It is estimated that CEO pay is 282 times that of an average worker. This discrepancy has caused public outrage and led to the development of plans to restrain executive compensation. The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is considering a new rule that would require shareholders to approve stock compensation for all employees, officers,and directors. Many companies have decided to add the cost of stock options granted to executives to their expenses, which will affect profits. In general there is a trend toward less use of stock options in executive pay, in order to encourage CEOs to focus on what is best for the company in the long-term.
See "Moves afoot to curb CEO salaries", David R. Francis, The Christian Science Monitor, July 7, 2003