An investigation on behalf of former and current employees of Stanley Black & Decker Inc., who are or were participants or beneficiaries of the Stanley Black & Decker employee company stock option plan and/or currently hold NYSE: SWK stock over possible breaches of fiduciary duties in connection with Stanley Black & Deckers executive compensation practices was announced.

The investigation by a law firm focuses on possible breaches of fiduciary duties related to potential excessive compensation that was awarded to certain senior officers and executives at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. based upon its current operating condition and that was improper compared to what senior officers and executives at comparable companies were making.

The investigation by a law firm concerns on whether certain officers and directors at Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE: SWK) breached their fiduciary duty by the board's decision to increase the company's Chief Executive Officer's pay by over 240% to $32.7 million, including a one-time grant of 325,000 shares of stock valued at $18.7 million.

Stanley Black & Decker Chief Executive Officer's pay rose from $6.05million in 08 to $32.73million in 2010. Its CFOs pay rose from roughly $813,000 in 08 to $5.75million in 2010, its Senior Vice Presidents pay rose from $1.22million in 08 to $6.09million in 2010, and its Executive Vice President and COOs pay rose from $2.67million in 08 to $19.24million in 2010.

However, Stanley Black & Decker's shareholders recently expressed their disdain for the executive pay packages by voting no on Stanley Black and Decker's say on pay provision. Stanley Black & Decker received only 39% support for its pay practices at its April 19 annual meeting, according to a company filing.

Former (or current) employees of in Stanley Black & Decker, who currently hold stocks of in Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (NYSE:SWK), may be eligible to file a complaint against certain directors and officers, so the investigation.