Form 8-K COLGATE PALMOLIVE CO For: Oct 30
Exhibit 10.1
October 13, 2020
Henning Jakobsen
Dear Henning:
This letter of agreement and general release (“Agreement”) confirms our mutual agreement regarding the terms and conditions of your separation from
employment with Colgate-Palmolive Company, its parent, and each of their subsidiaries and affiliates (“Colgate” or the “Company”). You and the Company agree as follows:
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1.
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Employment. Your last day of employment with the
Company will be December 31, 2020 (“Last Day of Employment”). You will continue to receive your salary at your regular rate of pay through your Last Day of Employment; however, your title will change from Chief Financial Officer to Senior
Vice President effective on or around November 9, 2020. Any expense reports must be submitted by your Last Day of Employment, and the Company will reimburse you for any approved expenses as soon as administratively feasible in accordance
with the Company’s policies and practices. Where applicable, you must pay any outstanding Company credit card balance by your Last Day of Employment.
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2.
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Severance. Upon execution of this Agreement and the
release attached as Exhibit A which must be executed on, but not before, your Last Day of Employment with the Company, the expiration of the seven (7) day revocation period provided for in Paragraph 14(g) of this Agreement and in Exhibit A,
and your return of all Company property, and provided you remain an employee in good standing and continue to satisfactorily perform your duties and responsibilities through your Last Day of Employment, the Company will provide you with the
severance and transition benefits set forth in the Summary, attached hereto as Exhibit B and incorporated herewith (the “Summary”). Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, for purposes of Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), in no event shall the timing of your execution of this Agreement or release in Exhibit A, directly or indirectly, result in you designating the calendar year of payment of any amounts
set forth in the Summary, and if a payment that is subject to the execution of this Agreement and the release in Exhibit A could be made in more than one taxable year, payment shall be made in the later taxable year.
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3.
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Release.
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a)
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In consideration of (i) the severance and transition benefits set forth in Paragraph 2 hereof and the Summary, and (ii) your eligibility to
receive the severance and transition benefits by working through your Last Day of Employment, you agree to execute Exhibit A, and, in addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law you waive, release and forever discharge the Company and
each of its past and current parents, subsidiaries, affiliates and each of its and their respective past and current directors, officers, trustees, employees, representatives, agents, employee benefit plans and such plans’ administrators,
fiduciaries, trustees, recordkeepers and service providers, and each of its and their respective successors and assigns, each and all of them in their personal and representative capacities (collectively the “Company Releasees”) from any
and all claims legally capable of being waived, grievances, injuries, controversies, agreements, covenants, promises, debts, accounts, actions, causes of action, suits, arbitrations, sums of money, attorneys’ fees, costs, damages, or any
right to any monetary recovery or any other personal relief, whether known or unknown, in law or in equity, by contract, tort, law of trust or pursuant to U.S., Swiss and/or Danish federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance or
common law, which you now have, ever have had, or may hereafter have, based upon or arising from any fact or set of facts, whether known or unknown to you, from the beginning of time until the date of execution of this Agreement, arising
out of or relating in any way to your employment relationship with the Company or the Company Releasees or other associations with the Company or the Company Releasees or any termination thereof. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, this waiver, release, and discharge includes any claim or right, to the extent legally capable of being waived, based upon or arising under any U.S, Swiss, and/or Danish federal, state or local fair employment practices or equal
opportunity laws, including, but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S.C. Section 621, et seq.) (“ADEA”), the Older Workers’ Benefits Protection Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Worker Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) (including, but not limited to, claims for breach of fiduciary duty
under ERISA), the Americans With Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, including all amendments thereto.
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b)
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You also agree to waive any right to bring, maintain, or participate in a class action, collective action, or representative action against the
Company and/or the Company Releasees to the fullest extent permitted by law. You agree that you may not serve as a representative of a class action, collective action, or representative action, may not participate as a member of a class
action, collective action, or representative action, and may not recover any relief from a class action, collective action, or representative action. You further agree that if you are included within a class action, collective action, or
representative action, you will take all steps necessary to opt-out of the action or refrain from opting in, as the case may be. You are not waiving any right to challenge the validity of this Paragraph 3(b) on any grounds that may exist
in law and equity. However, the Company and the Company Releasees reserve the right to attempt to enforce this Agreement, including this Paragraph 3(b), in any appropriate forum.
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c)
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Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, nothing herein constitutes a release or waiver by you of, or prevents you from making or
asserting: (i) any claim or right you may have under COBRA; (ii) any claim or right you may have for unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation benefits; (iii) any claim to vested benefits under the written terms of a qualified
employee pension benefit plan; (iv) any medical claim incurred during your employment that is payable under applicable medical plans or an employer-insured liability plan; (v) any claim or right that may arise after the execution of this
Agreement; (vi) any claim or right you may have under this Agreement; or (vii) any claim that is not otherwise waivable under applicable law. In addition, nothing herein shall prevent you from filing a charge or complaint with the Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) or similar federal or state agency or your ability to participate in any investigation or proceeding conducted by such agency; provided, however, that pursuant to Paragraph 3(a), you are waiving
any right to recover monetary damages or any other form of personal relief in connection with any such charge, complaint, investigation or proceeding. To the extent you receive any personal or monetary relief in connection with any such
charge, complaint, investigation or proceeding, the Company will be entitled to an offset for the payments made pursuant to Paragraph 2 of this Agreement.
