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Waitrose has overturned its ruling not to offer compensated employment to an individual with autism after initially saying he had to discontinue volunteering at the store where he had worked unpaid for an extended period.

During the summer, Frances Boyd asked whether her 28-year-old son the individual could be provided a job at the supermarket in Cheadle Hulme, but her proposal was finally turned down by Waitrose head office.

This week, rival chain Asda said it sought to give Tom compensated work at its Manchester location.

Addressing the supermarket's reversal, Tom's mother commented: "We are going to consider the offer and choose whether it is in Tom's best interests to return... and are having further discussions with the supermarket."

'We are investigating'

A representative for Waitrose said: "We'd like to welcome Tom back, in a paying position, and are seeking support from his relatives and the non-profit to facilitate this."

"We anticipate to see him back with us in the near future."

"We place great importance about supporting people into the job market who might usually not be provided employment."

"Therefore, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our local store to gain experience and build his confidence."

"We have guidelines in place to facilitate community service, and are investigating the situation in this instance."

Frances said she had been "overwhelmed" by how individuals had answered to her sharing her child's situation.

The young man, who has limited communication skills, was commended for his commitment by store leadership.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his effort exclusively because he sought inclusion, contribute, and create value," said his mother.

Tom's mother praised and thanked team members at the local supermarket for helping him, noting: "They welcomed him and were absolutely brilliant."

"I believe he was just not sufficiently noticed - operations were proceeding normally until it reached corporate level."

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

He posted on social media that Tom had received "deeply concerning" treatment and promised to "support him to secure alternative employment that functions".

Burnham declared the local government body "actively promotes all employers - like Waitrose - to participate to our recently launched inclusion initiative".

Discussing with the parent, who shared information of the alternative position on local radio, the Labour mayor stated: "Well done for bringing attention because we require a huge awareness campaign here."

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