UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON,Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

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¨Preliminary Proxy Statement
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xDefinitive Proxy Statement
¨Definitive Additional Materials
¨Soliciting Material Pursuant toSection 240.14a-12

Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Certificate)Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

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LOGO

LOGO

March 3, 2014April 30, 2015

Dear Shareholder:

On behalf of our Board of Directors and management, we cordially invite you to attend our Annual Meeting of Shareholders on Thursday, April 17, 2014.Monday, May 11, 2015. The Meeting will be held at The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553,the offices of the Company, located at 2401 N. Glassell Street, Orange, California 92865, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)(PDT).

The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement accompanying this letter describe the business we will consider at the Meeting. Your vote is very important. I urge you to vote to be certain your shares are represented at the Meeting even if you plan to attend. Most shareholders have a choice of voting over the Internet, by telephone or by using a traditional proxy card. Please refer to your proxy materials or the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which methods are available to you.

Ronald Kochman

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director


LOGOLOGO

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Be Held April 17, 2014May 11, 2015

The Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Volt Information Sciences, Inc. will be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014,Monday May 11, 2015, at the offices of the Company, located at 2401 N. Glassell Street, Orange, California 92865, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT) at The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553.(PDT). At the Meeting, shareholders will be asked to:

 

elect eightvote on a proposal to amend the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors;

 

approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement;

vote, on an advisory basis, on how often the Company will conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation;elect six directors;

 

ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014;2015; and

 

consider any other business, if properly raised.

You may vote at the Meeting if you were a shareholder of the Company at the close of business on Wednesday, March 5, 2014,April 23, 2015, the record date for the Meeting.

By Order of the Board of Directors.

Ronald Kochman

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

New York, New York

March 3, 2014April 30, 2015

 

 

Please sign and return the enclosed proxy card in thepostage-paid envelope provided or, if you prefer, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card for voting by telephone or via the Internet. You may access additional information athttp://materials.proxyvote.com/928703www.proxyvote.com for voting instructions as well as to view the Proxy Statement and Annual Report online.

 

 


Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

Proxy Statement

20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Shareholders Meeting to be Held on April 17, 2014General Information

   1  

General InformationDirectors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   15  

Directors and Executive Officers and Corporate Governance

   65  
Directors and Executive Officers6

Corporate Governance

   9  

Audit Committee

   9  

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

9
Compensation Committee9
Board Leadership Structure

   10  

Risk OversightCompensation Committee

   10  

Code of Business Conduct and EthicsExecutive Committee

   11  

Corporate Governance GuidelinesBoard Leadership Structure

   11  

Availability of Corporate Governance DocumentsRisk Oversight

11
Change in Procedures for Recommending Directors11
Family Relationships

   12  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting ComplianceCode of Business Conduct and Ethics

   12  

Corporate Governance Guidelines

12

Executive CompensationAvailability of Corporate Governance Documents

   13  

Compensation Discussion and AnalysisProcedures for Recommending Directors

   13  

IntroductionFamily Relationships

   13  

Fiscal Year 2013 Summary Compensation TableSection 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

   1913

Indemnification; Insurance

14  

Fiscal Year 2013 Summary Compensation TableAudit Committee Report

   1915  

Executive Compensation

16

Fiscal Year 2013 GrantsCompensation Discussion and Analysis

16

Introduction

16

Executive Compensation Philosophy

16

Components of Plan-Based AwardsExecutive Compensation

16

Oversight and Authority over Executive Compensation

17

Base Salary

18

Annual Cash Incentive

18

Long-Term Incentives

   20  

Fiscal Year 2013 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

21
Fiscal Year 2013 Option ExercisesEmployment, Termination of Employment and Stock VestedChange-In-Control Agreements

   22  

Fiscal Year 2013 Pension Plan BenefitsClawback/Recoupment

   22  

Fiscal Year 2013 Nonqualified Deferred CompensationBenefits

   22  

Agreements with 2013 Named Executive OfficersOther Compensation-Related Matters

   2223  

Compensation Committee Report

  23

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

24

Fiscal Year 2014 Summary Compensation Table

24

Fiscal Year 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards

25

Fiscal Year 2014 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End

26

Fiscal Year 2014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

27

Fiscal Year 2014 Pension Plan Benefits

27

Fiscal Year 2014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

28

Agreements with 2014 Named Executive Officers

28

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control as of November 3, 20132, 2014

   2735  

2014 Director Compensation

35

-i-


2013 Director Compensation

27

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERSHAREHOLDER MATTERS

 2936  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

 3240  

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

 3341  

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

34

Items of Business to be Acted on at the Annual Meeting

 3542  

Item 1.

Approval of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors

42

Item 2.

Election of Directors

 3544  

Item 2.    Proposal to Approve, on an Advisory Basis, the Executive Compensation Program for the Company’s Named Executive Officers

36

Item 3.    Vote, on an Advisory Basis, on How Often the Company Will Conduct an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

37

Item 4.    Proposal to Ratify the Appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 3847  

Item 4.

Item 5.   Other Matters

 3948

ANNEX A Proposed Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors

A-1  

 

iii


Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

Proxy Statement

20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDERS MEETING TO BE HELD ON APRIL 17, 2014.

THE COMPANY’S ANNUAL REPORT, LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS, NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING, PROXY STATEMENT AND PROXY CARD ARE AVAILABLE AT

http://www.volt.com/investors+governance.aspx.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Why did I receive this Proxy Statement?

The Board of Directors of Volt Information Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”, “we” or “us”) is soliciting proxies for the 20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting” or “Meeting”) to be held on Thursday, April 17, 2014,Monday, May 11, 2015, at The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 11553,the offices of the Company, located at 2401 N. Glassell Street, Orange, California 92865, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)(PDT) and at any adjournment of the Meeting. When the Company asks for your proxy, we must provide you with a Proxy Statement that contains certain information specified by law. This Proxy Statement summarizes the information you need in order to vote at the Meeting.

The Company’s Annual Report, Letter to Shareholders, Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and proxy card are being mailed to shareholders beginning on or about March 12th, 2014.April 30, 2015.

What will I vote on?

The following items:

 

electionan amendment to the Company’s Certificate of eightIncorporation to declassify the Board of Directors;

 

approval, on an advisory basis,election of the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement;

how often the Company will conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation;six directors;

 

ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014;2015; and

 

other matters that may properly be brought before the Meeting.

What will happen if the amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors is not approved?

If the amendment is not approved, then the board will remain classified. Two of the nominees, James E. Boone and John C. Rudolf (currently a director), will be in the first class of directors and will be elected for a term expiring at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders. The other four nominees, Nick S. Cyprus, Michael D. Dean, Dana Messina, and Laurie Siegel, will be in the second class of directors and will be elected for a term expiring at the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.

Will there be any other items of business on the agenda?

We do not expect any other items of business at the Annual Meeting. Nonetheless, if there is an unforeseen need, your proxy will give discretionary authority to the persons named on the proxyRonald Kochman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Paul Tomkins, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, to vote on any other matters that may be properly brought before the Meeting. These persons will use their best judgment in voting your proxy.

Who is entitled to vote?

Shareholders as of the close of business on the record date, which is Wednesday, March 5, 2014,Thursday, April 23, 2015, may vote at the Annual Meeting.

How many votes do I have?

You have one vote at the Meeting for each share of common stock you held on the record date.

What constitutes a quorum for the Annual Meeting?

A quorum is necessary to conduct business at the Annual Meeting. A quorum requires the presence at the Meeting of 35% of the outstanding shares entitled to vote, in person or represented by proxy. You are part of the quorum if you have voted by proxy. As of February 28, 2014, 20,862,795April 1, 2015, 20,816,210 shares of Company common stock were issued and outstanding.

How do I vote?

You can vote either in person at the Annual Meeting or by proxy without attending the Meeting. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to attend the Meeting so we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to hold the Meeting. If you attend the Meeting in person, you may vote at the Meeting and your earlier proxy will not be counted.

May I vote by telephone or via the Internet?

Yes. Instead of submitting your vote by mail using the enclosed proxy card, you may be able to vote on the Internet or by telephone. Please note that there are separate Internet and telephone voting arrangements depending on whether you hold your shares:

 

as the registered shareholder, also known as the “shareholder” or “holder” of record (that is, if you own shares directly in your own name and they are either kept at our transfer agent or are in your possession); or

 

as the “beneficial owner”, also known as holding the shares in “street name” (that is, if your shares are held for you by your bank, broker or other holder of record).

If you are a registered shareholder, you may vote by telephone or via the Internet by following the instructions on your proxy card.

If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to the information forwarded by your bank, broker or other holder of record to see which options are available to you. Most brokers and banks offer voting by telephone and via the Internet as well as by mail.

If you vote via the Internet, you may incur costs, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies. You will be responsible for these costs.

What should I do if I want to attend the Annual Meeting?

All shareholders of the Company may attend the Annual Meeting. Please bring your admission ticket or proof of ownership of the Company’s stock to enter the Annual Meeting. When you arrive at the Annual Meeting, you may be asked to present photo identification, such as a driver’s license, to be admitted.

 

If you are a registered shareholder, you will find an admission ticket attached as part of the proxy card sent to you. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please bring this portion of the proxy card with you to the Meeting. If you opted to receive your proxy materials electronically, please print out the admission ticket you will find online and bring it with you.

 

If your shares are held in the name of your bank, broker or other holder of record, please bring proof of ownership to be admitted to the Meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from your bank or broker is an example of proof of ownership.

For safety and security reasons, no cameras, recording equipment, electronic devices, large bags, briefcases or packages will be permitted in the Meeting.

How do I vote my shares in the Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Savings Plan

If you received this Proxy Statement because you are an employee of the Company who participates in this plan and you have shares of common stock of the Company allocated to your account under this plan, you may vote your shares held in this plan as of March 5, 2014April 23, 2015 by mail, by telephone or via the Internet. Instructions are provided on the enclosed proxy card. The tabulator must receive your instructions by 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 14, 2014May 7, 2015 in order to communicate your instructions to the plans’plan’s Trustee, who will vote your shares. Any plan shares for which we do not receive instructions from the employee will be voted by the Trustee in the same proportion as the shares for which we have received instructions.

Can I revoke or change my vote?

Yes. If you are a shareholder of record, you have the right to revoke your proxy at any time before the Annual Meeting by sending a signed notice to the Company’s Secretary, Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10018. If you want to change your vote at any time before the Meeting, you must deliver a later dated proxy by telephone, via the Internet or in writing. You may also change your proxy by voting in person at the Meeting.

If you are a beneficial owner, please refer to the information forwarded by your broker, bank or other holder of record for procedures on revoking or changing your proxy.

What are the costs of soliciting these proxies and who will pay them?

The Company will pay all costs of soliciting these proxies. In addition, some of our officers and employees may solicit proxies by telephone or in person. We will reimburse banks and brokers for the expenses they incur in forwarding the proxy materials to you. D.F. King & Co, Inc. will assist us with the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $7,500 plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses. The agreement with D.F. King contains customary indemnification provisions.

How many votes are required for the approval of each item?

 

Item One1 – The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote is required to approve the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal.

Item 2 – A plurality of votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required for the election of each nominee to serve as a director.

 

Item Two – The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes cast is required to approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers as described in this Proxy Statement. Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will not be counted either for or against this proposal.

Item Three – The advisory vote on the frequency of the advisory vote on executive compensation is a non-binding vote and the Company will consider the results of the vote in determining whether to hold the advisory vote on executive compensation every one, two or three years. Abstentions and brokernon-votes, if any, will not be counted in favor of any frequency in the vote.

Item Four3 – The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy is required to ratify the selectionappointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2014.2015.

Are abstentions and brokernon-votes part of the quorum?

Yes. Abstentions and brokernon-votes count as “shares present” at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining a quorum.

What are brokernon-votes?

If your shares are held by a broker, the broker may require your instructions in order to vote your shares. If you give the broker instructions, your shares will be voted as you direct. If you do not give instructions, one of two

things can happen depending on the type of proposal. If the proposal is considered “routine”, the broker may vote your shares in its discretion. For other proposals, the broker may not vote your shares without your instructions. When that happens, it is called a “brokernon-vote.”

Item 43 in this Proxy Statement (ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014)2015) will be considered routine and the broker may vote your shares for this Item in its discretion. The broker is not entitled to vote your shares on the other Items unless the broker has received instructions from you.

Who will count the vote?

Votes at the Annual Meeting will be counted by the inspectors of election appointed by the Board.

What if I do not vote for some or all of the matters listed on my proxy card?

If you are a registered shareholder and you return a signed proxy card without indicating your vote for some or all of the matters, your shares will be voted as follows for any matter you did not vote on:

 

 for approval of the amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors;

for the nominees to the Board listed on the proxy card;

 

for approval, on an advisory basis, of the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers;

 forthe Company conducting an advisory vote on executive compensation everytwo years; and

for the ratification of the appointment of Ernst and Young as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014.2015.

How do I submit a shareholder proposal for the 20152016 Annual Meeting?

The Company’s 2014 Annual Meeting is scheduled for Thursday, April 17, 2014. There are two different deadlines for submitting shareholder proposals. If a shareholder wishes to have a proposal considered for inclusion in next year’s Proxy Statement, pursuant to Rule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the proposal must be received by us at our principal executive offices no later than January 1, 2016. If a shareholder intends to submit a proposal that is not intended to be included in our Proxy Statement, or to nominate a candidate for Director,director, he or she must give the Company written notice no earlier than 150 days and no later than 120 days prior to April 17, 2015. Proposals should be addressed to30, 2016 and must otherwise comply with the Company’s Secretary, Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenuerequirements set forth in our By-Laws. Copies of the Americas, New York, New York 10018. If you submit a proposal, it must comply with our By-Laws and applicable law, includingRule 14a-8 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Copies of theBy-Laws are available to shareholders free of charge on request to the Company’s Secretary, Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10018.

What if I want to receive a separate paper ore-mail copy of the Proxy Statement or Annual Report at no charge?

If you wish to receive a separate paper ore-mail copy of the 2014 Annual Report or this Proxy Statement at no charge, please call us at (212) 704-7921, or send ane-mail to voltinvest@volt.com, or write to: Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018, Attention: Shareholder Relations. We will promptly deliver to you the documents you requested. Please make your request for documents on or before March 31, 2014 to facilitate timely delivery of the documents to you.

Where can I find the voting results?

We will publish voting results in aForm 8-K which we will file with the SEC shortly after the vote is certified. To view thisForm 8-K online, visit the Company’s Investor Relations Web site at http://www.volt.com/template_vis_investors.aspx?id=534.

Can shareholders and other interested parties communicate directly with our Board? If so, how?

Yes. You may communicate directly with one or more members of the Board by writing to the Company’s Secretary, Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10018. The Company’s Secretary will then forward all questions or comments directly to our Board or a specific Director,director, as the case may be.

DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Directors and Executive Officers

The names of our current directors and executive officers and their ages, positions, biographies and outside directorships are set forth below. Also included for our directors is information regarding their specific experience, qualifications, attributes and skills that led to the conclusion that each director should serve on our Board. Our executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our Board. This information is as of February 15, 2014.April 6, 2015.

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position(s)

Executive Officers and Executive Directors

Ronald Kochman

  5556  President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

Lloyd FrankJerome Shaw*

  88  Director

Bruce G. Goodman

65Director

Theresa A. Havell

67Director

Mark N. Kaplan

83Director

Deborah Shaw

59Director

Jerome Shaw

87Executive Vice President Secretary and Director

William H. TurnerPaul Tomkins

  73Director

James Whitney Mayhew

5257  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Howard ZimmermanBryan Berndt

  6458  Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

Rhona Driggs

Chief Operating Officer,49Senior Vice President, North America Staffing

Richard Herring

  5657  

Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Europe and Asia Staffing

Ronald HurleLori Larson

  5847  

Chief Operating Officer, Project-BasedSenior Vice President, North America Staffing

James SchmittSharon H. Stern

  7152  Senior Vice President – Volt Delta (Computer Systems)Legal Affairs and Secretary

Louise Ross

  6566  Vice President – Human Resources

Kevin Hannon

46Vice President and Treasurer

Non-Executive Directors

Lloyd Frank**

89Director

Bruce G. Goodman

66Director

Theresa A. Havell

68Director

Mark N. Kaplan*

85Director

John C. Rudolf

66Director

Deborah Shaw*

60Director

William H. Turner*

75Director

*Director who is not standing for re-election.
**Director who is retiring prior to the Annual Meeting.

Executive Officers and Executive Directors

Ronald Kochman has been our President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a director since April 2012. Mr. Kochman has been employed by the Companyus since 1987 and has been an officer of the Company since February 2005. Prior to his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, he served as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning. He received his Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in finance and investments from George Washington University and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Stony Brook University. Through his 25 years27 years’ experience with the Company,us, Mr. Kochman has gained a deep knowledge of all aspects of the Company’s business and has valuable insight with respect to finance, strategy and business development.

Jerome Shaw has been a director since April 2012. Jerome Shaw co-founded the Company in 1950 with his brother, has been Executive Vice President since 1957 (when the present company was organized), served as Secretary of the Company from 1957 until 2014 and has been employed in executive capacities by the Company and its predecessors since 1950. Jerome Shaw brings to the Board business leadership, and a deep understanding of our business, operations, services, products, customers, suppliers and employees.

Paul Tomkins has been our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since March 2015. From 2011 to 2014, Mr. Tomkins served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Reader’s Digest Association, Inc., where he oversaw all aspects of finance and accounting and played an integral role in managing a number of important non-core business divestitures. Prior to his role at Reader’s Digest, Mr. Tomkins spent 27 years at AT&T, where he most recently served as the Vice President and Controller of AT&T Business Solutions and previously held a number of other financial management positions. Mr. Tomkins is a Certified Public Accountant and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs and the NJ Society of CPAs. He earned his MBA with an emphasis in International Finance from Seton Hall University.

Bryan Berndt has been our Controller and Chief Accounting Officer since April 2015. From April 2012 until March 2015 Mr. Berndt was the Controller and Chief Accounting Officer of Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. From 2008 until December 2011 he was Treasurer and Vice President of Finance at Bowne & Co., Inc.

Lori Larsonhas been a Senior Vice President – North America Staffing since November 2013 and has been employed by us since 1992. Prior to her appointment as Senior Vice President – North America Staffing, she served in various roles with increased responsibilities within our Staffing Service segment including Branch Manager, Area Manager, National and Global Account Manager and most recently Regional Vice President. Ms. Larson is currently responsible for the program and relationship management of our enterprise customers. Prior to joining us, Ms. Larson held a position in sales and marketing at a manufacturing company.

Rhona Driggs has been a Senior Vice President – North American Staffing since November 2013 and has been employed by us since 1996. Prior to her appointment as Senior Vice President – North America Staffing, she served in various roles with increased responsibilities within our Staffing Service segment including Regional Manager and Regional Vice President. Ms. Driggs is

currently responsible for the program and relationship management of our Retail customers in addition to having responsibility of delivery for all of North America. Prior to joining us, Ms. Driggs held various positions of increasing responsibility at Kelly Services from 1990–1996.

Richard Herringhas been Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Europe and Asia Staffing operations since December 2010 and joined the Company in January 2006 as European Staffing Services Director. Prior to joining the Company, he served as a Director of TheSkillsMarket Limited, a software company providing services to recruitment companies, between September 2004 and January 2006. Between August 1988 and July 2004, Mr. Herring worked in various sales and operational capacities at the U.K.-based recruitment company Reed Personnel Services PLC, and was a director of this company between January 1999 and July 2004. Mr. Herring has also served as an elected executive of the U.K.-based trade body the Association of Professional Staffing Companies for two separate terms, 2001 to 2004 and 2007 to 2010, fulfilling the role of chairman in 2009-2010.

Sharon H. Stern has been our Senior Vice President of Legal Affairs since May 2014 and our Secretary since June 2014. Immediately prior to joining the Company in May 2014, she was a partner at the law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP. Ms. Stern has over 25 years of legal experience focusing on corporate governance and business litigation matters. Ms. Stern holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the State University of New York at Albany and a Juris Doctor degree from the New York University School of Law.

Louise Ross has been our Vice President of Human Resources since September 2006 and has been employed by the Company in executive capacities in its human resource departments since 1993. Prior to joining Volt, Ms. Ross held various management positions in human resources with extensive experience in program development, compensation/benefits, employee and labor relations and employment law. Ms. Ross was an adjunct professor for the New School University, graduate management program in Human Resources. She also taught compensation and employee benefits for undergraduate programs. She holds a Master’s Degree from the New School University in Human Resources Management along with an undergraduate degree in business management from Marymount Manhattan College.