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4.
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Violations of Any Law or of the Company’s Code of Conduct
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| a) |
You hereby agree, promise and covenant that during your employment with the Company: (i) you did not violate any U.S. or foreign federal, state, or local law, statute,
or regulation while acting within the scope of your employment with the Company; and (ii) you did not violate the Company’s Code of Conduct while acting within the scope of your employment with the Company (collectively, “Violations”);
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| b) |
You acknowledge and understand that if the Company should discover any such Violation(s) as
described in Paragraph 4(a) after your execution of this Agreement and/or your separation from employment with the Company, it will be considered a material breach of this Agreement, and all of the Company’s obligations to you
hereunder will become immediately null and void; and
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| c) |
You further represent that: (i) you are not aware of any Violation(s) committed by a Company employee, vendor, or customer acting within the scope of his/her/its
employment or business with the Company that have not been previously reported to the Company; or (ii) to the extent you are aware of any such unreported Violation(s), you will, prior to or within ten (days) after your execution of this
Agreement, report such Violation(s) to Global Ethics & Compliance.
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5.
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Return of Property. Upon termination of your
employment, you agree to promptly return to the Company all of its property, including, but not limited to, computers, PDA’s, cell phones, files, documents, identification cards, credit cards, keys, equipment, software and data, however
stored.
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6.
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No Additional Entitlements. You agree that: (i) you
have received all entitlements due from the Company relating to your employment with the Company, including but not limited to, all wages earned, sick pay, vacation pay, overtime pay, and any paid and unpaid personal leave for which you
were eligible and entitled, and that no other entitlements are due to you other than as set forth in this Agreement; and (ii) the Company shall have the right to deduct from the amounts payable pursuant to this Agreement any money owed to
the Company by you for a loan or advance paid to you by the Company during your employment, when allowable by the loan agreement and applicable law.
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7.
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Transition. You agree that you will assist the Company
with an orderly and professional transition of your responsibilities through your Last Day of Employment.
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8.
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Cooperation. You agree that upon the Company’s
reasonable notice to you, you shall cooperate with the Company and its counsel (including, if necessary, preparation for and appearance at depositions, hearings, trials or other proceedings) with regard to any past, present or future legal
or regulatory matters that relate to or arise out of matters you have knowledge about or have been involved with during your employment with the Company. In the event that such cooperation is required, you will be reimbursed for reasonable
expenses incurred in connection therewith.
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9.
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Confidentiality of the Agreement. Except as expressly
permitted in Paragraph 12 of this Agreement and/or as otherwise required by law, the parties, including the Company Releasees, shall not
disclose the terms of this Agreement, or the circumstances or allegations giving rise to this Agreement, to any person other than their respective attorneys, immediate family members, accountants, financial advisors or corporate employees
who have a business need to know such terms in order to approve or implement such terms.
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10.
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Protection of Confidential Information, Non-Competition and Other
Restrictive Covenants. Except as expressly permitted in Paragraph 12 of this Agreement or if otherwise required by law:
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a)
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You hereby acknowledge your existing obligation to maintain the confidentiality of the Company’s information as contained in the Company’s Code
of Conduct. You affirm that you agreed to be bound by the Code of Conduct when you signed the Code of Conduct Certification (which is hereby incorporated by this reference).
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b)
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Without limiting the generality of the foregoing obligations set forth in Paragraph 10(a), you agree that you will not, at any time, directly or
indirectly, disclose any trade secret, confidential or proprietary information you have learned by reason of your association with the Company (the “Confidential Information”) or use any such Confidential Information to the detriment of the
Company, its parents, affiliates or subsidiaries, or to the benefit of any business or enterprise that competes with the Company, its parents, affiliates or subsidiaries. Confidential Information is deemed to include, but is not limited
to, information pertaining to Company strategic plans, advertising and marketing plans, sales plans, formulae, processes, methods, machines, ideas, concepts, new product developments, proposed launches, discontinuance of existing products,
product and consumer testing data, sales and market research, technology research and development, budgets, profit and loss data, raw material costs, identity of suppliers, customer lists, customer information, non-public information about
employees that is maintained as confidential by the Company, improvements, inventions, and associations with other organizations that the Company has not previously made public. Confidential Information does not include information that
can be shown by written evidence to be in the public domain at the time of disclosure by you or that is publicized or otherwise becomes part of the public domain through no fault of your own.
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c)
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You further agree and acknowledge that, as part of your employment with the Company, you were exposed to Confidential Information as described
above, and that the Confidential Information of the Company and/or any affiliate to which you have been exposed will be of particular value to competitors of the Company and affiliates and would not ordinarily be readily and freely
available to such competitors. You further acknowledge that if you were to become directly or indirectly engaged in the operations of or be concerned or interested in or become employed by a competitor of the Company or an affiliate, a
risk of exposure of the Confidential Information of the Company or affiliate would arise which, if such exposure occurred, would harm the Company or affiliate.
