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The supermarket has changed its determination not to grant a paying position to an individual with autism after originally indicating he had to stop volunteering at the location where he had donated his time for four years.

In July, the young man's parent requested whether her adult child the individual could be offered a position at the retail establishment in Greater Manchester, but her application was eventually rejected by the supermarket's headquarters.

Recently, rival chain the grocery chain said it sought to give Tom employment hours at its Cheadle Hulme store.

Addressing the company's change of position, Tom's mother stated: "We are going to evaluate the situation and choose whether it is in Tom's best interests to resume working... and are having ongoing talks with the supermarket."

'We are investigating'

A official for the retailer commented: "We'd like to see Tom resume, in compensated work, and are requesting assistance from his family and the charity to make this happen."

"We hope to welcome him again with us shortly."

"We place great importance about helping workers into the job market who might usually not be offered opportunities."

"As such, we warmly welcomed Tom and his support worker into our Cheadle Hulme branch to gain experience and develop his abilities."

"We have procedures in place to enable unpaid work, and are investigating the circumstances in this case."

The parent explained she had been "deeply moved" by how the public had reacted to her discussing her son's experiences.

Tom, who has specific communication needs, was commended for his work ethic by managers.

"He donated more than six hundred hours of his effort exclusively because he desired community connection, be helpful, and create value," commented his parent.

Tom's mother commended and appreciated employees at the Manchester branch for assisting him, stating: "They welcomed him and were wonderfully accommodating."

"I believe he was just under the radar - operations were proceeding normally until it reached corporate level."

The family have been backed by regional leader the mayor.

He wrote on social media that Tom had received "truly terrible" management and committed to "support him to identify different opportunities that works".

Burnham said the local government body "strongly urges all employers - including Waitrose - to sign up to our recently launched inclusion initiative".

Speaking with Tom's mother, who announced of the alternative position on BBC Radio Manchester, the elected official said: "Congratulations for bringing attention because we must have a significant public information effort here."

She consented to his proposal to act as a spokesperson for the campaign.