Autism in the Workplace: A Family's Fight for Inclusion

Tom Boyd, a 28-year-old man with severe autism, spent over 600 hours volunteering at his local Waitrose store in Greater Manchester, stacking shelves and emptying stock cages. However, when his mother, Frances Boyd, asked if he could be given a few paid hours as recognition for his time and effort, the supermarket abruptly ended the arrangement. The family's efforts to raise awareness led to Asda offering Tom regular, paid shifts at a nearby store, and then Waitrose also offering him paid shifts after initially denying him. This case highlights the struggles faced by autistic individuals in the workplace and the need for greater support and inclusion.

Key Takeaways:

Tom Boyd, a man with severe autism, spent over 600 hours volunteering at Waitrose, demonstrating his dedication and responsibility.
The supermarket abruptly ended the arrangement when Frances Boyd asked for paid hours, leaving her to tirelessly fight for her son's rights.
Asda offered Tom regular, paid shifts at a nearby store, and Waitrose later offered him paid shifts as well after facing public pressure.
Frances Boyd has been advocating for her son's rights and has been contacted by the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to work on his city's code of practice for employers.
The Labour government has tightened disability assessments to encourage people with disabilities into work, but critics argue that there is still too little support to make this possible.
A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman stated that the government is shifting its focus from welfare to work, skills, and opportunities, but experts argue that more needs to be done to support autistic employees.
Autistic employees face the largest pay gap among disability groups, earning on average a third less than their non-disabled peers.
Only three in ten working-age autistic people are in jobs, a rate far below that of non-disabled people.
Experts recommend shifting the culture in companies to value the contributions of autistic employees, citing several examples of successful companies that have done so.

Statistics:

Over 600 hours of volunteering by Tom Boyd at Waitrose.
Only three in ten working-age autistic people are in jobs, according to a review by Sir Robert Buckland last year.
Autistic employees face a pay gap of one-third less than their non-disabled peers.
The Access to Work scheme has seen a strain, with fewer approvals, delays, and shrinking support packages.

Sources:

Buckingham, R. (2022). Work and Disability: A review of policies and practices to support disabled people in employment.
Everything in the Boyds' living room gleamed, from the marble fireplace to the large oak coffee table around which the family's cockapoo, Molly, padded contentedly. Tom Boyd, 28, had spent the morning assiduously dusting. Helping to make the house spotless has become part of his daily routine -- a way, his mother said, of keeping him busy after he was let go from his job at Waitrose two months ago. Tom, who has severe autism, had spent more than 600 hours volunteering at the Cheadle Hulme store in Greater Manchester since 2021, where he stacked shelves and emptied stock cages. Frances Boyd, a charity worker, said that the routine was crucial for his development as it had given him a sense of purpose and responsibility. When she asked if her son could be given a few paid hours as "recognition for the time, effort and heart" he had given over the years, the head office was contacted and the supermarket abruptly ended the arrangement. Frances, like many parents of disabled children, is used to tirelessly fighting her son's battles, but she said that this campaign had been particularly draining. Yet, her efforts have paid off. After she and several charities raised the issue publicly, Asda offered Tom regular, paid shifts at a nearby store. His family are "very excited" by the prospect, and plan to ease Tom in slowly, starting with an hour at a time. "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," Frances said. Waitrose has now U-turned and also offered Tom paid shifts. The supermarket said: "We have policies in place to support volunteering, and are investigating what's happened in Tom's situation. We'd like to welcome Tom back, in paid employment, and are seeking support from his family and the charity to do so." Frances, who spoke with managers on Thursday night, is unsure whether to accept what she calls a "bittersweet" offer. They have only warm words for the staff on the shop floor, who were always "really lovely" to Tom and often praised him for working harder than the other employees. But the handling of the situation by head office was bruising. The family had to tell Tom that the supermarket was being cleaned to protect him from the truth. "We've noticed he's put on a bit of weight because he's not getting as much exercise," she added. She believes her son's experience reflects a wider problem. The Labour government has tightened disability assessments to encourage more people into work, but Frances argues that there is still far too little support to make that possible. Critics have pointed out that the Access to Work scheme, which offers grants and practical help to disabled people in paid employment, is under strain, with fewer approvals, delays and shrinking support packages. "It's OK to keep saying we need to get people back into work, but there is nothing out there to support them to do it," Frances said. "You can't do the one and not provide the other. It's wrong." According to a review last year led by Sir Robert Buckland, only three in ten working-age autistic people are in jobs. This is far below the rate for non-disabled people. Autistic employees face the largest pay gap among disability groups, earning on average a third less than their nondisabled peers. They tend to be overqualified, on insecure contracts, or in roles below their training level. Buckland, the former justice secretary, said: "There needs to be a culture change in order for more companies to follow the example of those who benefit hugely from loyal and reliable autistic employees. I recommended specific steps in my review that could be taken without extra cost or regulation. I hope that Waitrose learn from this worrying case and become an example of good practice, not bad behaviour." A Department for Work and Pensions spokeswoman said: "It is fantastic to see Tom has been offered paid work and we wish him well for the future." She said the government was "shifting our focus from welfare to work, skills, and opportunities, so more sick, disabled or neurodivergent people can move into good, secure jobs". The Boyds have seen first-hand how transformative work can be. Though unpaid, Tom used to receive £3 for each morning's work from his parents. The payment, which he could save or spend, was presented to him in Velcro money. His "wage book" records his rewards: a McDonald's meal, a cinema trip, or, after months of saving, an overnight trip to Southport. "That's what incentivised us to think we've really got to try and get him paid work," Frances said. "We can see how good that makes him feel." For Tom, who this week celebrated his 28th birthday with pizza and trampolining, the situation is also about independence. He loves being a "working man" and his family hopes having a job will be a step on the path towards him moving into supported living. Frances has been inundated with messages from parents struggling to help their disabled children find work since Tom's story came out. "I just feel so heartbroken that there's so much of this going on," she said. She knows that she is better equipped than many to defend her child, facing the endless hurdles and Kafkaesque systems that so often block families. "You are always fighting your corner, because there are always barriers in your way. But there are a lot of people out there who hear 'you're not going to get this anymore' and just accept it because they don't perhaps have that voice," she said. If money were no object, she adds, she would set up a free advocacy service to help other families navigate the same systems. Already, she has been asked by the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, to work on the city's recently launched code of practice for employers, Bee Neuroinclusive. She is keen to get stuck in. "If I've started this off, I can't say no," she said. "I need to carry on fighting for my son and other people like him."