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The grocery retailer has reversed its decision not to grant compensated employment to an individual with autism after originally indicating he had to stop working at the branch where he had donated his time for four years.

Earlier this year, Tom's mother asked whether her 28-year-old son her son could be offered a position at the supermarket in Cheadle Hulme, but her proposal was eventually rejected by Waitrose head office.

Recently, alternative retailer the grocery chain announced it sought to give Tom compensated work at its local branch.

Responding to the supermarket's reversal, Tom's mother said: "We are going to think about it and determine whether it is in the optimal outcome for Tom to go back... and are having additional conversations with the supermarket."

'Looking into the matter'

A official for Waitrose said: "We'd like to have Tom return, in a paying position, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so."

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

"We care deeply about helping people into the job market who might otherwise not be provided employment."

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our Manchester location to gain experience and develop his abilities."

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

The parent said she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had responded to her talking about her family's story.

Tom, who has challenges with communication, was commended for his work ethic by managers.

"He gave more than six hundred hours of his effort purely because he desired community connection, contribute, and create value," commented his mum.

Tom's mother praised and thanked staff at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for assisting him, stating: "They made him part of the team and were exceptionally supportive."

"I feel he was just under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it went to head office."

Both individuals have been backed by regional leader Andy Burnham.

He wrote on social media that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and vowed to "assist him to find another placement that succeeds".

The official declared the regional organization "would encourage each company - including Waitrose - to register to our brand new inclusion initiative".

Speaking with the parent, who shared information of the employment opportunity on BBC Radio Manchester, the Labour mayor said: "Congratulations for raising awareness because we must have a huge awareness campaign here."

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