to which such cash dividends relate become vested.

9.Voting.  The Participant, as record holder of the Awarded Shares, has the exclusive right to vote, or consent with respect to, such Awarded Shares until such time as the Awarded Shares are transferred in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section 9 shall not create any voting right where the holders of such Awarded Shares otherwise have no such right.

10.Adjustment to Number of Awarded Shares.  The number of Awarded Shares shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Articles 11-13 of the Plan.

11.Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge that remedies at law will be inadequate remedies for a breach of this Agreement and consequently agree that this Agreement shall be enforceable by specific performance.  The remedy of specific performance shall be cumulative of all of the rights and remedies at law or in equity of the parties under this Agreement.

12.Participant’s Representations.  Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he will not acquire any Awarded Shares, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any Awarded Shares to the Participant hereunder, if the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority.  Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive.  The rights and obligations of the Company and the rights and obligations of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations.

13.Investment Representation.  Unless the Awarded Shares are issued in a transaction registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, by his execution hereof, the Participant represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be purchased and/or received hereunder will be acquired by the Participant for investment purposes for his own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal  or state securities laws.  Unless the Common Stock is issued to him in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws, all

 


 

certificates issued with respect to the Common Stock shall bear an appropriate restrictive investment legend and shall be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws or the Participant obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

14.Participant’s Acknowledgments.  The Participant acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available for his review by the Company and represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Award subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

15.Law Governing.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state).

16.No Right to Continue Service or Employment.  Nothing herein shall be construed to confer upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary, whether as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director, or to interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to discharge the Participant as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director at any time.

17.Legal Construction.  In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or agreement that is contained in this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained herein.

18.Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements.  Each of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement.  The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Participant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement.

19.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject matter.  All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement.  Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement, or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

20.Parties Bound.  The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein.  No person shall be permitted to acquire any Awarded Shares without first executing and delivering an agreement in the form satisfactory to the Company making such person or entity subject to the restrictions on transfer contained herein.

 


 

21.Modification.  No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan to the extent permitted by the Plan.

22.Headings.  The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

23.Gender and Number.  Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise.

24.Notice.  Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Participant, as the case may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:

a.Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

641 Lexington Avenue, 27th Floor

New York, New York  10022

Attn:

Fax:

b.Notice to the Participant shall be addressed and delivered as set forth on the signature page.

25.Clawback.  The Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees, with respect to any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant (or registered in the Participant’s name) pursuant to this Agreement, that such shares of Common Stock shall be subject to recovery by the Company, and the Participant shall be required to repay such compensation or shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the Company’s Claw-Back Policy, as in effect from time to time.  The Participant further acknowledges, understands, and agrees that the Board retains the right to modify the Company’s Claw-Back Policy at any time.

26.Prospectus.  A prospectus covering the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan and registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), has been prepared by the Company (the “Prospectus”).  The Prospectus summarizes and describes the material provisions of the Plan.  An electronic copy of the Prospectus, the Plan, and any other documents required to be delivered to the Participant under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Plan Documents”) are available via [   ].  Physical copies of the Plan Documents are available upon written request.  By acceptance of this Award and execution of this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that a copy of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents have been made available to him.  The Participant represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents and hereby accepts the Awarded Units subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement

27.Tax Requirements.  The Participant is hereby advised to consult immediately with his own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of this Agreement, the method and timing for filing

 


 

an election to include this Agreement in income under Section 83(b) of the Code, and the tax consequences of such election.  By execution of this Agreement, the Participant agrees that if the Participant makes such an election, the Participant shall provide the Company with written notice of such election in accordance with the regulations promulgated under Section 83(b) of the Code.  The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 27, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with this Award.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, also require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to this Award.  Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock.  Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock, other than (i) Restricted Stock, or (ii) Common Stock that the Participant has acquired from the Company within six (6) months  prior thereto, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the vesting of this Award, which shares so withheld have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c).  The Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;

Signature Page Follows.]

 

 

 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Section 1 hereof.

COMPANY:

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:

Name:

Title:

PARTICIPANT:

 

Signature

Name:

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 10.3

 

 

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

2020 Omnibus Incentive PLAN

1.Grant of Option.  Pursuant to the Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. 2020 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), as adopted by Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company grants to

 

(the “Participant”)

who is an Employee of the Company, an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase a total of _________________ (____________) full shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Optioned Shares”) at an “Option Price” equal to $_________ per share (being the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant or 110% of such Fair Market Value, in the case of a ten percent (10%) or more stockholder as provided in Section 422 of the Code), in the amounts, during the periods and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Incentive Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”).

