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The grocery retailer has overturned its decision not to offer paid work to an autistic man after previously stating he had to discontinue working at the store where he had donated his time for four years.

Earlier this year, Tom's mother asked whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be offered a position at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her application was eventually rejected by the company's corporate office.

This week, competing supermarket the grocery chain said it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, the parent said: "We are going to evaluate the situation and choose whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to return... and are having further discussions with the supermarket."

'Looking into the matter'

A representative for Waitrose said: "We'd like to have Tom return, in a paying position, and are working closely from his family and the charity to facilitate this."

"We hope to see him back with us in the near future."

"We care deeply about assisting workers into the employment who might typically not be offered opportunities."

"As such, we enthusiastically received Tom and his helper into our Manchester location to build skills and build his confidence."

"We have policies in place to enable unpaid work, and are reviewing the situation in this instance."

The parent stated she had been "deeply moved" by how individuals had answered to her talking about her child's situation.

The individual, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his work ethic by store leadership.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his time solely because he desired community connection, make a difference, and have an impact," commented his parent.

Frances praised and thanked staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, adding: "They included him and were exceptionally supportive."

"I feel he was just flying under the radar - everything was working well until it became a headquarters matter."

The family have been supported by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

He posted on X that Tom had received "deeply concerning" handling and promised to "support him to identify different opportunities that functions".

The official declared the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "strongly urges each company - such as Waitrose - to participate to our newly established Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Discussing with the parent, who broke the news of the alternative position on local radio, the public figure said: "Well done for raising awareness because we require a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his proposal to act as a spokesperson for the program.