Major update on autistic volunteer let go from Waitrose after mum asked for him to be paid
There has been an update on the autistic volunteer who Waitrose refused to pay after his mother requested that he be paid for his shifts.
Tom Boyd, 28, is an autistic man who had been volunteering at the supermarket chain for four years, without being paid.
He struggles with limited communication abilities, though in a lengthy statement back in July, his mother Frances said that his colleagues would help him.
Frances further revealed that she was left 'heartbroken' after Tom was let go after a request for him to receive some sort of pay after he had worked 9.30am to 2pm for two days a week at Waitrose.
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Volunteers' rights have been outlined since the controversial sacking, as the government website explains that you should get a certain level of support, training, and information on insurance and expenses, while highlighting that volunteering is very different to a full-time job.
The Brit, who had over 600 hours of work experience at a store in Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, has now seen his fortunes change following a new statement from Waitrose.
Months after Frances wanted her son to be paid as 'recognition for the time, effort and heart' he put into his work, Waitrose has revealed that Tom has now accepted their offer of paid employment, with his new job set to start in 2026.
Following him being let go, he accepted a job offer from his local Asda, where he will continue to work until he takes up his new role.
A spokesman stated today (9 December): "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.
"We’re learning from this situation and working with charities and specialists to make sure we can continue to offer fair and rewarding opportunities for people with neurodiversity," they concluded.
Frances' initial request was rejected by the supermarket's head office at the time, with the story becoming a hot topic, as Tom was unable to work for two months and his mum had to lie to him instead of revealing the real reason behind the break.
Waitrose then stated last month that they would 'like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon', prior to him accepting the role.
His mother, a charity worker from Stockport, said that he would work with a support worker at Waitrose, though he would be praised for his work ethic.
Speaking at the time, Frances admitted: "We were shocked by how dismissive and cold the response was. The manager said, 'We can’t just let him do his thing,' when that’s exactly what he’s been doing successfully for years."
Waitrose said they were 'investigating' the case in the summer, stating that they 'work hard to be an inclusive employer', before they decided on the u-turn.
Joshua Nair