The “Date of Grant” of this Stock Option is ______________, 2020.  The “Option Period” shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire on the date immediately preceding the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant (or the date immediately preceding the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Date of Grant, in the case of a ten percent (10%) or more stockholder as provided in Section 422 of the Code) unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 4 below.  The Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

2.Subject to Plan.  The Stock Option and its exercise are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement.  The capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan.  The Stock Option is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and communicated to the Participant in writing.

3.Vesting; Time of Exercise.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Optioned Shares shall be vested and the Stock Option shall be exercisable as follows:

a._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable on the Date of Grant.

b._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on ___________________, provided the Participant is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

c._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on ___________________, provided the Participant is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 


 

 

d._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on ___________________, provided the Participant is employed by the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 

[In the event that (i) a Change in Control occurs, and (ii) this Option Agreement is not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent, or the surviving corporation or its parent does not substitute its own option for this Stock Option, then immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control, the total Optioned Shares not previously vested shall thereupon immediately become vested and this Stock Option shall become fully exercisable, if not previously so exercisable.]

4.Term; Forfeiture.

a.Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, to the extent the unexercised portion of the Stock Option relates to Optioned Shares that are not vested on the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, the Stock Option will be terminated on that date.  The unexercised portion of the Stock Option that relates to Optioned Shares which are vested on such date will terminate at the first of the following to occur:

i.5 p.m. on the date the Option Period terminates;

ii.5 p.m. on the date which is twelve (12) months following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service due to death or Total and Permanent Disability;

iii.immediately upon the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company for Cause (as defined herein);

iv.5 p.m. on the date which is three (3) months following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason not otherwise specified in this Section 4.a.; or

v.5 p.m. on the date the Company causes any portion of the Stock Option to be forfeited pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

b.For purposes hereof, Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any employment, consulting, or other service agreement in effect by and between the Company and the Participant; provided, however, at any time there is no such agreement in effect, or if such agreement does not define such term, the term “Cause” shall mean (i) the Participant’s commission of a dishonest or fraudulent act in connection with the Participant’s employment, or the misappropriation of Company property; (ii) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty; (iii) the Participant’s inattention to duties, unsatisfactory performance, or failure to perform the Participant’s duties hereunder, provided in each case the Company gives the Participant written notice and thirty (30) days to correct the Participant’s performance to the Company’s satisfaction; (iv) a substantial failure to comply with the Company’s policies; (v) a material and willful breach of the Participant’s fiduciary duties in any material respect, provided in each case the Company gives the Participant written notice and thirty (30) days to correct such breach; (vi) the Participant’s failure to comply in any material respect with any legal written directive of the Board; or (vii) any act or omission of the Participant which is of substantial detriment to the Company because of the Participant’s intentional failure to comply with any statute, rule or regulation, except any act or omission believed by the Participant in good faith to have been in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company (without the intent of the Participant to gain, directly or indirectly, a profit to which the Participant was not legally

2

 


 

 

entitled).  Any determination of whether the Participant should be terminated for Cause pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in the sole, good faith discretion of the Board, and shall be binding upon all parties affected thereby.

5.Who May Exercise.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 3 and 4 above, during the lifetime of the Participant, the Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant, or by the Participant’s guardian or personal or legal representative.  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is due to his death prior to the dates specified in Section 4.a. hereof, and the Participant has not exercised the Stock Option as to the maximum number of vested Optioned Shares as set forth in Section 3 hereof as of the date of death, the following persons may exercise the exercisable portion of the Stock Option on behalf of the Participant at any time prior to the earliest of the dates specified in Section 4.a. hereof: the personal representative of his estate or the person who acquired the right to exercise the Stock Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Participant, provided that the Stock Option shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement, the Plan, and all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations.

6.No Fractional Shares.  The Stock Option may be exercised only with respect to full shares, and no fractional share of stock shall be issued.

7.Manner of Exercise.  Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, the Stock Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised, the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”) which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon, and whether the Optioned Shares to be exercised will be considered as deemed granted under an Incentive Stock Option as provided in Section 11.  On the Exercise Date, the Participant shall deliver to the Company consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased, payable as follows:  (a) cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, Common Stock (including Restricted Stock) owned by the Participant on the Exercise Date, valued at its Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, and which the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the Exercise Date; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, by delivery (including by FAX) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions from the Participant to a broker or dealer, reasonably acceptable to the Company, to sell certain of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option or to pledge such shares as collateral for a loan and promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay such purchase price; and/or (d) in any other form of valid consideration that is acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion.  

