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The grocery retailer has changed its ruling not to provide paid work to an individual with autism after previously stating he had to stop stacking shelves at the store where he had donated his time for four years.

Earlier this year, the young man's parent requested whether her adult child Tom Boyd could be provided a position at the retail establishment in the Manchester area, but her proposal was finally turned down by the company's corporate office.

On Thursday, competing supermarket the grocery chain stated it wanted to offer Tom employment hours at its Manchester location.

Responding to Waitrose's U-turn, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to consider the offer and decide whether it is in what's best for our son to return... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'Looking into the matter'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain stated: "We'd like to have Tom return, in paid employment, and are requesting assistance from his relatives and the non-profit to make this happen."

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

"We place great importance about helping people into the employment who might typically not be given a chance."

"As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his helper into our local store to learn the ropes and develop his abilities."

"We have policies in place to support unpaid work, and are investigating what's happened in this instance."

Tom's mother said she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had responded to her sharing her family's story.

The young man, who has specific communication needs, was praised for his dedication by store leadership.

"He donated over 600 hours of his effort exclusively because he wanted to belong, be helpful, and make a difference," said his mother.

Tom's mother praised and thanked team members at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, noting: "They made him part of the team and were absolutely brilliant."

"I feel he was just not sufficiently noticed - operations were proceeding normally until it went to head office."

Both individuals have been backed by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

He wrote on social media that Tom had received "truly terrible" treatment and vowed to "help him to secure alternative employment that succeeds".

The mayor said the Greater Manchester Combined Authority "would encourage every business - like Waitrose - to register to our brand new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice".

Discussing with Tom's mother, who shared information of Tom's Asda job offer on media outlets, the elected official said: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we require a major education initiative here."

She agreed to his proposal to serve as a representative for the campaign.