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The grocery retailer has overturned its ruling not to grant paid work to an individual with autism after initially saying he had to discontinue volunteering at the store where he had donated his time for an extended period.

In July, Tom's mother asked whether her family member Tom Boyd could be provided a employment opportunity at the supermarket in Cheadle Hulme, but her request was finally turned down by the supermarket's headquarters.

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

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to think about it and choose whether it is in what's best for our son to resume working... and are having ongoing talks with Waitrose."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A official for Waitrose said: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the charity to make this happen."

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

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

"Therefore, we enthusiastically received Tom and his helper into our local store to gain experience and enhance his self-assurance."

"We have procedures in place to enable volunteering, and are examining the situation in Tom's situation."

The parent stated she had been "deeply moved" by how people had reacted to her discussing her son's experiences.

Tom, who has specific communication needs, was praised for his work ethic by managers.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his time solely because he sought inclusion, make a difference, and have an impact," said his mother.

The parent commended and appreciated staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, stating: "They included him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I think he was just not sufficiently noticed - all was running smoothly until it reached corporate level."

Tom and his mum have been supported by Greater Manchester mayor the mayor.

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

The mayor stated the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "would encourage all employers - including Waitrose - to register to our recently launched Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Discussing with Frances, who shared information of the employment opportunity on BBC Radio Manchester, the elected official said: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

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