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The grocery retailer has changed its ruling not to offer paid work to an individual with autism after originally indicating he had to stop stacking shelves at the location where he had volunteered for an extended period.

During the summer, Tom's mother inquired whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be given a job at the grocery store in the Manchester area, but her request was eventually rejected by the company's corporate office.

Recently, competing supermarket the grocery chain announced it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its local branch.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, Tom's mother commented: "We are going to think about it and choose whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'We are investigating'

A spokesman for the retailer said: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in a paying position, and are working closely from his relatives and the support organization to do so."

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

"We are committed about assisting individuals into the workplace who might usually not be given a chance."

"Therefore, we enthusiastically received Tom and his care assistant into our local store to gain experience and build his confidence."

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

The parent said she had been "deeply moved" by how people had reacted to her sharing her family's story.

Tom, who has specific communication needs, was praised for his work ethic by managers.

"He contributed more than six hundred hours of his energy exclusively because he wanted to belong, make a difference, and create value," said his mum.

Frances commended and appreciated team members at the Manchester branch for helping him, noting: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I feel he was just flying under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it became a headquarters matter."

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

He posted on social media that Tom had received "deeply concerning" management and committed to "assist him to secure alternative employment that functions".

Burnham stated the regional organization "would encourage every business - such as Waitrose - to sign up to our recently launched Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who broke the news of the alternative position on BBC Radio Manchester, the elected official stated: "Congratulations for raising awareness because we require a significant public information effort here."

She agreed to his invitation to act as a spokesperson for the campaign.