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d)
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You further acknowledge and agree that the Company’s ability to successfully operate its business depends on its retaining skilled employees and
that the Company and its affiliates have invested and will continue to invest substantial resources in training such employees.
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e)
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In consideration of the foregoing, and as a condition to the receipt of the severance and transition benefits set forth in Paragraph 2 above and the
Summary, and subject to applicable local law, you covenant and agree that, at all times during your employment and for the term of the Company Convenience Benefit Period (the “Restrictive Covenant Period”), you will not, without the prior
written consent of Colgate’s Chief Human Resources Officer or Chief Legal Officer, either directly or indirectly, for yourself or on behalf of or in conjunction with any other person, partnership, corporation or other entity, engage in any
of the following prohibited activities (each, a “Restrictive Covenant”):
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| (i) |
In any country, geography, territory, region or division with respect to which you have worked, provided services or advised the Company in any capacity, serve as a
director, officer, employee, consultant, contractor or advisor, provide services or advice in any capacity, or acquire any ownership interest in an entity that manufactures, markets, sells, develops, distributes or produces Covered Products
(as defined below). Notwithstanding the Restrictive Covenants set forth herein, you will not be considered to be in violation of such Restrictive Covenants solely by reason of owning, directly or indirectly, up to 5% in the aggregate of any
class of securities of any publicly-traded corporation engaged in the prohibited activities described above;
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With respect to Covered Products, induce or attempt to induce any customer, supplier, licensee or other business relation of the Company (A) with which you had,
directly or indirectly, contact or dealings on behalf of the Company, or (B) for which you have received or acquired Confidential Information during the twelve-month period prior to your Last Day of Employment with the Company to cease or
diminish doing business with the Company or in any way interfere with the relationship between any such customer, supplier, licensee or business relation and the Company;
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With respect to Covered Products, solicit or canvas (or attempt to solicit or canvas) the trade or patronage of, or sell (or attempt to sell) to any former, existing or
prospective customer of the Company for (A) whom you provided services, (B) which you have received or acquired Confidential Information, or (C) which you had significant responsibility as an employee of the Company during the twelve-month
period prior to your Last Day of Employment. A “prospective customer” of the Company is a person or entity with whom the Company was engaged in communications or negotiations to provide services or sell Covered Products; or
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In any way, including through someone else acting on your recommendation, suggestion, identification or advice, (A) solicit, employ or retain, any person who is
employed by the Company during the Restrictive Covenant Period and/or during the six-month period prior to your Last Day of Employment with the Company, or (B) otherwise induce or attempt to induce (i) any such employee to terminate his or
her employment with the Company or to accept any position with any other entity or (ii) any prospective employee not to establish an employment relationship with the Company. A “prospective employee” is a person who is in communications or
negotiations to become an employee of the Company.
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For purposes of these Restrictive Covenants:
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The term “Company” means Colgate-Palmolive Company and/or one of its subsidiaries, as applicable.
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The term “Covered Products” means any product, composition, formulation, process, machine, or service of any person or organization, other than the Company, in
existence, being researched or under development that resembles or competes with, or is intended to compete with, a product, composition, formulation, process, machine or service being researched or under development, produced, distributed,
marketed, sold or licensed by the Company (i) related to any aspect of any one of the Company’s lines of business on which you have worked during the twelve-month period prior to your Last Day of Employment, or (ii) for which you have
received, acquired or contributed to Confidential Information.
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f)
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You agree that (a) the terms and provisions of these Restrictive Covenants are reasonable; (b) the consideration provided by the Company under this
Agreement including the Summary is not illusory; (c) the Restrictive Covenants are necessary and reasonable for the protection of the legitimate business interests and goodwill of the Company; and (d) the consideration given by the Company
under this Agreement including the Summary gives rise to the Company’s interest in the Restrictive Covenants.
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g)
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In the event that you are subject to other written restrictive covenants with the Company and/or an Affiliate not expressly referenced or included
in this Agreement, including restrictive covenants under equity grants, you acknowledge and agree that each such covenant is independently enforceable notwithstanding differences in geographic scope and/or duration, if any, and, in the
event of a conflict between such additional covenants and the Restrictive Covenants herein, the broader geographic scope and duration shall govern.
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h)
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If, at the time of enforcement of this Paragraph, a court or tribunal holds that any Restrictive Covenant stated herein is excessive, unreasonable
or unenforceable under applicable law, you and the Company agree that such covenant shall be amended or modified by the court or tribunal to render it enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.
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11.
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Non-Disparagement.
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a)
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Except as expressly permitted in Paragraph 12 of this Agreement, you agree that you shall not at any time make any written or verbal comments or
statements of a defamatory or disparaging nature regarding the Company and/or the Company Releasees or their personnel or products and you shall not take any action that would cause the Company and/or the Company Releasees or their
personnel or products any embarrassment or humiliation or otherwise cause or contribute to their being held in disrepute.
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b)
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The Company agrees that it will use its best efforts to ensure that none of its representatives makes any written or verbal comments or
statements of a defamatory or disparaging nature regarding you or takes any action that would cause you any embarrassment or humiliation or otherwise cause or contribute to your being held in disrepute while they are employed by the Company
and acting in their capacity as Company representatives.
