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The grocery retailer has reversed its ruling not to provide a paying position to an neurodivergent person after previously stating he had to stop volunteering at the location where he had worked unpaid for four years.

Earlier this year, the young man's parent asked whether her family member Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the retail establishment in Cheadle Hulme, but her application was ultimately declined by the company's corporate office.

This week, competing supermarket Asda said it sought to give Tom employment hours at its Manchester location.

Responding to the company's change of position, the parent said: "We are going to consider the offer and choose whether it is in what's best for our son to return... and are having ongoing talks with Waitrose."

'Looking into the matter'

A spokesman for the retailer commented: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in compensated work, and are working closely from his relatives and the non-profit to do so."

"We anticipate to see him back with us in the near future."

"We are committed about supporting people into the employment who might usually not be given a chance."

"As such, we enthusiastically received Tom and his helper into our local store to build skills and develop his abilities."

"We have policies in place to enable community service, and are examining what's happened in Tom's situation."

The parent said she had been "overwhelmed" by how the public had responded to her talking about her family's story.

Tom, who has specific communication needs, was commended for his commitment by store leadership.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his time exclusively because he sought inclusion, make a difference, and make a difference," commented his mum.

Frances praised and thanked team members at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, stating: "They included him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I feel he was just not sufficiently noticed - operations were proceeding normally until it went to head office."

The family have been supported by regional leader the public figure.

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

Burnham declared the local government body "strongly urges all employers - such as Waitrose - to register to our brand new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Conversing with Tom's mother, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on local radio, the elected official stated: "Good on you for raising awareness because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

She agreed to his invitation to act as a spokesperson for the program.