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The supermarket has overturned its ruling not to offer paid work to an individual with autism after previously stating he had to cease stacking shelves at the location where he had donated his time for several years.

Earlier this year, the young man's parent inquired whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be offered a employment opportunity at the grocery store in Cheadle Hulme, but her proposal was finally turned down by Waitrose head office.

Recently, competing supermarket the grocery chain announced it sought to give Tom compensated work at its Manchester location.

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

'Conducting an inquiry'

A spokesman for Waitrose commented: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his family and the support organization to make this happen."

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

"We place great importance about assisting workers into the workplace who might typically not be provided employment."

"Therefore, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our local store to gain experience and build his confidence."

"We have guidelines in place to facilitate community service, and are investigating the circumstances in this case."

The parent explained she had been "deeply moved" by how individuals had responded to her sharing her son's experiences.

The individual, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his commitment by managers.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his time exclusively because he sought inclusion, contribute, and create value," commented his mum.

The parent praised and thanked employees at the local supermarket for supporting him, stating: "They welcomed him and were exceptionally supportive."

"I feel he was just under the radar - all was running smoothly until it reached corporate level."

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

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "deeply concerning" management and promised to "help him to identify different opportunities that succeeds".

The mayor declared the local government body "strongly urges all employers - like Waitrose - to register to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on local radio, the elected official said: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we require a major education initiative here."

She accepted his offer to act as a spokesperson for the initiative.