🔗 Share this article

The supermarket has reversed its decision not to offer compensated employment to an neurodivergent person after previously stating he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had donated his time for an extended period.

During the summer, Frances Boyd requested whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be given a employment opportunity at the grocery store in Cheadle Hulme, but her request was eventually rejected by the company's corporate office.

On Thursday, rival chain Asda said it sought to give Tom employment hours at its Manchester location.

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, the parent commented: "We are going to consider the offer and determine whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having additional conversations with the supermarket."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A official for the retailer stated: "We'd like to have Tom return, in paid employment, and are working closely from his family and the charity to make this happen."

"We anticipate to see him back with us very soon."

"We place great importance about supporting workers into the workplace who might usually not be provided employment."

"Therefore, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to build skills and build his confidence."

"We have procedures in place to support volunteering, and are reviewing the situation in this instance."

Frances stated she had been "deeply moved" by how people had responded to her sharing her son's experiences.

Tom, who has challenges with communication, was commended for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his effort solely because he desired community connection, contribute, and have an impact," commented his parent.

Tom's mother praised and thanked staff at the local supermarket for helping him, adding: "They welcomed him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I believe he was just not sufficiently noticed - everything was working well until it became a headquarters matter."

Both individuals have been endorsed by regional leader the mayor.

He posted on social media that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" management and committed to "help him to secure alternative employment that functions".

Burnham declared the local government body "would encourage each company - like Waitrose - to register to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Discussing with Frances, who broke the news of the alternative position on media outlets, the elected official stated: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we must have a significant public information effort here."

She agreed to his proposal to serve as a representative for the program.