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The grocery retailer has changed its ruling not to provide compensated employment to an neurodivergent person after initially saying he had to discontinue volunteering at the location where he had donated his time for an extended period.

In July, the young man's parent asked whether her 28-year-old son the individual could be offered a employment opportunity at the supermarket in Greater Manchester, but her request was ultimately declined by Waitrose head office.

On Thursday, competing supermarket the grocery chain announced it was interested in providing Tom paid shifts at its local branch.

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, Frances said: "We are going to evaluate the situation and decide whether it is in Tom's best interests to go back... and are having ongoing talks with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for the retailer said: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in paid employment, and are working closely from his family and the non-profit to do so."

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

"We care deeply about supporting individuals into the workplace who might typically not be provided employment."

"Consequently, we enthusiastically received Tom and his helper into our Cheadle Hulme branch to learn the ropes and develop his abilities."

"We have policies in place to facilitate volunteering, and are reviewing the circumstances in this case."

The parent stated she had been "profoundly affected" by how individuals had answered to her discussing her son's experiences.

The individual, who has specific communication needs, was commended for his commitment by managers.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his time exclusively because he sought inclusion, be helpful, and make a difference," said his mother.

The parent praised and thanked team members at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, adding: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I think he was just not sufficiently noticed - all was running smoothly until it reached corporate level."

Tom and his mum have been endorsed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

He wrote on social media that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" treatment and vowed to "help him to secure alternative employment that works".

The mayor said the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "would encourage every business - including Waitrose - to participate to our recently launched Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Frances, who announced of the employment opportunity on media outlets, the public figure commented: "Well done for raising awareness because we must have a major education initiative here."

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