Kevin Hannon has been our Vice President and Treasurer since March 2015. Previously, he was our Assistant Treasurer since January 2008. Prior to joining Volt, Mr. Hannon was an Assistant Treasurer and Finance Manager with Atlas Copco North America, Inc., and also gained extensive financial regulatory experience as a bank examiner with the US Treasury Department. In addition to undergraduate degrees in Business and Economics, Mr. Hannon obtained his MBA from Rutgers Business School in Strategic Management and Finance, and he also has the CTP (Certified Treasury Professional) designation.

Non-Executive Directors

Lloyd Frank has been a director since March 2000. He has been senior counsel since January 2010, and of counsel from April 2005 until December 2009, with the law firm of Troutman Sanders LLP. Mr. Frank was counsel from January 2004 to March 2005, and a partner from January 1977 until December 2003, with the law firm of Jenkens & Gilchrist Parker Chapin LLP (and its predecessors, Parker Chapin LLP and Parker Chapin Flattau & Klimpl). Mr. Frank is also a director of EnviroStar, Inc. (a distributor of commercial and industrial boilers, commercial laundry and drycleaning equipment) and was a director of Park Electrochemical Corp. from 1985 until 2013 (a developer and manufacturer of advanced materials). Mr. Frank has extensive corporate legal, compliance and governance experience, and has served as an advisor to, and board member of, a number of other public companies, private companies and charities. This experience enables him to provide the Board with advice on a wide range of legal and business matters, in addition to an understanding of our legal and business affairs obtained from over 40 years of legal representation of our Company.

Bruce G. Goodman has been a director since May 2000. He has been General Counsel of Shepherd Kaplan LLC (an investment advisor registered with the SEC) since April 2008. From April 1995 to April 2008, he was a partner of the law firm of Hinckley, Allen & Snyder LLP. In addition to his perspective as anon-management director, Mr. Goodman provides to the Board experience as a business lawyer with substantial experience and insight into the investment markets obtained as general counsel to an investment advisory firm.

Theresa A. Havell has been a director since April 2004. She has been President and Chief Investment Officer of Havell Capital Management LLC (a money management company) since 1996. Prior to 1996, Ms. Havell was a partner, member of the Executive Committee, Director and Chief Investment Officer of the Fixed Income Group of NeubergerBerman (an investment management firm). Ms. Havell contributes vast experience and knowledge in the investment and financing markets and economic conditions to the Board derived from her money management and investment experience.

Mark N. Kaplan has been a director since April 1991. He has been of counsel with the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP since 1999. From October 1979 until 1999, he was a partner in that firm. In addition to serving on the board of directors or as trustee of a number of civic and charitable organizations, Mr. Kaplan is also a director of American Biltrite, Inc. (a manufacturer of commercial flooring and performance sheet rubber) and Autobytel Inc. (an online automotive marketing firm). where he serves as Chair of the Audit Committee. Mr. Kaplan is also a member and former Chairman of the Audit Committee of The City of New York City Audit Committee and is a member and formerco-Chairman co-Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee of the Board of Education Audit Advisory Committee.of The City of New York. In addition to his legal experience focusing on securities, governance and mergers and acquisitions matters, Mr. Kaplan brings to the Board business management, financing and leadership experience gained as President, Director, and Chief Operating Officer of Engelhard Minerals & Chemicals Corporation (a New York Stock Exchange listed mining and chemicals company acquired by BASF in 2006) from 1977 to 1979 and President and Chief Executive Officer of Drexel Burnham Lambert (an investment banking firm) from 1970 to 1977.

John C. Rudolf has been a director since March 2015. Mr. Rudolf currently serves as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Glacier Peak Capital LLC, an investment advisory firm registered with the SEC he founded in July 2012. From April 1996 until July 2012, Mr. Rudolf served as a Managing Member and founder of Summit Capital Group, an independent investment advisory firm registered with the SEC managing individual accounts and several private investment funds. From 1975 until 1996, Mr. Rudolf served in various positions at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., including partner in charge of Oppenheimer’s Pacific Northwest operations from 1988 until 1996. Mr. Rudolf has served on the board of directors of Detrex Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high performance specialty chemicals including additives for industrial petroleum products and high purity hydrochloric acid, since November 2012. Mr. Rudolf was appointed to the Board pursuant to the Settlement Agreement described on page 10 under “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance – Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee.” Mr. Rudolf brings to our board substantial experience and knowledge as a professional investor and the perspective of a substantial, long-term shareholder in our Company.

Deborah Shaw has been a director since August 2006. Dr. Shaw has been a clinical psychologist with a private practice in Los Angeles, California for more than 1719 years. Dr. Shaw brings to the Board the perspective of anon-management beneficial owner of approximately 10.410.3 percent of our common stock, as well as an educational background in law gained from her law degree from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and three years of the practice of law with the law firm of Covington & Burling.

Jerome Shaw has been a director since April 2012. Jerome Shawco-founded the Company, has been Executive Vice President and Secretary of the Company since 1957 and has been employed in executive capacities by the Company and its predecessors since 1950. Jerome Shaw brings to the Board business leadership, a deep understanding of our business, operations, services, products, customers, suppliers and employees.

William H. Turner has been a director since August 1998. Mr. Turner is the Chairman of International College, Beirut, Lebanon and was formerly a senior advisor with Opera Solutions, LLC (a predictive analytics company). Mr. Turner also served as Dean at The School of Business of Montclair State University from June 2008 until January 2010. He was founding Dean at Stony Brook University College of Business from January 2004 to December 2007. Prior to that, he was Senior Partner of Summus Ltd. (a consulting firm) from September 2002 to December 2003. From August 1997 until September 1999, Mr. Turner was President

of PNC Bank, N.A. and served as Chairman of that bank’s Northeast Region until September 2002. From October 1996 to July 1997, Mr. Turner was President andCo-Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Electronic Publishers, Incorporated (a designer and developer ofhand-held electronic information products) and, from August 1990 to September 1996, he was Vice Chairman of The Chase Manhattan Bank and its predecessor, Chemical Banking Corporation. He is also a director of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (a financial planning and advisory firm), and Standard Motor Products, Inc. (a manufacturer of engine management and temperature control parts). During the last five years, Mr. Turner also served as a director of Franklin Electronic Publishers, Inc. and New Jersey Resources Corporation (a natural gas and renewable energy services company) and, since 2011 Mr. Turner has been a director of Fine Mark Bank, a non-public commercial/private bank with headquarters in Ft. Myers, Florida. Mr. Turner provides the Board with vast knowledge of finance and accounting gained through his extensive executive experience at leading banking institutions and business, managerial and leadership experience gained from his position as the chiefco-chief executive officer of apublicly-held company.

James Whitney Mayhew has been Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since April 2012. He served as Vice President and Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company from August 2011

to April 2012 and Vice President and Corporate Controller of the Company from June 2010 until August 2011. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Whitney was a partner with KPMG LLP, a registered independent accounting firm, where he was an auditor for over 21 years serving primarilymulti-national SEC registrant clients. Mr. Whitney served as an audit partner for Silicon Valley technology and services companies from 2007 to 2009 and as an audit partner on afour-year international assignment in Asia from 2003 to 2007. Previous to that he served on assignments in Silicon Valley, New York, and Seattle. Mr. Whitney is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting from the University of Washington.

Howard Zimmermanhas been the Chief Operating Officer of our North America Staffing operations since November 2012 and has been with Volt for 27 years, having begun his career as a Branch Manager in our San Diego office. He has held various management positions including Regional Manager beginning in 1989, Vice President in 1991, and Senior Vice President in 2001. Prior to joining Volt, Mr. Zimmerman led sales organizations at Memorex, Texas Instruments and ADP from 1978 through 1987. Mr. Zimmerman holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing from the University of Connecticut.

Richard Herringhas been Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Europe and Asia Staffing operations since December 2010 and joined the Company in January 2006 as European Staffing Services Director. Prior to joining the Company he served as a Director of TheSkillsMarket Limited, a software house providing services to recruitment companies, between September 2004 and January 2006. Between August 1988 and July 2004, Mr. Herring worked in various sales and operational capacities at the UK based recruitment company Reed Personnel Services PLC, and was a director of this company between January 1999 and July 2004. Mr. Herring has also served as an elected executive of the UK based trade body the Association of Professional Staffing Companies for two separate terms, 2001 to 2004 and 2007 to 2010, fulfilling the role of chairman in 2009-2010.

Ronald Hurlehas been the Chief Operating Officer of our Project-Based Staffing operations since October 2012 and joined the Company in November of 2009 as the Vice President of Client Solutions for our North America Staffing operations. Prior to joining Volt, he served as Vice President and General Manager of IT Operations and Services for Intel Corporation from 2000 until 2009 where he had responsibility for Intel’s IT worldwide infrastructure and operations including data centers, computing resources, communications infrastructure, PC Services, Service Desks and the IT Emergency Response Team. From 1994 to 2000 he served as Director of Operations for CDI Corporation managing large scale outsourced IT operations, and from 1987 to 1994 he was Director of Support Services serving technology implementations for the education industry with NCS.

James Schmitt has been the President of our Computer Systems segment since 2009 and was previously its Chief Operating Officer since he joined the Company in 1997. From 1992 until 1997 he was the Assistant Vice President for Sales and Marketing for the Yellow Page Division of Bell Atlantic, and from 1988 until 1992 he was the Yellow Page Division Sales Manager for National Telephone Directory. From 1983 until 1988 he was the President of DataServ Corporation serving the commercial publishing and directory markets. Mr. Schmitt is a graduate of the Wayne State University Executive Program for Presidents and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Rutgers University.

Louise Ross has been Vice President – Human Resources of the Company since September 2006 and has been employed by the Company in executive capacities in its human resource departments since 1993. Prior to joining Volt, Ms. Ross held various management positions in human resources with extensive experience in program development, compensation/benefits, employee and labor relations and employment law. Ms. Ross was an adjunct professor for the New School University, graduate management program in Human Resources. She also taught compensation and employee benefits for undergraduate programs. She holds a Master’s Degree from the New School University in Human Resources Management along with an undergraduate degree in business management from Marymount Manhattan College.

Corporate Governance

The Company’s business and affairs are managed and under the direction of the Board. Members of the Board are kept informed of the Company’s business through discussions with the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them and by participating in meetings of the Board and its committees. Our Board has standing Audit, Nominating/Corporate Governance, Compensation and CompensationExecutive Committees. The Company’s policies and procedures with respect to the Board, as well as information regarding the roles and responsibilities of theBoard committee chairs and their committees, which are comprised solely of independent directors, are set forth in the committee charters and in our Corporate Governance Guidelines, copies of which are available in the Investors & Governance section of the Company’s website, at www.volt.com.

The Board held eight meetings during the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014. No director attended fewer than 75 percent of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and the total number of meetings of committees of the Board on which such director served. Seven directors attended the 2014 Annual Meeting.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee consists of Mark N. Kaplan (Chair), Theresa A. Havell and William H. Turner. Each committee member is financially literate and meets the current independence requirements for Audit Committee membership under both the rules of the SEC and the New York StockNYSE MKT Exchange (the “NYSE”(“NYSE:MKT”). The Board has determined that Mark N. Kaplan is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of the applicable SEC rules and possesses accounting and related financial management expertise within the meaning of the rules of the NYSE.NYSE:MKT. This determination is based on Mr. Kaplan’s experience as chief executive officer of an investment banking firm, chief operating officer of a public company, former Chairman and current member of the Audit Committee of The City of New York, and formerCo-Chair of the Audit Advisory Committee of the Board of Education of The City of New York.York and Chairman of the Audit Committee of Autobytel, Inc.

The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. The Audit Committee provides assistance to the Company’s directors in fulfilling the Board’s oversight responsibility as to the Company’s accounting, auditing and financial reporting practices and as to the quality and integrity of the publicly distributed financial reports of the Company. The Audit Committee held 2311 meetings in respect ofduring the fiscal year ended November 3, 2013.2, 2014.

Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee consists of Theresa A. Havell (Chair), Mark N. Kaplan, Lloyd Frank Theresa A. Havell (Chair) and William H. Turner. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee is comprised entirely of directors determined by the Board to be “independent” for purposes of the NYSEapplicable NYSE:MKT rules.

The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. The responsibilities of the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee include: identifying, evaluating and recommending to the Board prospective nominees for director; reviewing the Company’s corporate governance policies and making recommendations to the Board from time to time regarding matters of corporate governance; and reviewing the performance of the Board and its members. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee has not established a formal process to identify and evaluate prospective nominees for director.director; however, in connection with the negotiation of the Settlement Agreement, described below, the Committee evaluated candidates recommended by current directors, shareholders as well as an independent search firm. The Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee did not hold anyheld two meetings in respect ofduring the fiscal year ended November 3, 2013.2, 2014.

Pursuant to a letter agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) entered into on March 30, 2015, by and among the Company, Glacier Peak Capital LLC, a Washington limited liability company, Glacier Peak U.S. Value Fund, L.P., a Washington limited partnership, and John C. Rudolf, the Board increased the numbers of directors from eight to nine, and appointed John C. Rudolf to the vacancy created by the increase in size of the Board. In addition, the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee recommended that the Board nominate, and the Board agreed to nominate, each of the nominees described in Item 2 in “Items of Business to be Acted on at the Annual Meeting” on page 44. Each nominee who was not already on the board was appointed as a board observer pending his or her election. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, Mr. Rudolf will be appointed to the Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee and Audit Committee following the Annual Meeting.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee consists of Mark N. Kaplan,William H. Turner (Chair), Lloyd Frank, Theresa A. Havell and William H. Turner (Chair).Mark N. Kaplan. The Compensation Committee is comprised entirely of directors determined by the Board to be “independent” for purposes of the NYSEapplicable NYSE:MKT rules. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. Under its charter, the Compensation Committee may delegate authority to any subcommittee comprised solely of Compensation Committee members who are independent directors. The Compensation Committee is responsible for establishing, implementing and monitoring the Company’s executive compensation policies and program. The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to meet three principleprincipal objectives:

 

attract, motivate and retain the talented executives who are a critical component of the Company’slong-term success by providing each with a competitive total compensation package;

ensure that executive compensation is aligned with both the short andlong-term interests of shareholders; and

 

motivate and reward high levels of team and individual performance.

During fiscal year 2013,2014, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Chernoff Diamond, an independent compensation consultant, as its compensation advisor with respect to executive compensation matters. The Compensation Committee held 9nine meetings in respect ofduring the fiscal year ended November 3, 2013.2, 2014.

Additional information regarding the Compensation Committee and our policies and procedures regarding executive compensation, including the role of compensation advisors and executive officers in recommending executive compensation, is provided below under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 13.16.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee consists of Ronald Kochman, Bruce G. Goodman, Theresa A. Havell, Mark N. Kaplan and William H. Turner. The Executive Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. The Executive Committee shall consist of no fewer than three of our directors, shall include the Chief Executive Officer, and must include a majority of independent, non-management directors. Currently, four of the five members of the Committee are independent, non-management directors. The responsibilities of the Executive Committee include all of those exercised by the full Board, other than those matters which are expressly delegated to another committee of the Board or matters which, by law, cannot be delegated by the Board to a committee of the Board. The Executive Committee held nine meetings during the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014.

Board Leadership Structure

Our Chief Executive Officer chairs meetings of our Board, and our Audit Committee Chairman chairs meetings of our independent directors. We believe that combining the positions of Chief Executive Officer and chairing the meetings of our Board is appropriate for our Company and results in operational efficiencies given the size of our Company and the particularly detailed knowledge of our Company’s operations that our Chief Executive Officer develops,possesses, which we believe is beneficial for chairing our board meetings. Our independent directors meet regularly without management, including our Chief Executive Officer, and are active in the oversight of our Company. Our Board and each Board committee has access to members of our management and the authority to retain independent legal, accounting or other advisors as they deem necessary or appropriate. Our Chief Executive Officer does not serve on any Board committee, other than the Executive Committee.

Our Audit Committee Chairman, in fulfilling the role of chairing meetings of our independent directors:

 

chairs meetings and executive sessions at which only the independent directors attend;

 

advises our Chief Executive Officer as to the quality, quantity and timeliness of the flow of information from management that is necessary for the independent directors to effectively perform their duties;

 

participates as a member of the Compensation Committee in the conduct of an annual evaluation of the performance of the Chief Executive Officer; and

 

recommends to the Chief Executive Officer the retention of outside advisors and consultants who report directly to the Board.

We believe that our board leadership structure provides an appropriate balance between strong and strategic leadership and independent oversight of our Company, and that our board leadership structure continues to serve the best interests of our Company and stockholders.shareholders.

Risk Oversight

The Audit Committee of our Board oversees our risk management process. The day-to-day responsibility for our risk management process is the responsibility ofrests with our Chief Executive Officer, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and our Vice President of Risk Management. Our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and our Vice President of Risk Management provide periodic updates to the Audit Committee regarding, among other things, risk assessments and actions taken to mitigate risks.risk. In addition, our Director of Internal AuditAuditor, during periods when that position is vacant, our Vice President of Risk Management, reports directly to the Chairman of the Audit Committee and provides periodic updates to the Audit Committee regarding risk management issues, particularly those regarding accounting and finance relatedfinance-related risks. Periodic updates regarding claims against our Company are also provided to our Board regarding claims againstby our Company.

Vice President of Risk Management and attorneys in the Company’s legal department.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

The Company has a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics. Directors, officers and all employees of the Company must act in accordance with these policies. The Code of Business Conduct and Ethics requires, among other things, all employees to engage in honest and ethical conduct in performing their duties, provideprovides guidelines for the ethical handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest between personal and professional relationships, and provideprovides mechanisms to report unethical conduct. Our employees will be held accountable for their adherence to this Code.

Please see the section entitled “Availability of Corporate Governance Documents” below for information on how to view or obtain a copy of our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

As a part of our Board’s commitment to sound corporate governance, our Board has adopted a set of Corporate Governance Guidelines, which guides the operation of the board and its committees. The Nominating and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee reviews our Corporate Governance Guidelines at least annually and recommends any changes to our Board for its consideration and approval.

Our Corporate Governance Guidelines cover, among other topics:

 

board structure and composition;

 

director independence;

 

board member nomination and eligibility requirements;

 

board leadership and executive sessions;

 

committees of the board;

 

director responsibilities;

 

board and committee resources, including access to officers, employees and independent advisors;

 

director compensation;

director orientation and ongoing education;

 

succession planning; and

 

board and committeeself-evaluations.

Please see the section entitled “Availability of Corporate Governance Documents” below for information on how to view or obtain a copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines.

Availability of Corporate Governance Documents

To learn more about the Company’s corporate governance and to view our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, other significant corporate policies and all charters of committees of the Board, please visit the Investors & Governance section of the Company’s website, www.volt.com. Copies of these documents are also available without charge upon request to Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10018, Attention: Shareholder Relations. The telephone number for this office is212-704-7921.

Change in Procedures for Recommending Directors

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which our shareholders may recommend nominees to our Board from those procedures set forth in our Proxy StatementBy-Laws. According to our By-Laws, in order to do so, a shareholder must give us written notice not less than 120 days nor more than 150 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the date of the notice of the annual meeting of shareholders that was held in the immediately preceding year. The date of notice for our 2009this year’s Annual Meeting of

was April 30, 2015.

Shareholders, filed with the SEC on February 18, 2009. Shareholders may submit names of qualified director candidates, together with detailed information on the proposed candidates’ backgrounds, to Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10018, Attention: Secretary – Director Candidates, for referral to the Nominating/ Corporate Governance Committee for consideration.

Family Relationships

Deborah Shaw, a director of the Company, is the daughter of William Shaw, whoco-founded the Company in 1950 and served as its President and Chief Executive Officer until his death in March 2006. Deborah Shaw is also the niece of Jerome Shaw, an Executive Vice President and a director of the Company. Bruce G. Goodman, a director of the Company, is the husband of Deborah Shaw’s sister. There are no other family relationships among the executive officers or directors of the Company.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’sour directors and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent (10%) of a registered class of the Company’sour equity securities to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Such persons are required by the SEC to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) forms that they file.

