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Waitrose has overturned its determination not to provide paid work to an individual with autism after previously stating he had to discontinue volunteering at the store where he had donated his time for several years.

Earlier this year, Frances Boyd asked whether her 28-year-old son her son could be offered a job at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her application was finally turned down by the supermarket's headquarters.

This week, rival chain the grocery chain stated it wanted to offer Tom paid shifts at its local branch.

Reacting to the company's change of position, Tom's mother said: "We are going to consider the offer and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to go back... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to have Tom return, in a paying position, and are seeking support from his loved ones and the charity to make this happen."

"We anticipate to have him return with us very soon."

"We place great importance about assisting people into the job market who might otherwise not be offered opportunities."

"Consequently, we enthusiastically received Tom and his care assistant into our Cheadle Hulme branch to learn the ropes and develop his abilities."

"We have policies in place to enable volunteering, and are investigating the circumstances in this instance."

The parent said she had been "overwhelmed" by how the public had reacted to her discussing her child's situation.

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

"He contributed extensive time of his time exclusively because he desired community connection, be helpful, and have an impact," commented his parent.

The parent praised and thanked team members at the local supermarket for supporting him, noting: "They welcomed him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just not sufficiently noticed - operations were proceeding normally until it reached corporate level."

The family have been endorsed by Greater Manchester mayor the mayor.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" handling and promised to "assist him to find another placement that succeeds".

The mayor stated the regional organization "strongly urges every business - such as Waitrose - to register to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Conversing with Tom's mother, who broke the news of the alternative position on local radio, the Labour mayor stated: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we need a huge awareness campaign here."

She agreed to his proposal to act as a spokesperson for the initiative.