Exhibit 10.42
FORM OF NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
PURSUANT TO THOMAS & BETTS CORPORATION
2008 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
     A NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION is hereby granted, as of the date of grant set
forth in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option (the “Date of Grant”), to
the nonemployee director identified in the attached Notice of Grant of Stock
Option (the “Optionee”) to purchase the number of shares of Common Stock, par
value $.10 per share, of Thomas & Betts Corporation, a Tennessee corporation
(the “Corporation”), set forth in the Notice of Grant of Stock Option. Such
Option is in all respects subject to the terms, definitions and provisions of
the Thomas & Betts Corporation 2008 Stock Incentive Plan, as attached to the
2008 Proxy Statement, and as amended from time to time thereafter (the “Plan”)
and which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Exercise Price. The exercise price for each share is set forth in the
attached Notice of Grant of Stock Option (being one hundred percent (100%) of
the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock, as determined by the Committee, on
the date of grant of this Option).
2. Exercise of Option. This Option shall be exercisable in accordance with
provisions of Section 6 of the Plan as follows:
(i) Schedule of Rights to Exercise. This Option shall become fully exercisable
on the business day before the first annual meeting of the Corporation’s
shareholders which follows the Date of Grant if the Optionee’s Termination of
Service has not occurred before such business day. This Option shall become
fully exercisable on a Change in Control if the Optionee’s Termination of
Service has not occurred before the Change in Control. If the Optionee’s
Termination of Service occurs prior to the date on which this Option is
scheduled to become exercisable, this Option shall not become exercisable,
except as otherwise provided in Paragraph 6, 7 or 8.
(ii) Method of Exercise. This Option may be exercised, to the extent that it is
exercisable, by the Optionee through a broker-facilitated transaction no later
than the expiration date of the Option (as determined under Paragraphs 4 through
9). This Option may not be exercised for fewer than the lesser of 50 shares of
Common Stock or the full number of shares for which this Option is then
exercisable.
(iii) Restrictions on Exercise. This Option may not be exercised if the issuance
of the shares upon such exercise would constitute a violation of any applicable
federal or state securities or other law or regulation. As a condition to the
exercise of this Option, the Corporation may require the person exercising this
Option to make any representation and warranty to the Corporation as may be
required by any applicable law or regulation.
3. Non-transferability of Option. This Option may not be transferred by the
Optionee other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During
the lifetime of the Optionee, this Option shall be exercisable only by the
Optionee, or by a duly appointed legal representative.
4. Term of Option. This Option may not be exercised more than ten years from the
Date of Grant and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the
Plan and the terms of this Agreement. As set forth in Section 15 of the Plan and
Paragraphs 5 through 8, this Option may terminate prior to the scheduled
expiration date.

 

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5. Termination of Service for a Reason Other Than Retirement, Disability or
Death. If the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs for any reason other than
Retirement, disability or death, this Option may be exercised by the Optionee at
any time on or before the earlier of (i) the last day of the term of the Option
under Paragraph 4, or (ii) ninety days after the date of such Termination of
Service. This Option may be exercised during this period by the Optionee to the
extent it has become exercisable under Paragraph 2 on the date of the Optionee’s
Termination of Service, and shall terminate on the date of the Optionee’s
Termination of Service to the extent it has not become exercisable under
Paragraph 2 on the date of Termination of Service.
6. Retirement. If the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs as a result of
Retirement, this Option may be exercised by the Optionee at any time on or
before the last day of the term of the Option under Paragraph 4. This Option may
be exercised during this period with respect to all shares covered by the Option
even if the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs before the Option becomes
exercisable under Paragraph 2.
7. Disability. If the Optionee becomes disabled (within the meaning of Code
§22(e)(3)) and the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs as a result of the
disability, this Option may be exercised by the Optionee at any time on or
before the last day of the term of the Option under Paragraph 4. This Option may
be exercised during this period with respect to all shares covered by the Option
even if the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs before the Option becomes
exercisable under Paragraph 2. In the event of the Optionee’s legal disability,
the Option may be exercised by the Optionee’s legal representative.
8. Death. If the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs as a result of death
or the Optionee dies before the end of the exercise period described in
Paragraph 5, 6 or 7 (as applicable), this Option may be exercised by the
Optionee’s estate, personal representative, or beneficiary who acquired the
right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death
of the Optionee. Such post-death exercise may occur at any time on or before the
earlier of (i) the last day of the term of the Option under Paragraph 4, or
(ii) twelve months from the date of the Optionee’s death. If the Optionee’s
Termination of Service occurs as a result of death, this Option may be exercised
during this period with respect to all shares covered by the Option even if the
Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs before the Option becomes exercisable
under Paragraph 2. If the Optionee’s Termination of Service occurs for a reason
other than death, this Option may be exercised during this period to the extent
it was exercisable on the date of the Optionee’s death.
9. Quiet Period. If the last day on which the Optionee (or the Optionee’s legal
representative, estate, personal representative or beneficiary) may exercise the
Option under Paragraph 5 or 8 falls within a Quiet Period, the period during
which the Option may be exercised shall be extended until the earlier of
(i) ninety days after the date the Quiet Period ends, or (ii) the last day of
the term of the Option under Paragraph 4.
10. Successors. The terms of this Option shall be binding upon the heirs,
personal representatives and successors of the Optionee and upon the Corporation
and its successors and assigns.
11. Governing Law. This Option shall be construed and enforced in accordance
with the laws of the State of Tennessee (without regard to principles of
conflicts of laws), except to the extent such laws are preempted by federal law.
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