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The supermarket has overturned its determination not to grant compensated employment to an individual with autism after previously stating he had to discontinue volunteering at the branch where he had donated his time for four years.

During the summer, Tom's mother requested whether her 28-year-old son Tom Boyd could be offered a position at the supermarket in the Manchester area, but her application was eventually rejected by Waitrose head office.

This week, competing supermarket the grocery chain said it wanted to offer Tom employment hours at its Manchester location.

Addressing the company's change of position, Tom's mother said: "We are going to evaluate the situation and choose whether it is in what's best for our son to go back... and are having ongoing talks with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for the supermarket chain commented: "We'd like to have Tom return, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his loved ones and the non-profit to facilitate this."

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

"We care deeply about supporting people into the employment who might otherwise not be offered opportunities."

"As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Manchester location to learn the ropes and develop his abilities."

"We have procedures in place to enable community service, and are examining what's happened in this case."

The parent explained she had been "profoundly affected" by how individuals had responded to her sharing her family's story.

The individual, who has limited communication skills, was praised for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his energy solely because he sought inclusion, make a difference, and create value," commented his parent.

Frances commended and appreciated employees at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, adding: "They made him part of the team and were absolutely brilliant."

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

Both individuals have been supported by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

He posted on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" treatment and vowed to "support him to identify different opportunities that works".

Burnham said the local government body "would encourage all employers - like Waitrose - to sign up to our brand new inclusion initiative".

Discussing with the parent, who shared information of the alternative position on local radio, the Labour mayor said: "Well done for bringing attention because we require a major education initiative here."

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