🔗 Share this article Waitrose executes job reversal concerning rejected autistic staff member Tom Boyd stacked shelves at his neighborhood Waitrose for several years on a volunteer arrangement before being first refused for paid work The supermarket has reversed its determination not to grant a paying position to an neurodivergent person after initially saying he had to discontinue working at the location where he had donated his time for an extended period. Earlier this year, Frances Boyd inquired whether her family member her son could be offered a position at the grocery store in Cheadle Hulme, but her application was eventually rejected by the supermarket's headquarters. On Thursday, rival chain Asda said it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its local branch. Addressing the company's change of position, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and decide whether it is in what's best for our son to go back... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket." 'We are investigating' A official for Waitrose said: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his relatives and the charity to make this happen." "We expect to welcome him again with us shortly." "We care deeply about helping individuals into the employment who might otherwise not be provided employment." "Therefore, we enthusiastically received Tom and his care assistant into our Manchester location to build skills and enhance his self-assurance." "We have policies in place to support community service, and are investigating what's happened in this instance." Frances Boyd seeks to determine what is the most suitable arrangement for her child Frances explained she had been "profoundly affected" by how individuals had reacted to her sharing her son's experiences. Tom, who has specific communication needs, was commended for his work ethic by managers. "He gave more than six hundred hours of his energy solely because he sought inclusion, contribute, and create value," said his mum. The parent commended and appreciated staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, adding: "They welcomed him and were absolutely brilliant." "I feel he was just flying under the radar - all was running smoothly until it reached corporate level." The family have been supported by regional leader the public figure. He posted on X that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" treatment and vowed to "support him to identify different opportunities that works". The mayor stated the regional organization "actively promotes each company - such as Waitrose - to register to our brand new diversity program". Speaking with Tom's mother, who announced of Tom's Asda job offer on media outlets, the public figure stated: "Congratulations for raising awareness because we require a major education initiative here." She agreed to his proposal to serve as a representative for the program.