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The grocery retailer has overturned its determination not to offer paid work to an autistic man after previously stating he had to discontinue volunteering at the location where he had worked unpaid for four years.

Earlier this year, the young man's parent asked whether her family member the individual could be given a job at the grocery store in Cheadle Hulme, but her application was ultimately declined by the supermarket's headquarters.

Recently, alternative retailer Asda announced it sought to give Tom paid shifts at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Responding to the supermarket's reversal, the parent stated: "We are going to consider the offer and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to resume working... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'Looking into the matter'

A representative for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in paid employment, and are requesting assistance from his family and the non-profit to make this happen."

"We expect to see him back with us very soon."

"We are committed about helping people into the workplace who might otherwise not be provided employment."

"As such, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our Manchester location to build skills and develop his abilities."

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

Tom's mother said she had been "overwhelmed" by how people had answered to her discussing her son's experiences.

Tom, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his commitment by supervisors.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his effort solely because he desired community connection, contribute, and have an impact," stated his parent.

Tom's mother praised and thanked staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for supporting him, adding: "They made him part of the team and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I feel he was just not sufficiently noticed - everything was working well until it reached corporate level."

Tom and his mum have been supported by Greater Manchester mayor the mayor.

He wrote on X that Tom had received "deeply concerning" management and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that works".

The official declared the regional organization "would encourage each company - like Waitrose - to participate to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on BBC Radio Manchester, the Labour mayor said: "Well done for bringing attention because we need a major education initiative here."

She accepted his proposal to become an advocate for the initiative.