An autistic individual who volunteered at a Waitrose store for over four years without pay has been offered a job at Asda. Tom Boyd, 27, dedicated more than 600 hours of work experience and voluntary service at the Cheadle Hulme store in Greater Manchester, as confirmed by his mother, Frances. The situation took a turn when Frances requested paid work for Tom in recognition of his efforts starting in 2021. Waitrose’s head office reportedly terminated Tom’s work experience placement following this request.

Frances recently shared that Tom has received a paid job offer from Asda, consisting of two five-hour shifts per week. She expressed gratitude for the positive response from Asda, highlighting their flexibility and support for Tom’s needs.

Regarding the issue of payment raised with Waitrose, Frances indicated that the head office was concerned about the extent of Tom’s unpaid work and indicated that he could not continue until the matter was resolved. Frances expressed disappointment with the response from Waitrose, describing it as dismissive and cold.

Tom, who has communication challenges, has been out of work for over two months. Frances opted not to disclose the reason to Tom to avoid upsetting him, stating that she informed him the store was undergoing cleaning.

Frances expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support received following Tom’s story and praised Asda for their inclusive approach and understanding of Tom’s situation. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, voiced his support for Tom, emphasizing the need for a suitable placement for him.

While Frances appreciated the support from the local Waitrose store, she criticized the supermarket’s head office for the handling of the situation. She mentioned that Waitrose had apologized and assured they were investigating the matter but stated that she would not pursue backdated payment.

Initially sharing the situation on Facebook, Frances highlighted the unfair treatment her son experienced at Waitrose, emphasizing his hard work and dedication over the years. She expressed disappointment in the lack of acknowledgment and gratitude from Waitrose after requesting payment for Tom’s work.

A statement from a Waitrose spokesperson expressed regret over Tom’s experience, stating they are committed to inclusivity and are investigating the matter. The Mirror has contacted Waitrose for further comment on the issue.