While this is definitely within their rights, it does strike me as extreme.
What I find most disturbing was the tone of the quotes attributed to this programmer's Director, a Mr. Tom Hayes:
"I understand his desire to search for intelligent life in outer space, because obviously he doesn't find it in the mirror in the morning," Hayes said. "I think that people can be comfortable that security has beamed this man out of our building."
Not only is it clearly derogatory to the employee, but it makes light of a serious scientific project.
It is hard enough to get Americans to relate to the need for scientific research to support our bloated standard of living without some bureaucrat making immature jokes to garner attention from the newspapers.
I urge all Ohio residents to contact their representatives and let them know what they think of this sideshow stunt.
Links to newspaper articles tend to require registering at that site, so try this google search first:
Search Google News for SETI & HAYES