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12.
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Permitted Conduct. Nothing in this Agreement shall
prohibit or restrict you from lawfully (A) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or
regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law; (B) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to you individually (and not directed to the Company
and/or its subsidiaries) from any such Governmental Authorities; (C) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law; or (D) making any
other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law. Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, you shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or
state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of
reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made to your attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against you for reporting a suspected violation of law; or (c) is made in a complaint or other document filed
in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nor does this Agreement require you to obtain prior authorization from the Company before engaging in any conduct described in this paragraph, or to notify the Company
that you have engaged in any such conduct.
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13.
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Non-Admission. It is understood and agreed that
neither the execution of this Agreement, including Exhibit A, nor the terms of the Agreement, including Exhibit A, constitute an admission of liability to you by the Company or the Company Releasees, and such liability is expressly denied.
It is further understood and agreed that no person shall use the Agreement, including Exhibit A, or the consideration paid pursuant thereto, as evidence of an admission of liability, inasmuch as such liability is expressly denied.
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14.
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Acknowledgments. You hereby acknowledge that:
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a)
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The Company advises you to consult with an attorney before signing this Agreement and Exhibit A;
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b)
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You have obtained independent legal advice from an attorney of your own choice with respect to this Agreement and all exhibits, or you have
knowingly and voluntarily chosen not to do so;
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c)
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You are freely, voluntarily and knowingly entering into this Agreement after due consideration;
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d)
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You have had a minimum of twenty-one (21) days to review and consider this Agreement and all exhibits;
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e)
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If you knowingly and voluntarily choose to do so, you may accept the terms of this Agreement before the twenty-one (21) day consideration period
provided for in Paragraph 14(d) above has expired, and you will accept the terms of Exhibit A on, but not before, your Last Day of Employment with the Company;
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f)
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You and the Company agree that changes to the Company’s offer contained in this Agreement, whether material or immaterial, will not restart the
twenty-one (21) day consideration period provided for in Paragraph 14(d) above;
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g)
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You have a right to revoke this Agreement and/or Exhibit A by notifying the undersigned Company representative in writing, via hand delivery,
facsimile or electronic mail, within seven (7) days of your execution of this Agreement and/or Exhibit A;
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h)
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In exchange for your waivers, releases and commitments set forth herein, and in Exhibit A, including your waiver and release of all claims
arising under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the payments, benefits and other considerations that you are receiving pursuant to this Agreement and all exhibits exceed any payment, benefit or other thing of value to which you
would otherwise be entitled, and are just and sufficient consideration for the waivers, releases and commitments set forth herein; and
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i)
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No promise or inducement has been offered to you, except as expressly set forth herein, and you are not relying upon any such promise or
inducement in entering into this Agreement and/or Exhibit A. Your employment remains at-will and this Agreement does not confer upon you any right or obligation to continue in the employ of the Company for any period of time.
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15.
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Revocation by the Company. You agree that if you fail
to execute and return this Agreement to the Company within the time specified herein for your review and consideration, the promises and agreements made by the Company herein will be revoked.
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16.
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Medicare Disclaimer. You acknowledge that you are not
a Medicare Beneficiary as of the time you enter into this Agreement. To the extent that you are a Medicare Beneficiary, you agree to contact a Company Human Resources Representative for further instruction.
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17.
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Miscellaneous.
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a)
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Entire Agreement. This Agreement, including all
exhibits, sets forth the entire agreement between you and the Company and replaces any other oral or written agreement between you and the Company relating to the subject matter of this Agreement and all exhibits, except for your prior
obligations of confidentiality and any restrictive covenants set forth in equity agreements as referenced in Paragraph 10 above, which shall continue in full force and effect.
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b)
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Governing Law. This Agreement, including all
exhibits, shall be construed, performed, enforced and in all respects governed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to the principles of conflicts of law thereof. Additionally, all disputes arising
from or related to this Agreement and/or exhibits shall be brought in a state or federal court situated in the State of New York, New York County and the parties hereby expressly consent to the jurisdiction of such courts for all purposes
related to resolving such disputes.
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c)
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Severability. Should any provision of this Agreement,
including any exhibits, be held to be void or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect, to be read and construed as if the void or unenforceable provisions were originally deleted.
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d)
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Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or
amended, except upon the express written consent of both you and the Company.
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e)
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Breach. You acknowledge that if you breach your
commitments to the Company agreed upon in Paragraphs 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 and/or 11, you will forfeit the severance and transition benefits set forth in Paragraph 2 and be subject to suit by the Company for damages and equitable relief
relating to such breach.
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f)
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Waiver. A waiver by either party hereto of a breach
of any term or provision of the Agreement, including all exhibits, shall not be construed as a waiver of any subsequent breach.
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g)
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Counterparts. This Agreement, including Exhibit A,
may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement.
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h)
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Effective Date. This Agreement shall become
immediately effective upon the expiration of the seven (7) day revocation period described above, provided you have not exercised your right to revoke. However, you will not receive the severance and transition benefits set forth in
Paragraph 2 and the Summary unless and until you execute Exhibit A on, but not before, your Last Day of Employment with the Company and
the seven (7) day revocation periods provided for in Paragraph 14(h) and Exhibit A have expired without revocation by you.
