A clergyman stepped in to help an autistic man who was dismissed from his volunteer position at Waitrose after his mother requested payment. Tom Boyd had been working at the Waitrose store in Cheadle Hulme, Manchester, for four years before being asked to leave when his mother advocated for him to receive compensation for some shifts.
Frances Boyd, Tom’s mother, expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support her son, 28, received, 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 Tom’s behalf.
In a letter to Tina Mitchell, Revd Edwards acknowledged Asda’s swift and inclusive gesture of offering paid employment to Mr. Boyd, which had garnered widespread praise for its compassion and inclusivity. He highlighted the stark difference between Asda’s responsive approach and Waitrose’s initial bureaucratic and impersonal handling of the situation.
Revd Edwards urged Waitrose’s leadership to view this moment as an opportunity to reaffirm the company’s values of humanity, humility, and moral courage. He commended Asda for their compassionate response and expressed hope that Waitrose would follow suit.
Tina Mitchell’s office responded to Revd Edwards, emphasizing Asda’s commitment to inclusivity and willingness to support individuals needing extra assistance in the workplace. They extended an invitation for Tom to return to Cheadle Hulme in a paid capacity, seeking collaboration with his family and relevant charity to facilitate his return promptly.
Reflecting on the job offers, Revd Edwards shared his satisfaction with the opportunity presented to Tom at Asda, indicating that he appeared likely to join the team there. Tom’s mother, Frances, mentioned they were deliberating over the conflicting emotions surrounding Waitrose’s offer of paid work.
Tom has already commenced his shifts at Asda, starting gradually with one-hour sessions. His family praised Asda for their accommodating approach, highlighting their inclusivity and eagerness to diversify the workplace. They appreciated Asda’s consideration of Tom’s preferences, even inquiring about his preferred work aisle.
Although Tom’s family acknowledged the kindness of his colleagues at Waitrose, they had to shield Tom from the truth about the circumstances leading to his departure.
Waitrose has been contacted for comment regarding the situation.