Upon payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company shall cause the Common Stock then being purchased to be registered in the Participant’s name (or the person exercising the Participant’s Stock Option in the event of the Participant’s death) promptly after the Exercise Date.  The obligation of the Company to register shares of Common Stock shall, however, be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Company shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, then the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not reasonably acceptable to the Committee.

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If the Participant fails to pay for any of the Optioned Shares specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, that portion of the Participant’s Stock Option and the right to purchase such Optioned Shares may be forfeited by the Participant.

8.Nonassignability.  The Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by the Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.

9.Rights as Stockholder.  The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any of the Optioned Shares until the issuance of a certificate or certificates to the Participant or the registration of such shares in the Participant’s name for the shares of Common Stock.  The Optioned Shares shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates.  The Participant, by his execution of this Agreement, agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with the issuance of the shares of Common Stock.

10.Adjustment of Number of Optioned Shares and Related Matters.  The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Stock Option, and the Option Prices thereof, shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Articles 11 – 13 of the Plan.

11.Incentive Stock Option.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Stock Option is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.  To the extent the number of Optioned Shares exceeds the limit set forth in Section 6.3 of the Plan, such Optioned Shares shall be deemed granted pursuant to a Nonqualified Stock Option.  Unless otherwise indicated by the Participant in the notice of exercise pursuant to Section 7, upon any exercise of this Stock Option, the number of exercised Optioned Shares that shall be deemed to be exercised pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option shall equal the total number of Optioned Shares so exercised multiplied by a fraction, (a) the numerator of which is the number of unexercised Optioned Shares that could then be exercised pursuant to an Incentive Stock Option, and (b) the denominator of which is the then total number of unexercised Optioned Shares.

12.Disqualifying Disposition.  In the event that Common Stock acquired upon exercise of this Stock Option is disposed of by the Participant in a “Disqualifying Disposition,” such Participant shall notify the Company in writing within thirty (30) days after such disposition of the date and terms of such disposition.  For purposes hereof, “Disqualifying Disposition” shall mean a disposition of Common Stock that is acquired upon the exercise of this Stock Option (and that is not deemed granted pursuant to a Nonqualified Stock Option under Section 11) prior to the expiration of either two (2) years from the Date of Grant of this Stock Option or one (1) year from the transfer of shares to the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Stock Option.

13.Voting.  The Participant, as record holder of some or all of the Optioned Shares following exercise of this Stock Option, has the exclusive right to vote, or consent with respect to, such Optioned Shares until such time as the Optioned Shares are transferred in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section shall not create any voting right where the holders of such Optioned Shares otherwise have no such right.

14.Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge that remedies at law will be inadequate remedies for breach of this Agreement and consequently agree that this Agreement shall be enforceable by specific performance.  The remedy of specific performance shall be cumulative of all of the rights and remedies at law or in equity of the parties under this Agreement.

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15.Participant’s Representations.  Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Stock Option granted hereby, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to the Participant hereunder, if the exercise thereof or the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority.  Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive.  The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations.

16.Investment Representation.  Unless the shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant in a transaction registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, by his execution hereof, the Participant represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be purchased hereunder will be acquired by the Participant for investment purposes for his own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal or state securities laws.  Unless the Common Stock is issued to him in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws, all certificates issued with respect to the Common Stock shall bear an appropriate restrictive investment legend and shall be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws or the Participant obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

17.Participant’s Acknowledgments.  The Participant acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available for his review by the Company and represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Stock Option subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

18.Law Governing.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state).

19.No Right to Continue Employment.  Nothing herein shall be construed to confer upon the Participant the right to continue in the employment of the Company or to interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company to discharge the Participant at any time (subject to any contract rights of the Participant).

20.Legal Construction.  In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or agreement that is contained in this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained herein.

21.Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements. Each of the covenants and agreements that is set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement.  The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Participant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement.

22.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject

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matter.  All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement.  Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement, or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

23.Parties Bound.  The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein.

24.Modification.  No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan to the extent permitted by the Plan.

25.Headings.  The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

26.Gender and Number.  Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise.

