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The grocery retailer has reversed its determination not to offer compensated employment to an autistic man after originally indicating he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had volunteered for an extended period.

Earlier this year, Tom's mother asked whether her 28-year-old son Tom Boyd could be provided a job at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her proposal was eventually rejected by Waitrose head office.

Recently, rival chain the grocery chain said it was interested in providing Tom employment hours at its local branch.

Reacting to Waitrose's U-turn, Frances stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and determine whether it is in what's best for our son to go back... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain said: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in paid employment, and are working closely from his relatives and the charity to do so."

"We expect to see him back with us shortly."

"We place great importance about helping people into the job market who might otherwise not be given a chance."

"As such, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to learn the ropes and build his confidence."

"We have procedures in place to enable community service, and are investigating the situation in this case."

Frances stated she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had answered to her discussing her family's story.

The young man, who has challenges with communication, was commended for his work ethic by managers.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his time solely because he wanted to belong, contribute, and make a difference," commented his parent.

Tom's mother recognized and acknowledged employees at the local supermarket for helping him, adding: "They made him part of the team and were absolutely brilliant."

"I think he was just flying under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it went to head office."

The family have been endorsed by Greater Manchester mayor the mayor.

He posted on online platforms that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" management and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that works".

Burnham declared the regional organization "would encourage every business - such as Waitrose - to register to our recently launched Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Conversing with Frances, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on media outlets, the public figure said: "Good on you for highlighting the issue because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

She consented to his offer to become an advocate for the program.