Waitrose finds itself at the centre of a growing controversy after dismissing an autistic volunteer whose family had the temerity to request he be paid for his work after five years of unpaid service.
The supermarket chain, owned by the John Lewis Partnership, terminated the position of 22-year-old Ben Smith, who had been voluntarily stocking shelves and assisting customers at their Keynsham branch since he was 17.
The Breaking Point
The situation came to a head when Smith's family approached store management to discuss the possibility of transitioning their son from unpaid volunteering to a proper paid position. They argued that after half a decade of reliable service, Ben had demonstrated his capability and deserved financial compensation.
Instead of engaging in constructive dialogue about potential paid opportunities, Waitrose management made the decision to end Ben's volunteering arrangement entirely.
A Family's Frustration
Ben's mother, Sarah Smith, expressed her dismay at the supermarket's handling of the situation. "Ben loved his work at Waitrose - it gave him routine, purpose and helped develop his social skills," she explained. "We never demanded anything, we simply asked if, after all this time, there might be an opportunity for paid work."
She continued, "The response has been devastating for Ben. He doesn't understand why he can't return to the place where he felt valued and productive."
Waitrose's Response
In a statement, a John Lewis Partnership spokesperson said: "We're proud of our inclusive culture and the opportunities we provide for people with disabilities. We cannot comment on individual cases but ensure we always follow our policies and procedures."
The company emphasised its commitment to supporting disabled colleagues but declined to address the specific circumstances surrounding Ben's dismissal.
Broader Implications
This case raises important questions about how businesses handle long-term volunteers with disabilities and the transition from unpaid to paid work. Disability rights advocates have expressed concern that such situations could create barriers to meaningful employment for autistic individuals.
Employment law specialists note that while volunteers don't have the same legal protections as employees, businesses have both ethical and potential legal responsibilities when managing volunteers with disabilities.
The incident has sparked discussion on social media, with many calling for greater transparency from Waitrose about their volunteering policies and treatment of disabled individuals seeking employment opportunities.
