Young woman with facial tattoos, piercings confronts TJ Maxx employees after she was denied a job

Anyone who has been turned down for a job has likely wondered why they weren’t picked. Was it not enough experience, something about their appearance, or another reason?

Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old with many tattoos, recently expressed her frustration on TikTok after being rejected for a job at TJ Maxx. Her video went viral, gaining over seven million views and starting a conversation about hiring biases, especially those related to visible tattoos.

In her TikTok, Putnam shared that she got an automated rejection email “a few weeks” after applying. Unhappy with the generic response, she went to the store to ask why she wasn’t hired. A store employee told her that other applicants had more experience, but she felt there was another reason.

“I asked if it was because of my tattoos. The employee said it wasn’t, but I’m not sure I believe that,” she said. “Just having tattoos doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be a good worker. Some of the smartest people I know have tattoos and piercings.”

 

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Ein Beitrag geteilt von Ash Putnam (@ashxobrien)

Many TikTok users shared their opinions, suggesting that her tattoos could have played a role in the decision. People who said they were former TJ Maxx workers, tattoo artists, and HR professionals added their comments:

“It’s probably the tattoos,” a tattoo artist wrote.
“As an HR manager, I can’t see them putting you in front of customers,” another said.
“I worked at TJ Maxx, and they hire almost everyone. It’s definitely the tattoos and piercings,” a former employee noted.

Putnam also thinks her tattoos could have been a reason. She pointed out that some TikTok users made rude comments, saying she should work at a Halloween store or circus. She said, “People think my tattoos are demonic and scary, but that’s just a stereotype.”

Even if her tattoos weren’t the main factor, Putnam believes companies need to rethink their hiring practices. “If tattoos are still seen as unprofessional, then hiring standards need to change. Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair show creativity and individuality. It’s 2024; people need to move past these biases.”

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