🔗 Share this article

The grocery retailer has overturned its decision not to offer paid work to an neurodivergent person after initially saying he had to discontinue stacking shelves at the location where he had donated his time for an extended period.

During the summer, Frances Boyd asked whether her 28-year-old son the individual could be given a job at the retail establishment in the Manchester area, but her application was ultimately declined by the supermarket's headquarters.

This week, rival chain Asda stated it wanted to offer Tom compensated work at its local branch.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, Frances stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and decide whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for the retailer commented: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are requesting assistance from his family and the support organization to do so."

"We expect to have him return with us shortly."

"We are committed about assisting people into the employment who might usually not be provided employment."

"Therefore, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Manchester location to learn the ropes and enhance his self-assurance."

"We have procedures in place to support volunteering, and are reviewing the situation in Tom's situation."

The parent explained she had been "overwhelmed" by how people had reacted to her sharing her family's story.

The young man, who has challenges with communication, was praised for his dedication by supervisors.

"He donated extensive time of his energy purely because he wanted to belong, make a difference, and make a difference," commented his parent.

Tom's mother praised and thanked staff at the Manchester branch for supporting him, noting: "They included him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I think he was just flying under the radar - all was running smoothly until it went to head office."

The family have been endorsed by local official the mayor.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" handling and promised to "assist him to secure alternative employment that succeeds".

The mayor stated the local government body "would encourage each company - like Waitrose - to sign up to our newly established Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who announced of Tom's Asda job offer on BBC Radio Manchester, the Labour mayor said: "Good on you for highlighting the issue because we must have a major education initiative here."

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