An individual with autism, who had been volunteering at Waitrose without pay for four years, has been offered a paid position by the supermarket chain after being recruited by Asda.
Tom Boyd, aged 27, dedicated two full mornings each week to work experience at the Cheadle Hulme store in Manchester since 2021, contributing over 600 hours of unpaid service by assisting with shelf stocking and stock management. However, his family’s request for paid hours led to his dismissal.
Following a viral social media post by his mother Frances criticizing Waitrose, Tom was extended a paid opportunity at Asda, with the retailer offering him two five-hour shifts weekly. Frances expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support and flexibility shown by Asda towards her son.
In response, Waitrose has expressed their intention to offer Tom permanent paid employment in the near future. A spokesperson for Waitrose stated they value providing opportunities to individuals who may face barriers to employment, welcoming Tom and his support worker to gain experience and confidence at their branch.
Despite the initial dismissal by Waitrose, the company is now actively seeking to re-employ Tom in a paid capacity, with assurances of support from his family and relevant charities. Frances highlighted Tom’s passion for work and his desire to contribute positively, emphasizing the importance of inclusive employment practices for disabled individuals.
Frances shared her journey of advocating for paid work for Tom, initially hopeful that Waitrose would consider their request positively. However, delays in response and bureaucratic processes led to the termination of Tom’s placement at the store, prompting the family to fabricate reasons for his absence until the situation was addressed by the company’s headquarters.
Frances expressed hope that shedding light on Tom’s experience would pave the way for better employment protections and opportunities for disabled volunteers in the future.
