Manjit, 52, and her son Yuvraj, 18, both work at McGhee’s Bakery in Glasgow. Manjit has spent the last six years working across multiple departments, while Yuvraj balances part-time shifts alongside his studies.

For them, sharing a workplace has added something unexpected to their relationship.

“I think everyone should work with their mum at least once,” says Yuvraj. “You understand them more and you see how hard they work. It’s not awkward like people think. We’re not beside each other all day, but when we cross paths, it just feels normal.”

Manjit joined McGhee’s after years focused on raising her children. Returning to work later in life brought a new rhythm to her days.

“This was my first proper job after being a housewife for a long time,” she says. “My children were older and doing their own things. I can’t just sit in the house all day watching TV or calling people. I needed to do something.

“When I started, I was trained in a few departments. Now I can work almost anywhere in the bakery, and I like that because every day feels different.”

Over time, McGhee’s became something of a family workplace. Manjit’s daughter previously worked part-time while studying, and Yuvraj followed when he was old enough.

“My son wanted to work as soon as he could,” Manjit says. “He wanted his own money, and I think it’s important for young people to learn responsibility and earn something for themselves.”

Yuvraj, who studies quantity surveying in Glasgow, mainly works in packing and production.

“When I first came in, I realised McGhee’s isn’t a small bakery. It’s a massive operation. The workload is fast paced, especially in packing. There’s a high amount coming down the belt and at the end you’re catching it and boxing it.

“It can feel full-on, but once you get used to it, it’s fine. If you have a good team, everything runs smoother. Even if someone’s new, the people around will always help you out.”

Although they’re employed by the same company, they’re usually based in different departments, which keeps things balanced.

“Sometimes we don’t even see each other all day,” Manjit says. “At home we talk about work and what happened that day, and sometimes we laugh about it. It hasn’t changed our relationship in a bad way. It’s nice to understand what each other does.”

For Yuvraj, seeing his mum at work has changed his perspective.

“It makes you appreciate your mum more. You see them working hard and still coming home positive. It gives you perspective.

“Working here helped me grow up faster. You learn what real work is like and how to deal with different people. I’m glad I started early, and I’m glad I did it somewhere my mum already felt at home.”

Manjit says what she enjoys most is the sense of community.

“You meet people from everywhere. One day I counted and there were people from seven different countries working on one line together. That makes the job feel welcoming, and you always have someone to talk to.

“I’m happy here. I like the work, I like the people, and I feel comfortable. That matters to me.”

At a bakery entering its 90th year, it’s stories like theirs – family, hard work and shared experience – that continue to shape the business from the inside out.

People of McGhee’s is a series celebrating the people behind Scotland’s local baker as the business enters its 90th year.