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The supermarket has changed its decision not to provide a paying position to an individual with autism after initially saying he had to cease working at the store where he had worked unpaid for four years.

In July, Frances Boyd requested whether her 28-year-old son her son could be given a position at the retail establishment in Cheadle Hulme, but her request was ultimately declined by the company's corporate office.

Recently, competing supermarket Asda stated it was interested in providing Tom compensated work at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Reacting to the company's change of position, Frances stated: "We are going to consider the offer and decide whether it is in what's best for our son to go back... and are having further discussions with Waitrose."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A official for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to have Tom return, in a paying position, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the charity to facilitate this."

"We expect to welcome him again with us shortly."

"We care deeply about helping individuals into the workplace who might typically not be offered opportunities."

"Therefore, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to learn the ropes and enhance his self-assurance."

"We have procedures in place to facilitate community service, and are reviewing what's happened in this instance."

Tom's mother explained she had been "overwhelmed" by how individuals had responded to her sharing her son's experiences.

The young man, who has specific communication needs, was recognized for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his energy purely because he sought inclusion, be helpful, and create value," stated his mother.

Tom's mother praised and thanked employees at the local supermarket for supporting him, stating: "They welcomed him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I feel he was just not sufficiently noticed - everything was working well until it went to head office."

The family have been backed by regional leader Andy Burnham.

He posted on X that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and vowed to "support him to secure alternative employment that functions".

The mayor said the local government body "strongly urges all employers - like Waitrose - to register to our newly established Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Frances, who shared information of the alternative position on local radio, the public figure said: "Good on you for highlighting the issue because we must have a significant public information effort here."

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