🔗 Share this article The supermarket chain executes employment U-turn regarding initially declined neurodivergent staff member Tom Boyd worked at his neighborhood Waitrose for four years on a volunteer arrangement before being originally rejected for paid work The grocery retailer has reversed its ruling not to provide compensated employment to an autistic man after originally indicating he had to discontinue stacking shelves at the location where he had worked unpaid for four years. During the summer, Frances Boyd inquired whether her 28-year-old son Tom Boyd could be offered a job at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her request was finally turned down by the company's corporate office. This week, competing supermarket the grocery chain announced it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its Manchester location. Addressing Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother said: "We are going to evaluate the situation and determine whether it is in Tom's best interests to resume working... and are having additional conversations with the company." 'Conducting an inquiry' A official for Waitrose said: "We'd like to have Tom return, in compensated work, and are requesting assistance from his loved ones and the non-profit to make this happen." "We anticipate to welcome him again with us in the near future." "We care deeply about helping people into the workplace who might typically not be provided employment." "As such, we gladly accepted Tom and his care assistant into our Manchester location to learn the ropes and develop his abilities." "We have guidelines in place to facilitate community service, and are examining what's happened in Tom's situation." Tom's mother seeks to determine what is the optimal opportunity for her child The parent stated she had been "deeply moved" by how people had reacted to her talking about her family's story. The individual, who has limited communication skills, was recognized for his dedication by supervisors. "He gave extensive time of his effort solely because he wanted to belong, be helpful, and create value," said his mum. Tom's mother praised and thanked team members at the Manchester branch for assisting him, adding: "They included him and were absolutely brilliant." "I feel he was just under the radar - everything was working well until it became a headquarters matter." Tom and his mum have been backed by local official the public figure. He wrote on X that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" handling and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that works". The official declared the local government body "strongly urges every business - such as Waitrose - to register to our brand new inclusion initiative". Speaking with the parent, who shared information of the employment opportunity on local radio, the public figure stated: "Well done for raising awareness because we must have a huge awareness campaign here." She accepted his proposal to act as a spokesperson for the initiative.