A family asserts that a man with autism, who volunteered at a Waitrose store for over four years, was given hope of securing a paid job. Tom Boyd, aged 27, engaged in work experience at the Cheadle Hulme store in Manchester for two mornings each week, performing tasks such as shelf-stacking and stock handling. His mother, Frances, mentioned that since 2021, Tom dedicated over 600 hours voluntarily to the store out of his desire to contribute and be part of something.
Despite the family’s request for paid work for Tom, Waitrose reportedly declined, citing that he couldn’t fulfill the complete job requirements. Frances criticized Waitrose’s response as unsympathetic and aloof, leading her to express her discontent on social media.
During an interview on BBC Breakfast, Frances highlighted Tom’s enjoyment of working at the store and expressed hope that shedding light on his situation could improve employment opportunities for disabled volunteers. She explained how Tom’s involvement at Waitrose began with a college placement, gradually increasing his hours as he grew more proficient and comfortable in his role.
Initially, there seemed to be a possibility of paid work for Tom, but as time passed, the matter was escalated to the head office without any concrete outcome. This resulted in the abrupt termination of Tom’s placement, prompting Frances to fabricate a temporary excuse to her son about the situation.
Waitrose responded by stating their commitment to inclusivity and making reasonable adjustments for employees, mentioning their collaboration with various charities to provide work experience opportunities. They expressed regret over Tom’s experience and assured an investigation into the matter.
Frances criticized Waitrose for their handling of the situation, pointing out the lack of acknowledgment for Tom’s efforts and the absence of necessary accommodations as mandated by law. She shared her disappointment on social media, recounting Tom’s dedication to his volunteer work and the positive interactions he had with the staff.
The family’s plea for recognition of Tom’s contributions through paid work was met with what they perceived as a cold and dismissive response from the store manager, which they found contradictory to Tom’s successful track record over the years.