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i)
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Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable,
this Agreement, including Exhibits A and B, is intended to comply with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and will be interpreted accordingly. References under this Agreement to your Last Day of
Employment will be deemed to refer to the date upon which you experienced a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if required by Section 409A of
the Code, if you are considered a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code and if payment of any amounts under this Agreement is required to be delayed for a period of six months after separation from service pursuant
to Section 409A of the Code, payment of such amounts shall be delayed as required by Section 409A of the Code, and the accumulated amounts shall be paid in a lump sum payment within ten days after the end of the six-month period. To the
extent any reimbursements or in-kind benefits due to you under this Agreement constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code, any such reimbursements or in-kind benefits will be paid to you in a manner consistent with
Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(1)(iv). For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable, each payment made under this Agreement will be designated as a “separate payment” within the meaning of Section 409A of the
Code.
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[Signature Page Follows]
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If the above accurately states our agreement, including the separation, waiver and release, kindly sign below and return this original Agreement to me by
no later than November 3, 2020. I will sign it and return a copy to you. Please sign and return Exhibit A on, but not before, your Last Day of Employment with the Company.
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Sincerely, |
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COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY |
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By: |
/s/ Sally Massey |
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Sally Massey |
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Chief Human Resources Officer |
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Date: October 28, 2020 |
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UNDERSTOOD, AGREED TO
AND ACCEPTED WITH THE INTENTION TO BE LEGALLY BOUND:
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| /s/ Henning Jakobsen | |||
| Henning Jakobsen |
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| Date: October 26, 2020 |
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Enclosures
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EXHIBIT A
AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
In exchange for the payments, benefits and other consideration provided by Colgate-Palmolive Company (“Colgate” or the “Company”) as set forth in the
letter of agreement and general release dated October 13, 2020 (the “October 13, 2020 Agreement”), which I acknowledge and agree are just and sufficient consideration for the waivers, releases and commitments set forth herein, I, Henning Jakobsen,
hereby IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY agree to WAIVE, RELEASE AND FOREVER DISCHARGE the Company and the Company Releasees (as defined in Paragraph 3(a) of the October 13, 2020 Agreement) from any and all claims legally capable of being waived,
grievances, injuries, controversies, agreements, covenants, promises, debts, accounts, actions, causes of action, suits, arbitrations, sums of money, attorneys’ fees, costs, damages, or any right to any monetary recovery or any other personal relief,
whether known or unknown, in law or in equity, by contract, tort, law of trust or pursuant to U.S., Swiss and/or Danish federal, state or local statute, regulation, ordinance or common law, which I now have, ever have had, or may hereafter have,
based upon or arising from any fact or set of facts, whether known or unknown to me, from the beginning of time until the date I execute this Exhibit A, arising out of or relating in any way to my employment relationship with the Company or the
Company Releasees or other associations with the Company or the Company Releasees or any termination thereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, this waiver, release, and discharge includes any claim or right, to the extent legally
capable of being waived, based upon or arising under any U.S., Swiss and/or Danish federal, state or local fair employment practices or equal opportunity laws, including, but not limited to, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act (29 U.S.C. Section
621, et seq.) (“ADEA”), the Older Workers’ Benefits Protection Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 1981, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Equal Pay Act, the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”) (including, but not limited to, claims for breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA), the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993, including all amendments thereto,
provided that nothing herein constitutes a release or waiver of any claim or right that may arise after the execution of this Exhibit A.
I also agree to waive any right to bring, maintain, or participate in a class action, collective action, or representative action against the Company
and/or the Company Releasees to the fullest extent permitted by law. I agree that I may not serve as a representative of a class action, collective action, or representative action, may not participate as a member of a class action, collective
action, or representative action, and may not recover any relief from a class action, collective action, or representative action. I further agree that if I am included within a class action, collective action, or representative action, I will take
all steps necessary to opt-out of the action or refrain from opting in, as the case may be. I am not waiving any right to challenge the validity of this Paragraph on any grounds that may exist in law and equity. However, the Company and the Company
Releasees reserve the right to attempt to enforce this Agreement, including this Paragraph, in any appropriate forum.
I understand and acknowledge that I have received all amounts due from the Company relating to my employment with the Company, including but not limited
to, all wages earned, sick pay, personal leave pay, vacation pay, and/or overtime pay, and that no other amounts are due to me other than as set forth in the October 13, 2020 Agreement and all exhibits thereto.
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Notwithstanding the generality of the foregoing, I understand that nothing herein constitutes a release or waiver by me of, or prevents me from making or
asserting: (i) any claim or right I may have under COBRA; (ii) any claim or right I may have for unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation benefits; (iii) any claim to vested benefits under the written terms of a qualified employee pension
benefit plan; (iv) any medical claim incurred during my employment that is payable under applicable medical plans or an employer-insured liability plan; (v) any claim or right that may arise after the execution of this Agreement; (vi) any claim or
right I may have under the October 13, 2020 Agreement or this Exhibit A; or (vii) any claim that is not otherwise waivable under applicable law.
