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The supermarket has overturned its ruling not to provide a paying position to an individual with autism after originally indicating he had to stop working at the location where he had donated his time for several years.

In July, Tom's mother requested whether her family member Tom Boyd could be given a position at the retail establishment in the Manchester area, but her proposal was eventually rejected by Waitrose head office.

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

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, the parent said: "We are going to think about it and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to go back... and are having additional conversations with Waitrose."

'Looking into the matter'

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

"We expect to have him return with us shortly."

"We are committed about helping workers into the employment who might typically not be offered opportunities."

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to build skills and develop his abilities."

"We have procedures in place to facilitate unpaid work, and are reviewing the situation in this case."

The parent said she had been "profoundly affected" by how the public had responded to her sharing her family's story.

The individual, who has challenges with communication, was praised for his commitment by supervisors.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his energy exclusively because he desired community connection, be helpful, and create value," said his mum.

Frances commended and appreciated team members at the Manchester branch for assisting him, noting: "They welcomed him and were wonderfully accommodating."

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

Both individuals have been endorsed by regional leader the mayor.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" treatment and promised to "support him to identify different opportunities that works".

Burnham said the local government body "strongly urges every business - including Waitrose - to register to our recently launched Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Conversing with Frances, who broke the news of the employment opportunity on BBC Radio Manchester, the Labour mayor said: "Well done for highlighting the issue because we must have a major education initiative here."

She consented to his offer to become an advocate for the initiative.