Director's Duties
In exercising their duties, directors may consider, and act upon their beliefs
concerning, Hewitt's long-term financial and other interests, and may take into
account, among other factors, the social, economic and legal effects of
Hewitt's actions upon all constituencies having a relationship with Hewitt,
including without limitation, its stockholders, employees, clients, suppliers,
consumers, and the community at large, so long as all actions and decisions
reflecting such considerations are reasonably calculated to be in the interests
of Hewitt's stockholders. In discharging that obligation, directors should be
entitled to rely on the honesty and integrity of Hewitt's officers, employees,
outside advisors and independent auditors.
Directors are expected to read broadly about Hewitt, its competitors, and the
industry(ies) in which Hewitt competes. Directors who are not otherwise retired
from service as officers of their companies are expected to maintain positions
in good standing within their own companies as well as in their surrounding
communities.
Directors are expected to attend Board meetings and meetings of committees on
which they serve, and to spend the time needed and meet as frequently as
necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities. Directors are expected
to review meeting materials prior to Board and committee meetings and, when
possible, should communicate in advance of meetings any questions or concerns
that they wish to discuss so that management will be prepared to address the
same. Directors are expected to participate actively in discussions, expressing
divergent points of view and drawing on their experience.
Board Meetings
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Selection of Agenda Items and Executive Sessions. The Chairman
establishes the agenda for Board meetings. Each Board member is free to suggest
the inclusion of items on the agenda. Each Board member is also free to raise
at any Board meeting subjects that are not on the agenda for that meeting. The
full Board is regularly scheduled to meet four-six times a year. In addition,
independent directors will meet regularly in executive session without any
members of Hewitt's management, whether or not they are directors. There may,
but does not need to be, a single presiding director at all executive sessions;
however the directors meeting in executive session shall have to formulate and
disclose the manner by which a presiding director shall be selected for each
executive session. If, however, one director is chosen to preside at all
executive sessions, his or her name will be disclosed in the annual proxy
statement. The annual proxy statement will also disclose how interested persons
may communicate with any such person or the directors who meet in executive
session as a group.
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Distribution of Materials. Hewitt shall distribute, sufficiently in
advance of meetings to permit meaningful review, any written materials that are
important to the Board's understanding of the agenda items and other topics to
be considered at a Board meeting. In the event of a pressing need for the Board
to meet on short notice or if such materials would otherwise contain highly
confidential or sensitive information, it is recognized that written materials
may not be available in advance of the meeting.
Director Compensation
The Compensation and Leadership Committee, in accordance with the policies and
principles set forth in its charter, will recommend the form and amount of
director compensation for Board membership, Committee membership, and serving
as Chairperson of a Board Committee. Hewitt employees who serve as directors
will receive no compensation for their service as directors, but will be
compensated for their reasonable and necessary out of pocket expenses incurred
in the course of their duties as directors. The Compensation and Leadership
Committee will periodically review directors' fees and other compensation.
Director compensation should be based on time spent carrying out Board and
Committee responsibilities and should align director interests with the
long-term interests of shareholders. Changes to director compensation will be
proposed by the Compensation and Leadership Committee to the Board for its
consideration.
Director Stock Ownership
In order to promote equity ownership and further align the interests of the
Board with Hewitt's shareholders, non-employee directors are required to retain
Hewitt common stock equal in value to three times the 2008 annual cash retainer
of $75,000 or 6,000 shares, whichever is less. Directors will have five years
to reach the required level. The number of shares required shall be reviewed
periodically by the Compensation and Leadership Committee. Shares owned
directly, unvested restricted stock and vested deferred restricted stock units
will be counted toward the required total. Shares subject to unexercised
options will not be counted towards the total.
Continuing Director Education
All new members of the Board participate in a formal orientation program to
acquaint themselves with Hewitt's business and structure. Such program includes
review of documentation of Hewitt's business and financial structure, including
a review of Hewitt's history, as well as meetings with members of senior
management. Ongoing, non-director members of senior management are regularly
invited to meet with the Board to apprise them on Hewitt's business activities.
Assessing Board Performance
The Board, in conjunction with the Nominating and Corporate Governance
Committee, will conduct an annual self-evaluation to determine whether it and
its committees are functioning effectively. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee will ask all directors to comment as to the Board's
performance and will report annually to the Board with an assessment of the
Board's performance, to be discussed with the full Board following the end of
each fiscal year. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may utilize
the results of this self-evaluation process in assessing and determining the
characteristics and critical skills required of prospective candidates for
election to the Board and membership on various committees.
Access to Officers and Employees
Board members have complete and open access to Hewitt's Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Operating Officer, Chief Administrative Officer, Chief Financial Officer,
General Counsel, Manager of Internal Audit as well as Hewitt's independent
advisors. Board members are encouraged to engage in discussion with other
Hewitt leaders and employees. Board members who wish to have access to such
other individuals should coordinate such access through the Chairman to
minimize disruption to the business.
Interaction with Third Parties
The Board believes that management should speak for Hewitt and that the Chairman
should speak for the Board. It is suggested that each director refer all
inquiries from institutional investors, analysts, the press or clients to the
Chief Executive Officer or his or her designee.
Board Authority
The Board and each committee have the power to hire independent legal, financial
or other advisors as they may deem necessary, without consulting or obtaining
the approval of any officer of Hewitt in advance.
Confidentiality
The Board believes maintaining confidentiality of information and deliberations
is imperative. Information learned during the course of service on the Board is
to be held confidential and used solely in furtherance of Hewitt's business.