To the Company’sour knowledge, based solely on a review of the copies of such reports furnished to the Companyus and written representations from certain reporting persons, all required Section 16(a) filings applicable to its directors, executive officers andgreater-than-ten-percent beneficial owners were properly filed during the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014 except that, due to administrative oversight, (i) a Form 3 for Mr. Herring reporting on his appointment as an executive officer was filed late, and consequently a Form 4 for

Mr. Herring reporting on the respective grant of 30,000 performance-based stock options to him on July 3, 2014 was also filed late, and (ii) a Form 3 for each of Ms. Larson, Ms. Driggs and Ms. Stern reporting on their respective appointments as an executive officer was filed late, and consequently a Form 4 for each of Ms. Larson and Ms. Driggs reporting on the respective grants of 30,000 performance-based stock options to each of them on July 3, 2014 was filed late; in addition, a Form 4 reporting on the grant to Mr. Kochman of an aggregate of 40,000 shares of restricted stock after the end of fiscal year 2014 was filed late.

Indemnification; Insurance

New York law permits a corporation to purchase insurance covering a corporation’s obligation to indemnify directors and officers and also covering directors and officers individually, subject to certain limitations, in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the corporation. The Company maintains insurance policies with various insurance companies covering reimbursement to the Company for any obligation it incurs as a result of indemnification of officers and directors and also covering indemnification for officers and directors individually in certain cases where additional exposure might exist. The policies expire May 1, 2015. The annual premium cost of the policies is $592,725. These policies are with five different companies as follows: Illinois National Insurance Company (AIG) for the first $10 million of coverage, Zurich American Insurance Company for the next $10 million of coverage, Continental Casualty Company for the next $10 million of coverage, Axis Insurance Company for the next $5 million of coverage and Federal Insurance Company for the next $15 million of coverage. Federal’s policy does not cover reimbursement to the Company. The Company is self-insured for the first $1 million per incident for securities claims, employment practices and other claims.

In fiscal year 2014, AIG paid, under a director and officer insurance policy held by the Company, $273,072 in connection with the defense of Jack Egan, the Company’s former Chief Financial Officer, in an action, as previously reported, commenced by the Securities and Exchange Commission against Mr. Egan in January 2013. A final stipulated judgment, to which Mr. Egan consented without admitting or denying the allegations in the Commission’s complaint, was entered on July 18, 2014 by the District Court.

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The Audit Committee met and held discussions with management and the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. The Committee has reviewed and discussed the consolidated financial statements with management and the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.

The Committee discussed with the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm matters to be discussed as required by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, and other applicable regulations.

In addition, the Committee has reviewed and discussed with the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm the firm’s independence from the Company and its management. The Audit Committee received from the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm the written disclosures and the letter regarding its independence as required by the PCAOB’s applicable requirements.

In reliance on the reviews and discussions referred to above, the Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Committee also has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as the Company’s independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for the 2015 fiscal year.

Mark N. Kaplan (Chair)

Theresa A. Havell

William H. Turner

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Compensation Discussion and Analysis

Introduction

This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (the “CD&A”) describes our executive compensation philosophy and programs, the compensation decisions made under those programs, and the considerations in making those decisions. This CD&A focuses on the compensation of our named executive officers (“20132014 Named Executive Officers”) for the fiscal year ending November 3, 20132, 2014 (“fiscal year 2013”2014”), who were:

 

Ronald Kochman, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO);

 

James Whitney, then Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer;

 

Jerome Shaw, Executive Vice President and Secretary;President;

 

Howard Zimmerman, Chief Operating Officer,Lori Larson, Senior Vice President – North America Staffing;

 

Richard Herring,Rhona Driggs, Senior Vice President and Managing Director Europe and Asia– North America Staffing; and

 

Thomas Daley,Howard Zimmerman, then Senior Vice President and President ofChief Operating Officer – North America Staffing.

Mr. Daley served as Senior Vice PresidentZimmerman’s employment with the Company terminated effective May 9, 2014, and President of North America Staffing and retired December 31, 2012.Mr. Whitney’s employment with the Company terminated effective March 20, 2015.

Executive Compensation Philosophy

The central objectives of our executive compensation program are designed to (i) attract, retain and reward executive officers who contribute to ourlong-term success; (ii) align compensation with the short- andlong-term business results; interests of shareholders; and (iii) motivate and reward high levels of team and individual performance. These objectives collectively seek to link executive officer compensation to our overall performance, which helps to align the interests of our executives with the interests of our shareholders.

Components of Executive Compensation

During the fiscal year 2013, theThe principal components of compensation for our Named Executive Officers were:

 

base salary;

 

for some executives,performance-based cash bonuses; and

 

for some executives,long-term cash and/or equity incentives.

These individual compensation elements are intended to create a total compensation package for each Named Executive Officer that we believe achieves our compensation objectives and provides competitive compensation opportunities.

Throughout this CD&A, we refer to the sum of base salary,performance-based cash bonuses andlong-term incentives as “total compensation,” and we refer to the sum of base salary andperformance-based cash bonuses as “total cash compensation.”

Oversight and Authority over Executive Compensation

Overview

As discussed in more detail below, the Compensation Committee determined the total compensation of the CEO and determined anylong-term incentive awards granted to Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of the CEO. The CEO was responsible for determining the total cash compensation of the other

Named Executive Officers and for recommending to the Compensation Committee whether anylong-term equity incentive awards should be granted to Named Executive Officers.

Role of the Compensation Committee and Compensation Advisor in Determining Compensation

During fiscal year 2013,2014, the Compensation Committee retained the services of Chernoff Diamond as its compensation advisor with respect to executive compensation matters. The Compensation Committee relied on compensation analysis for the CEO, other officers andnon-officers generated by the compensation advisor. Upon the request of the Compensation Committee, the compensation advisor attends certain Compensation Committee meetings to provide information and recommendations regarding our executive compensation program. The compensation advisor also provided advice to management on matters to be presented by managementApart from its work for the Compensation Committee, Chernoff Diamond does not provide any significant services to the Compensation Committee. Company or management.

The Compensation Committee generally meets in executive session without any member of management present when discussing compensation matters pertaining to our CEO, and with the CEO when discussing other Named Executive Officers.

The Compensation Committee has determined that its compensation advisor, Chernoff Diamond, is independent and that its work for the Compensation Committee does not raise any conflict of interest. The compensation advisor is retained directly by the Compensation Committee. The compensation advisor is also retained by the Company to perform consulting services with respective to executive compensation plans.

The Compensation Committee relied upon its collective judgment in making its decisions regarding the compensation of the CEO and not upon guidelines or formulas orshort-term changes in our stock price in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements for the CEO. Key factors that the Compensation Committee considered included the nature and scope of the CEO’s responsibilities, his effectiveness in conducting our business during the prior fiscal year as applicable,and leading initiatives to increase earnings per share, return on net assets and customer satisfaction.share.

The Compensation Committee determined the total compensation for Mr. Kochman, who served as our CEO throughout fiscal year 2013.2014. The decision was based primarily upon the Compensation Committee’s assessment of the CEO’s performance based on objective criteria, including performance of the business, accomplishment of reported goals andlong-term strategic objectives and the development of management, as well as subjective criteria and its assessment of the CEO’s potential to improve business and thereby enhancelong-term shareholder value, and took account of the terms of Mr. Kochman’s employment agreement, which is described below.

With respect tolong-term equity incentives, the Compensation Committee is responsible for making awards to the other Named Executive Officers based upon the recommendation of the CEO. In determining thelong-term incentives to be awarded to the other Named Executive Officers, the Compensation Committee considers the CEO’s recommendation, the Named Executive Officers’ cash compensation, the nature and scope of the Named Executive Officers’ responsibilities and their individual

performance, and takes into account of the terms of the Named Executive Officer’s employment agreement with the Company, if any. Employment agreements with the Named Executive Officers are described beginning at page 22 below.

Role of the CEO in Determining Compensation

For all Named Executive Officers, no single component of compensation is emphasized over any other component because of their combined potential to influence Named Executive Officers’ performance. Therefore, the Company does not expect that its compensation policies are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Compensation Committee understands that Mr. Kochman, as CEO, based his determination of the total cash compensation of the other Named Executive Officers primarily upon his assessment of the individual officers’officer’s performance and potential to improve business and thereby to enhancelong-term shareholder value. The Compensation Committee understands that Mr. Kochman relied upon his judgment in making his decisions and not upon guidelines or formulas orshort-term changes in the Company’s stock price in determining the amount and mix of compensation elements for the other Named Executive Officers.

The Role of Shareholder Say-on-Pay Vote

At the 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the Company held a “say-on-pay” advisory vote on the executive compensation program of the Company’s Named Executive Officers for the 2013 fiscal year. The Company’s shareholders approved the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers, with over 81% of shareholder votes cast in favor of the executive compensation program for the Company’s Named Executive Officers. Following this “say-on-pay” vote, the Compensation Committee did not make any material changes to its overall approach to executive compensation for the 2014 fiscal year.

Base Salary

Base salary is the fixed component of an executive’s annual cash compensation. The objective of base salary is to provide a portion of compensation to the Named Executive Officer that is not “at risk”,risk,” and is generally unaffected by fluctuations in the Company’s performance or the market in general. The Compensation Committee has not set a base salary for the CEO at any fixed level as against comparable positions, but instead considers the CEO’s compensation each year based on all of the factors discussed in this CD&A, including, but not limited to, the individual officer’s performance, the officer’s potential to improve business and thereby to enhancelong-term shareholder value, and overall Company performance.

Base salarysalaries for our Named Executive Officers, other than the CEO, were primarily determined based upon the general knowledge of the CEO with input and recommendations from the Vice President of Human Resources (except, in the case of our CFO, with respect to whom Chernoff Diamond provided input and recommendations), and base salaries paid to similarly positioned company executives within the Company, the terms of any contractual arrangements, salaries paid historically, tax and accounting issues and, when appropriate, personal performance as assessed by the Compensation Committee and the CEO. No formulaic base salary adjustments were provided to the Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2013.2014. Adjustments in base salary for Named Executive Officers are discretionary and are generally considered no more frequently than every 12 months.

The base salary of each of our 20132014 Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 20132014 was unchanged from theirthe executive’s base salary at the end of fiscal year 2012,2013, with the exceptionexceptions of Mr. ZimmermanMs. Driggs who received an increase of $67,205 ($325,000$106,752 (to $300,000 from $257,795) upon his promotion to Chief Operating Officer$193,248) and Ms. Larson who received an increase of North America Staffing.$76,358 (to $300,000 from $223,642).

Annual Cash BonusIncentive

For fiscal year 2013,2014, the determination as to the annual cash bonusesbonus for the CEO was made by the Compensation Committee based on an assessment of his performance during the prior fiscal year, and the determination as to the annual cash bonus of the other Named Executive Officers was primarily made by the CEO based upon the performance of each such Named Executive Officer during the prior fiscal year.

The annual cash bonus provides cash incentives for our Named Executive Officers to focus on annual financial and operating results by placing a portion of total compensation opportunity “at risk.” The Compensation Committee and the CEO, as the case may be, relied upon their judgment and not upon guidelines or formulas orshort-term changes in our stock price in determining the amount, if any, of the annual cash bonus. Key factors that are considered include business unit performance and contributions to strategic initiatives ofby the Named Executive Officer during the prior fiscal year.

Mr. Kochman

With respect to fiscal year 2013, the Company2014, we paid to Mr. Kochman a bonus of $575,000, which was his target bonus for fiscal year 2013 under his employment agreement.2014 established by the Compensation Committee. The factors considered in determining Mr. Kochman’s bonus include completingincluded the Company’s restatement,relisting of our common stock on a national securities exchange, progress in becoming current in required external reporting preparingand continued implementation of a strategic plan, and revising management compensation to multi-factor management-by-objective plans that are based on business unit and personal contribution to achievement of both short-term and long-term objectives including compliance, financial and operational goals and that reward achievement of performance thresholds rather than each incremental improvement.plan.

Mr. Whitney

Mr. Whitney received aan annual bonus in the amount of $650,000, consisting of $400,000 in annual bonus for fiscal year 20132014 (which was equal to his target bonus under his employment agreement) and $250,000 as a special bonus pursuant toestablished by the terms of his employment agreement based on his accomplishments in overseeing the Company’s filing with the SEC of a Restated Composite Form 10-K for the fiscal years ending November 2, 2008, November 1, 2009 and October 1, 2010.Compensation Committee). The factors considered in determining Mr. Whitney’s bonus include completing the Company’s restatement,included progress in becoming current in required external reporting, continued restructuring of the Company’s accounting function, continued strengthening of the Company’s financial control environment, and remediating material weaknessesthe relisting of the Company’s common stock on a national securities exchange.

As discussed under “Agreements with 2014 Named Executive Officers – James Whitney,” Mr. Whitney’s employment agreement, which was entered into in internal control.

The2012, provided for him to earn a special bonus of up to $750,000 based on the Company paidfiling certain reports with the SEC as part of its effort to again become current in its required reporting. Mr. Zimmerman aWhitney earned the first $250,000 of the special bonus during fiscal 2013, and payment of this amount was reported in the Company’s proxy statement for its 2014 annual meeting of shareholders. Mr. Whitney earned the remaining $500,000 of the special bonus during fiscal year 2014 upon the Company’s filing with the SEC of (i) its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011 (which filing was made on November 15, 2013); and (ii) its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 28, 2012 (which filing was also made on November 15, 2013). Payment of this portion of Mr. Whitney’s special bonus is included in the amount reported in the Fiscal Year 2014 Summary Compensation Table under the “Bonus” column in the row for fiscal year 20132014.

For fiscal year 2014 and beyond, Mr. Whitney’s employment agreement provided that he would be eligible to earn target annual bonuses and long-term incentive awards as determined by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee.

Mr. Whitney’s employment terminated effective March 20, 2015 as described in further detail below under “Long Term Incentives.”

Ms. Larson

Ms. Larson’s annual cash incentives are established under the terms of $25,000 for his contributions in improvingher employment agreement. At the organizational structure atbeginning of fiscal year 2014, Ms. Larson was granted a portionquarterly incentive goal of the Company’s staffing business. Mr. Daley received$62,500 based on continued satisfaction of non-quantitative measures including engendering a totalcollaborative, team approach with colleagues and other corporate functions, an annual incentive of $46,824up to $87,500 to be earned based on operating income levels for fiscal year 2013 as2014 of the North American staffing segment of Volt Workforce Solutions and a non-quantitative performance incentive of up to $25,000 based on operational performance goals.

Ms. Larson’s aggregate incentive earned for fiscal year 2014 was $270,000, representing full payment of her quarterly incentives and $20,000 for the attainment of operational performance goals related to the advancement of strategic initiatives.

Ms. Driggs

Ms. Driggs’ annual cash incentives are established under the terms of her employment agreement. At the beginning of fiscal year 2014, Ms. Driggs was granted a year-end improvement bonus provided for under his employment agreementquarterly incentive goal of $37,500 based on continued satisfaction of non-quantitative measures including engendering a collaborative, team approach with the Company. Mr. Herring received a totalcolleagues and other corporate functions, an annual incentive of $43,775up to $87,500 to be earned based on operating income levels for fiscal year 2013 as2014 of the North American staffing segment of Volt Workforce Solutions and a non-quantitative performance incentive of up to $25,000 based on operational performance goals. Ms. Driggs’ aggregate incentive earned for fiscal year 2014 was $162,500, representing full payment of her quarterly incentives and a year-end bonus improvement bonus provided$12,500 for the attainment of operational performance goals related to the advancement of strategic initiatives.

Mr. Zimmerman

Mr. Zimmerman’s annual cash incentives were established under the terms of his employment agreementagreement. At the beginning of fiscal year 2014, Mr. Zimmerman was granted a quarterly incentive goal of $81,250 based on continued satisfaction of non-quantitative measures including engendering a collaborative, team approach with the Company.colleagues and other corporate functions, and a target annual incentive of $100,000 to be earned based on operating income levels for fiscal year 2014. In connection with Mr. Zimmerman’s termination of employment effective May 9, 2014, he was awarded aggregate incentive for fiscal year 2014 of $162,500.

Long-Term Incentives

A key component of our executive compensation program is long-term incentives that may be comprised of either cash or equity or a combination of both. The equity portion is granted pursuant to our 2006 Incentive Stock Plan (the “Incentive Plan”). It is the Company’sour philosophy that itsthe Company’s Named Executive Officers should be rewarded based upon the Company’sour financial performance as well as each executive’s contribution to advancing the Company’sour business strategy and ourlong-term performance. The Company believesWe believe that an equity ownership stake in the Company is an important component in linking aneach executive officer’s compensation to our performance to improve business and the creation ofthereby create long-term shareholder value. Grants of restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock options serve to align the interests of the shareholders with those of the Named Executive Officers by incentivizing the Named Executive Officers toward the creation and preservation oflong-term shareholder value. Under the Incentive Plan, eligible executive officers may, subject to Compensation Committee oversight and discretion (and, in the case of the CEO, subject to Board input and ratification), receive annualperformance-based bonuses in the form of an equity award.

The Company granted 30,000 shares of restricted stockFor several years prior to Mr. Whitney on December 24, 2012 as sign-on equity pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement and, as discussed below, made two awards of restricted shares to Mr. Kochman during fiscal year 2013 as part of his long-term incentive for fiscal years 2012 and 2013. Although the Company has granted stock options to executives and other key employees in the past, the Compensation Committee concluded, when it approved the employment agreements for Mr. Kochman and Mr. Whitney, that stock would be an appropriate form of award for these executives to connect the executives to the Company not only with upside potential reward as the Company’s performance and share value increases, but also to connect the executives as owners in the immediate term. The Compensation Committee also believes that stock fosters an ownership culture and helps motivate peak performance from executives across business cycles, thereby helping to increase stockholder value.

During fiscal year 2013,2014, our common stock was not listed on any national securities exchange and therefore was not actively traded.traded, although it continued to trade on the over-the-counter market. Under these circumstances, the Compensation Committee concluded that equity awards would not be an effective tool for motivating and retaining key executive talent and, with the exception of the awards to Mr. Kochman and Mr. Whitney, did not make equity awards to any other Named Executive Officer. On August 26, 2014, we listed our common shares on the NYSE:MKT. In anticipation of this development, the Compensation Committee made awards of performance-based stock options to Messrs. Kochman, Whitney, Larson and Driggs and to certain other senior officers of the Company on July 3, 2014. These stock options were “out of the money” when granted and will have value to the executive only if our stock price attains certain specified price thresholds. More specifically, the awards to each

executive consisted of three tranches of stock options with exercise prices of $10, $12 and $14, respectively, and each tranche will become exercisable only if the closing price of our common stock during any 10 consecutive trading day period ending on or prior to July 3, 2017 equals or exceeds the exercise price for that tranche. The closing price of our common stock on July 3, 2014 on the over-the-counter market was $9.49.

Mr. Kochman

Mr. Kochman’s fiscal year 2014 cash long-term incentive award was conditioned on his achievement of performance targets determined by the Compensation Committee at the start of fiscal year 2014. These targets related to the relisting of our common stock on a national securities exchange, progress in becoming current in required external reporting and continued implementation of a strategic plan. The Company grantedCompensation Committee determined after the end of fiscal year 2014 that Mr. Kochman long-term incentive awardshad achieved the performance targets and authorized granting his full target award consisting of $270,000 in cash and 40,000 shares of restricted stock on each of December 26, 2012 and October 29, 2013 pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement in respect of his performance during fiscal year 2012 and fiscal year 2013, respectively.stock. The cash portion of Mr. Kochman’sthe award for fiscal year 2012 becomesis payable, and the restricted shares vest, in equal amounts on each of the following dates: (a) 10015 days after the endfiling date with the SEC of our annual report onForm 10-K for the Company’s 2012 fiscal year 2014 (which report was filed on January 20, 2015), (b) October 30, 2013,2015, and (c) October 30, 2014.2016. Mr. Kochman must remain employed by the Company on each of those dates in order to receive payment or vesting, but his award will vest in full in the event that he is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 90 days of a change in control.

In addition, in July 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Kochman’sKochman 100,000 performance-based stock options having the terms described above.

