Family Affair at Derby Supermarket: Multiple Mothers and Children Work Together
A notable image highlights the presence of 10 mothers and their children employed at the same supermarket, fostering a unique workplace dynamic.
Significant Number of Family Pairs
The ASDA store in Derby currently employs an impressive 18 pairs of mothers and their adult children, contributing to a total of 37 colleagues within the retail location.
Long-Term Employment and Family Legacy
Wendy Fox, a long-term employee of 19 years, has seen her daughter, Ellie, age 20, join her at the store. Ellie has been working in the Click & Collect department for the past two years, following in her mother’s footsteps.
Similarly, Lyndsey Mansfield, also with 19 years of service at ASDA Derby, now works alongside her 18-year-old son, George Sims, who is also part of the Click & Collect team.
Strong Sense of Community and Camaraderie
Wendy describes the friendly atmosphere, stating, “When someone says ‘mum’ here, many of us respond. We are all friends and frequently enjoy social outings together. I originally joined as a temporary worker 19 years ago and remain part of the team.”
Lyndsey echoes this sentiment, noting, “It’s a very family-oriented store with excellent interpersonal relationships among colleagues. We often socialise, and it’s enjoyable to include our children in these gatherings.”
Regarding her son, Lyndsey mentions, “While George and I work in different departments, it’s comforting to know he is present in the same workplace.”
Extended Family Connections within the Store
Further emphasizing the family connections, Lyndsey’s partner, Richard Baxter, is a member of the security staff at the Derby supermarket. Her other adult children, Charlie, 23, and Amy, 29, have also been former employees of the store.
Lyndsey, who initially worked in customer service, now works in the clothing section. She humorously comments on her son’s name, “Despite working in the George department, my son’s name was not inspired by it. His father named him after George Best!”
Intergenerational Workplace
Adding to the store’s intertwined relationships, Clare Dean, 58, met her husband, Andrew, while working at the same ASDA 30 years prior. Additionally, Clare’s sisters, Mandy and Sharon, have also been colleagues at the Derby store.
Following Family into Employment
It was perhaps predictable that Clare’s daughter, Alisha, 22, would also become part of the ASDA Derby team. Alisha began working at the supermarket three years ago, further solidifying the family presence.
Alisha remarks on her close proximity to her mother at work, “I see mum more frequently here than at home. We regularly check in on each other when passing through departments.”
“Although everyone knows she’s my mother, I am still discovering the extent of familial connections within the store. It’s now common to recognise familiar faces among colleagues and realise they are related. The number of mothers working alongside their children here is truly special.”
Clare concludes, “Perhaps it was inevitable that Alisha would also work here. We share lunch together daily, and working in the same store as my daughter is a genuine pleasure.”