27.Notice.  Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Participant, as the case may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:

a.Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

641 Lexington Avenue, 27th Floor

New York, New York  10022

Attn:

Facsimile:

b.Notice to the Participant shall be addressed and delivered as set forth on the signature page.

28.Clawback.  The Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees, with respect to any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant (or registered in the Participant’s name) pursuant to this Agreement, that such shares of Common Stock shall be subject to recovery by the Company, and the Participant shall be required to repay such compensation or shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the Company’s Claw-Back Policy, as in effect from time to time.  The Participant further acknowledges, understands, and agrees that the Board retains the right to modify the Company’s Claw-Back Policy at any time.

29.Prospectus.  A prospectus covering the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan and registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), has been prepared by the Company (the “Prospectus”).  The Prospectus summarizes and describes the material provisions of the Plan.  An electronic copy of the Prospectus, the Plan, and any other documents required to be delivered

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to the Participant under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Plan Documents”) are available [      ].  Physical copies of the Plan Documents are available upon written request.  By acceptance of this Award and execution of this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that a copy of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents have been made available to him.  The Participant represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents and hereby accepts the Awarded Units subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

30.Tax Requirements.  The Participant is hereby advised to consult immediately with his own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of this Agreement.  The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 30, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan and this Agreement, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with this Award.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, also require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to this Award.  Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock.  Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the exercising Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the date of exercise, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise of the Stock Option, which shares so withheld have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c).  The Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant.

 

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;

Signature Page Follows.]


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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Sectio1 hereof.

COMPANY:

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:

Name:

Title:

PARTICIPANT:

 

Signature

Name:

Address:

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

 

 

NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

2020 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN  

1.Grant of Option.  Pursuant to the Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc. Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for Employees, Contractors, and Outside Directors of Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Company grants to

 

(the “Participant”)

an option (the “Stock Option”) to purchase a total of ___________________ (__________) full shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Optioned Shares”) at an “Option Price” equal to $________ per share (being the Fair Market Value per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant).

The “Date of Grant” of this Stock Option is _________________, 2020.  The “Option Period” shall commence on the Date of Grant and shall expire on the date immediately preceding the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Date of Grant, unless terminated earlier in accordance with Section 4 below.  The Stock Option is a Nonqualified Stock Option that is intended to comply with the provisions governing nonqualified stock options under the final Treasury Regulations issued on April 17, 2007, in order to exempt this Stock Option from application of Section 409A of the Code.

2.Subject to Plan.  The Stock Option and its exercise are subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, and the terms of the Plan shall control to the extent not otherwise inconsistent with the provisions of this Nonqualified Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”).  The capitalized terms used herein that are defined in the Plan shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan.  The Stock Option is subject to any rules promulgated pursuant to the Plan by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, and communicated to the Participant in writing.  

3.Vesting; Time of Exercise.  Except as specifically provided in this Agreement and subject to certain restrictions and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Optioned Shares shall be vested and the Stock Option shall be exercisable as follows:  

a._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall be exercisable on the Date of Grant.

b._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on __________________, provided the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

c._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on __________________, provided the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

 


 

d._______________________ of the total Optioned Shares shall vest and that portion of the Stock Option shall become exercisable on __________________, provided the Participant is employed by (or, if the Participant is a Contractor or an Outside Director, is providing services to) the Company or a Subsidiary on that date.

[In the event that (i) a Change in Control occurs, and (ii) this Option Agreement is not assumed by the surviving corporation or its parent, or the surviving corporation or its parent does not substitute its own option for this Stock Option, then immediately prior to the effective date of such Change in Control, the total Optioned Shares not previously vested shall thereupon immediately become vested and this Stock Option shall become fully exercisable, if not previously so exercisable.]

4.Term; Forfeiture.

a.

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, to the extent the unexercised portion of the Stock Option relates to Optioned Shares that are not vested on the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service, the Stock Option will be terminated on that date.  The unexercised portion of the Stock Option that relates to Optioned Shares which are vested on such date will terminate at the first of the following to occur:

i.5 p.m. on the date the Option Period terminates;

ii.5 p.m. on the date which is twelve (12) months following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service due to death or Total and Permanent Disability;

iii.immediately upon the Participant’s Termination of Service by the Company for Cause (as defined herein);

iv.5 p.m. on the date which is ninety (90) days following the date of the Participant’s Termination of Service for any reason not otherwise specified in this Section 4.a.; or

v.5 p.m. on the date the Company causes any portion of the Stock Option to be forfeited pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

