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The grocery retailer has overturned its determination not to grant compensated employment to an autistic man after originally indicating he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had worked unpaid for four years.

During the summer, Tom's mother inquired whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the supermarket in the Manchester area, but her application was eventually rejected by Waitrose head office.

This week, rival chain the grocery chain said it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its local branch.

Reacting to the supermarket's reversal, Frances said: "We are going to think about it and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to return... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'We are investigating'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to have Tom return, in paid employment, and are working closely from his loved ones and the charity to facilitate this."

"We anticipate to have him return with us in the near future."

"We are committed about helping people into the employment who might otherwise not be given a chance."

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our Manchester location to learn the ropes and enhance his self-assurance."

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

Frances explained she had been "overwhelmed" by how the public had reacted to her sharing her family's story.

The young man, who has limited communication skills, was praised for his dedication by managers.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his energy purely because he desired community connection, be helpful, and create value," stated his mother.

Tom's mother recognized and acknowledged team members at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for supporting him, adding: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

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

Both individuals have been backed by regional leader the mayor.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" handling and committed to "support him to identify different opportunities that succeeds".

Burnham declared the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "would encourage each company - such as Waitrose - to register to our newly established diversity program".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who broke the news of the alternative position on local radio, the Labour mayor stated: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we require a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his offer to act as a spokesperson for the program.