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A vicar intervened in the case of the autistic man who lost his volunteer's job with Waitrose after his mum asked for him to be paid. Tom Boyd worked at their Cheadle Hulme store in Greater Manchester . His mum Frances Boyd told how her son was asked to leave the role after four years when she asked for him to be paid for some shifts. She was "overwhelmed" by support for Tom, 28, including a job offer from supermarket Asda . Revd Mark Edwards MBE, a mental health advocate and vicar of St Matthews, Dinnington, near Newcastle upon Tyne, wrote to Asda at the same time as contacting the interim managing director of Waitrose Tina Mitchell on behalf of Tom. He told her: "Since my earlier correspondence, I have been deeply moved to learn that Asda has now offered Mr. Boyd paid employment. "This act of compassion and inclusion has been widely welcomed across the nation and praised as a shining example of what corporate responsibility and humanity should look like in practice. "The contrast between Asda’s swift and inclusive action and the bureaucratic, impersonal response that initially came from Waitrose head office has been noted by many. "Your own communications have repeatedly emphasised Waitrose’s commitment to inclusion and its partnerships with charities supporting people with additional needs. "Yet, this case and the public reaction to it illustrates a growing perception that these values are not always reflected in operational decisions or corporate culture. "I hope your leadership team takes this moment not as a reputational crisis to be managed, but as a chance to reaffirm Waitrose’s humanity, humility, and moral courage." He praised how Asda had responded with "compassion, flexibility, and dignity". He went on: "Many are now watching to see whether Waitrose will demonstrate the same." Revd Edwards, who won the MBE for his voluntary work, received a reply from the office of Tina Mitchell, who told him: "We work hard to be an inclusive employer, and care deeply about helping people into the workplace who may need some extra support. "We’d like to welcome Tom back to Cheadle Hulme, 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." Revd Edwards told the Mirror that he was pleased with the job offer for Tom, adding: "It looks like he is going to Asda." Tom's mum Frances said they were taking time to consider the 'bitter sweet' offer from Waitrose of paid employment. Tom is already working his shifts at Asda, starting with an hour at a time. His mum said: "Asda is saying, 'We'll fit around you,' which is unbelievable. They do seem very inclusive and keen to diversify. They even asked what aisle he would prefer to work in." Tom's family stressed that his colleagues at Waitrose were always "really lovely" and often praised him for working harder than anyone. They had to tell Tom that Waitrose was being cleaned to protect him from the truth. Waitrose has been approached for a comment.
