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The supermarket has reversed its determination not to provide paid work to an autistic man after previously stating he had to stop stacking shelves at the branch where he had worked unpaid for several years.

During the summer, Frances Boyd requested whether her 28-year-old son Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the supermarket in Greater Manchester, but her request was eventually rejected by the supermarket's headquarters.

On Thursday, competing supermarket Asda announced it sought to give Tom employment hours at its local branch.

Reacting to the supermarket's reversal, Frances said: "We are going to think about it and choose whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to return... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'We are investigating'

A official for the retailer stated: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in paid employment, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the charity to make this happen."

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

"We place great importance about helping workers into the employment who might otherwise not be offered opportunities."

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his helper into our local store to learn the ropes and build his confidence."

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

Tom's mother stated she had been "overwhelmed" by how people had answered to her talking about her family's story.

The young man, who has limited communication skills, was recognized for his commitment by managers.

"He donated over 600 hours of his time solely because he wanted to belong, make a difference, and make a difference," commented his mum.

Frances commended and appreciated employees at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for helping him, adding: "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 regional leader the public figure.

He wrote on online platforms that Tom had received "completely unacceptable" treatment and committed to "support him to find another placement that works".

Burnham stated the local government body "strongly urges each company - like Waitrose - to register to our newly established Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Speaking with Frances, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on BBC Radio Manchester, the elected official said: "Congratulations for highlighting the issue because we require a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his invitation to serve as a representative for the program.