A heartwarming turn of events has seen supermarket giant Asda offer paid employment to Tom Boyd, a 28-year-old autistic man who was let go by Waitrose after volunteering at its Cheadle Hulme store for more than three years.
Tom Boyd, who began volunteering at Waitrose in 2021, worked tirelessly stocking shelves alongside a support worker. His mother, Frances Boyd, said the experience gave her son “a sense of purpose and belonging” and helped him feel part of a community.
However, Frances revealed in a heartfelt Facebook post last week that Waitrose asked her son not to return after she inquired whether he could be considered for a few hours of paid work.
In the post, Frances said her son had volunteered for over 600 hours simply because he wanted to contribute and feel included. She described his departure as “deeply unfair” and “emotionally devastating” for her family.
She wrote that they had only asked for a small amount of paid work, not as charity but as recognition for the time, effort, and dedication Tom had shown to the store.
According to her, Tom was well-liked among his co-workers and always approached his duties with enthusiasm and kindness. She said the family was shocked when management dismissed the request without consideration and told him not to come back.
Frances also claimed that Waitrose failed to make reasonable adjustments for her son’s autism, something that is required under the Equality Act 2010.
She added that there had been no apology or acknowledgment from the company, saying that the family received “no thanks, no recognition, just silence.”
The story quickly went viral, drawing widespread support for Tom and fierce criticism of Waitrose on social media.
Thousands of people commented on Frances’s post, expressing outrage and disappointment at how the company handled the situation. Many pledged to boycott Waitrose, accusing the retailer of failing to support inclusion and diversity.
Speaking with The Daily National News, Frances said she had been overwhelmed by the public’s kindness and by the number of companies that reached out with job offers for Tom.
She revealed that Asda had offered her son a part-time paid position, giving him the opportunity to work two five-hour shifts per week.
“We’ve had some great news,” she said. “Asda have offered him a job, and they’ve been so kind and flexible. They told us if he ever needs to take a break or struggles with anything, they will accommodate him. It’s incredible that a company can show this kind of understanding.”
Frances expressed gratitude to Asda for recognizing her son’s value and giving him the chance to work in an inclusive environment.
She said Tom was thrilled about his new role and eager to start. “He’s so happy,” she said. “He told me he can’t wait to wear his new uniform.”
The Daily National News reached out to Waitrose for comment, and the company confirmed that it had since offered Tom a paid position after the public backlash.
However, the family decided to decline the offer, citing their disappointment with how the situation was originally handled.
Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham condemned Waitrose’s treatment of Tom, calling it “truly terrible” in a post on X.
Burnham said his office would continue working to ensure neurodivergent individuals are supported in the workplace and encouraged all companies to adopt inclusive hiring practices.
He also invited Frances Boyd to serve as an ambassador for the Bee Neuroinclusive Code of Practice, a new initiative designed to help employers better understand and support neurodivergent staff.
Frances accepted the invitation, saying she wanted to help raise awareness and prevent similar experiences for other families.
“This is about more than just Tom,” she said. “It’s about making sure every person with autism is treated with respect, dignity, and fairness.”
Since accepting the job at Asda, Tom has received hundreds of messages of support from across the UK and abroad. Many praised his perseverance and said his story had inspired them to advocate for greater workplace inclusivity.
Asda also released a statement confirming the hire, saying it was proud to welcome Tom to its team. “We believe everyone deserves the chance to succeed,” the company said. “Tom’s story is a reminder of the importance of kindness and opportunity.”
Tom Boyd is expected to begin his new role at Asda in the coming weeks, marking a hopeful new chapter after a painful experience. His mother says she is proud of how he handled everything with grace and positivity.