In addition, I understand that nothing herein shall prevent me from filing a charge or complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”)
or similar federal or state agency or my ability to participate in any investigation or proceeding conducted by such agency; provided, however, that I am waiving any right to recover monetary damages or any other form of personal relief in connection
with any such charge, complaint, investigation or proceeding. To the extent I receive any personal or monetary relief in connection with any such charge, complaint, investigation or proceeding, the Company will be entitled to an offset for the
payments made pursuant to Paragraph 2 of the October 13, 2020 Agreement.
I further understand that nothing herein shall prohibit me from lawfully (A) initiating communications directly with, cooperating with, providing
information to, causing information to be provided to, or otherwise assisting in an investigation by any governmental or regulatory agency, entity, or official(s) (collectively, “Governmental Authorities”) regarding a possible violation of any law;
(B) responding to any inquiry or legal process directed to me individually (and not directed to the Company and/or its subsidiaries) from any such Governmental Authorities; (C) testifying, participating or otherwise assisting in an action or
proceeding by any such Governmental Authorities relating to a possible violation of law; or (D) making any other disclosures that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any applicable law. Additionally, pursuant to the federal Defend
Trade Secrets Act of 2016, I understand that I shall not be held criminally or civilly liable under any federal or state trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that: (a) is made (i) in confidence to a federal, state, or local
government official, either directly or indirectly, or to an attorney; and (ii) solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law; or (b) is made to my attorney in relation to a lawsuit for retaliation against me for
reporting a suspected violation of law; or (c) is made in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal. Nor does the October 13, 2020 Agreement or this Exhibit A require me to obtain prior
authorization from the Company before engaging in any conduct described in this paragraph, or to notify the Company that I have engaged in any such conduct.
By signing this Exhibit A, I understand and acknowledge that I was advised of and afforded the opportunity to take advantage of each of the protections set
forth in Paragraph 14 of the October 13, 2020 Agreement, including, but not limited to: (i) consultation with an attorney before signing this Exhibit A; (ii) twenty-one (21) days in which to consider Exhibit A; and (iii) seven (7) days following the
execution of Exhibit A to revoke my acceptance of Exhibit A, provided that the revocation is received by hand delivery, facsimile or electronic mail, by the Company within that seven (7) day period. I further acknowledge that I freely, voluntarily
and knowingly entered into this Exhibit A after due consideration.
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This Exhibit A shall become effective upon the expiration of the seven (7) day revocation period described above. I understand and acknowledge that no
payments will be made and no benefits will be provided to me until I have executed the October 13, 2020 Agreement and this Exhibit A and both seven (7) day revocation periods have expired without revocation by me.
This Exhibit A incorporates by reference, as if set forth fully herein, all terms and conditions of the October 13, 2020 Agreement between the Company and
me, including the recitation of consideration provided by the Company. By signing this Exhibit A, I waive, release and forever discharge any and all claims that may have arisen through the date of my execution of this Exhibit A. It is not my
intention to otherwise change, alter or amend any of the terms and conditions of the October 13, 2020 Agreement, for which I received adequate consideration, and which Agreement remains in full force and effect. I acknowledge and agree that I
continue to be bound by the terms and conditions of the October 13, 2020 Agreement.
I UNDERSTAND AND ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I SHALL EXECUTE THIS EXHIBIT A ON, BUT NOT BEFORE, MY LAST DAY OF EMPLOYMENT WITH THE COMPANY.
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UNDERSTOOD, AGREED TO
AND ACCEPTED WITH THE INTENTION TO BE LEGALLY BOUND:
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| Henning Jakobsen |
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| Date: |
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EXHIBIT B
NAME: Henning Jakobsen
SUMMARY OF SEVERANCE AND TRANSITION BENEFITS
Pursuant to Section 2 of your Agreement and General Release (the "Agreement"), this Exhibit B is a general summary of information relating to severance and
transition benefits and enhancements that you may be eligible to receive following termination of your employment. You will be eligible to receive the severance and transition benefits and enhancements only if you properly execute, return, and do not
revoke the Agreement. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this summary will have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Agreement.
SEVERANCE PAY
Consistent with the terms of the February 15, 2019 letter agreement you entered into with the Company in your role as Chief Financial Officer, you will
receive a lump sum cash severance payment equal to $1,275,000.00, less applicable withholdings and deductions. This amount represents 18 months of your base salary.
If you do not execute and return the Agreement on your Last Day of Employment, this severance payment will be reduced by any amount paid between your Last Day
of Employment and the date you sign and return the Agreement.
You are considered a "specified employee" for purposes of Code Section 409A. Therefore, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, payment of this
severance amount will be delayed for six months after your Last Day of Employment as required by Code Section 409A, and the amount will be paid in a lump sum within ten business days after the end of the six-month period.
STOCK OPTIONS
As of October 5, 2020 you have 346,319 stock options outstanding, of which 187,383 are vested and exercisable. Upon your Last Day of Employment, the remaining
stock options from your current balance will become vested and exercisable.
You will have the earlier of three years from your Last Day of Employment or the normal expiration of the option term to exercise your options.
You will not be eligible to receive any additional stock option grants under the 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2019 Plan”). For additional
information, please review your most recent plan prospectus.
