A priest stepped in to help an autistic man who was dismissed from his volunteer position at Waitrose after his mother requested payment for his work. Tom Boyd had been volunteering at the Cheadle Hulme store in Greater Manchester for four years before being asked to leave when his mother sought compensation for his shifts.
Frances Boyd, Tom’s mother, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support for her son, including a job offer from Asda. Revd Mark Edwards MBE, a mental health advocate and vicar at St Matthews in Dinnington near Newcastle upon Tyne, reached out to Asda and Waitrose’s interim managing director, Tina Mitchell, on behalf of Tom.
In his communication to Tina Mitchell, Revd Edwards acknowledged Asda’s swift and inclusive gesture of offering Tom paid employment, contrasting it with Waitrose’s initial impersonal response. He emphasized the importance of corporate responsibility and humanity in practice, urging Waitrose to reflect on their values and operational decisions.
Asda’s compassionate and flexible response was commended by Revd Edwards, who highlighted the public’s anticipation of Waitrose’s actions. In response, Tina Mitchell’s office assured that Waitrose strives to be an inclusive employer and expressed willingness to welcome Tom back in a paid role, seeking assistance from his family and a charity to facilitate his return.
Revd Edwards shared his satisfaction with Asda’s job offer for Tom, indicating his likelihood of joining the supermarket. Frances Boyd noted that they are deliberating on Waitrose’s offer of paid employment, describing it as bittersweet.
Tom has already commenced his shifts at Asda, with the supermarket accommodating his schedule. His family praised his former colleagues at Waitrose for their kindness and recognition of his hard work. They had shielded Tom from the truth about his dismissal by informing him that Waitrose was undergoing cleaning procedures.
Waitrose has been contacted for a response regarding the situation.
