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The grocery retailer has overturned its determination not to grant a paying position to an neurodivergent person after originally indicating he had to cease volunteering at the branch where he had donated his time for an extended period.

During the summer, Tom's mother requested whether her adult child the individual could be provided a job at the grocery store in Greater Manchester, but her request was finally turned down by the company's corporate office.

This week, rival chain the grocery chain announced it was interested in providing Tom paid shifts at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Reacting to the supermarket's reversal, the parent said: "We are going to evaluate the situation and decide whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to return... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for Waitrose commented: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are working closely from his relatives and the non-profit to facilitate this."

"We hope to see him back with us shortly."

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

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our Manchester location to build skills and develop his abilities."

"We have procedures in place to facilitate community service, and are investigating the circumstances in Tom's situation."

Tom's mother said she had been "profoundly affected" by how people had reacted to her talking about her child's situation.

The individual, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his dedication by managers.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his effort purely because he sought inclusion, be helpful, and create value," said his parent.

Tom's mother commended and appreciated staff at the local supermarket for assisting him, noting: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

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

Tom and his mum have been supported by local official Andy Burnham.

He posted on online platforms that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" management and committed to "help him to identify different opportunities that succeeds".

The mayor declared the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "actively promotes all employers - such as Waitrose - to sign up to our brand new diversity program".

Speaking with the parent, who broke the news of the employment opportunity on local radio, the Labour mayor stated: "Good on you for highlighting the issue because we require a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his offer to serve as a representative for the campaign.