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The supermarket has reversed its ruling not to provide compensated employment to an neurodivergent person after initially saying he had to cease volunteering at the store where he had volunteered for an extended period.

Earlier this year, Frances Boyd requested whether her family member her son could be offered a position at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her application was ultimately declined by the company's corporate office.

On Thursday, rival chain Asda said it was interested in providing Tom compensated work at its local branch.

Reacting to Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to consider the offer and decide whether it is in what's best for our son to resume working... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'We are investigating'

A official for Waitrose commented: "We'd like to have Tom return, in a paying position, and are working closely from his family and the support organization to facilitate this."

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

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

"Therefore, we warmly welcomed Tom and his care assistant into our Manchester location to build skills and develop his abilities."

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

The parent stated she had been "overwhelmed" by how individuals had answered to her discussing her son's experiences.

Tom, who has challenges with communication, was praised for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his time exclusively because he wanted to belong, be helpful, and create value," said his mum.

The parent recognized and acknowledged staff at the local supermarket for supporting him, adding: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just flying under the radar - all was running smoothly until it went to head office."

Both individuals have been endorsed by regional leader Andy Burnham.

He posted on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and promised to "assist him to identify different opportunities that works".

The mayor declared the local government body "would encourage each company - like Waitrose - to register to our recently launched diversity program".

Speaking with Frances, who announced of the employment opportunity on local radio, the public figure said: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we need a huge awareness campaign here."

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