![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761524958_939_0_JT_-MEN_21102025_01.jpg\")
Tom Boyd, 27, volunteered at Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme for more than four years(Image: Frances Boyd)<\/p>\nTom Boyd had been working at Waitrose for two full mornings every week unpaidTom Boyd, 27, volunteered at Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme for more than four years(Image: Frances Boyd)<\/p>\n
Waitrose has said it is launching an \u201cinvestigation\u201d after an autistic man was told he couldn’t have a job after he’d worked without pay for more than four years at the supermarket. Tom Boyd, 27, has been undertaking work experience at the Cheadle Hulme branch<\/a> in Greater Manchester for two complete mornings each week, primarily restocking shelves.<\/p>\n His mum, Frances, says that he’s contributed over 600 hours of his time<\/a> \u201cpurely because he wanted to belong, contribute and make a difference\u201d. However, when she enquired whether he could secure some paid hours, Frances said she was \u201cshocked\u201d by the \u201cdismissive and cold\u201d response.<\/p>\n According to Frances, Waitrose<\/a> said Tom wouldn’t be offered paid employment at the store because he \u201ccouldn’t do the full role\u201d. She has accused the supermarket of failing to make any \u201creasonable adjustments\u201d for her disabled son, as required by law.<\/p>\n Waitrose<\/a> says it \u201cworks hard\u201d to be an \u201cinclusive employer\u201d and is \u201cwell experienced\u201d in making reasonable adjustments to help people. But Frances says her son deserves better after proving his valuable contribution and commitment over the last four years.<\/p>\n After the media reported on the issue on Wednesday, Tom was offered a flexible and paid role by Asda<\/a>. Now, Waitrose has told LADbible that the store would like to \u201cwelcome Tom back, in paid employment\u201d.<\/p>\n A spokesperson told the outlet: “As those familiar with Waitrose will know, we care deeply about helping people into the workplace who might otherwise not be given a chance.<\/p>\n “As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to gain experience and build his confidence.<\/p>\n “We have policies in place to support volunteering and are investigating what\u2019s happened in Tom\u2019s situation. We\u2019d like to welcome Tom back in paid employment and are seeking support from his family and the charity<\/a> to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon.”<\/p>\n![\"Frances](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_JS385351992.jpg\")
Frances Boyd (pictured) has spoken out about how her son Tom ‘absolutely loved’ his job<\/p>\n![\"Tom](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761524964_672_0_JT_-MEN_21102025_01.jpg\")
Tom Boyd, 27, volunteered at Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme for more than four years(Image: Frances Boyd)<\/p>\n