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RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (RSUs)
As of October 5, 2020, you have 3,070.2839 RSUs outstanding (unvested), including accrued dividend equivalents.
You will not be eligible to receive any additional restricted stock unit grants under the 2019 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2019 Plan”). For additional
information, please review your most recent plan prospectus.
PERFORMANCE BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (PBRSUs)
You will be eligible for an award under the 2018-2020 Long-Term Global Growth Program (“LTGGP”), payable to you in cash, if earned. Results are determined
following the close of the calendar year and approved in February 2021. Cash payments will be made in March 2021.
You will be eligible for prorated portions of your Growth Performance Plan (“GPP”) award opportunities for the 2019-2021 and 2020-2022 performance cycles. If
company performance results in an award for either cycle, your GPP RSUs for each cycle will vest as soon as administratively practicable following the date on which the Personnel and Organization Committee certifies performance of the performance
criteria.
INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
You will receive your Annual Executive Incentive Compensation Plan award payable in March 2021, less applicable withholdings and deductions, pursuant to
applicable plan rules.
ABOVE & BEYOND ALLOWANCE
In accordance with the Above & Beyond Plan rules, you are eligible for a 2020 Above and Beyond allowance for covered expenses incurred through your Last
Day of Employment. If you have not yet received your full allowance, all requests for reimbursement must be made prior to your Last Day of Employment via ColgatePeople or by calling 1-888-982-7227, press "5", and then "3" to speak with a customer
service representative.
REPATRIATION
The Company will provide you and your eligible dependents with economy class air transportation via the most direct route from the United States to your home
country and transport of your household effects. The Company will also provide you with lease assistance for your apartment located in New York City for up to four months, in an amount no greater than your current monthly lease payment of $17,850.
Any lease payments will be subject to applicable taxes. In the event you are able to sublet your apartment for all or part of the four months, you agree to disclose the amount of the sub-lessee’s rent to the Company, which amount will be deducted
from the amount provided to you by the Company. The foregoing provisions apply only if you repatriate within 120 days from your Last Day of Employment. For further assistance with relocation, please contact Global Relocation (732-878-6061).
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EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)
Coverage under the Employee Assistance Program continues for a period of three months following your Last Day of Employment. Call (888) 270-9243 at any time
to speak with a GuidanceResources® information specialist.
KPMG FINANCIAL PLANNING RESOURCES
The financial planning resources provided by KPMG are available for a period of six months following your Last Day of Employment. You may reach out to Jamie
Seymour at 212-872-6753.
BENEFIT PLANS
Information on the Company benefit plans is provided below. Please note that the full terms and conditions of your benefit coverage can only be determined by
reviewing the applicable plan documents, which shall control in all cases.
Medical Plan
You will receive medical coverage for you and your eligible dependents covered under the Medical Plan on your Last Day of Employment at no
cost to you for 18 months from the end of the month in which your Last Day of Employment falls.
After this free coverage ends, as you are retirement eligible, you may elect coverage under the Retiree Medical Plan for you and your
eligible covered dependents. The Company and you will share in the cost of Company-provided retiree medical coverage through monthly contributions, similar to the way you pay for coverage as an active employee. Your portion is based on your age and
years of service with the Company at the end of the month in which your Last Day of Employment falls. Additional details will be sent to you in your retirement package from the Benefits Information Center.
Note that if you or a covered dependent is eligible for Medicare (i.e., age 65 or older; or eligible for Medicare due to a disability),
either now or during the period of free coverage, you should enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B in accordance with the time frame required by Medicare even though you have continued coverage through Colgate. (Note that you do not need to
enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan; the Colgate plans provide for prescription drug coverage.) In most cases, if you do not sign up for Medicare Part B when first eligible, Medicare will assess a late enrollment penalty. This penalty
has to be paid for as long as you have Part B. There is no action that Colgate can take to alter Medicare rules or penalties. The rules are complex, so it is suggested that you access www.medicare.gov for additional information and/or contact
Medicare.
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Note that as with active medical coverage, the employer contribution toward the cost of medical coverage for a domestic partner will be
included in your taxable income and subject to federal, state and local income taxes and Social Security taxes (FICA). This imputed income will be reported on your annual W-2 form.
Dental Plan
You will receive dental coverage for you and your eligible dependents covered under the Dental Plan on your Last Day of Employment at no
cost to you for 18 months from the end of the month in which your Last Day of Employment falls. (Note that the free coverage will be provided under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) and that as with active dental coverage,
the employer contribution toward the cost of medical coverage for a domestic partner will be included in your taxable income and subject to federal, state and local income taxes and Social Security taxes (FICA).) After this free coverage period
ends, you be able to continue dental coverage using the following option:
Access Dental Plan
You will have access to retiree dental coverage at group rates. You can enroll in the Access Dental Plan directly with MetLife at
1-800-GETMET8 who will send you additional information under separate cover. This Access Dental Plan is only available in the U.S.
Group Life Insurance
Your active life insurance coverage will continue through the last day of the month in which your Last Day of Employment falls. You will
then be automatically enrolled in Colgate’s life insurance plan for retirees at no cost to you. Details regarding this coverage will be sent to you in your retirement package from the Benefit Information Center.
