Waitrose-rejected autistic worker gets Asda offer

An autistic man who was told he should stop stacking shelves at the Waitrose supermarket, where he had worked for four years, has now been offered a job by a rival chain. Frances Boyd said she was overwhelmed by how people had responded to her in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, discussing her 28-year-old son's experiences at Waitrose's Since 2021, Tom Boyd had been unpaid, as well as a support staff. When Frances asked if her son could be given just a few paid hours, Waitrose head office director Susan Tom's work experience came to an end. We've had some great news, Frances said. Asda has given him two five-hour paid shifts a week.

'Raising awareness'

It's overwhelming and they are flexible to say that if they are struggling at any time they are fine.

How amazing that a company could do this. Tom had received truly painful care, according to Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, who spoke on X, and he had promised to

help him find another position that works. Greater Manchester Combined Authority

will encourage all employers, including Waitrose, to sign up to our brand new Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice,

he said. Burnham, a French narrator who broke Tom's work offer on BBC Radio Manchester, said,

Thanks for raising money because here we need a huge awareness campaign.

She accepted his on-air bid to be an advocate for the campaign. A Waitrose & Partners spokeswoman said on Wednesday that it worked with a variety of charities to provide work experience and that it was

well versed in making effective changes to assist people in working.

We are sorry to hear Tom's tale, and although we are unable to comment on specific cases, we are investigating as a priority.

Frances said her son, who has limited communication skills, joined the Waitrose store as part of his skills enhancement for the workplace further education program, and she worked two mornings a week. She said she was so proud of his work, which involved setting up and tidying shelves, and being praised for his work ethic by managers.

He gave over 600 hours of his time simply because he wanted to be, contribute, and make a difference,

she said. Frances lauded and thanked staff at the store for their help in defeating him, but Waitrose's chief office took the decision to end his relationship. They included him and were absolutely brilliant, she said. I believe he was just under surveillance, says the narrator, who was unaware that everything was operating smoothly until it went to head office. "Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Soundsand follow BBC Radio Man onFacebook,X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp [phone redacted].