UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

______________

FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section   13 or 15(d) of The
Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): November 15, 2006

AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

1-5397

 

22-1467904

(State or other
jurisdiction of
incorporation)

 

(Commission File Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

One ADP Boulevard, Roseland, New Jersey

07068

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (973) 974-5000

 

N/A

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

 

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

 

o          Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

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

 

o          Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

o         Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act

(17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 

Item 1.01.

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

On November 15, 2006, Automatic Data Processing, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “ADP”), entered into a letter agreement with S. Michael Martone, currently Group President of the Company’s Employer Services business, which sets forth certain understandings concerning the impact of a “change in control” on Mr. Martone’s new position as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, which he will assume on the date a previously announced tax-free spin-off of 100% of the Company’s Brokerage Services Group business is completed.

 

If Mr. Martone’s employment as ADP’s Chief Operating Officer is terminated other than for cause, or he resigns for “good reason,” within two years following a “change in control” of the Company, he will receive a termination payment equal to a percentage, ranging from 200% if such termination occurs within two years after such “change in control”, to 150% if it occurs in the third year, to 100% if it occurs after the third year, of his “current total annual compensation.” In addition, all of his stock options will become fully vested and all of his restricted stock having restrictions lapsing within three years after such termination will have such restrictions automatically removed.

 

For purposes of the letter agreement, “change in control” means the acquisition by any person, entity or group of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of ADP’s outstanding common stock, or approval by ADP’s stockholders of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of ADP immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the company’s then outstanding voting securities.

 

For purposes of the letter agreement, “good reason” means any action which results in a diminution in any respect in Mr. Martone’s position, authority, duties or responsibilities as ADP’s Chief Operating Officer, or a reduction in the overall level of his compensation or benefits.

 

Mr. Martone’s “current total annual compensation” equals the greater of his annual salary during the calendar year in which his employment terminates or the year immediately prior to the year of such termination plus his average annual bonus compensation earned in respect of the two most recent calendar years immediately preceding the calendar year in which his employment terminates.

 

The letter agreement provides that in the event any payment from the Company to Mr. Martone following a “change in control” results in the imposition of an excise tax under section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, he will receive an additional payment, such that after the payment of all such excise taxes and any taxes on the additional payments he will be in the same after-tax position as if no excise tax had been imposed. Mr. Martone is also entitled to receive, on an item-by-item basis, the greater of the benefits and payments and more favorable conditions provided under the letter agreement and/or the ADP Change in Control Severance Plan for Corporate Officers.

 

A copy of the letter agreement is attached as Exhibit 10.23 to this Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

The following exhibits are filed as part of this Report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit
Number

Description

10.23

Letter Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2006, between Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and S. Michael Martone (Management Contract)

SIGNATURE

 

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

Date: November 15, 2006

 

 

AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/   James B. Benson

 

 

Name:   James B. Benson

Title:     Vice President

 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit Number

Description

10.23

Letter Agreement, dated as of November 15, 2006, between Automatic Data Processing, Inc. and S. Michael Martone (Management Contract)

 

 

November 15, 2006

 

S. Michael Martone

One ADP Boulevard

Roseland, NJ 07068

 

Dear Mike:

 

This letter outlines our understandings concerning the impact of a “Change in Control” on your new position as the Chief Operating Officer of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (“ADP”), effective as of the date the tax-free spin-off of ADP’s Brokerage Service Group (“Spin Co.”) occurs:

 

1.

Change of Control: If a Change in Control occurs after the date the tax-free spin-off Spin Co. has occurred and if your employment is terminated (other than for cause) or you resign for “Good Reason” within two years after such Change in Control event, you will receive a termination payment equal to 200% of your “Current Total Annual Compensation”. This termination payment will be reduced to either 150% or 100% of your Current Total Annual Compensation if such termination or resignation occurs during the third year, or more than three years, after such Change in Control event, whichever is applicable. In addition, all of your ADP stock options will become fully vested, and all of your ADP restricted stock having restrictions lapsing within three years after the date of such termination or resignation shall have such restrictions automatically removed. ADP will also pay you a tax equalization payment in an amount which when added to the other amounts payable to you under Paragraph 4(e) will place you in the same after-tax position as if the excise tax penalty of Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or any successor statute of similar import did not apply. You are also entitled to receive, on an item-by-item basis, the greater of the benefits and payments and more favorable conditions provided under this letter agreement and/or the Automatic Data Processing, Inc. Change in Control Severance Plan for Corporate Officers.

 

 

2.

Definitions: For purposes of this Agreement, the following definitions shall apply:

 

(a)           "Change in Control" shall mean: (i) the acquisition by any person, entity or "group", of beneficial ownership of 25% or more of ADP’s outstanding common stock; or (ii) approval by ADP’s stockholders of a reorganization, merger or consolidation, with respect to which persons who were the stockholders of ADP immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation do not, immediately thereafter, own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the reorganized, merged or consolidated company's then outstanding voting securities.

 

(b)           "Good Reason" shall mean: (i) any action which results in a diminution in any respect in your position, authority, duties or responsibilities as ADP’s Chief Operating Officer; or (ii) a reduction in the overall level of your compensation or benefits.

 

(c)           "Current Total Annual Compensation" shall be the total of the following amounts: (i) the greater of your current annual salary for the calendar year in which your employment terminates or for the calendar year immediately prior to the year of such termination; and (ii) the average of your annual bonus compensation (prior to any bonus deferral election), for the two most recent calendar years immediately preceding the year in which your employment terminates.

 

 

3.

Term . The term of this letter agreement shall be for the length of your full-time employment at ADP.

 

If the foregoing correctly sets forth our understandings, please sign this letter agreement where indicated, whereupon it will become a binding agreement between us.

 

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/   Gary C. Butler

 

 

Name:   Gary C. Butler

Title:     President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

ACCEPTED AND AGREED:

 

/s/ S. Michael Martone

S. Michael Martone