You may be eligible to convert or port all or a portion of your contributory life insurance with The Hartford by calling 1-877-320-0484.
You will receive additional information from The Hartford within 3 weeks of your Last Day of Employment. You will then have 60 days from the receipt of that information to make your decision.
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Dependent Life & Dependent Accidental Death & Dismemberment
Insurance Plans
Coverage will cease as of your Last Day of Employment.
You may be eligible to convert or port any dependent life insurance with The Hartford by calling 1-877-320-0484. You will receive
additional information from The Hartford within 3 weeks of your Last Day of Employment. You will then have 60 days from the receipt of that information to make your decision.
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Vision Plan
Coverage will cease as of your Last Day of Employment.
You will have the option to continue vision coverage on an employee pay all basis plus 2% for administrative expenses. The extension of
coverage is in compliance with your rights under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). This period of optional COBRA coverage will be up to 18 months.
Short/Long Term Disability and Travel Accident Plans
All coverage ceases as of your Last Day of Employment.
Dependent Care/Health Care Accounts
You do not participate in these plans.
Savings & Investment Plan
Your contributions, Company Match, Basic Retirement Contributions and Additional Basic Retirement Contributions, if eligible, will continue
through your Last Day of Employment in accordance with the Company’s Savings and Investment Plan (S&I Plan) rules.
Detailed information regarding your S&I Plan account distribution options will be mailed to you from the Benefits Information Center.
You can access your account at any time by logging on to www.colgatebenefits.com or by calling the Benefits Information Center at 1-888-982-7227 and following the prompts for "savings". If you would like to elect a distribution you may do so online
or by calling the Benefits Information Center after your Last Day of Employment.
If you have any questions regarding the Agreement, including all Exhibits, please contact your HR Business Partner.
If you have any questions regarding this Summary of Severance and Transition Benefits, please contact Ernst & Young at 1-877-313-CPEY(2739) or
1-201-872-6677 from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday.
The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to amend any of the plans referenced herein, at any time and for any reason. Further, the
full terms and conditions of any of the benefit plans referenced herein can only be determined by reviewing the respective plan documents. If there is any inconsistency between those plan documents and information contained herein, the plan documents
will control.
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Exhibit 99.1
Colgate Appoints Stanley J. Sutula as Chief Financial Officer
Henning Jakobsen to Retire December 31, 2020
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--October 30, 2020--Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE: CL) announced today the appointment of Stanley J. Sutula, currently Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Pitney Bowes Inc., to succeed Henning Jakobsen as Chief Financial Officer, effective November 9, 2020. To ensure a smooth transition, Mr. Jakobsen will assume the role of Senior Vice President until his retirement date, December 31, 2020.
Mr. Sutula has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Pitney Bowes Inc. since February 2017 and previously spent 28 years at IBM Corporation. He is a skilled and experienced executive with an extensive background in corporate finance, financial planning and operations, tax, strategic planning and risk management. While at Pitney Bowes, Mr. Sutula championed the use of technology and data analytics within the finance organization, which in turn, helped deliver three consecutive years of constant-currency revenue growth. His tenure at IBM included financial management roles of increasing responsibility, culminating in service as IBM’s Vice President and Controller. At IBM, he led large, global, corporate and business unit teams and honed his extensive background in finance, accounting, treasury, financial planning and analysis, audit, risk and compliance. Mr. Sutula graduated from Northeastern University in 1988 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Management. He went on to receive a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the Fordham Gabelli School of Business in 1995.
Mr. Jakobsen, who has served as Colgate’s Chief Financial Officer since May 2018, was previously Vice President and Corporate Controller from October 2017 to May 2018. He first joined Colgate in 1989 and has held key financial positions for the Company's European and North American business units, as well as General Manager assignments in Africa and Europe. From 2006 to 2011 he left Colgate to become Chief Financial Officer of Chr. Hansen, a Denmark-based multinational bioscience organization, before returning in 2011.
Noel Wallace, Colgate’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Colgate is deeply grateful for Henning’s business and financial leadership as CFO and throughout his leadership career at Colgate. We have benefited from his broad international business knowledge and financial acumen. We look forward to Stan’s leadership as CFO, as he brings deep technical expertise from his proven track record leading finance and shaping business strategy at Pitney Bowes, and his many years at IBM.”
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About Colgate-Palmolive: Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition and reaching more than 200 countries and territories, Colgate teams are developing and selling health and hygiene products and pet nutrition offerings essential to society through brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, meridol, Tom’s of Maine, hello, Sorriso, Speed Stick, Softsoap, Irish Spring, Protex, Sanex, Filorga, eltaMD, PCA Skin, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. Colgate seeks to deliver sustainable profitable growth and superior shareholder returns and to provide Colgate people with an innovative and inclusive work environment. Colgate does this by developing and selling products globally that make people’s lives healthier and more enjoyable and by embracing its sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility strategies across the organization. For more information about Colgate’s global business, its efforts to improve the oral health of children through its Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program and how the Company is building a future to smile about, visitwww.colgatepalmolive.com. CL-C
Contacts
John Faucher 212-310-3653
Hope Spiller 212-310-2291