An autistic man who was advised he might now not stack cabinets at Waitrose when he requested to be paid has been provided a job by Asda.
Tom Boyd, 28, started volunteering unpaid on the department of Waitrose in Cheadle Hulme, Higher Manchester, in 2021, supported by a care employee, to develop abilities for the office on an extra schooling course he was taking.
The work gave him a way of “purpose and belonging”, his mom, Frances Boyd, advised the BBC.
When she requested in July if he may very well be paid for just a few hours each week, nevertheless, the grocery store’s head workplace advised him he needed to cease and couldn’t return to the store.
Ms Boyd mentioned they felt “deeply let down” by the choice as he had taken nice pleasure in his work, which included placing out inventory and tidying the cabinets.
“If I went in and saw him, he was smiling, and it gave him independence, a sense of purpose and belonging,” she mentioned.
“He gave over 600 hours of his time purely as a result of he wished to belong, contribute, and make a distinction…
“He deserved better. He deserved kindness, respect and the chance for all his hard work to mean something.”
Mr Boyd has now been provided two paid five-hour shifts every week by Asda.
“It’s overwhelming and they are flexible to say if at any time he is struggling they are fine,” his mom mentioned.
“How amazing that a company could do this.”
An Asda spokesperson mentioned that when the shop heard about Mr Boyd’s want to search out significant work they knew he can be a “fantastic fit” and have been delighted to supply him a task.
“We know that finding meaningful work can be especially challenging for individuals with learning disabilities or difficulties,” they mentioned.
“Asda has a Supported Internship Programme and partnership with DFN Project SEARCH, through which we have welcomed over 30 talented new colleagues into roles across our stores. We have seen the positive impact this has for the individuals who join and for our colleagues and customers too.”
A Waitrose spokesperson mentioned they “care deeply” about serving to individuals into the office who won’t in any other case be given an opportunity and that the chain is presently investigating what occurred to Mr Boyd.
“We’d like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so. We hope to see him back with us very soon,” they added.
