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The supermarket has reversed its ruling not to offer compensated employment to an individual with autism after previously stating he had to discontinue working at the store where he had donated his time for several years.

In July, Tom's mother requested whether her family member the individual could be provided a employment opportunity at the supermarket in Greater Manchester, but her application was ultimately declined by the supermarket's headquarters.

On Thursday, rival chain Asda said it wanted to offer Tom paid shifts at its Manchester location.

Responding to the supermarket's reversal, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and decide whether it is in what's best for our son to return... and are having additional conversations with the company."

'Looking into the matter'

A spokesman for the supermarket chain commented: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are seeking support from his loved ones and the charity to make this happen."

"We expect to welcome him again with us shortly."

"We place great importance about helping people into the job market who might usually not be offered opportunities."

"Consequently, we gladly accepted Tom and his support worker into our local store to build skills and build his confidence."

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

Frances stated she had been "profoundly affected" by how individuals had reacted to her sharing her child's situation.

Tom, who has limited communication skills, was praised for his work ethic by managers.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his energy purely because he wanted to belong, be helpful, and make a difference," said his mother.

The parent recognized and acknowledged employees at Waitrose's Cheadle Hulme store for helping him, noting: "They made him part of the team and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just not sufficiently noticed - everything was working well until it became a headquarters matter."

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

He stated on social media that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and vowed to "assist him to identify different opportunities that succeeds".

The official said the local government body "actively promotes every business - like Waitrose - to sign up to our recently launched inclusion initiative".

Speaking with Frances, who shared information of the employment opportunity on BBC Radio Manchester, the elected official said: "Congratulations for raising awareness because we require a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his offer to become an advocate for the campaign.