Mum of autistic volunteer ‘sacked’ from Waitrose after she asked for him to be paid shares more details

The mum of an autistic Waitrose volunteer who has gone viral after being sacked from his volunteering job after she asked for him to be paid has spoken out in a new interview.

The volunteer, Tom Boyd, had worked at his local Waitrose for over 600 hours across four years, with his hours having recently increased to 9.30am to 2pm two days a week. Tom worked predominantly stocking shelves, and a support worker joined him to help him communicate with staff and customers.

After his mum requested that he be paid for his time considering the dedication he had shown to the role she claims he was let go from his position, something which has gone viral on social media.

Hired back in 2021 at the Cheadle Hulme Waitrose, his mum has spoken out to give more details on the case in a new BBC Breakfast interview.

Frances Boyd, a charity worker from Stockport, revealed that Tom had originally taken up work experience whilst at college as a placement, stating that he ‘absolutely loved’ his job.

This started out at just one hour a week and he began progressing and getting better at volunteering in the store.

Tom has limited communication abilities and worked as a volunteer for four years (Family Handout)

This included him bringing stock down from the stockroom, stacking and tidying shelves, and making sure everything was ‘in order and making sure it was fully stocked’.

She went on to say: “Eventually, when he left college we asked if he could increase that time to two days which they did.

“We thought this was working out so well why don't we ask Waitrose if there is a possibility of paid work.”

Frances stated that he felt a sense of belonging and structure, adding that he used to say: "I’m working like my dad and my brother."

The request for him to be paid wasn’t turned down immediately, something she said gave them hope that Tom may be able to work at the store and be paid for his endeavours.

Frances claims that, once the request made its way back to the Waitrose head office, his placement was stopped.

The charity worker even opened up on a sad lie they were forced to tell Tom, stating that they had no idea how to break the news to him so initially ‘made a story up that the shop was being cleaned temporarily and then he might be going back’.

Boyd spoke about her son being let go from his volunteer position (BBC)

She claims Waitrose told her they ‘couldn’t just let [Tom] do his own thing’.

Frances went on: “People like Tom don’t fall under any rights under the Equality Act.”

Whilst autism is covered by the Equality Act, it does very little to protect unpaid volunteers.

Frances added: “When you volunteer your job can end at any time and we hope this is a lesson we can take forward and learn from and correct it.”

Waitrose let go of Tom after his mum asked for paid work (Getty)

According to a Waitrose spokesperson, the organisation provides work experience for those who have additional needs.

They told the Times: “We work hard to be an inclusive employer. As part of this, we partner with a number of charities, including to provide work experience, and are well experienced in making reasonable adjustments to help people succeed at work.

“We are sorry to hear of Tom’s story, and whilst we cannot comment on individual cases, we are investigating as a priority.”

LADbible has contacted Waitrose for comment.