Mr. Whitney

The Compensation Committee established Mr. Whitney’s target long-term incentive award for fiscal year 20132014 at $400,000 in cash. Mr. Whitney’s fiscal year 2014 long-term incentive award was conditioned on his achievement of performance targets determined by the Compensation Committee at the start of fiscal year 2013.2014. These targets related to completing the Company’s restatement, progress in becoming current in required external reporting,

preparing continued restructuring of the Company’s accounting function, continued strengthening of the Company’s financial control environment, and the relisting of the Company’s common stock on a strategic plan, and revising management compensation to multi-factor management-by-objective plans that are based on business unit and personal contribution to achievement of both short-term and long-term objectives including compliance, financial and operational goals and that reward achievement of performance thresholds rather than each incremental improvement.national securities exchange. The Compensation Committee determined at the end of fiscal year 2013 that Mr. Kochman had achieved the performance targets and authorized granting his full target award. The cash portion of the award will be payable, and the restricted shares will vest, in equal amounts on each of the following dates: (a) fifteen days after the filing date with the SEC of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 2013 (which report was filed on January 31, 2014), (b) October 30, 2014 and (c) October 30, 2015. Payment and vesting of Mr. Kochman’s fiscal year 2013 long-term incentive award is subject to the same continued employment conditions that apply to his long-term incentive award for fiscal year 2012.

Mr. Whitney

Mr. Whitney’s target long-term incentive award for fiscal year 2013 consisted of $400,000 in cash, as provided in his employment agreement. Mr. Whitney’s fiscal year 2013 long-term incentive award was conditioned on his achievement of performance targets determined by the Compensation Committee at the start of fiscal year 2013. These targets related to completing the Company’s restatement, progress in becoming current in required external reporting, restructuring of the Company’s accounting function, and remediating material weaknesses in internal control. The Compensation Committee determined at the end of fiscal year 2013 that Mr. Whitney had achieved the performance targets and authorized granting of the full target award. Mr. Whitney’s award of $400,000 iswas payable in three equal installments. The first installment became payable 15 days after the filing date with the SEC of the Company’s annual report onForm 10-K for fiscal year 20132014 (which report was filed on January 31, 2014)20, 2015); the remaining installments willwere to become payable on October 30, 20142015 and October 30, 2015,2016, provided that Mr. Whitney remainsremained employed through the relevant payment date. TheMr. Whitney was entitled to payment of the award will be paid in full if the Company terminateswe terminated Mr. Whitney’s employment without cause or he resignsresigned for good reason.

In addition, in July 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Whitney 60,000 performance-based stock options having the terms described above.

Mr. Whitney left the Company effective March 20, 2015. In connection with Mr. Whitney’s departure, we agreed to accelerate the vesting of the remaining 10,000 shares of restricted Volt common stock that had been awarded to him in fiscal year 2012 as sign-on equity and to pay him separation pay of $966,667 consisting of (i) one year of his current salary ($400,000), (ii) a pro rata bonus for fiscal year 2015 equal to five-twelfths of his target bonus for fiscal year 2014 of $400,000 and (iii) the long-term incentive payments earned during fiscal years 2013 and 2014 that otherwise would be due to be paid to Mr. Whitney in October 2015 ($400,000).

Ms. Larson

In July 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded Ms. Larson 30,000 performance-based stock options having the terms described above.

Ms. Driggs

In July 2014, the Compensation Committee awarded Ms.  Driggs 30,000 performance-based stock options having the terms described above.

Employment, Termination of Employment andChange-In-Control Agreements

During fiscal year 2013, the Company was a2014, we were party to employment agreements and severance and retirement agreements with certain of our Named Executive Officers. We utilize such arrangements in order to attract, motivate and retain high caliber talent. None of the employment agreements with our Named Executive Officers contain taxgross-ups. The Compensation Committee and CEO, as applicable, considered these agreements in reaching their compensation decisions. A description of these agreements can be found in “Agreements with 20132014 Named Executive Officers” beginning on page 22.Officers.”

Clawback/Recoupment

We may clawback compensation paid to certain of our Named Executive Officers. The employment agreement with each of Mr. Kochman, Mr. Whitney, Ms. Larson, Ms. Driggs and Mr. Zimmerman provides that the Company may recover any compensation received that is required to be recovered by theSarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 or theDodd-Frank Act of 2010.

Benefits

General

Our executive officers do not participate in any tax-qualified defined benefit plan sponsored by the Company. We do not provide our executives, including our Named Executive Officers, with special or supplemental defined benefit pension or health benefits. Our Named Executive Officers receive health and welfare benefits under the same programs and subject to the same eligibility requirements that apply to our employees generally.

Deferred Compensation OpportunityOpportunity; Other Retirement Benefits

Our Named Executive Officers are eligible to participate in our 401(k) plan. The CompanyWe currently matches 0.5%match 50% of the first 2% of eligible pay that employees contribute to the 401(k) plan. The CompanyWe also has

have anon-qualified deferred compensation and supplemental savings plan, which permits eligible employees to defer a portion of their salary. This plan consists solely of participant deferrals and earnings thereon. The Company investsWe invest the assets of the plan in mutual funds based upon investment preferences of the participants.

Perquisites

Perquisites represent a minor component of executive compensation. Consistent with the practices of many of our peer group companies, weWe provide our Named Executive Officers with a small number of perquisites that we believe to be reasonable and competitive. Further detail can be found in footnote 6six of the “Summary Compensation Table” on page 19.Table.” No taxgross-up payments are provided in connection with any perquisites.

OtherCompensation-Related Matters

Accounting forShare-Based Compensation

The Company accountsWe account forshare-based compensation including its restricted stock, restricted stock units and stock option awards in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (“ASC Topic 718”), Compensation – Stock Compensation.

Impact of Tax Treatment on Compensation

Section 162(m) limits the Company’s tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million paid in any one year to its Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers unless the compensation is “qualifiedperformance-based compensation.” Payments of bonuses will constitute “qualifiedperformance-based compensation” under the provisions of Section 162(m) if payable on account of the attainment of one or morepre-established, objective performance goals and if certain requirements are met. The Company’s Incentive Bonus Plan and Amended and Restated 2007 Incentive Award Plan were each approved by our shareholders pursuant to the requirements of Section 162(m) and the Company typically intends for awards earned under these plans to qualify for tax deduction. However, the Compensation Committee reserves the right to pay the Company’s employees, including participants in the Incentive Plan, other amounts which may or may not be deductible under Section 162(m) or other provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Compensation Committee considers the anticipated tax treatment to the Company in its review and establishment of compensation programs and awards. The Compensation Committee intends to continue to consider the deductibility of compensation as a factor in assessing whether a particular arrangement is appropriate, given the goals of maintaining a competitive executive compensation system generally, motivating executives to achieve corporate performance objectives and increasing shareholder value.

Compensation Committee Report

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed this Compensation Discussion and Analysis as required by Item 407(e) ofRegulation S-K with management and, based on this review and discussion, recommended to the Board that this Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending November 3, 2013.proxy statement.

Compensation Committee

William H. Turner, Chair

Mark M. Kaplan

Theresa A. Havell

Lloyd Frank

Theresa A. Havell

Mark N. Kaplan

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation in Compensation Decisions

The Compensation Committee determines the total compensation of the CEO. The CEO determines the total cash compensation of the other Named Executive Officers with the input and recommendations of the Vice President of Human Resources, and the Compensation Committee awardslong-term equity incentives to the other Named Executive Officers on the recommendation of the CEO. All members of the Compensation Committee were independent directors, and no member was an employee or former employee of the Company. During the fiscal year 2013,2014, none of our executive officers served on the compensation committee (or its equivalent) or board of directors of another entity any of whose executive officerofficers served on our Compensation Committee. No member of our Compensation Committee was an officer of the Company during fiscal year 2013.2014. During fiscal year 2013,2014, we paid or accrued $2.5$1.2 million respectively, to Troutman Sanders LLP, at which Lloyd Frank, a member of our Compensation Committee, is Senior Counsel, for services rendered to us and expenses reimbursed.

Fiscal Year 2014 Executive Compensation

Fiscal Year 2013 Executive Compensation

Fiscal Year 20132014 Summary Compensation Table

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of the 20132014 Named Executive Officers for each of the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013 and October 28, 2012, and October 30, 2011.2012. The Company’s fiscal year ends on the Sunday nearest October 31st.31st. The 2013 fiscal year consists of 53 weeks while the2014 and 2012 and 2011 fiscal years consisted of 52 weeks while the 2013 fiscal year consisted of 53 weeks. In the column “Salary,” we disclose the amount of base salary paid to the 20132014 Named Executive Officers during the fiscal year.

Fiscal Year 20132014 Summary Compensation Table

 

Name and Principal

Position

 Year  Salary $ (1)  Bonuses
$ (2)
  Stock
Awards
$ (3)
  Option
Awards
$ (4)
  Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
$ (5)
  All Other
Compensation
$ (6)
  Total $ 

Ronald Kochman

  2013    584,890    575,000    600,000    —      180,000    6,882    1,946,772  

President and Chief Executive
Officer

  2012    416,189    287,500(7)   —      —      —      4,684    708,373  
        

James Whitney

  2013    407,692    650,000    187,500    —      —      5,434    1,250,626  

Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

  2012    400,000    381,250    —      —      —      5,924    787,174  
  2011    322,692    127,083    —      80,889    —      3,742    534,406  

Jerome Shaw

  2013    526,947    —      —      —      —      46,347    573,294  

Executive Vice President and
Secretary

  2012    517,005    —      —      —      —      11,203    528,208  
  2011    517,005    —      —      —      —      12,586    529,591  

Howard Zimmerman

  2013    262,753    25,000    —      —      362,247    11,372    661,372  

Chief Operating Officer,
North America Staffing

        
        

Richard Herring

  2013    306,890    —      —      —      43,775    24,179    374,844  

Senior Vice President and
Managing Director Europe &
Asia Staffing (8)

        
        
        

Thomas Daley

  2013    75,670    —      —      —      46,824    281,410    403,904  

Former Senior Vice
President

  2012    347,984    —      —      —      107,922    11,692    467,598  
  2011    347,984    —      —      —      111,252    11,218    470,454  

Name and Principal Position

  Year   Salary
$ (1)
   Bonuses
$ (2)
   Stock
$ (3)
   Option
Awards
$ (4)
   Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
$ (5)
   All Other
Compensation
$ (6)
   Total
$
 

Ronald Kochman
President and Chief Executive Officer

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
 
 
  
   
 
 
575,000
584,890
416,189
  
  
  
   
 
 
575,000
575,000
287,500
  
  
  
   

 
 

—  

600,000
—  

  

  
  

   
 

 

328,600
—  

—  

  
  

  

   
 
 
270,000
180,000
—  
  
  
  
   
 
 
8,328
6,882
4,684
  
  
  
   
 
 
1,756,928
1,946,772
708,373
  
  
  

James Whitney
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
 
 
  
   
 
 
400,000
407,692
400,000
  
  
  
   
 
 
900,000
650,000
381,250
  
  
  
   

 
 

—  

187,500
—  

  

  
  

   
 

 

191,300
—  

—  

  
  

  

   
 

 

266,666
—  

—  

  
  

  

   
 
 
7,556
5,434
5,924
  
  
  
   
 
 
1,765,522
1,250,626
787,174
  
  
  

Jerome Shaw
Executive Vice President

   
 
 
2014
2013
2012
 
 
  
   
 
 
517,005
526,947
517,005
  
  
  
   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   

 

 

—  

—  

—  

  

  

  

   
 
 
11,603
46,347
11,603
  
  
  
   
 
 
528,608
573,294
528,208
  
  
  

Lori Larson
Senior Vice President
North America Staffing

   2014     300,000     —       —       95,650     270,000     12,254     677,904  

Rhona Driggs
Senior Vice President
North America Staffing

   2014     300,000     —       —       95,650     162,500     56,363     614,513  

Howard Zimmerman
Formerly Chief Operating Officer, North America Staffing

   
 
2014
2013
 
  
   
 
194,525
262,753
  
  
   

 

—  

25,000

  

  

   

 

—  

—  

  

  

   

 

—  

—  

  

  

   
 
162,500
362,247
  
  
   
 
170,084
11,372
  
  
   
 
527,109
661,372
  
  

 

(1)Represents the amount of base salary paid to the 20132014 Named Executive Officers during the 2013relevant fiscal year. The 2013 base salary amounts for Mr. Kochman and Mr. Whitney exceed the contractual base salaries ($575,000 and $400,000, respectively) because Fiscal Year 2013 consisted of 53 weeks rather than 52 weeks. For Mr. Daley, this columns reports salary paid through his retirement date of December 31, 2012.

(2)

The amounts in this column are the gross amounts of the Named Executive Officer’s performance bonus for 2013.the relevant fiscal year plus, in the case of Mr. Whitney, $500,000 as a special bonus under his employment agreement that became payable during fiscal year 2014 as a result of the Company’s filing its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011

(which filing was made on November 15, 2013) and its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 28, 2012 (which filing was also made on November 15, 2013). For an explanation of how suchannual bonuses were determined, see “Annual Cash BonusIncentive” in Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 13.Analysis. For a description of Mr. Whitney’s special bonus arrangement see “Agreements with 2014 Named Executive Officers – James Whitney.”
(3)Amounts shown in the Stock Awards column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stock granted to our Named Executive Officers with respect to the 2013 fiscal yeardetermined in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 14,13 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 3, 2013.2, 2014. No Named Executive Officer received grants of stock awards during 2011 or2014 and 2012. The 2013 amount for Mr. Kochman includes awards as part of his long-term incentive for fiscal yearyears 2012 and 2013.
(4)No Named Executive Officer received grantsIn July 2014, the Company granted an aggregate of 340,000 performance-based options to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock to certain of its senior officers. The closing price for the Company’s stock must meet or exceed certain trading price targets for 10 consecutive trading days for the stock options duringto be exercisable; if the 2013 fiscal year.stock price targets are not met on or prior to July 3, 2017, the options will not become exercisable. These options expire seven years from the grant date. Amounts reported for previous years reflect the aggregate grant date fair value computedof the stock options determined in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718, excluding the amount of estimated forfeitures. For a discussion of valuation assumptions, see Note 13 in our Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 2, 2014.
(5)For Mr. Kochman the amount reported for 2014 represents amountspayment of the final installment of the amount earned under his fiscal year 2012 long-term incentive awardsaward and the first two installments of the amount earned under his fiscal year 2013 long-term incentive award, both of which were provided for under the terms of Mr. Kochman’shis employment agreement. See “Agreements withagreement; the amount reported for 2013 Named Executive Officers – Ronald Kochman”.represents payment of the first two installments of the amount earned under the fiscal year 2012 long-term incentive award. For Mr. Zimmerman,Whitney, the amount reported for 2014 represents quarterly incentives and a year-end improvement bonuspayment of the first two installments of the amount earned under his fiscal year 2013 long-term incentive award provided for under the terms of Mr. Zimmerman’shis employment agreement. See “Agreements with 2013 Named Executive Officers – HowardFor Ms. Larson, Ms. Driggs, and Mr. Zimmerman,”. For Mr. Herring, the amount reported for 2014 represents quarterly incentives and ayear-end improvement bonus provided for under the terms of Mr. Herring’s employment agreement. See “Agreements with 2013 Named Executive Officers – Richard Herring”. For Mr. Daley, represents quarterly incentives and ayear-end improvement bonus provided for under the terms of Mr. Daley’s employment agreement. See “Agreements with 2013 Named Executive Officers-Thomas Daley”.2014 incentives.
(6)Amounts for 20132014 consisted of (a) premiums under the Company’s group life insurance policy of $622$654 for each of Ronald Kochman, James Whitney, Lori Larson and Howard Zimmerman, $999Rhona Driggs, $1,038 for Jerome Shaw and $120$381 for Thomas Daley;Howard Zimmerman; (b) the Company’s contribution under the Company’s 401(k) plan of $2,500$2,600 for each forof Ronald Kochman, James Whitney, Jerome Shaw, Lori Larson and Rhona Driggs and $2,530 for Howard Zimmerman and $690 for Thomas Daley, and contributions of $6,138 to a UK retirement scheme for Richard Herring;Zimmerman; (c) automobile allowances and expenses related to Company owned or leased automobiles of $19,241$9,000 for Jerome Shaw, $17,178 for Richard Herring, $8,250each of Lori Larson and Rhona Driggs and $4,673 for Howard Zimmerman and $3,393 for Thomas Daley;Zimmerman; (d) transportation expenses of $23,607$7,965 for Jerome Shaw; (e) entertainment expenses of $3,760$5,074 for Ronald Kochman and $2,312$4,302 for James Whitney; (f) miscellaneous expensesrelocation of $863$44,109 for Richard Herring;Rhona Driggs and (g) $17,207severance of $162,500 for an automobile gifted to Thomas Daley in connection with his retirement; and (h) a payment of $260,000 for Thomas Daley pursuant to his Retirement Agreement.
(7)Mr. Kochman’s Bonus and Total Compensation amounts for fiscal year 2012 reflect a downward adjustment of $60,000 from the amounts reported in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2012, and this amount is instead included in the amounts reported as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation for fiscal year 2013.
(8)All amounts in this row relating to Mr. Herring have been converted into US dollars from British pound sterling assuming an exchange rate of 1.5616, which is the average British pound sterling to US dollar exchange rate over fiscal year 2013 as reported by the Wall Street Journal.Howard Zimmerman.

Fiscal Year 20132014 Grants ofPlan-Based Awards

The table below provides information regarding awards made by the Compensation Committee in fiscal year 2013.2014. The values shown below for equity awards to Mr. Kochman, and Mr. Whitney, Ms. Larson and Ms. Driggs are each equity award’s grant date fair value as determined under applicable accounting standards.

 

    Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
   All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
   Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
   Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option
 

Name

 Grant Date Estimated Future Payouts Under
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
  Grant Date
Fair Value of
Stock and
Option
Awards (1)
   Grant Date Threshold   Target Maximum   Options   ($/Sh)   Awards (1) 
 Threshold Target Maximum 

Ronald Kochman

 12/26/2012(2)  —     $270,000    —      40,000   $250,000      —      $270,000(5)   —          
10/29/2013  —      —      —      40,000   $350,000  
   7/3/2014(2)        20,000    $10    $84,200  
   7/3/2014(3)        40,000    $12    $136,400  
   7/3/2014(4)        40,000    $14    $108,000  

James Whitney

 12/24/2012(3)  —     $400,000    —      30,000   $187,500      —      $400,000(6)   —          
   7/3/2014(2)        10,000    $10    $42,100  
   7/3/2014(3)        20,000    $12    $68,200  
   7/3/2014(4)        30,000    $14    $81,000  

Lori Larson

       (7)        
   7/3/2014(2)        5,000    $10    $21,050  
   7/3/2014(3)        10,000    $12    $34,100  
   7/3/2014(4)        15,000    $14    $40,500  

      Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-
Equity Incentive Plan Awards
   All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
   Exercise or
Base Price
of Option
Awards
   Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option
 

Name

  Grant Date  Threshold  Target  Maximum   Options   ($/Sh)   Awards (1) 

Rhona Driggs

          (7)        
   7/3/2014(2)        5,000    $10    $21,050  
   7/3/2014(3)        10,000    $12    $34,100  
   7/3/2014(4)        15,000    $14    $40,500  

Howard Zimmerman

     $100,000(8)   —          

 

(1)The dollar amount shown reflects the aggregate grant date fair value of restricted stockoption awards calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2)

PursuantThese options become exercisable, if at all, only if the closing price of the Company’s common stock during any 10 consecutive trading day period ending on or prior to July 3, 2017 equals or exceeds $10. These options expire seven years from the termsgrant date.

(3)These options become exercisable, if at all, only if the closing price of his employment agreement,the Company’s common stock during any 10 consecutive trading day period ending on or prior to July 3, 2017 equals or exceeds $12. These options expire seven years from the grant date.
(4)These options become exercisable, if at all, only if the closing price of the Company’s common stock during any 10 consecutive trading day period ending on or prior to July 3, 2017 equals or exceeds $14. These options expire seven years from the grant date.
(5)The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Kochman received an award of 40,000 shares of restricted stock as a long-term incentive award in respect of fiscal year 2012, and a long-term incentive award for fiscal year 20132014, with a target amount of $270,000 in cash and 40,000 shares of restricted stock contingent on Mr. Kochman’s achievement of objective goals and targets determined by the Compensation Committee. AtAfter the

end of fiscal year 2013,2014, the Compensation Committee confirmed the award to Mr. Kochman in the target amount. The restricted shares included in the award had a grant date during fiscal year 2015. The relevant performance goals and targets, payment and vesting terms for Mr. Kochman’s fiscal year 20132014 long-term incentive awards are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 13.beginning.
(3)(6)Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement,The Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Whitney receivedan incentive award in respect of fiscal year 2013 an incentive award2014 with a target amount of $400,000 in cash contingent on Mr. Whitney’s achievement of objective goals and targets determined by the Compensation Committee. At the end of fiscal year 2014, the Compensation Committee confirmed the award to Mr. Whitney in the target amount. The relevant performance goals and targets are described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis beginning on page 13. In addition,Analysis.
(7)Ms. Larson’s and Ms. Driggs’ annual cash incentives are established under the terms of their respective employment agreements. See “Annual Cash Incentive – Lori Larson” and “Annual Cash Incentive – Rhona Driggs.
(8)The target amount of Mr. Whitney received on December  24, 2012 anZimmerman’s cash long-term incentive award was established pursuant to his employment agreement. Mr. Zimmerman also was eligible to earn a quarterly threshold incentive in the amount of 30,000 restricted shares$81,250 pursuant to his employment agreement. For a description of Volt common stock as sign-on equity.the annual and quarterly incentives and related performance metrics, see “Agreements with 2014 Named Executive Officers – Howard Zimmerman.” Mr. Zimmerman’s employment with the Company terminated effective May 9, 2014.

