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The grocery retailer has changed its ruling not to grant paid work to an individual with autism after initially saying he had to cease working at the branch where he had volunteered for four years.

During the summer, Frances Boyd asked whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the retail establishment in the Manchester area, but her request was eventually rejected by the supermarket's headquarters.

Recently, alternative retailer Asda said it was interested in providing Tom paid shifts at its Manchester location.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, the parent stated: "We are going to think about it and choose whether it is in Tom's best interests to return... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A spokesman for the retailer said: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in a paying position, and are requesting assistance from his loved ones and the non-profit to do so."

"We hope to have him return with us very soon."

"We care deeply about assisting workers into the employment who might typically not be provided employment."

"As such, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to gain experience and enhance his self-assurance."

"We have policies in place to support unpaid work, and are reviewing what's happened in this case."

The parent said she had been "deeply moved" by how people had answered to her sharing her child's situation.

The individual, who has challenges with communication, was commended for his dedication by supervisors.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his energy purely because he desired community connection, make a difference, and create value," commented his mum.

The parent praised and thanked team members at the local supermarket for helping him, noting: "They included him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I feel he was just not sufficiently noticed - all was running smoothly until it went to head office."

Tom and his mum have been backed by Greater Manchester mayor the public figure.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" handling and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that functions".

The mayor said the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "would encourage all employers - including Waitrose - to register to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Discussing with Tom's mother, who announced of the alternative position on local radio, the elected official stated: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we require a huge awareness campaign here."

She accepted his invitation to act as a spokesperson for the program.