The assistant chief concierge at the Fairmont Southampton Resort has been suspended ? one day after she and four colleagues staged a temporary walk-out to protest a managerial appointment.

The suspension decision appears to be a call for "time-out" to cool a heated situation created by the appointing of an American as Royal Service and Concierge manager rather than promote the hotel's top concierge Debbie Forde.

Ms Forde claimed she had been by-passed for promotion to the managerial role despite her seven years' service in concierge with the two Fairmont hotels and claiming to have the necessary experience and qualifications.

Matters came to a head on Monday afternoon when Ms Forde and her colleagues staged a temporary walk-out to let management know about their unhappiness regarding the situation.

In the wake of the protest it was reported last night that Ms Forde had been sent home on full pay for what was described as a "cooling off" period.

Hotel manager Allan Trew yesterday informed that the Bermuda Industrial Union's hotel division president was to have a meeting with the concierge staff regarding the matter.

He was later reported on ZBM News as saying Ms Forde had been given a "cooling off period".

"She's been suspended on full pay, she's certainly not losing anything because of the actions that were taken," he explained.

The hotel manager indicated it was intended to train Ms Forde up for possibly taking over the top concierge role in the future, by learning from the newly-appointed concierge and Royal Service manager during the coming year.

Mr. Trew said it was hoped Ms Forde would return to her position at the hotel with the next few days.