Fiscal Year 20132014 Outstanding Equity Awards at FiscalYear-End

The following table sets forth certain information concerning shares of our common stock subject to unexercised stock options and equity incentive plan awards held at November 3, 20132, 2014 by the 20132014 Named Executive Officers:

 

 Option Awards (1) Stock Awards (2)   Option Awards (1)   Stock Awards (2) 

Name

 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (1)
 Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
 Option
Exercise Price

$
 Option
Expiration
Date
 Number of Shares
or Units that Have
Not Vested
 Market Value of
Shares or Units of
Stock that Have
Not Vested

$
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (1)
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price $
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have
Not Vested
 Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of Stock
that Have Not
Vested $
 

Ronald Kochman

 6,400   1,600   6.390   4/6/2019 53,334(2)  458,672     8,000     —       6.39     4/6/2019     13,334(2)  110,406  
     20,000     10.00     7/3/2021     
     40,000     12.00     7/3/2021     
     40,000     14.00     7/3/2021     

James Whitney

 2,000   3,000   10.560   5/11/2021 20,000(3)  172,000     3,000     2,000     10.56     5/11/2021     10,000(3)  82,800  
     10,000     10.00     7/3/2021     
     20,000     12.00     7/3/2021     
     30,000     14.00     7/3/2021     

Jerome Shaw

 6,400   1,600   6.390   4/6/2019  —      —       8,000     —       6.39     4/6/2019     —      —    

Howard Zimmerman

 4,800   1,200   6.390   4/6/2019  —      —    

Richard Herring

 3,200   800   6.390   4/6/2019  —      —    

Thomas Daley

 4,800    —     6.390   4/6/2019  —      —    

Lori Larson

   5,000     —       6.39     4/6/2019     —      —    
     5,000     10.00     7/3/2021     
     10,000     12.00     7/3/2021     
     15,000     14.00     7/3/2021     

   Option Awards (1)   Stock Awards (2) 

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable (1)
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
   Option
Exercise
Price $
   Option
Expiration
Date
   Number of
Shares or
Units that
Have
Not Vested
   Market
Value of
Shares or
Units of Stock
that Have Not
Vested $
 

Rhona Driggs

   5,000     —       6.39     4/6/2019     —       —    
     5,000     10.00     7/3/2021      
     10,000     12.00     7/3/2021      
     15,000     14.00     7/3/2021      

Howard Zimmerman

   —       —       —       —       —       —    

 

(1)Represents options granted to each of the 20132014 Named Executive Officers. Each option has a ten yearten-year term, except the July 3, 2014 grant, which has a seven-year term. All are subject to earlier termination in the event of the termination of the optionee’s employment. All options vest in equal installments over a five year period.period, except the July 3, 2014 grants, which were fully vested when granted, but whose exercisability is contingent on the attainment of certain stock price goals. See footnotes two, three and four to the Fiscal Year 2014 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table for details.
(2)On December 26, 2016,October 29, 2013, Mr. Kochman received an award of 40,000 restricted shares of Volt Commonthe Company’s common stock as part of his long-term incentive award for fiscal 2012.2013. 13,333 of such shares vested 100104 days after the end of the Company’s 20122013 fiscal year and an additional 13,333 shares vested on October 31, 2013;30, 2014; the remaining 13,334 shares are scheduled to vest on October 31, 2014,30, 2015, but will vest immediately if, within 90 days of a Change of Control, the Company terminates Mr. Kocheman’sKochman’s employment without cause or he resigns for good reason, as such terms are defined in his employment agreement. In addition, pursuant to this employment agreement, Mr. Kochman received an award of an additional 40,000 restricted shares of Volt common stock on October 29, 2013 as part of his long-term incentive award for fiscal year 2013. All restricted shares included in Mr. Kochman’s 2013 long-term incentive award were unvested as of November 3, 2013.
(3)On December 24, 2012, Mr. Whitney received an award of 30,000 restricted shares of Voltthe Company’s common stock as sign-on equity pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement. 10,000 of such restricted shares vested on June 30, 2013, and the remaining 20,000another 10,000 shares are scheduled to vest in equal installmentsvested on June 30, 2014 and the remaining 10,000 shares were scheduled to vest on June 30, 2015. All shares vest ifIn connection with the announcement of Mr. Whitney’s planned departure from the Company terminates Mr. Whitney’s employment without cause or he resigns for good reason, as such terms are defined in his employment agreement.effective March  20, 2015, the Company has agreed to vest the remaining 10,000 shares.

Fiscal Year 20132014 Option Exercises and Stock Vested

The following table contains information about restricted stock held by the applicable Named Executive Officers that vested during 2013.2014. No options were exercised by our Named Executive Officers in fiscal year 2013.2014.

 

  Option Awards   Stock Awards   Option Awards   Stock Awards 

Name

  Number of
Shares Acquired
on Exercise (#)
   Value Realized
on Exercise ($)
   Number of
Shares Acquired
On Vesting (#)
   Value Realized
on Vesting ($) (1)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired on
Exercise (#)
   Value
Realized
on Exercise ($)
   Number of
Shares
Acquired
On Vesting (#)
   Value
Realized
on Vesting
($) (1)
 

Ronald Kochman

   —       —       26,666    $223,328     —       —       40,000    $343,786  

James Whitney

   —       —       10,000    $72,000     —       —       10,000    $94,900  

 

(1)Determined by multiplying the shares of stock that vested during the 20132014 fiscal year by the closing market price of our common stock on the respective vesting dates, but excluding any tax obligations incurred in connection with such vesting.

Fiscal Year 20132014 Pension Plan Benefits

In fiscal year 2013,2014, our Named Executive Officers did not participate in any pension plans providing for payment or other benefits at, following or in connection with retirement.

For certain payments and benefits to which our 20132014 Named Executive Officers became or would become entitled upon retirement or other specified terminations of employment, please see the sections “Agreements with 20132014 Named Executive Officers” and “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control as of November 3, 2013”.2, 2014.”

Fiscal Year 20132014 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

The Company sponsorsWe sponsor the Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Deferred Compensation and Supplemental Savings Plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) under which eligible employees may elect to defer up to 20% of their cash compensation. Benefit entitlements under the Deferred Compensation Plan are unfunded, unsecured deferred compensation obligations of the Company. Participants generally may direct the manner in which their accounts under the Deferred Compensation Plan are notionally allocated to the available investment funds, which are, generally, publicly traded mutual funds and collective investment trusts. Participant accounts are vested at all times. The Company doesWe do not contribute to or otherwise supplement employee deferrals under the Deferred Compensation Plan.

James Whitney is the only one of our 20132014 Named Executive Officers who participatesparticipated in the Deferred Compensation Plan. The following table shows the executive or company contributions, earnings, withdrawals, and fiscalyear-end account balance for Mr. Whitney.

 

Name

 

Plan Name

 Aggregate
Balance at
Beginning
of Year $
 Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
$ (1)
 Company
Contributions
in Last FY $
 Aggregate
earnings in
Last FY $
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
$
 Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE $
  Plan Name Aggregate
Balance at
Beginning
of Year $
 Executive
Contributions
in Last FY
$
 Company
Contributions
in Last FY $
 Aggregate
earnings in
Last FY $
 Aggregate
Withdrawals/
Distributions
$
 Aggregate
Balance at
Last FYE $(1)
 

James Whitney

 Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Deferred Comp and Supplemental Savings Plan  10,613    6,539    —      4,419    —      21,571   Volt Information Sciences,
Inc. Deferred Comp and
Supplemental Savings Plan
 21,571    —      —     1,016    —     22,587  

 

(1)An aggregate of $21,075 constituting Executive’s contributions arewere previously reported as compensation to the Executive in the Company’s 2012 and 2013 Summary Compensation Table.Tables.

Agreements with 20132014 Named Executive Officers

Ronald Kochman

In connection with his appointment as President and CEO, the Companywe entered into an agreement with Ronald Kochman on December 26, 2012, effective May 1, 2012. The agreement provides for a base salary at the annual rate of

$575,000, $575,000, which may be increased but not decreased in the Company’s discretion. Mr. Kochman was eligible, under the terms of his agreement, to earn an annual bonus for fiscal year 2013 with a target of 100% of his base salary, based on his achievement of criteria developed by the Compensation Committee. For fiscal year 2014 and subsequent years, the Committee establishes the target amount of Mr. Kochman’s bonus on an annual basis.

The agreement also providesprovided for along-term incentive award in recognition of Mr. Kochman’s performance for fiscal year 2012 comprised of $270,000 in cash and 40,000 shares of restricted stock. The cash portion of the award will beis payable, and the restricted shares will vest, in equal amounts on each of the following dates: (a) 100 days after the end of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year, (b) October 30, 2013, and (c) October 30, 2014, provided that Mr. Kochman remains employed by Volt on each of those dates. The award will vest in full in the event that Mr. Kochman is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 90 days of a change in control.2014.

In addition, the agreement provides for along-term incentive award for fiscal year 2013 that was contingent on Mr. Kochman’s achievement of performance goals and targets determined by the Compensation Committee. The fiscal year 2013 long-term incentive award as approved by the Compensation Committee was comprised of $270,000 in cash and 40,000 shares of restricted stock. TheTwo-thirds of the cash portion of the award will be payable, and two-thirds of the restricted shares will vest,became payable or vested in equal amounts on each of the following dates: (a) fifteen days after the filing date with the SEC of the Company’s annual report onForm 10-K for fiscal year 2013 (which report was filed on January 31, 2014), and (b) October 30, 2014,2014.

The remaining one-third portions of the cash award and (c)restricted shares are scheduled to become payable or vest on October 30, 2015, provided that Mr. Kochman remains employed by Voltthe Company on each of those dates. The award will vest in full in the event that Mr. Kochman is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason within 90 days of a change inof control. After 2013, Mr. Kochman will beis eligible to earn target annual bonuses andlong-term incentive awards as determined by the Compensation Committee.

The employment agreement with Mr. Kochman provides for“at-will” “at-will” employment, but requires at least sixty days’ written notice of termination by the Companyus without “cause” or by Mr. Kochman with or without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement)agreement and summarized below). Upon termination of employment by the Companyus without cause or by Mr. Kochman for good reason, Mr. Kochman will be entitled to (1) continued payment of base salary and continued medical benefits for 24 months and (2) if his termination date falls within fiscal year 2013, payment of a pro rata amount of his target annual bonus for 2013.the year of termination based on the actual performance criteria for the year (but in no event greater than the target amount). Had Mr. Kochman been terminated on November 3, 2013,2, 2014, the aggregate amount of his severance entitlement under his employment agreement would have been approximately $1,725,000, representing 24 months of base salary at an annual rate of $575,000 plus his fiscal year 20132014 bonus of $575,000 which had not yet been paid as of November 3, 2013.2, 2014. Upon termination without cause or for good reason, Mr. Kochman is also entitled to the cost of medical benefit continuation during the 24 month salary continuation period (approximate value of $36,468)$28,065). The CompanyWe may condition receipt of these severance benefits upon Mr. Kochman’s execution of a release of claims against the Company. Upon termination of employment for any other reason, Mr. Kochman is entitled under his employment agreement only to payment of his accrued but unpaid salary and any unused accrued vacation.

The employment agreement containsnon-competition andnon-solicitation covenants that apply during employment and for one year following termination of employment.

For purposes of Mr. Kochman’s employment agreement the following terms are defined generally as set forth below:

“cause” means generally: (a) embezzlement by executive; (b) misappropriation by executive of funds of the Company; (c) executive’s conviction of, plea of guilty to or plea of nolo contendere to a felony; (d) executive’s commission of any act of dishonesty, deceit, or fraud which causes material economic harm to the Company; (e) a material breach by executive of any provision of the employment agreement; (f) a willful failure by executive to substantially perform executive’s duties; (g) a willful breach by executive of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company; or (h) a significant violation by executive of any rule, policy or procedure of the Company, or any contractual, statutory or common law duties owed to the Company.

“good reason” means generally the occurrence of any of the following events which continues uncured for a period of not less thirty (30) days following written notice given by executive to the Company within ninety (90) days following the occurrence of such event, unless executive specifically agrees in writing that such event shall not be good reason: (a) a material office relocation that increases executive’s daily commute by 50 or more miles; (b) a material reduction in executive’s duties; (c) an assignment of any duties inconsistent with executive’s position as President and CEO (including status, offices, titles and reporting requirements), authority, duties or responsibilities as contemplated by the employment agreement; (d) a reduction in the overall level of executive’s compensation or benefits as provided herein, unless such reduction is part of a general reduction applicable to all or substantially all senior executives of the Company; (e) a breach of the employment agreement by the Company; (f) executive’s removal from the Board of Directors; or (g) executive’s resignation based upon written mutual agreement by executive and the Board of Directors.

“change of control” means generally: (a) a “person,” or “group” within the meaning of Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (other than a “person” or “group” consisting solely of descendants of Edward Shaw, their spouses and trusts or other persons formed primarily for their benefit) becomes a “beneficial owner,” as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under that Act, of 50% or more of the outstanding common stock of Company; (b) the majority of the Board of Directors of the Company consists of individuals other than “incumbent” directors, which term means the members of the Board of Directors on the date of the employment agreement; provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to such date whose election or nomination for election was supported by two-thirds of the directors who then comprised the incumbent directors will be considered to be an incumbent director; (c) the Company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets; (d) all or substantially all of the assets or business of Company are disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the voting stock of Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction, all of the voting stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of Company); or (e) the Company combines with another company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders of Company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the shares of voting stock of the combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the shares of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for shares of such other company).

James Whitney

In connection with his appointment as Chief Financial Officer, the Companywe entered into an agreement with James Whitney on December 23, 2012, effective July 1, 2012. The agreement providesprovided for a base salary at the annual rate of $400,000, which may be increased but not decreased in the Company’s discretion. In connection with Mr. Whitney’s entry into the employment agreement and in recognition of his past service with the Company, the employment agreement providesprovided for an award of 30,000 shares of restricted stock which vestswere scheduled to vest in three equal annual installments through June 30, 2015. TheUnder the terms of the agreement, Mr. Whitney was entitled to vesting of the award will vest in full immediately in the event that the Company terminateswe terminated Mr. Whitney’s employment without cause or he resignsresigned for good reason, as such terms are defined in his employment agreement.

For fiscal year 2013, Mr. Whitney earned along-term incentive award of $400,000, payable in cash in three installments. The first installmenttwo installments became payable (a) 15 days after the filing date with the SEC of the Company’sour annual report onForm 10-K for fiscal year 2013 (which report was filed on January 31, 2014); the remaining installments will vest and (b) on October 30, 2014 and2014; the remaining installment was due to vest on October 30, 2015, provided that Mr. Whitney remainsremained employed through the relevant payment date. The award will paidMr. Whitney was entitled to payment in full of the award if the Company terminateswe terminated Mr. Whitney’s employment without cause or he resignsresigned for good reason.

For fiscal year 2013, Mr. Whitney’s agreement providesprovided for an annual bonus with a target of 100% of his base salary. Mr. Whitney was also eligible to earn a special bonus of up to $750,000. The special bonus was earned in one-third installments upon the Company’s filing with the SEC of: (a) its Restated CompositeForm 10-K for the fiscal years ending November 2, 2008, November 1, 2009 and October 31, 2010 (which filing was made on April 9, 2013); (b) its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 31, 2011 (which filing was made on November 15, 2013); and (c) its annual report onForm 10-K for the fiscal year ending October 28, 2012 (which filing was made on November 15, 2013). For fiscal year 2014 and beyond, Mr. Whitney will bewas eligible to earn target annual bonuses andlong-term incentive awards as determined by the CEO and approved by the Compensation Committee.

The employment agreement with Mr. Whitney providesprovided for“at-will” “at-will” employment, but requiresrequired at least thirty (30) days’ written notice of termination by the Companyus without cause or by Mr. Whitney with or without good reason. Upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or by Mr. Whitney for good reason, Mr. Whitney will bewas entitled to (1) a lump sum payment equal to one year of base salary, (2) the payment of any earned but unpaid bonus and (3) if Mr. Whitney electselected to continue to participate in Company sponsored group health plans, payment of six months’ of COBRA continuation coverage, less the amount Mr. Whitney would pay for such coverage if he were still an employee of the Company. Had Mr. Whitney’s employment terminated on November 3, 20132, 2014 under such circumstances (that is, by the Company without cause or by Mr. Whitney for good reason), he would have been entitled to payment equal to $800,000, representing one year of base salary $400,000($400,000) plus his fiscal year 20132014 bonus of $400,000 which had not been paid as of November 3, 2013;2, 2014; he would also have been entitled to $9,117,$7,016, which represents six months of COBRA continuation coverage. Upon termination of employment for any other reason, Mr. Whitney iswas entitled under this employment agreement only to payment of his accrued but unpaid salary and any unused accrued vacation.

The employment agreement containscontained non-competition andnon-solicitation covenants that apply during employment and for six months following termination of employment.

Mr. Whitney left the Company effective March 20, 2015. In connection with Mr. Whitney’s departure, we agreed to accelerate the vesting of the remaining 10,000 shares of restricted Company common stock that had been awarded to him in 2012 as sign-on equity and to pay him separation pay of $966,667 consisting of (i) one year of his current salary ($400,000), (ii) a pro rata bonus for fiscal year 2015 equal to five-twelfths of his target bonus of $400,000 for fiscal year 2014 and (iii) $400,000 in long-term incentive payments earned during fiscal years 2013 and 2014 that otherwise would be due to be paid to Mr. Whitney in October 2015.

Jerome Shaw

The Company is a party to an employment agreement with Jerome Shaw dated May 1, 1987 and amended January 3, 1989. The employment term under his agreement continues until the April 30 that is five years after notice is given by either the Company or Jerome Shaw to terminate his employment. The agreement also provides for service thereafter for the remainder of Jerome Shaw’s life as a consultant to the Company for annual consulting fees equal to 75% of his then current base salary for the first ten10 years of the consulting period and 50% of the base salary for the remainder of the consulting period. If Mr. Shaw’s termination of employment occurred on November 3, 2013,2, 2014, his applicable base salary would have been $517,005. The employment agreement permits Jerome Shaw to accelerate the commencement of the consulting period if a “change in control,” as described below, of the Company occurs or if the Company’s office where Jerome Shaw presently performs his principal services is relocated to a different geographical area.

Upon the death of Jerome Shaw, the Company will pay to his beneficiary an amount equal to three times his annual base salary at the date of death if his death occurred while employed as an executive, 2.25 times his annual base salary at the end of his employment as an executive if his death occurred during the first ten10 years of the consulting period or 1.5 times his annual base salary at the end of his employment as an executive if his death occurred during the remainder of the consulting period. In the event that Jerome Shaw had died on November 3, 2013,2, 2014, his beneficiary would have been entitled to receive $1,551,015 from the Company. The amount would be payable over three years following his death.

Under his employment agreement, Jerome Shaw is prohibited from engaging in any business competitive with the Company, competing with the Company for its customers or encouraging employees of the Company to leave their employment.

These restrictions apply for the duration of the agreement and for one year thereafter if Jerome Shaw’s employment shall have been terminated by the Company for “cause,” as defined in the agreement. Jerome Shaw will not be subject to these restrictions after a “change in control” of the Company occurs if, during his consulting period, he elects to terminate his employment agreement and relinquish any further payments or other benefits thereunder.