b.For purposes hereof, “Cause” shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in any employment, consulting, or other service agreement in effect by and between the Company and the Participant; provided, however, at any time there is no such agreement in effect, or if such agreement does not define such term, the term “Cause” shall mean (i) the Participant’s commission of a dishonest or fraudulent act in connection with the Participant’s employment, or the misappropriation of Company property; (ii) the Participant’s conviction of, or plea of nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty; (iii) the Participant’s inattention to duties, unsatisfactory performance, or failure to perform the Participant’s duties hereunder, provided in each case the Company gives the Participant written notice and thirty (30) days to correct the Participant’s performance to the Company’s satisfaction; (iv) a substantial failure to comply with the Company’s policies; (v) a material and willful breach of the Participant’s fiduciary duties in any material respect, provided in each case the Company gives the Participant written notice and thirty (30) days to correct such breach; (vi) the Participant’s failure to comply in any material respect with any legal written directive of the Board; or (vii) any act or omission of the Participant which is of substantial detriment to the Company because of the Participant’s intentional failure to comply with any statute, rule or regulation, except any act or omission believed by the Participant

 


 

in good faith to have been in or not opposed to the best interest of the Company (without the intent of the Participant to gain, directly or indirectly, a profit to which the Participant was not legally entitled).  Any determination of whether the Participant should be terminated for Cause pursuant to this Agreement shall be made in the sole, good faith discretion of the Board, and shall be binding upon all parties affected thereby.

5.Who May Exercise.  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in Sections 3 and 4 above, during the lifetime of the Participant, the Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant, or by the Participant’s guardian or personal or legal representative.  If the Participant’s Termination of Service is due to his death prior to the dates specified in Section 4.a. hereof, and the Participant has not exercised the Stock Option as to the maximum number of vested Optioned Shares as set forth in Section 3 hereof as of the date of death, the following persons may exercise the exercisable portion of the Stock Option on behalf of the Participant at any time prior to the earliest of the dates specified in Section 4.a. hereof: the personal representative of his estate or the person who acquired the right to exercise the Stock Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of the Participant, provided that the Stock Option shall remain subject to the other terms of this Agreement, the Plan, and all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations.

6.No Fractional Shares.  The Stock Option may be exercised only with respect to full shares, and no fractional share of stock shall be issued.

7.Manner of Exercise.  Subject to such administrative regulations as the Committee may from time to time adopt, the Stock Option may be exercised by the delivery of written notice to the Committee setting forth the number of shares of Common Stock with respect to which the Stock Option is to be exercised and the date of exercise thereof (the “Exercise Date”), which shall be at least three (3) days after giving such notice unless an earlier time shall have been mutually agreed upon.  On the Exercise Date, the Participant shall deliver to the Company consideration with a value equal to the total Option Price of the shares to be purchased, payable as follows:  (a) cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to the order of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, Common Stock owned by the Participant on the Exercise Date, valued at its Fair Market Value on the Exercise Date, and which the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the Exercise Date; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, by delivery (including by FAX) to the Company or its designated agent of an executed irrevocable option exercise form together with irrevocable instructions from the Participant to a broker or dealer, reasonably acceptable to the Company, to sell certain of the shares of Common Stock purchased upon exercise of the Stock Option or to pledge such shares as collateral for a loan and promptly deliver to the Company the amount of sale or loan proceeds necessary to pay such purchase price; (d) by requesting the Company to withhold the number of shares otherwise deliverable upon exercise of the Stock Option by the number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Option Price at the time of exercise (i.e., a cashless net exercise), and/or (e) in any other form of valid consideration that is acceptable to the Committee in its sole discretion.

Upon payment of all amounts due from the Participant, the Company shall cause the Common Stock then being purchased to be registered in the Participant’s name (or the person exercising the Participant’s Stock Option in the event of the Participant’s death) promptly after the Exercise Date.  The obligation of the Company to register shares of Common Stock shall, however, be subject to the condition that, if at any time the Company shall determine in its discretion that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Stock Option or the Common Stock upon any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system or under any state or federal law, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary as a condition of, or in connection with, the Stock Option or the issuance or purchase of shares of Common Stock thereunder, then the Stock Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such

 


 

listing, registration, qualification, consent, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not reasonably acceptable to the Committee.

If the Participant fails to pay for any of the Optioned Shares specified in such notice or fails to accept delivery thereof, that portion of the Participant’s Stock Option and the right to purchase such Optioned Shares may be forfeited by the Participant.

