Waitrose makes job U-turn regarding rejected neurodivergent staff member

Waitrose has changed its determination not to grant compensated employment to an neurodivergent person after initially saying he had to stop stacking shelves at the location where he had volunteered for several years.

During the summer, Tom's mother asked whether her family member Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the grocery store in Cheadle Hulme, but her request was ultimately declined by the supermarket's headquarters.

On Thursday, alternative retailer the grocery chain announced it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its Manchester location.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, Tom's mother commented: "We are going to consider the offer and choose whether it is in what's best for our son to return... and are having ongoing talks with Waitrose."

'We are investigating'

A spokesman for the retailer stated: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his relatives and the charity to make this happen."

"We expect to welcome him again with us very soon."

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

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

"We have guidelines in place to support volunteering, and are examining what's happened in this case."

The parent explained she had been "overwhelmed" by how the public had responded to her sharing her family's story.

Tom, who has limited communication skills, was praised for his dedication by supervisors.

"He contributed over 600 hours of his energy exclusively because he wanted to belong, make a difference, and have an impact," said his mother.

Tom's mother praised and thanked employees at the local supermarket for helping him, stating: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just under the radar - everything was working well until it reached corporate level."

The family have been backed by regional leader Andy Burnham.

He posted on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" treatment and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that succeeds".

The mayor declared the regional organization "actively promotes every business - like Waitrose - to sign up to our brand new inclusion initiative".

Conversing with the parent, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on local radio, the elected official stated: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we need a huge awareness campaign here."

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