Everyone in our family works for Migros

“We always wanted our children to do well. We share in each of their achievements too,” explains Senada Osmancevic as her husband Zijad smiles in agreement. Dad, mum and two sons—an ordinary family with one unusual thing in common—all four of them work for Migros.

27 years ago, the Bosnian war had just ended, leaving the country in ruins and many people in a state of despair. The future outlook was very gloomy indeed. In 1997, the Osmancevics decided to leave their homeland with a heavy heart.

Working their way up from the bottom

They arrived in Switzerland as refugees and spent the first few months living in basic accommodation, initially in French-speaking Switzerland and later in the canton of Bern, where they still live today. Their start to life here was challenging – they didn’t know a single soul and had to muddle their way through.

Seven-year-old Demir started primary school, while three-year-old Emir spent his days at home with mum. After two years, the family was standing on its own two feet – paying for their own living expenses and no longer reliant on support.

Zijad, the father, who was once a waiter, was now earning a living doing various jobs, including as a cleaner. The family’s story is one where the main protagonists start at the bottom and work their way up.

First to join Migros

In the younger son’s office at the Migros store on Baselstrasse in Solothurn, the family of four explain exactly what it means to work your way up. Emir Osmancevic has been branch manager here since 2023. He is already in his second management position. He emulated his big brother, explains the 30-year-old in broad Bernese dialect.

Demir Osmancevic was actually the first in the family to join Migros. At the age of 15, he completed a two-year apprenticeship in Lyss and then did two more years to obtain his VET diploma before relocating to Brügg, where he quickly became deputy team leader.

He felt he was good at his job, enjoyed the responsibility and working with his team. He then attended internal and external training and development courses and held various positions at Migros. Until recently, he was managing the Migros supermarket in Bielerhof in Biel, overseeing 70 staff.

Two brothers on the ball

In 2024, he then ventured into self-employment, taking over the Voi store in Brügg as general manager. This meant even more responsibilities, but more freedom too.

“If something goes wrong, then it’s all on my shoulders. The upside is being able to manage my time more flexibly,” he says.

The younger brother has taken a similar path. After completing his apprenticeship at Denner, he then joined Migros. He was very ambitious and gave the job his all.

He also became a branch manager by the age of 29. “If my brother can do it, then so can I,” he thought. At that stage of his life, he was already a father of two and had a great deal of responsibility, not just at work, but at home too.

Strong family bonds

The Osmancevics are a close-knit family. That’s partly because they have no other relatives in Switzerland, making their familial bond all the more important. “That simply goes without saying for us,” they agree. They also live in the same building, but use separate entrances. It’s important not to overdo it.

They always discuss major decisions as a foursome. For example, whether the parents should take jobs at Migros after their sons had joined the company. It was the boys’ positive experiences that initially convinced their father to join.

He will be celebrating his 10th anniversary as an employee in Zuchwil at the end of 2025. He enjoys getting up in the morning and his job in the food department, and likes working as part of his team and his tasks.

When asked whether he envisages himself working at Migros until retirement, he smiles before replying: “Absolutely – there’s still a lot of work to be done.”

A big heart for customers

Looking back, it was only a matter of time before Senada Osmancevic would wear the Migros uniform too. Three years ago, she did her first day on the checkout in Münchenbuchsee. When you meet her in person, you know immediately that this role suits her.

She is talkative, loves sharing a joke and laughs warmly. Most importantly of all, she is a real people person, notices when one of her regular customers doesn’t come in and then starts to wonder whether everything is OK.

Elderly people are particularly close to her heart. “If I can make them happy, I’m only too pleased to do so,” she says.

Enjoying the fruits of their labour

Four different stores, a four-fold abundance of Migros-related topics of conversation: “Sometimes we have to try to make sure work doesn’t dominate our free time,” reveals Demir Osmancevic.

His mum will say: “That’s enough, let’s talk about something else for a change!”. Physical distance from the job is beneficial too. The two sons are ardent football fans and also travel abroad to watch matches – often combined with short city breaks.

Their dad Zijad is more drawn to the water. He spends time on his small boat on Lake Biel and enjoys visiting coastal resorts with his wife in places like Greece, Turkey and Egypt. She—and all three men are in full agreement—has one major interest: her grandchildren.

It seems the four of them have made a wonderful life for themselves. They are satisfied with what they have and want one thing above all else for the future – good health.

The sons are clearly still ambitious and want to progress in their careers and to look after their parents later on. “We could give them the world, but it still wouldn’t be enough to thank them for everything they’ve done for us,” says Demir Osmancevic, while his brother Emir nods in agreement.