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The grocery retailer has changed its determination not to offer compensated employment to an neurodivergent person after previously stating he had to discontinue stacking shelves at the location where he had worked unpaid for an extended period.

In July, Tom's mother asked whether her family member Tom Boyd could be offered a job at the retail establishment in Cheadle Hulme, but her application was ultimately declined by Waitrose head office.

Recently, alternative retailer the grocery chain said it was interested in providing Tom paid shifts at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Reacting to Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and choose whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having ongoing talks with Waitrose."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for Waitrose commented: "We'd like to have Tom return, in compensated work, and are working closely from his family and the charity to facilitate this."

"We hope to have him return with us in the near future."

"We care deeply about assisting workers into the workplace who might usually 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 guidelines in place to support volunteering, and are examining the situation in Tom's situation."

Tom's mother stated she had been "overwhelmed" by how the public had answered to her sharing her child's situation.

Tom, who has specific communication needs, was praised for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He donated over 600 hours of his energy purely because he sought inclusion, contribute, and make a difference," stated his mother.

Frances recognized and acknowledged team members at the Manchester branch for helping him, stating: "They welcomed him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I think he was just under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it reached corporate level."

The family have been supported by regional leader Andy Burnham.

He posted on social media that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" treatment and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that works".

The mayor declared the local government body "would encourage each company - including Waitrose - to participate to our recently launched inclusion initiative".

Discussing with the parent, who announced of Tom's Asda job offer on media outlets, the public figure stated: "Well done for highlighting the issue because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

She consented to his invitation to become an advocate for the campaign.