8.Nonassignability.  The Stock Option is not assignable or transferable by the Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  

9.Rights as Stockholder.  The Participant will have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any of the Optioned Shares until the issuance of a certificate or certificates to the Participant or the registration of such shares in the Participant’s name for the shares of Common Stock.  The Optioned Shares shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement.  Except as otherwise provided in Section 10 hereof, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to the issuance of such certificate or certificates.  The Participant, by his execution of this Agreement, agrees to execute any documents requested by the Company in connection with the issuance of the shares of Common Stock.

10.Adjustment of Number of Optioned Shares and Related Matters.  The number of shares of Common Stock covered by the Stock Option, and the Option Prices thereof, shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with Articles 11 - 13 of the Plan.

11.Nonqualified Stock Option.  The Stock Option shall not be treated as an Incentive Stock Option.

12.Voting.  The Participant, as record holder of some or all of the Optioned Shares following exercise of this Stock Option, has the exclusive right to vote, or consent with respect to, such Optioned Shares until such time as the Optioned Shares are transferred in accordance with this Agreement; provided, however, that this Section shall not create any voting right where the holders of such Optioned Shares otherwise have no such right.

13.Specific Performance.  The parties acknowledge that remedies at law will be inadequate remedies for breach of this Agreement and consequently agree that this Agreement shall be enforceable by specific performance.  The remedy of specific performance shall be cumulative of all of the rights and remedies at law or in equity of the parties under this Agreement.

14.Participant’s Representations.  Notwithstanding any of the provisions hereof, the Participant hereby agrees that he will not exercise the Stock Option granted hereby, and that the Company will not be obligated to issue any shares to the Participant hereunder, if the exercise thereof or the issuance of such shares shall constitute a violation by the Participant or the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental authority.  Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and conclusive.  The obligations of the Company and the rights of the Participant are subject to all Applicable Laws, rules, and regulations.

15.Investment Representation.  Unless the shares of Common Stock are issued to the Participant in a transaction registered under applicable federal and state securities laws, by his execution hereof, the Participant represents and warrants to the Company that all Common Stock which may be purchased hereunder will be acquired by the Participant for investment purposes for his own account and not with any intent for resale or distribution in violation of federal or state securities laws.  Unless the Common Stock is issued to him in a transaction registered under the applicable federal and state securities

 


 

laws, all certificates issued with respect to the Common Stock shall bear an appropriate restrictive investment legend and shall be held indefinitely, unless they are subsequently registered under the applicable federal and state securities laws or the Participant obtains an opinion of counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and its counsel, that such registration is not required.

16.Participant’s Acknowledgments.  The Participant acknowledges that a copy of the Plan has been made available for his review by the Company and represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and hereby accepts this Stock Option subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

17.Law Governing.  This Agreement shall be governed by, construed, and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware (excluding any conflict of laws rule or principle of Delaware law that might refer the governance, construction, or interpretation of this Agreement to the laws of another state).

18.No Right to Continue Service or Employment.  Nothing herein shall be construed to confer upon the Participant the right to continue in the employ or to provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary, whether as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director, or to interfere with or restrict in any way the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to discharge the Participant as an Employee, Contractor, or Outside Director at any time.

19.Legal Construction.  In the event that any one or more of the terms, provisions, or agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement shall not affect any other term, provision, or agreement that is contained in this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed in all respects as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable term, provision, or agreement had never been contained herein.

20.Covenants and Agreements as Independent Agreements. Each of the covenants and agreements that is set forth in this Agreement shall be construed as a covenant and agreement independent of any other provision of this Agreement.  The existence of any claim or cause of action of the Participant against the Company, whether predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company of the covenants and agreements that are set forth in this Agreement.

21.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement together with the Plan supersede any and all other prior understandings and agreements, either oral or in writing, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and constitute the sole and only agreements between the parties with respect to the said subject matter.  All prior negotiations and agreements between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof are merged into this Agreement.  Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises, or agreements, orally or otherwise, have been made by any party or by anyone acting on behalf of any party, which are not embodied in this Agreement or the Plan and that any agreement, statement, or promise that is not contained in this Agreement or the Plan shall not be valid or binding or of any force or effect.

22.Parties Bound.  The terms, provisions, and agreements that are contained in this Agreement shall apply to, be binding upon, and inure to the benefit of the parties and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, legal representatives, and permitted successors and assigns, subject to the limitation on assignment expressly set forth herein.  

