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Waitrose has overturned its ruling not to provide paid work to an autistic man after initially saying he had to discontinue volunteering at the store where he had volunteered for an extended period.

During the summer, Frances Boyd asked whether her family member the individual could be offered a position at the retail establishment in Cheadle Hulme, but her proposal was ultimately declined by the supermarket's headquarters.

Recently, competing supermarket the grocery chain stated it was interested in providing Tom compensated work at its Manchester location.

Responding to the supermarket's reversal, the parent said: "We are going to think about it and choose whether it is in Tom's best interests to resume working... and are having further discussions with Waitrose."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are working closely from his family and the support organization to do so."

"We expect to have him return with us very soon."

"We place great importance about assisting people into the employment who might usually not be provided employment."

"Consequently, we warmly welcomed Tom and his helper into our Manchester location to learn the ropes and build his confidence."

"We have policies in place to support volunteering, and are investigating the circumstances in Tom's situation."

The parent said she had been "profoundly affected" by how people had reacted to her sharing her family's story.

Tom, who has challenges with communication, was praised for his commitment by store leadership.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his time solely because he sought inclusion, contribute, and create value," commented his parent.

Frances recognized and acknowledged employees at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for helping him, noting: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just flying under the radar - all was running smoothly until it reached corporate level."

Both individuals have been supported by local official the mayor.

He stated on social media that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" management and vowed to "help him to secure alternative employment that works".

The mayor declared the local government body "would encourage each company - such as Waitrose - to participate to our newly established Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Discussing with Frances, who shared information of the alternative position on media outlets, the Labour mayor stated: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

She accepted his offer to serve as a representative for the initiative.