Tribunal asks manager to prove length of service

A row over whether a restaurant manager had provided two years' continuous service took up the first part of an industrial tribunal involving a London bagel restaurant chief this week.

Ali Kiliclilar and Joe Szabo are both claiming unfair dismissal against Ali Safa, managing director of Original Bagel and Subs.

Before the tribunal could look into the pair's allegations of unfair dismissal, Kiliclilar had to prove he had worked for Safa for more than two years continuously. Safa claimed that Kiliclilar, who began working for him in 1986, had resigned and joined another company for some months in 1995 before returning to work for him.

The tribunal has adjourned for the time being and will re-convene in March.