The agreement provides that a change in control shall be deemed to occur (1) if there is a change in the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management of the policies of the Company, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, (2) if any person other than Jerome Shaw becomes a beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of securities representing more than 25% of the Company’s then outstanding securities having the right to vote in the election of directors, (3) when individuals who are members of the Board at any one time shall immediately thereafter cease to constitute at leastthree-fourths of the Board, (4) when a majority of the Board elected at any annual or special meeting of shareholders are not individuals nominated by the Company’s incumbent Board, (4)(5) if the shareholders of the Company approve a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent at least 80% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (5)(6) if the shareholders of the Company approve a plan of complete liquidation or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

Howard ZimmermanLori Larson

The Company is a party to an employment agreement with Howard Zimmerman,Lori Larson, dated October 29,November 25, 2013. The agreement provides for a base salary at the annual rate of $325,000,$300,000, which may be adjusted from time to time in the Company’s discretion. Mr. Zimmerman,Ms. Larson, under the terms of hisher agreement, is eligible to participate in the applicable Company incentive plan, as in effect from time to time. In addition, for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, Mr. ZimmermanPursuant to this program Ms. Larson is eligible under the terms of his agreement, to earn an incentive bonus dependent on both quarterly and annual performance metrics related to business unit performance and contributions to strategic initiatives, which will be paid in fiscal year 2014. Mr. Zimmerman’s employment agreement provides that his fiscal year 2013 compensation (which includes base salary, previously paid incentives awards and bonuses, and the fourth quarter incentive bonus) shall not exceed $650,000 in the aggregate.initiatives.

The employment agreement with Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson provides for “at will” employment, but generally requires at least ten days’ written notice of termination by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson with or without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement)agreement and summarized below). Upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or by Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson for good reason, Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson will be entitled to, subject to the execution of a release of claims against the Company and, if requested, an exit interview as the Company may designate, (1) continued payment of base salary and continued medical benefits for six12 months or continued payment of base salary for 1224 months in the event of a “change inof control” (as such term is defined in the employment agreement)agreement and summarized below), and (2) any earned incentive payment, based on pre-established target amounts for such year, prorated to account for days worked during the year of termination. The 24 month continued salary benefit upon a change of control referred to in the previous sentence expires after November 25, 2015.

Had Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson been terminated on November 3, 2013,2, 2014, the aggregate amount of hisher severance entitlement under hisher employment agreement would have been approximately $270,079,$382,500 representing (i) six12 months of base salary ($162,500 at an annual rate of $325,000)300,000), and (ii) $9,117, which represents six months of COBRA continuation coverage, and (iii) $98,462,$82,500 the fourth quarter incentive bonus, which had not yet been paid as of November 3, 2013.2, 2014. Upon termination of employment for any other reason, Mr. ZimmermanMs. Larson is entitled under hisher employment agreement only to payment of hisher accrued but unpaid salary and any unused accrued vacation.

The employment agreement contains non competitionnon-competition and non solicitation covenants that apply during employment and for one year following termination of employment.

Richard HerringRhona Driggs

Volt Europe Limited, awholly-owned subsidiary of theThe Company is a party to an employment agreement with Richard Herring,Rhona Driggs, dated November 3, 2010, for his employment as Senior Vice President and Managing Director of Europe and Asia Staffing operations of the Company.25, 2013. The agreement provides for a base salary at the annual rate of £189,877 (or $296,511 assuming an exchange rate of 1.5616 (the average British pound sterling to US dollar exchange rate over fiscal year 2013 as reported by the Wall Street Journal)),$300,000, which may be adjusted from time to time in the Company’s discretion.

Mr. Herring, Ms. Driggs, under the terms of hisher agreement, is eligible to participate in the applicable Company incentive plan, as in effect from time to time, whereby any quarterly incentives will be earned based upon the net operating profit attributabletime. Pursuant to Volt Europe and Volt Asia at 2.25% of such amount. In addition, Mr. Herringthis program Ms. Driggs is eligible under the terms of his agreement, to earn ayear-end improvementincentive bonus based upon the increase of the aggregate net operating profit attributabledependent on both quarterly and annual performance metrics related to Volt Europebusiness unit performance and Volt Asia for the fiscal year. For purposes of determining the improvement bonus, the Company fiscal year net operating profit for the Volt Europe and Volt Asia was comprised of the aggregate monthly net operating profit for each specified segment of Volt Europe and Volt Asia during the current fiscal year, as compared with the immediately preceding fiscal year for the same segments. If the current Volt Europe and Volt Asia fiscal year net operating profit was a positive number and exceeded the preceding fiscal year’s aggregate net operating profit by 5% or more, then Mr. Herring is entitledcontributions to 2% of the net operating profit improvement.strategic initiatives.

The employment term under Mr. Herring’s agreement continues untilwith Ms. Driggs provides for “at will” employment, but generally requires at least six months’10 days’ written notice is givenof termination by either the Company without “cause” or Mr. Herringby Ms. Driggs with or without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement and summarized below). Upon termination of employment by the Company without cause or by Ms. Driggs for good reason, Ms. Driggs will be entitled to, terminate employment or Mr. Herrring’s employment is otherwise terminated. Notwithstandingsubject to the six month notice generally required,execution of a release of claims against the Company and, if requested, an exit interview as the Company may terminate Mr. Herring’s employment without noticedesignate, (1) continued payment of base salary and continued medical benefits for 12 months or continued payment of base salary for 24 months in the event of serious, persistent and/or gross misconduct, or at its discretion opta “change of control” (as such term is defined in the employment agreement and summarized below), and (2) any earned incentive payment, based on pre-established target amounts for such year, prorated to make payments representingaccount for days worked during the year of termination. The 24 month continued salary benefit upon a change of control referred to in lieu of notice. Under the agreement, the Company may require Mr. Herring to remain at home on ‘garden leave’ where he would not be required to report for work. During any such garden leave, Mr. Herring is not permitted to engage in any other form of business or employment and must make himself available for work at the Company’s request in exchange for which the Company is required to pay Mr. Herring his base salary and all other benefits, as in effect at the time of such leave.previous sentence expires after November 25, 2015.

Had Mr. HerringMs. Driggs been terminated on November 3, 2013,2, 2014, the aggregate amount of hisher severance entitlement under hisher employment agreement would have been approximately £94,939 (or $148,256 assuming an exchange rate of 1.5616 (the average British pound sterling to US dollar exchange rate over fiscal year 2013 as reported by the Wall Street Journal)),$650,000 representing six(i) 24 months of base salary in addition to($600,000), and (ii) $50,000, the fourth quarter incentive bonus, which had not yet been paid as of November 2, 2014. Upon termination of employment for any other statutory amounts requiredreason, Ms. Driggs is entitled under U.K. law.her employment agreement only to payment of her accrued but unpaid salary and any unused accrued vacation.

The employment agreement contains non poachingnon-competition and non solicitationnon-solicitation covenants that apply during employment and for one year following termination of employment.

For purposes of employment agreements for Ms. Larson and confidentialityMs. Driggs, the following terms are defined generally as set forth below:

“cause” means generally: (a) embezzlement by executive; (b) misappropriation by executive of funds of the Company; (c) executive’s conviction of, plea of guilty to or plea of nolo contendere to a felony; (d) executive’s commission of any act of dishonesty, deceit, or fraud which causes material economic harm to the Company; (e) a willful failure by executive of a fiduciary duty owed to the Company; (f) a material breach by executive of any provision of the employment agreement; (g) a willful failure by executive to substantially perform executive’s duties; (h) a significant violation by executive of any rule, policy or procedure of the Company, or any contractual, statutory or common law duties owed to the Company; or (i) engaging in activities or conduct reasonably likely to impair the reputation, operations, prospects or business relations of the Company.

“good reason” means generally the occurrence of any of the following events which continues uncured for a period of not less thirty (30) days following written notice given by executive to the Company within ninety (90) days following the occurrence of such event, unless executive specifically agrees in writing that such event shall not be good reason: (a) an aggregate reduction of ten

percent (10%) or more in executive’s base salary in one calendar year, unless such reduction is part of a general reduction applicable to all or substantially all senior executives of the Company; (b) a change of fifty (50) miles or more in the geographic location in which executive works; or (c) a material and adverse change to, or a material reduction of, executive’s duties and responsibilities to the Company.

“change of control” means generally termination of employment within one hundred eighty (180) days of the following events: (a) a change in the management of the Company in which the Chief Executive Officer is no longer serving as Chief Executive Officer of the Company; (b) the Company adopts any plan of liquidation providing for the distribution of all or substantially all of its assets; (c) all or substantially all of the assets or business of Company are disposed of pursuant to a merger, consolidation or other transaction (unless the shareholders of Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction beneficially own, directly or indirectly, in substantially the same proportion as they owned the voting stock of Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other transaction, all of the voting stock or other ownership interests of the entity or entities, if any, that succeed to the business of Company); or (d) the Company combines with another company and is the surviving corporation but, immediately after the combination, the shareholders of Company immediately prior to the combination hold, directly or indirectly, less than 50% of the shares of voting stock of the combined company (there being excluded from the number of shares held by such shareholders, but not from the shares of the combined company, any shares received by affiliates of such other company in exchange for shares of such other company).

Howard Zimmerman

We were party to an employment agreement with Howard Zimmerman, dated October 29, 2013. The agreement provided for a base salary at the annual rate of $325,000, which could be adjusted from time to time in our discretion. Mr. Zimmerman, under the terms of his agreement, was eligible to participate in the applicable Company incentive plan, as in effect from time to time. Pursuant to this program Mr. Zimmerman was eligible to earn incentive bonus dependent on both quarterly and annual performance metrics related to business unit performance and contributions to strategic initiatives.

The employment agreement with Mr. Zimmerman provided for “at will” employment, but generally required at least 10 days’ written notice of termination by us without “cause” or by Mr. Zimmerman with or without “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the employment agreement). Mr. Zimmerman’s employment with the Company terminated effective May 9, 2014. In connection with his termination, the Company agreed to pay Mr. Zimmerman severance of $162,500 in accordance with his employment agreement.

The employment agreement contained non-competition and non-solicitation covenants that apply during employment and for five yearsone year following termination of employment.

Thomas DaleySubsequent Events

Mr. Daley retired effective as of December 31, 2012. Prior to his retirement, the Company was a party toPaul Tomkins

On March 23, 2015, we entered into an employment agreement with Thomas Daley forPaul Tomkins to be employed as our Chief Financial Officer. The employment agreement provides a base salary of $400,000 per annum. For fiscal 2015, Mr. Tomkins is eligible to earn an annual bonus with a target amount equal to his employment asannual salary. With respect to fiscal 2016 and thereafter, Mr. Tomkins will be eligible to earn an annual bonus with a Senior Vice Presidenttarget amount of $250,000 and a long-term incentive award with a target amount of $250,000 payable 50% in cash and 50% in restricted stock. The cash portion is payable and the restricted stock portion will vest in three

equal installments at each of the Company.following intervals: (a) 15 days after the filing of the Form 10-K for the applicable fiscal year; (b) October 31 of the calendar year in which the Form 10-K is filed; and (c) October 31 of the next following calendar year. The agreementbonus for 2015 and the bonuses and awards for subsequent years are dependent upon achievement of reasonable, pre-established and objective goals and targets determined by the Chief Executive Officer and approved by the Compensation Committee, provided for an annual base salary, which was subject to increasesthat Mr. Tomkins remains employed by the Company.

If Mr. Tomkins’ employment is terminated by the Company without “cause” or by Mr. Tomkins for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in its sole discretion. In addition to his base salary,the employment agreement), Mr. Daley wasTomkins will be entitled to quarterly incentives basedreceive, among other things, an amount equal to one year of his then-current salary, annual bonus and medical benefits, conditioned upon the aggregate profit and loss statements for certain specified segments of the Company at .27% of the aggregate net income for such segments. Such incentives were paid through the last fiscal quarter actually worked by Mr. Daley prior to

his termination. Mr. Daley’s agreement also provided for ayear-end improvement bonus based upon the increase of the aggregate net income for all of the specified segments for the fiscal year. For purposes of determining the improvement bonus, the Company fiscal year net income for the specified segments was comprised of the aggregate monthly net incomes for each specified segment of the Company during the current fiscal year, as compared with the immediately preceding fiscal year for the same segments. If the current Company fiscal year net income was a positive number and exceeded the preceding fiscal year’s aggregate net income by 5% or more, then Mr. Daley was entitled to 1% of the net income improvement. In connection with his retirement, the Company and Mr. Daley entered into a Retirement Agreement, Waiver and General Release, pursuant to which the Company made a payment to Mr. Daley of $260,000 in consideration for his execution of a general releaserelease. In the event of a termination without cause or resignation for good reason within 90 days of a “change of control” (as such term is defined in favorthe employment agreement), all unvested portions of the Companylong-term incentive awards granted will vest immediately.

For purposes of Mr. Tomkins’ employment agreement, the definitions of “cause” and “good reason” are substantially similar to the corresponding definitions for Ms. Larson and Ms. Driggs and the definition of agreements by“change of control” is substantially similar to the corresponding definition for Mr. Daley relating to confidentiality, continued assistance on Company matters and non-disparagement.Kochman.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control as of November 3, 20132, 2014

Upon a change in control of the Company as of November 3, 2013, each of the Named Executive Officers would have been entitled to accelerated vesting of the unvestednon-qualified stock options that were granted on April 7, 2009. The net value of this acceleration to Ronald Kochman and Jerome Shaw determined by multiplying the 1,600 stock options granted to each that remained unvested as of November 3, 2013 by the difference between fair market value of our common stock (which was $8.60 as the close of trading on November 1, 2013) and applicable option exercise price of $6.39, would have been $3,536. The net value of this acceleration to Howard Zimmerman, determined by multiplying the 1,200 stock options granted to him that remained unvested as of November 3, 2013 by the difference between fair market value of our common stock (which was $8.60 as the close of trading on November 1, 2013) and applicable option exercise price of $6.39, would have been $2,652. The net value of this acceleration to Richard Herring, determined by multiplying the 800 stock options granted to him that remained unvested as of November 3, 2013 by the difference between fair market value of our common stock (which was $8.60 as the close of trading on November 1, 2013) and applicable option exercise price of $6.39, would have been $1,768.

For a description and quantification of the payments and benefits to which Mr. Kochman, Mr. Whitney, Mr. ZimmermanShaw, Ms. Larson, and Mr. HerringMs. Driggs would behave been entitled upon termination of employment, and of the payments of benefits to which Mr. Zimmerman became entitled upon his termination of employment during fiscal year 2014, please refer to “Agreements with 20132014 Named Executive Officers” beginning on page 22.

The employment agreement with Jerome Shaw provides that, following termination of Jerome Shaw’s employment for any reason, he will serve for the remainder of his life as a consultant to the Company for annual consulting fees equal to 75% of his then current base salary for the first ten years of the consulting period and 50% of the base salary for the remainder of the consulting period. If his termination of employment occurred on November 3, 2013, his applicable base salary would have been $517,005. Further, in the event of a change in control of the Company or if the Company’s office where Jerome Shaw performs his principal services is relocated to a different geographical area, Jerome Shaw may accelerate the commencement of the consulting period. Jerome Shaw’s employment agreement also provides for certain benefits upon his death. In the event that Jerome Shaw had died on November 3, 2013, his beneficiary would have been entitled to receive $1,551,015 from the Company.Officers.”

No other amounts would have been payable to our Named Executive Officers upon termination or change in control as of November 3, 2013.2, 2014.

20132014 Director Compensation

The following table presents the total compensation for each person who served as anon-employee member of the Board for the fiscal year ended November 3, 2013.2, 2014. As reflected in the table, each director of the Company who iswas not an officer or employee of the Company receivesreceived a director’s fee at an annual rate of $55,000,$60,000, and is

was reimbursed for reasonableout-of-pocket expenses related to his or her services. The ChairsChair of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Nominating/Governance Committee each received an additional $20,000, $5,000 and $5,000 per annum respectively. Effective February 3, 2014, the members of the Audit Committee, other than the Chair, each receive an additional $5,000$15,000 per annum, and members of the Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee, other than the respective Chairs, each receive an additional $3,000 per annum. These amounts were prorated for the current fiscal year.

In addition to the annual fees described above, effective December 14, 2009 through February 2, 2014, the Chair of the Audit Committee receivesreceived $2,000 for each meeting of the Audit Committee he attends,attended, each other member of the Audit Committee receivesreceived $1,500 for each meeting of the Audit Committee he or she attends,attended, and each director who is not an officer or employee of the Company or a member of the Audit Committee receivesreceived $750 for each meeting of the Board he or she attends.attended.

  Director Compensation 

Name

  Fees Earned or Paid in Cash (1)   Fees Earned or
Paid in Cash (1)
   Stock
Awards (2)
   Total 

Lloyd Frank

  $61,000    $64,000    $23,100    $87,100  

Bruce G. Goodman

   61,000     59,500     23,100     82,600  

Theresa A. Havell

   102,000     84,000     23,100     107,100  

Mark N. Kaplan

   114,000     88,250     23,100     111,350  

Deborah Shaw

   61,000     59,500     23,100     82,600  

Steven A. Shaw

   54,275  

William H. Turner

   98,250     83,250     23,100     106,350  

 

(1)Includes additional amounts paid for meetings attended in fiscal year 2013first quarter 2014 in the amounts of $54,000$8,750 for MarkMr. Kaplan, $42,000$6,750 for TheresaMs. Havell, $38,250$6,000 for WilliamMr. Turner, $6,000$750 each for LloydMr. Frank, BruceMr. Goodman and Deborah Shaw and $4,500 for StevenMs. Shaw.

(2)On August 12, 2014, the Board of Directors awarded each of the non-employee directors of the Company 2,500 restricted shares under the Company’s 2006 Incentive Stock Plan. Amounts shown in the Stock Awards column reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of these awards determined in accordance with FASC ASC Topic 718. As of November 2, 2014, each director had 3,000 outstanding stock option awards.

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDERSHAREHOLDER MATTERS

The following table sets forth information, as of FebruaryApril 1, 20142015 (except as described in the footnotes to the following table), with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock, our only class of voting or equity securities, by (a) each person who is known to us to own beneficially more than five percent of the outstanding shares of our common stock, (b) each of the Named Executive Officers, (c) each of our directors and director nominees, and (d) all current executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each individual listed below is c/o Volt Information Sciences, Inc., 1065 Avenue of Americas, New York, New York, 10018.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Shares of Common
Stock (1)
 Shares That
May be
Acquired
Within
60 Days (2)
   Percent of
Class
   Shares of
Common

Stock (1)
 Shares That
May be
Acquired
Within
60 Days (2)
   Percent of
Class
 

Five Percent Shareholders (other than Named Executive Officers and Directors):

          

Canton Holdings, L.L.C.

   1,570,320(3)   —       7.52

Linda Shaw

   1,391,095(4)   —       6.66

Steven A. Shaw

   1,753,974(3)  6,400     8.44   1,329,794(5)  6,400     6.40

Dimensional Fund Advisors, LP

   1,277,074(6)   —       6.12

Michael Shaw

   1,111,484(4)   —       5.33   1,111,484(7)   —       5.32

Linda Shaw

   1,391,095(5)   —       7.25

Dimensional Fund Advisors, LP

   1,369,899(6)   —       6.57

Canton Holdings, L.L.C.

