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The supermarket has reversed its determination not to grant a paying position to an autistic man after originally indicating he had to stop volunteering at the location where he had donated his time for four years.

During the summer, Tom's mother requested whether her family member her son could be provided a job at the retail establishment in the Manchester area, but her request was finally turned down by Waitrose head office.

On Thursday, competing supermarket Asda said it wanted to offer Tom employment hours at its local branch.

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, Frances said: "We are going to think about it and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to go back... and are having additional conversations with the supermarket."

'We are investigating'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the support organization to facilitate this."

"We anticipate to welcome him again with us in the near future."

"We place great importance about supporting individuals into the employment who might otherwise not be offered opportunities."

"As such, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our Cheadle Hulme branch to build skills and enhance his self-assurance."

"We have policies in place to support community service, and are investigating what's happened in this instance."

Tom's mother stated she had been "overwhelmed" by how people had responded to her discussing her child's situation.

The young man, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his work ethic by managers.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his time solely because he desired community connection, make a difference, and make a difference," stated his parent.

The parent praised and thanked staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for supporting him, adding: "They made him part of the team and were exceptionally supportive."

"I feel he was just under the radar - everything was working well until it went to head office."

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

He wrote on X that Tom had received "truly terrible" handling and promised to "assist him to secure alternative employment that functions".

The mayor declared the local government body "actively promotes all employers - like Waitrose - to sign up to our brand new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Frances, who announced of Tom's Asda job offer on BBC Radio Manchester, the Labour mayor commented: "Well done for raising awareness because we require a significant public information effort here."

She agreed to his offer to serve as a representative for the program.