 


 

23.Modification.  No change or modification of this Agreement shall be valid or binding upon the parties unless the change or modification is in writing and signed by the parties; provided, however, that the Company may change or modify this Agreement without the Participant’s consent or signature if the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that such change or modification is necessary for purposes of compliance with or exemption from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or any regulations or other guidance issued thereunder.  Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company may amend the Plan to the extent permitted by the Plan.

24.Headings.  The headings that are used in this Agreement are used for reference and convenience purposes only and do not constitute substantive matters to be considered in construing the terms and provisions of this Agreement.

25.Gender and Number.  Words of any gender used in this Agreement shall be held and construed to include any other gender, and words in the singular number shall be held to include the plural, and vice versa, unless the context requires otherwise.

26.Notice.  Any notice required or permitted to be delivered hereunder shall be deemed to be delivered only when actually received by the Company or by the Participant, as the case may be, at the addresses set forth below, or at such other addresses as they have theretofore specified by written notice delivered in accordance herewith:

a.Notice to the Company shall be addressed and delivered as follows:

Staffing 360 Solutions, Inc.

641 Lexington Avenue, 27th Floor

New York, New York  10022

Attn:

Facsimile:

b.Notice to the Participant shall be addressed and delivered as set forth on the signature page.

27.Clawback.  The Participant acknowledges, understands, and agrees, with respect to any shares of Common Stock delivered to the Participant (or registered in the Participant’s name) pursuant to this Agreement, that such shares of Common Stock shall be subject to recovery by the Company, and the Participant shall be required to repay such compensation or shares of Common Stock, in accordance with the Company’s Claw-Back Policy, as in effect from time to time.  The Participant further acknowledges, understands, and agrees that the Board retains the right to modify the Company’s Claw-Back Policy at any time.

28.Prospectus.  A prospectus covering the shares of Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plan and registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), has been prepared by the Company (the “Prospectus”).  The Prospectus summarizes and describes the material provisions of the Plan.  An electronic copy of the Prospectus, the Plan, and any other documents required to be delivered to the Participant under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (the “Plan Documents”) are available via [  ].  Physical copies of the Plan Documents are available upon written request.  By acceptance of this Award and execution of this Agreement, the Participant acknowledges and agrees that a copy of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents have been made available to him.  The Participant represents that he is familiar with the terms and provisions of the Prospectus and the other Plan Documents and hereby accepts the Awarded Units subject to all the terms and provisions thereof.  The

 


 

Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions or interpretations of the Committee or the Board, as appropriate, upon any questions arising under the Plan or this Agreement.

 

29.Tax Requirements.  The Participant is hereby advised to consult immediately with his own tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of this Agreement.  The Company or, if applicable, any Subsidiary (for purposes of this Section 29, the term “Company” shall be deemed to include any applicable Subsidiary), shall have the right to deduct from all amounts paid in cash or other form in connection with the Plan and this Agreement, any federal, state, local, or other taxes required by law to be withheld in connection with this Award.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, also require the Participant receiving shares of Common Stock issued under the Plan to pay the Company the amount of any taxes that the Company is required to withhold in connection with the Participant’s income arising with respect to this Award.  Such payments shall be required to be made when requested by the Company and may be required to be made prior to the delivery of any certificate representing shares of Common Stock.  Such payment may be made by (a) the delivery of cash to the Company in an amount that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding obligations of the Company; (b) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the actual delivery by the exercising Participant to the Company of shares of Common Stock that the Participant has not acquired from the Company within six (6) months prior to the date of exercise, which shares so delivered have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals or exceeds (to avoid the issuance of fractional shares under (c) below) the required tax withholding payment; (c) if the Company, in its sole discretion, so consents in writing, the Company’s withholding of a number of shares to be delivered upon the exercise of the Stock Option, which shares so withheld have an aggregate Fair Market Value that equals (but does not exceed) the required tax withholding payment; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c).  The Company may, in its sole discretion, withhold any such taxes from any other cash remuneration otherwise paid by the Company to the Participant.

 

[Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank;

Signature Page Follows.]


 


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be executed by its duly authorized officer, and the Participant, to evidence his consent and approval of all the terms hereof, has duly executed this Agreement, as of the date specified in Section 1 hereof.

COMPANY:

STAFFING 360 SOLUTIONS, INC.

By:

Name:

Title:

PARTICIPANT:

 

Signature

Name:

Address: