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Waitrose has reversed its decision not to provide compensated employment to an autistic man after previously stating he had to cease stacking shelves at the branch where he had volunteered for several years.

In July, Frances Boyd asked whether her family member the individual could be given a job at the retail establishment in Greater Manchester, but her request was eventually rejected by the company's corporate office.

Recently, alternative retailer the grocery chain announced it wanted to offer Tom employment hours at its Manchester location.

Responding 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 resume working... and are having ongoing talks with Waitrose."

'Conducting an inquiry'

A representative for the supermarket chain said: "We'd like to have Tom return, in compensated work, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the charity to facilitate this."

"We hope to welcome him again with us in the near future."

"We care deeply about helping people into the job market who might usually not be given a chance."

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

"We have guidelines in place to enable community service, and are reviewing the circumstances in this instance."

Tom's mother stated she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had reacted to her sharing her son's experiences.

The individual, who has specific communication needs, was commended for his work ethic by supervisors.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his energy purely because he sought inclusion, make a difference, and make a difference," said his mother.

Tom's mother commended and appreciated team members at the Manchester branch for assisting him, noting: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just not sufficiently noticed - operations were proceeding normally until it became a headquarters matter."

Both individuals have been endorsed by local official Andy Burnham.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and promised to "support him to find another placement that succeeds".

The mayor said the regional organization "would encourage each company - such as Waitrose - to participate to our newly established inclusion initiative".

Conversing with Tom's mother, who broke the news of the employment opportunity on local radio, the public figure stated: "Well done for highlighting the issue because we require a huge awareness campaign here."

She consented to his proposal to become an advocate for the campaign.