The plaintiff, a long-term employee, was terminated without cause.
The trial addressed the appropriate notice period, entitlement to cash bonuses and merit increases (both for the fiscal year of termination and during the notice period), entitlement to vesting of unvested stock awards, and the defendant's claim of failure to mitigate damages.
The court awarded a 23.75-month notice period, damages for lost bonus and merit increases during the notice period, and damages for unvested stock awards, finding the termination provisions in the stock agreements unenforceable due to lack of proper notice.
The claim for a bonus for the fiscal year of termination was dismissed, and the defendant failed to prove a failure to mitigate.
