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Waitrose recently made a turnaround on their decision not to provide paid work for an autistic man who had been volunteering at their store for four years. Frances Boyd initially requested that her 28-year-old son, Tom Boyd, be given a job at the Waitrose supermarket in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester. Unfortunately, Waitrose’s head office rejected her request. However, rival chain Asda stepped in and expressed their interest in offering Tom paid shifts at their Cheadle Hulme location.
Frances Boyd expressed her thoughts on Waitrose’s change in decision by stating, “We are going to think about it and decide whether it is in Tom’s best interests to return… and are having further discussions with Waitrose.” A spokesperson for Waitrose mentioned that they are looking forward to welcoming Tom back as a paid employee and are working with his family and a charity to make it happen. They emphasized their commitment to helping individuals who may not always have the opportunity to enter the workforce.
Frances Boyd was overwhelmed by the support she received after sharing her son’s story. Tom, despite having limited communication skills, received recognition for his dedication to work from his managers. He volunteered over 600 hours because he wanted to contribute and be a part of something meaningful. Frances also praised the staff at Waitrose’s Cheadle Hulme store for their support, mentioning that they were inclusive and accommodating until the issue escalated to the head office. Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham expressed his support for Tom and his mother, calling out the treatment Tom received as “truly terrible” and offering to assist in finding him another placement that suits his needs. Burnham also encouraged all employers, including Waitrose, to adopt the Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice to promote inclusivity in the workplace
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