   1,819,715(7)   —       8.73

Named Executive Officers and Directors:

     

Named Executive Officers, Directors and Director Nominees:

     

Jerome Shaw

   2,492,225(8)  8,000     11.97

Deborah Shaw

   2,149,839(8)  2,400     10.32   2,164,739(9)  3,000     10.37

Jerome Shaw

   2,481,429(9)  6,400     11.93

Lloyd Frank

   66,554(10) 2,400     *  

Bruce G. Goodman

   641,754(11)  2,400     3.09   653,654(10)  3,000     3.15

Ronald Kochman

   81,076(12)  6,400     *     121,076(11)  68,000         

Lloyd Frank

   69,054(12)  3,000         

Glacier Peak Capital LLC / John C. Rudolf

   2,184,425(13)   —       10.46

James Whitney

   30,000(13)  2,000     *     35,000   33,000         

Theresa A. Havell

   6,500   2,400     *  

James Schmitt

   125(14)  7,800     *  

Thomas Daley

   —     4,800     *  

Mark N. Kaplan

   5,000   2,400     *  

Howard Zimmerman

   3,321   4,800     *  

Richard Herring

   —     3,200     *  

William H. Turner

   2,000   2,400     *  

All executive officers and directors as a group (15 persons)

   4,792,622   56,200     23.19

Michael D. Dean**

   25,000    —           

Name of Beneficial Owner

  Shares of
Common

Stock (1)
  Shares That
May be
Acquired
Within
60 Days (2)
   Percent of
Class
 

James E. Boone**

   12,500    —           

Dana Messina**

   11,400    —           

Theresa A. Havell

   9,000    3,000         

Mark N. Kaplan

   7,500    3,000         

William H. Turner

   4,500    3,000         

Laurie Siegel**

   2,500    —           

Rhona Driggs

   722(14)   20,000         

Kevin Hannon

   506(15)   —           

Lori Larson

   244(16)   20,000         

Nick Cyprus**

   —      —           

Paul Tomkins

   —      —           

All executive officers, directors and director nominees as a group (22 persons)

   7,106,679    194,000     34.65

 

*Less than 1%.
**Director nominee who is not currently a director.
(1)Except as noted, the named beneficial owners have sole voting and dispositiveinvestment power with respect to their beneficially owned shares.
(2)The shares underlying all equity awards that may be exercised within 60 days are deemed to be beneficially owned by the person or persons for whom the calculation is being made and are deemed to have been exercised for the purpose of calculating this percentage, including the shares underlying options where the exercise price is above the current market price.
(3)Includes (i) 14,216 shares heldBased on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 2015 by the Steven ShawArcher Capital Management, L.P. (“Archer”), as the sole trusteeinvestment manager to certain private investment funds, Canton Holdings, L.L.C. (“Canton”), as the general partner of trusts forArcher, Joshua A. Lobel (“Lobel”), an individual, as a principal of Canton, and Eric J. Edidin (“Edidin”), an individual, as a principal of Canton. According to the benefit of two nephews of Steven Shaw; (ii) 54,054 shares owned by Steven Shaw, Lloyd Frank (a director of the Company)Schedule 13G, Canton, Archer, Lobel and Michael Shaw (Steven Shaw’s brother) as trustees of a trust for the benefit of two of Steven Shaw’s nephews, as to which shares Steven Shaw may be deemed toEdidin have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of shares in clauses (i) and (ii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Steven Shaw.power with respect to all 1,570,320 shares.
(4)

Includes (i) 373,75373,356 shares owned jointly by Michael Shaw and his wife; (ii) 54,054 shares owned by Michael Shaw, Lloyd Frank and Steven Shaw as trustees of a trust for the benefit of two of Michael Shaw’s

children, as to which shares Michael Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of the shares in clause (ii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Michael Shaw. Does not include (a) 516 shares owned by Michael Shaw’s wife individually; (b) 58,696 shares owned by Michael Shaw’s children who do not reside in his household; and (c) 14,216 shares owned by Steven Shaw as the sole trustee of trusts for the benefit of two of Michael Shaw’s children.
(5)Includes (i) 63,956 shares ownedheld by Linda Shaw, Bruce Goodman (her husband and a director of the Company) and Deborah Shaw (her sister and a director of the Company) as trustees of trusts for the benefit of the children of Linda Shaw, as to which shares Linda Shaw has shared voting and investment power; and (ii) 5,749 shares held by the William and Jacqueline Shaw Family Foundation, Inc., a charitable foundation of which Linda Shaw, Deborah Shaw and a daughter of Deborah Shaw are the directors, as to which shares Linda Shaw has shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of the shares in clauses (i) and (ii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Linda Shaw. Does not include (a) 19,24421,744 shares owned by Bruce Goodman, individually; (b) 2,4003,000 shares underlying a stock option held by Bruce Goodman that were granted to him by the Company as a director of the Company; (c) 1,500 shares held by Bruce Goodman as trustee of an irrevocable trust for the benefit of a child of Bruce Goodman; and (d) 557,054 shares are ownedheld by trusts for the benefit of Linda Shaw’s children, of which trusts Deborah Shaw and Bruce Goodman areco-trustees. trustees. The address for Linda Shaw is Shepherd Kaplan LLC c/o Bruce Goodman, 125 Summer Street, Boston, MA 02110.
(5)Based on a Schedule 13D filed with the SEC on May 16, 2014. Includes (i) 14,216 shares held by Steven Shaw as the sole trustee of trusts for the benefit of two nephews of Steven Shaw; and (ii) 54,054 shares held by Steven Shaw, Lloyd Frank (a director of the Company) and Michael Shaw (Steven Shaw’s brother) as trustees of a trust for the benefit of two of Steven Shaw’s nephews, as to which shares Steven Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of shares in clauses (i) and (ii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Steven Shaw.
(6)

Based on a Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 20145, 2015 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LP, an investment advisor that furnishes investment advice to four investment companies and serves as an investment manager to certain other commingled group trusts and separate accounts (such investment companies, trusts and accounts collectively referred to as the “Funds”). In certain cases, subsidiaries of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP may also act as advisors orsub-advisors to certain of the Funds. In its role as investment advisors,sub-advisor and/or manager, neither Dimensional Fund Advisors LP or its subsidiaries (collectively, “Dimensional”) possess

voting and/or investment power over securities that are owned by the Funds. Dimensional may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the shares held by the Funds through Dimensional, but all shares are owned by the Funds and Dimensional disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(7)Based onIncludes (i) 373,753 shares owned jointly by Michael Shaw and his wife; and (ii) 54,054 shares held by Michael Shaw, Lloyd Frank and Steven Shaw as trustees of a Schedule 13G filed withtrust for the SEC on February 14, 2014benefit of two of Michael Shaw’s children, as to which shares Michael Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of the shares in clause (ii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Archer Capital Management, L.P. (“Archer”),Michael Shaw. Does not include (a) 516 shares owned by Michael Shaw’s wife individually; (b) 58,696 shares owned by Michael Shaw’s children who do not reside in his household; and (c) 14,216 shares held by Steven Shaw as the investment manager to certain private investment funds, Canton Holdings, L.L.C. (“Canton”), assole trustee of trusts for the general partnerbenefit of Archer, Joshua A. Lobel (“Lobel”), an individual, as a principaltwo of Canton, and Eric J. Edidin (“Edidin”), an individual, as a principal of Canton. According to the Schedule 13G, Canton, Archer, Lobel and Edidin have shared and dispositive power with respect to all 1,380,497 shares.Michael Shaw’s children.
(8)Includes (i) 3,229 shares owned by Jerome Shaw individually; (ii) 2,394 shares held by Jerome Shaw through the Company’s Employee Stock Ownership Plan, which is part of the Company’s 401(k) plan; (iii) 22,951 shares held for Jerome Shaw’s benefit under the “Savings Plan” feature of the Company’s 401(k) plan; (iv) 8,000 shares underlying stock options issued by the Company to Jerome Shaw; (v) 1,398,318 shares held in The Jerome and Joyce Shaw Family Trust u/d/t dated 8/6/1969; (vi) 1,052,583 shares held in The Rachel Lynn Shaw Trust u/d/t dated 11/23/2001; (vii) 12,750 shares held by the Family Foundation by virtue of their position as directors of that corporation; and excludes 10,000 shares owned by Joyce Shaw individually. The inclusion of the shares in clauses (vi) and (vii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Jerome Shaw.
(9)Includes (i) 5,749 shares held by the William and Jacqueline Shaw Family Foundation, Inc., a charitable foundation of which Deborah Shaw, Linda Shaw and a daughter of Deborah Shaw are directors, as to which shares Deborah Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power; (ii) 71,220 shares owned by Deborah Shaw as custodian under the California Uniform Transfers to Minors Act for the benefit of her children; (iii) 63,95673,356 shares owned by Deborah Shaw, Bruce Goodman (a director of the Company) and Linda Shaw (Deborah Shaw’s sister) as trustees of a trust for the benefit of the children of Linda Shaw, as to which shares Deborah Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power; and (iv) 557,054 shares owned by Deborah Shaw and Bruce Goodman as trustees of a trust for the benefit of Linda Shaw’s children, as to which shares Deborah Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of the shares in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Deborah Shaw. Does not include (a) 23,019 shares owned by Deborah Shaw’s husband; (b) 34,584 shares owned by the Deborah Shaw’s husband as custodian for children of Deborah Shaw; and (c) 391,243 shares held by Deborah Shaw’s husband and his sister asco-trustees trustees for the benefit of Deborah Shaw’s children.
(9)Includes (i) 1,052,583 shares owned by Jerome Shaw and his wife as trustees of a trust for the benefit of one of their children, as to which shares Jerome Shaw may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power; and (ii) 27,299 shares held under the Company’s 401(k) plan. The inclusion of the shares in (i) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Jerome Shaw. Does not include 9,825 shares owned by Jerome Shaw’s wife individually or 12,750 shares owned by Family Foundation.

(10)Includes 54,054 shares owned by Lloyd Frank, Steven Shaw (a former director of the Company), Michael Shaw and sons of Jerome Shaw as trustees of a trust for the benefit of two grandchildren of Jerome Shaw, as to which shares Lloyd Frank may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. This inclusion of the shares is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Lloyd Frank. Does not include 3,793 shares owned by Lloyd Frank’s wife individually.
(11)Includes (i) 1,500 shares owned by Bruce Goodman as trustee of a trust for the benefit of his one of his children; (ii) 63,95673,356 shares owned by Bruce Goodman, Linda Shaw (his wife), and Deborah Shaw (a director of the Company) as trustees of trusts for the benefit of the children of Linda Shaw, as to which shares Bruce Goodman may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power; and (iii) 557,054 shares owned by Bruce Goodman and Deborah Shaw as trustees of a trust for the benefit of Linda Shaw’s children, as to which shares Bruce Goodman may be deemed to have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of the shares in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) is not an admission of beneficial ownership of those shares by Bruce Goodman. Does not include (a) 1,321,3901,311,990 shares owned by Bruce Goodman’s wife individually.
(12)(11)Includes (i) 1,075.55 shares held for Ronald Kochman’s benefit under the Company’s 401(k) plan and (ii) 80,00040,001 shares that are subject to transfer restrictions.
(13)(12)ConsistsIncludes 54,054 shares owned by Lloyd Frank, Steven Shaw (a former director of 30,000the Company), Michael Shaw and sons of Jerome Shaw as trustees of a trust for the benefit of two grandchildren of Jerome Shaw, as to which shares that are subjectLloyd Frank may be deemed to transfer restrictions.have shared voting and investment power. The inclusion of these shares is not an admission of beneficial ownership of these shares by Lloyd Frank. Does not include 3,793 shares owned by Lloyd Frank’s wife individually.
(14)(13)Includes 125(i) an aggregate of 406,714 shares directly owned or controlled by John C. Rudolf, consisting of 220,397 shares directly owned by Mr. Rudolf, 5,000 shares held in an IRA account that he controls, 30,000 shares held in an account that Mr. Rudolf controls for the benefit of his wife and 151,317 shares held in accounts that Mr. Rudolf controls for the benefit of other family members and (ii) 1,777,711 shares owned by the Glacier Peak U.S. Value Fund, L.P., of which Mr. Rudolf may be deemed to be the beneficial owner. Excludes 2,464,130 shares in respect of which Jerome Shaw, Joyce Cutler-Shaw, The Jerome and Joyce Shaw Family Trust U/D/T dated 8/6/1969, and The Rachel Lynn Shaw Trust U/D/T dated 11/23/2001 granted to Mr. Rudolf, or any other designee of Glacier Peak Capital LLC, an irrevocable proxy to vote such shares at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders of the Company or any meeting (or consent in lieu of a meeting) which may be called in lieu thereof.

(14)722 shares held for Rhona Driggs’ benefit under the Company’s 401(k) plan.
(15)506 shares held for Kevin Hannon’s benefit under the Company’s 401(k) plan.
(16)244 shares held for Lori Larson’s benefit under the Company’s 401(k) plan.

The following table sets forth certain information, as at November 3, 2013,2, 2014, with respect to our equity compensation plans:

 

Plan Category

  Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
   Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
   Number of
securities to be
issued upon
exercise of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
   Weighted-
average

exercise price
of
outstanding
options,
warrants
and rights
   Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
 

Equity compensation plans approved by security holders

            

1995Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan

   7,500    $18.81     —  (a)    —      $—       —  (a) 

2006 Incentive Stock Plan

   557,484    $6.65     900,850     787,484    $9.17     605,850  

Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders

         —       —       —    
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

   564,984    $6.81     900,850   787,484  $9.17   605,850  
  

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

   

 

 

 

(a)Our 1995Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan terminated on May 16, 2005 except for options previously granted under the plan.

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE

Review of Transactions with Related Persons

The Board has adopted a written policy regarding the review and approval of transactions involving certain persons that SEC regulations require to be disclosed in proxy statements, which are commonly referred to as “related person transactions.” A “related person” is defined under the applicable SEC regulation and includes our directors, executive officers, nominees for director and beneficial owners of 5% or more of our common stock. Under the written policy, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving any related person transactions, and will consider factors it deems appropriate including:

 

whether the transaction is on terms no more favorable than terms generally available to an unrelated third party under the same or similar circumstances;

 

the benefits to the Company; and

 

the extent of the related person’s interest in the transaction.

During fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, and 2011, the Companywe paid or accrued $2.5$1.2 million, $4.3$2.5 million, and $4.3 million respectively, to Troutman Sanders LLP, a law firm at which Lloyd Frank, a director of the Company, is Senior Counsel, for services rendered to the Companyus and expenses reimbursed.

From time to time the Company haswe have employed, and will continue to employ, relatives of executive officers, as well as relatives of other full timefull-time employees. The Company believesWe believe that it haswe have always employed, and will continue to employ, those individuals on the same terms that it employswe employ unrelated individuals and for compensation that is less than the amount specified in Item 404 ofRegulation S-K.

Independent Directors;Director and Director Nominee Independence; Executive Sessions of the Board

The Board has determined that directors Bruce G. Goodman, Theresa A. Havell, Mark N. Kaplan, Bruce G. Goodman,John C. Rudolf, Deborah Shaw and William H. Turner meet, and that director nominees Nick S. Cyprus, Michael D. Dean, Dana Messina and Laurie Siegel would meet if elected, the current independence requirements under the applicable rules of the SEC and listing standards of the NYSE.NYSE:MKT. The Board made these determinations based primarily upon a review of the responses of directors and director nominees to questions in a director and officer questionnaire prepared by the Board’s counsel regarding employment and compensation history, affiliations and family and other relationships and on discussions with them. The Board determined that there were no material relationships between any of such persons and the Company that could interfere with their exercise of independent judgment and that each meets the current independence requirements applicable to independent directors under the applicable listing standards of the NYSENYSE:MKT to serve on the Board.

The Board has also determined that Lloyd Frank meets the current independence requirements under the applicable listing standards of the NYSE. The Company hasNYSE:MKT. We have retained Troutman Sanders LLP, or other law firms at which Lloyd Frank, a director of the Company, is or was counsel, since 1962 to review and advise the Companyus with respect to itsour legal position on numerous matters. These firms have also rendered professional services to the estate of William Shaw, Jerome Shaw, Deborah Shaw, and Bruce Goodman and his spouse that were and are billed directly, principally for trust and estate and tax advice principally by attorneys other than Mr. Frank. The fees paid by the Companyus to Troutman Sanders LLP with respect to services rendered during fiscal year 2013,2014, exclusive of disbursement reimbursement, represented less than 2% of the firm’s consolidated gross revenues during the firm’s 20132014 fiscal year and were not material to the

firm, which has approximately 620 attorneys. Mr. Frank is deemed to beneficially own less than 1% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Mr. Frank has no other interests that preclude him from being independent under the NYSE’sNYSE:MKT’s criteria for service on the Board. The Board has determined that, in its judgment, such relationships did not interfere with Mr. Frank’s exercise of his independent judgment and that he meets the current independence requirements applicable to independent directors under rules of the NYSENYSE:MKT to serve on the Board.

Thenon-management directors have held executive sessions. In accordance with the listing standards of the NYSE,NYSE:MKT, these sessions are intended to promote open discussion amongnon-management directors. Mark N. Kaplan has been chosen by thenon-management directors to preside at these sessions.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

Principal Accountant Fees

Our Audit Committee appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal years ended November 2, 2014, November 3, 2013 and October 28, 2012 and October 30, 2011.2012. We incurred the following fees to Ernst & Young LLP for fiscal years 2011,2014, 2013 and 2012 and 2013 (in thousands):

 

  Fiscal Year
2013
   Fiscal Year
2012
   Fiscal Year
2011
   Fiscal Year
2014
   Fiscal Year
2013
   Fiscal Year
2012
 

Audit Fees

  $2,639    $22,855    $7,474    $2,730    $2,686    $23,333  

Audit-Related Fees

   4     2     139     —       4     2  

Tax Fees

   33     32     106     3     4     4  

All Other Fees

   3     24     4     1     3     24  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Total

  $2,679    $22,913    $7,723  $2,734  $2,697  $23,363  
  

 

   

 

   

 

 

Audit fees are for professional services rendered for the audit of the annual financial statements and the review of interim financial statements included in Annual Reports onForm 10-K and Quarterly Reports onForm 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements. The amounts presented include costs associated with the restatement of $0, $19,785,000$0 and $2,765,000$19,785,000 for fiscal years 2014, 2013 2012 and 2011,2012, respectively.

Audit-related fees are for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our consolidated financial statements and are not reported under “Audit Fees.”

Tax fees include fees for services provided in connection with tax compliance, planning and reporting.

All other fees represent fees for products and services other than the services described above.

The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of thenon-audit services described above is compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence and has determined that such services are compatible with maintaining Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

Pre-Approval Policy

Pursuant to the Audit Committee’spre-approval policy, it is responsible forpre-approving all audit and permittednon-audit services to be performed for us by our independent auditors. The Audit Committee may delegatepre-approval authority to one or more of its members, and such member or members must report allpre-approval decisions to the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting. All audit andnon-audit services for fiscal year 2014, 2013 and 2012 and 2011 werepre-approved by the Audit Committee.

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP

REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Under SEC rules, our Directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our stock, if any, are required to file with the SEC reports of holdings and changes in beneficial ownership of Company stock. We have reviewed copies of these SEC reports as well as other records and information. Based on that review, we believe that all reports were timely filed during fiscal year 2013.

ITEMS OF BUSINESS TO BE ACTED ON AT THE ANNUAL MEETING

Item 1. Approval of an Amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to Declassify the Board of Directors

The Board proposes that the shareholders approve the proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation attached hereto as Annex A (the “Amendment”). The Board unanimously approved amending the Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Company’s Board on March 27, 2015, subject to approval by the shareholders at the Annual Meeting. The Amendment requires the approval of shareholders holding a majority of the Company’s outstanding shares entitled to vote at the meeting. If the Amendment is approved, it will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with the New York Department of State and will impact the term for which the director nominees are elected, as further described in Item 2 below.

Current Classified Board Structure

Article IX of the Certificate of Incorporation currently divides our directors into two classes. After the initial election of a classified board, each class is elected for a two-year term, with the terms staggered so that approximately one-half of the directors stand for election each year.

Proposed Declassification of the Board

The Board has approved an Amendment to eliminate the classified structure of the Board, subject to shareholder approval. If the proposed Amendment is approved by our shareholders, directors elected at this year’s Annual Meeting of shareholders will serve for a one year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. Directors elected for a two year term at the Annual Meeting of shareholders in 2014 will serve out their terms, except for Mr. Frank who has elected to retire immediately prior to the Annual Meeting. If the proposed Amendment is approved by our shareholders, commencing with the Annual Meeting of shareholders to be held in 2016 all directors will be elected for a one year term or until their successors are duly elected and qualified. If the Amendment is not approved, the Board will continue to be divided into two classes of directors elected for staggered two-year terms.

In connection with the Amendment, the Board has amended Section 2.1 of our Bylaws to eliminate all provisions relating to the classification of directors. However, because the classified Board structure is set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation, elimination of the classified Board structure requires shareholder approval of the Amendment.

Rationale for Declassification

The Board is committed to strong corporate governance policies and regularly considers and evaluates a broad range of corporate governance issues affecting the Company. In connection with the Settlement Agreement and in view of the significant change in composition of the Board resulting from the Settlement Agreement, our Board determined that it was in the interests of shareholders to provide shareholders the opportunity to vote annually on all directors of the Company.

In connection with the Settlement Agreement, Glacier Peak Capital LLC, Glacier Peak US Value Fund, L.P., John C. Rudolf, Deborah Shaw and Linda Shaw entered into a voting agreement pursuant to which they have each agreed to vote or cause to be voted all shares of Company common stock beneficially owned by them in favor of the approval of the Amendment. As of April 1, 2015, these shareholders together beneficially owned approximately 36% of outstanding Company’s outstanding stock. Company to confirm ownership percentage.

