A man with autism, who was lost his job at Waitrose after four years of volunteering at his local store, has now accepted a paid role at the supermarket giant. Tom Boyd, 28, initially had his time at the company ended after his mum asked if he could be paid.
However, the supermarket has now offered him a job, and he will join as a paid Partner in the new year. The delay in joining was at the family’s request, for Tom’s benefit, as it avoids the busy Christmas rush.
Tom worked at the supermarket with the help of a support worker (Image: Frances Boyd)
Tom was caught at the centre of a disability row earlier this year after his mum, Frances Boyd, asked whether he could begin taking on some paid work at the supermarket in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, but was turned down by head office.
After a growing public backlash, Tom’s local Asda went on to offer him a job, before Waitrose got in touch with the family and offered him a new paid role. Tom is understood to be working a few days at the Asda store before beginning at Waitrose in the New Year.
A spokesperson for Waitrose said Tom will start a new role in January (Image: Getty Images)
A Waitrose spokesperson said: “We’re delighted that Tom has accepted our offer of paid employment and looking forward to welcoming him to start in January, as requested by his family.
“We have Tom’s best interests at heart and we’ve worked closely with his family throughout to ensure Tom gets the support he needs.”
