The General Manager of Applied Computer Technologies (ACT), Dave Bart said last night that it was standard corporate policy that they did not discuss and or disclose any information regarding employees of the company.

Mr. Bart was responding to the article in yesterday's about American Gerald Yozzo who had been hired by the company less than three weeks only to be fired on Friday.

Mr. Yozzo, who was living in a guest house paid for by the company until yesterday morning, said he had put down $1,000 deposit on an apartment and bought a new motorcycle thinking he would be in Bermuda for a while.

The native New Yorker said he had given up his apartment in New York, sold his car and literally moved to Bermuda with a suitcase on May 26 to start what he hoped would be a lasting career.

But on Friday at 5 p.m. he was called to a meeting and fired.

Currently living with a friend, Mr. Yozzo said he was unsure when he would leave Bermuda as he needed to sell his motorcycle and find out about getting his deposit back.

In his response, Mr. Bart said last night that ACT was concerned by the "unfair and inaccurate story" that ran on Monday.

"As per the Employment Act and our company handbook, a probationary period was in place in an effort to protect both Mr.Yozzo and ACT. This was an unfortunate event, one that ACT is not accustomed to and will make every attempt to avoid in the future," he said.

Mr. Bart said he could only assume, based on their beliefs as an organisation, that the last thing any employer wanted to do was dismiss an employee after three weeks ? regardless whether they are an expatriate or Bermudian.

"I can confirm that at the time of his dismissal, Mr. Yozzo was presented with both a severance package (which he accepted) and an offer to have a plane ticket purchased on his behalf should he choose to leave the Island," he said.

Mr. Bart said ACT had been in business for 22 years in a competitive marketplace and now more than ever needed to ensure that they were taking all of the necessary measures to provide their current and future clients with the best and brightest individuals in an effort to maintain the highest levels of customer service our clients have come to expect from their organisation.