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Waitrose has overturned its ruling not to offer a paying position to an neurodivergent person after previously stating he had to stop volunteering at the location where he had volunteered for an extended period.

Earlier this year, Frances Boyd asked whether her family member her son could be provided a job at the retail establishment in Greater Manchester, but her request was finally turned down by the company's corporate office.

This week, alternative retailer the grocery chain stated it sought to give Tom employment hours at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Addressing Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to consider the offer and determine whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having further discussions with the company."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain said: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his loved ones and the support organization to do so."

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

"We are committed about assisting individuals into the employment who might otherwise not be provided employment."

"Therefore, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to build skills and build his confidence."

"We have guidelines in place to support community service, and are examining the circumstances in Tom's situation."

Frances said she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had reacted to her sharing her son's experiences.

The young man, who has limited communication skills, was recognized for his commitment by managers.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his time purely because he desired community connection, make a difference, and have an impact," said his parent.

Frances praised and thanked employees at the local supermarket for supporting him, noting: "They welcomed him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I feel he was just under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it reached corporate level."

Tom and his mum have been supported by regional leader the mayor.

He stated on X that Tom had received "truly terrible" handling and promised to "support him to identify different opportunities that functions".

The mayor said the local government body "actively promotes every business - including Waitrose - to participate to our newly established diversity program".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who broke the news of the alternative position on media outlets, the public figure said: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we need a major education initiative here."

She agreed to his invitation to serve as a representative for the campaign.