The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the Amendment.Unless you specify otherwise, the Board intends the accompanying Proxy to be voted for this item.

Item 1.2. Election of Directors

TheIn accordance with the terms of the Settlement Agreement described on page 10 under “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance – Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee,” the persons listed below each of whom is currently a Director of the Company, have been nominated by the Board, on the recommendation of the Nominating and Nominating/Corporate Governance Committee, for election to eitherthe Board. Assuming that the Amendment described in Item 1 is approved by the shareholders, each nominee will serve for a one year term that will expireexpires at the 20152016 Annual Meeting, or at such time as the nominee’s successor is duly elected and qualified. If the Amendment is not approved, each nominee will be elected for atwo-year term that will expire at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders or the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders, as described below. In order to give effect to the elimination of the classified Board structure at this Annual Meeting, orvoting for the election of directors will not conclude at the Annual Meeting until their successors are electedafter the closing of the polls with respect to Item 1, and, qualify. The Company’s By-Laws provide for a classified board in two groups, and thusif the directors nominated for a one-year term will be inAmendment is approved, until the first class, and those nominated for a two-year term will be in the second class.Amendment is effective under New York law. Each nominee listed below has agreed to serve his or her respective term. If any Directorindividual is unable to stand for election, subject to the terms of the Settlement Agreement, the individuals named as the proxies have the right to designate a substitute. If that happens, shares represented by proxies may be voted for a substitute Director.nominee.

The following directors are not standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting: Mr. Kaplan; Mr. Shaw; Ms. Shaw; and Mr. Turner. In addition, Mr. Frank, whose term would have expired at the 2016 Annual Meeting, is retiring from the Board immediately prior to the Annual Meeting. The Company is grateful for the departing directors’ valuable service to the Company.

The Board recommends that you vote FOR each of the following nominees:

 

William Tuner for aone year term;
James E. Boone

 

Mark Kaplan for aone year term;
Nick S. Cyprus

 

Deborah Shaw for aone year term;
Michael D. Dean

 

Jerome Shaw for aone year term;
Dana Messina

 

Ron Kochman for atwo year term;
John C. Rudolf

 

Theresa Havell for atwo year term;

Bruce Goodman for atwo year term; and

Lloyd Frank for atwo year term.
Laurie Siegel

Unless you specify otherwise, the Board intends the accompanying proxy to be voted for these nominees. Each nominee will be elected for a term expiring at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders; provided that, if the Amendment is not approved by shareholders, Messrs. Boone and Rudolf will be elected for a term expiring at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders and Messrs. Cyprus, Dean and Messina and Ms. Siegel will be elected for a term expiring at the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders.

Biographical information about these nominees can be found on pages 6 through 8is set forth below.

James E. Boone, age 67, is currently an independent executive management consultant and angel investor. From June 2011 to May 2012, Mr. Boone served as an advisor to the Chief Executive Officer of this Proxy Statement.the Company and, from June 2011 to December 2012, as President and Chief Executive Officer of ProcureStaff Technologies, Ltd., a then separate business unit of the Company providing specialized software applications to manage temporary staffing, project work, and other human capital services. From January 2009 to June 2011, Mr. Boone served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Impellam Group PLC, North America, a provider of

Item 2. Proposalstaffing solutions and managed services for workforce needs globally. From 2003 to Approve, on an Advisory Basis, theJanuary 2009, Mr. Boone served as a Managing Partner of Windship Partners, LLC, a senior level executive search firm that he founded, which later merged with NGS Global Americas, LLC. Prior to that, he was Chairman, Global Operating Committee, and President, Americas Region for Korn/Ferry International; and served as Senior Executive Compensation Program for the Company’s Named Executive Officers

Under the rulesSearch Partner and member of the SEC,Global Executive Committee at Heidrick & Struggles. Mr. Boone has served as a director of Pearson Partners International, Inc., a global executive search and leadership consulting firm since July 2013. Mr. Boone has extensive managerial and operational experience and background working with staffing and executive search firms, including the Company. Mr. Boone graduated magna cum laude from the University of Louisville with a Bachelor’s of Science in Commerce.

Nick S. Cyprus, age 61, is a member of the board of directors of DigitalGlobe, Inc. and The Reader’s Digest Association, Inc. He is the Chairman of the audit committees of both boards and serves on the governance & nominating committee of DigitalGlobe. He also provides advisory services for several smaller clients. From 2006 to 2013, Mr. Cyprus was employed by General Motors Company, most recently as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to joining GM in 2006, Mr. Cyprus was Senior Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer for The Interpublic Group of Companies, Inc., one of the world’s largest advertising and marketing services companies. Before Interpublic, Mr. Cyprus held positions of increasing responsibility at AT&T for more than 22 years, serving in his most recent role as Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting Officer from 1999 to 2004. Mr. Cyprus earned his Bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University and an MBA from New York University, Stern School of Business. He is requiredan active Certified Public Accountant in the State of New Jersey. Mr. Cyprus brings to provideour Board valuable managerial, financial and accounting experience serving companies with global operations.

Michael D. Dean, age 51, was Chief Executive Officer of Nature’s Sunshine Products, Inc. from July 2010 until March 2013, where he revitalized the global health and wellness company and returned it to growth. He also served as a director on its shareholdersboard from May 2009 until March 2013 and a member of its audit committee from June 2009 until March 2010. From 2003 to 2010, Mr. Dean was Chief Executive Officer of Mediaur Technologies, Inc., a privately-held satellite technology company that provides proprietary antenna system solutions for commercial and government applications. Before Mediaur, Mr. Dean was Executive Vice President of ABC Cable Networks Group, a multi-billion dollar global division of The Walt Disney Company, where he ran all of the division’s non-creative operations including Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Finance, Legal, Broadcasting Operations, IT, Human Resources, and Business Development. Earlier at Disney, he was Senior Vice President of Corporate Strategic Planning, responsible for all corporate strategy, development, and M&A in Disney’s broadcasting, cable, and film studio businesses. Before Disney, Mr. Dean was a strategy consultant with Bain & Company. He holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Dean brings to our Board substantial managerial, operational and strategy experience.

Dana Messina, age 53, was Chief Executive Officer and a director of Steinway Musical Instruments from August 1996 to October 2011. During his 15 years as CEO, he led the company through a significant period of growth and profitability. When he retired from Steinway, it was one of the largest and most profitable musical instrument companies in the world. Mr. Messina owns Aria Partners GP, LLC, an investment firm which manages a diversified group of equity hedge funds. Mr. Messina also owns Kirkland Messina LLC, a firm founded in 1994 that specializes in financial advisory services. Prior to founding Kirkland Messina, Mr. Messina was a Senior Vice President in the High Yield Bond Department at Drexel Burnham Lambert Incorporated. Mr. Messina graduated magna cum laude from Tufts University with a Bachelor’s of Science in mechanical engineering, and received an MBA from Harvard Business School. Mr. Messina brings to our Board significant operating and financial expertise as well as substantial experience as a public company director.

John C. Rudolf, age 66, has been a director since March 2015. Mr. Rudolf currently serves as President and Senior Portfolio Manager of Glacier Peak Capital LLC, an investment advisory firm registered with the opportunity to castSEC he founded in July 2012. From April 1996 until July 2012, Mr. Rudolf served as a Managing Member and founder of Summit Capital Group, an independent investment advisory votefirm registered with the SEC managing individual accounts and several private investment funds. From 1975 until 1996, Mr. Rudolf served in various positions at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc., including partner in charge of Oppenheimer’s Pacific Northwest operations from 1988 until 1996. Mr. Rudolf has served on the executive compensation programboard of directors of Detrex Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high performance specialty chemicals including additives for industrial petroleum products and high purity hydrochloric acid, since November 2012. Mr. Rudolf brings to our Board substantial experience as an investor, public company board experience, and the Company’s named executive officers. This proposal is frequently referred to asperspective of a “say-on-pay” vote. The Company’s executive compensation program is intended to attract, motivate and reward the executive talent required to achieve our corporate objectives and increasesignificant, long-term shareholder value. We believe that our executive compensation program is both competitive and focused on pay for performance principles, and provides an appropriate balance between risk and rewards.

Our executive compensation program is described in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”), related compensation tables and other narrative executive compensation disclosures required by the disclosure rules of the SEC, allCompany.

Laurie Siegel, age 58, is the President of which are foundLAS Advisory Services, a firm providing advice to organizations on issues related to talent management, succession planning, organizational capability and culture. Ms. Siegel was the Chief Human Resource Officer at Tyco International Ltd. from 2003-2012. She joined the company as part of a new leadership team charged with restoring the company’s reputation, financial health and governance practices. Ms. Siegel had responsibility for rebuilding the leadership team, executing a strategy to restore the confidence of the company’s employees and building an HR function with deep expertise in this Proxy Statement. In particular,global human resource practices. Since February 2009, Ms. Siegel has been a member of the CD&A, beginning on page 13board of this Proxy Statement, describes the Company’s executive compensation program in detail,directors of, and we encourage you to review it.

Since the vote on this proposal is advisory, it is not binding on the Company. Nonetheless,Chair of the Compensation Committee which is responsible for approving the overall designof, CenturyLink, Inc., a broadband, telecommunications and administering certain aspects of the executive compensation program, will take into account the outcome of the vote when making future executive compensation decisions. The Board recommends that you approve the following resolution that will be submitted fordata hosting company. Ms. Siegel has an MBA and a shareholder voteMaster’s degree in City and Regional Planning, both from Harvard University. She completed her Bachelor’s degree at the 2014 Annual Meeting in supportUniversity of the Company’s executive compensation program:

RESOLVED, that the shareholders of the Company approve, onMichigan. Ms. Siegel serves as an advisory basis, the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed pursuantadvisor to the rulesG100 Network and teaches at the Ross School of Business at the SEC, includingUniversity of Michigan and the Compensation DiscussionCornell School of Industrial and Analysis, compensation tables and other narrativeLabor Relations. Ms. Siegel brings to our Board substantial experience as a human resources executive compensation disclosures included in the Proxy Statement for this Annual Meeting.

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of this item. Unless you specify otherwise, the Board intends the accompanying Proxy to be voted for this item.with large global enterprises as well as substantial public company board experience.

Item 3. Vote, on an Advisory Basis, on How Often the Company Will Conduct an Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

As described in Item 2 on page 36 of this Proxy Statement, under the rules of the SEC, the Company is required to provide shareholders with a “say-on-pay” vote, which is an advisory vote on the executive compensation program for the Named Executive Officers of the Company. The rules of the SEC also require the Company to provide shareholders with the opportunity to cast an advisory vote on whether the say-on-pay vote will occur every one, two or three years, or whether shareholders wish to abstain from this vote.

After careful consideration of this proposal, the Board has determined that an advisory vote on executive compensation that occurs every other year is the most appropriate alternative for the Company, and therefore the Board recommends that you vote for a two-year interval for the advisory vote on executive compensation.

While this proposal is advisory and is not binding on the Company, the Board appreciates and values shareholders’ views on this issue, and believes that a biennial say-on-pay vote provides a high level of accountability to the Company and its shareholders while fostering a predictability appropriate to a company our size. Most elements of our executive compensation program are reviewed and determined annually, including base salary and any annual cash and equity incentive awards. Holding biennialsay-on-pay votes would provide valuable feedback to the Board on a frequent basis while creating a level of stability in the use of that feedback.

While the Board is recommending that shareholders vote in favor of holding say-on-pay every second year, you are not voting to approve or disapprove the Board’s recommendation. The proxy card provides you with a choice of voting for the Company holding say-on-pay every one, two or three years, or abstaining from voting on this proposal.

Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the Company holding say-on-pay every TWO YEARS. Unless you specify otherwise, the Board intends the accompanying proxy to be voted in accordance with its recommendation.

Item 4. Proposal to Ratify the Appointment of Ernst & Young as the Company’s Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board, after receiving a favorable recommendation from themembers of our Audit Committee has again selectedand our Board believe that the continued retention of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as theour independent Registered Public Accounting Firm is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.

In light of this, our Audit Committee has appointed Ernst & Young LLP as our independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014. Although2015. We are submitting the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm for shareholder ratification at our Annual Meeting, although we are not legally required to do so,so. If our shareholders do not ratify the Boardappointment, our Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain Ernst & Young LLP, but still may retain them. Even if the appointment is submittingratified, the selectionAudit Committee may change the appointment at any time if it determines that a change would be in the best interests of this firm for ratification by the Company’s shareholders for their views.Company and its shareholders.

Ernst & Young LLP has advised the Company that it has no direct, nor any material indirect, financial interest in the Company or any of its subsidiaries. The BoardA representative of Ernst & Young LLP is expected to be present at our Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so and the Audit Committee may change the appointment at any time if they determine that a change wouldwill be in the best interests of the Company and itsavailable to respond to appropriate questions from shareholders.

The Board of Directors will offer the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED: That the selectionappointment by the Board of Directors of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the independent Registered Public Accounting Firm of the Company for 20142015 be, and hereby is, ratified and approved.

Your Board recommends that you vote FOR this item.item. Unless you specify otherwise, the Board intends the accompanying proxy to be voted for this item.

Item 5.4. Other Matters

The Board knows of no other matters that may properly be brought before the Annual Meeting. However, if other matters should properly come before the Meeting, it is the intention of those named in the solicited proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors.

Ronald Kochman

President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

New York, New York

March 3, 2014April 30, 2015

3 Choices: Vote by Telephone, Internet or MailANNEX A

Internet and telephone voting is available until 11:59 PM Eastern Time on April 16, 2014, the day prior to the shareholder meeting.

LOGO

INTERNET

LOGO

TELEPHONE

www.PROXYVOTE.COM

OR1-800-690-6903

Have your proxy card in hand when you access the Web site.

Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy. Have your proxy card in hand when you call.

If you vote your proxy by Internet or by telephone, you do NOT need to mail back your proxy card.

Your Internet or telephone vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, signed and returned your proxy card.

The Proxy Statement and the 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at:

http://materials.proxyvote.com/928703

To vote by mail, mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the enclosed postage-paid envelope.

q  FOLD AND DETACH HERE  q

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED, OR, IF NO DIRECTION IS INDICATED, WILL BE VOTED “FOR”PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE ELECTIONCERTIFICATE OF DIRECTORS, “FOR” ITEMS 2 AND 4 AND “TWO YEARS” FOR ITEM 3.

INCORPORATION TO DECLASSIFY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS YOU

This is an amendment and restatement of this section, not the actual form of Amendment. The text of Article NINTH shall be amended and restated as follows:

NINTH: The business of the corporation shall be managed by the Board, which shall consist of such number of directors, not less than three nor more than nine, to be fixed from time to time by the shareholders or a majority of the entire Board.The directors shall be classified with respect to the time during which they shall severally hold office by dividing them into two classes, as nearly equal in number as possible, but in no event shall any class include less than three directors. At the meeting of the shareholders of the corporation held for the election of the first such classified Board, the directors of the first class shall be elected for a term of one year and the directors of the second class for a term of two years. At each annual meeting of shareholders held thereafter, the successors to the class whose term shall expire that year shall be elected to hold office for a term of two years, so that the term of office of one class of directors shall expire each year. Any newly created directorship or decrease in directorship as authorized by resolution of the Board of Directors shall be so apportioned as to make both classes as nearly equal in number as possible. When the number of directors is increased by the Board and any newly created directorship is filled by the Board, there shall be no classification of the additional directors until the next annual meeting of shareholders. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Each director shall be at least 21 years old. Directors shall hold office until the annual meeting at which their term expires and until the election of their respective successors.Commencing with the election of directors at the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders, which shall election shall take place immediately following the effectiveness of the Certificate of Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation filed on May 11, 2015, directors shall be elected annually for terms of one year and each director shall hold office until the next succeeding annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. Each director elected at the 2014 annual meeting of shareholders for a term expiring at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders shall hold office until the expiration of his or her term at the 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, in each case until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal from office. No decrease in the number of directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director. Each director shall be at least 21 years old.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of shares of any one or more classes or series of stock (other than Common Stock) issued by the corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect directors at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the election, term of office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be governed by the terms of the Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto.

LOGO

VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES, INC. 1065 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS 20TH FLOOR

NEW YORK, NY 10018

VOTE “FOR” ITEMSBY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com

Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.

ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS

If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.

VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903

Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.

VOTE BY MAIL

Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge,

51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

M92332-P66695 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

VOLT INFORMATION SCIENCES, INC. For Withhold For All To withhold authority to vote for any individual The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the All All Except nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the following: number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

2. Election of Directors ! ! !

Nominees:

01) James E. Boone 04) Dana Messina 02) Nick S. Cyprus 05) John C. Rudolf 03) Michael D. Dean 06) Laurie Siegel

The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: For Against Abstain

1. Vote to approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to declassify the Board of Directors. ! ! !

3. Vote to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2015. ! ! !

This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no specification is made, this proxy will be voted “For” Proposal 1, “For” the election of all director nominees listed in Proposal 2, 4 AND “TWO YEARS” FOR ITEMand “For” Proposal 3.

1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

For one year terms:FORWITHHOLDFORAGAINSTABSTAIN

1.1    William Turner

¨

¨

¨

¨

¨

1.2    Mark Kaplan

¨

¨

2.Vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the executive compensation program for the Company’s named executive officers

1.3    Deborah Shaw

¨

¨

1.4    Jerome Shaw

¨

¨

For two year terms:

1 Year

2 Years

3 Years

Abstain

1.5    Ronald Kochman

¨

¨

¨

¨

¨

¨

1.6    Theresa Havell

¨

¨

3.

Vote, on an advisory basis, on how often the Company will conduct an advisory vote on executive compensation

1.7    Bruce Goodman

¨

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FOR

AGAINST

ABSTAIN

1.8    Lloyd Frank

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¨

¨

¨

4.

Vote to ratify the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for 2014

Please sign exactly as name(s) appear hereon. Joint owners should each sign separately. When signing as executor, administrator, corporate officer, attorney, agent, trustee, guardian or in other representative capacity, please state your full title as such.

Signature

Signature

Date

The proxy holders are authorized to vote in their best judgment on such other matters as may be properly brought before the Meeting.


LOGO

ADMISSION TICKET

Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

20142015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Monday, May 11, 2015 10:00 a.m. (EDT)

The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard,

Uniondale, NY 11553(PDT) 2401 N. Glassnell Street Orange, CA 92865

If you wish to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in person, please present this admission ticket and a valid picture identification at the door for admission. Cameras, large bags, briefcases, packages, recording equipment and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.

qFOLD AND DETACH HEREq

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting:

The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com.

Volt Information Sciences, Inc.

Proxy Card Solicited on Behalf of the Board of Directors

The undersigned appoints Ronald Kochman and James Whitney Mayhew,Paul Tomkins, and each of them, proxies with full power of substitution, to vote the shares of stock of Volt Information Sciences, Inc. (the “Company”(“Company”), which the undersigned is entitled to vote, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of the Company to be held at The Omni, 333 Earle Ovington Boulevard, Uniondale, NY 115532401 N. Glassnell Street, Orange, CA 92865, on Thursday, April 17, 2014,Monday, May 11, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. (EDT)(PDT), and any adjournment thereof.

Volt Information Sciences’ employees.If you are a current or former employee of the Company, this card also provides voting instructions for shares held in the Volt Information Sciences, Inc. Savings Plan. If you are a participant and have shares of common stock of the Company allocated to your account under the Plan, you have the right to direct Charles Schwab Bank, the Trustee of the Plan (the “Trustee”), to vote the shares held in your account. The Trustee will vote allocated shares for which no direction is received and unallocated shares, if any (together “Undirected Shares”), in the same proportion as the shares for which direction is received, subject to the Plan documents. The tabulator must receive your instructions by 4:00 p.m. (EDT) on Monday, April 14, 2014Thursday, May 7, 2015 in order to communicate your instructions to the Trustee, who will then vote all the shares of common stock of the Company which are credited to the undersigned’s account as of March 5, 2014.April 23, 2015. Under the Plan, you are a “named fiduciary” for the purpose of voting shares in your account and your proportionate share of the Undirected Shares. This means that you have ultimate authority to control the manner in which the shares are voted. By submitting voting instructions by telephone, Internet, or by signing and returning this voting instruction card, you direct the Trustee to vote these shares, in person or by proxy, as designated herein, at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

Continued and to be signed on reverse side

Address Change/Comments

(Mark the corresponding box on the reverse side)  

(See reverse side for voting instructions)