A family claims that a man with autism, who volunteered at a Waitrose store for over four years, was given hope of a paid job. Tom Boyd, 27, completed work experience at the Cheadle Hulme shop in Manchester, dedicating more than 600 hours of his time to tasks like stocking shelves. The family requested paid work for Tom, but Waitrose declined, stating he couldn’t fulfill the full role, which the family found dismissive.
His mother, Frances, highlighted his dedication on BBC Breakfast, emphasizing his love for the job and the desire for better employment protection for disabled volunteers. Despite initial hopes for paid work, the family was disappointed by the lack of progress. Waitrose stated they strive to be inclusive and are investigating the matter.
Frances criticized Waitrose for not recognizing Tom’s commitment and failing to make reasonable adjustments as required by law. She shared her disappointment on Facebook, expressing how Tom worked diligently during his time at the store, hoping for paid recognition. The family felt let down by the response from the supermarket, highlighting the value Tom brought to the team.