After being turned down for a retail position at TJ Maxx, a lady with numerous tattoos recently took to social media to rant. The online community did not provide her support; instead, they offered her a reality check by implying that her “facial piercings and tattoos” are “career enders,” rendering her “unemployable.”
Ash Putnam, also known online as ashxobrien, recently took to TikTok to express her displeasure at being turned down for a retail position at TJ Maxx.
In the TikTok video, which received over 7 million views, the 24-year-old said, “I applied to TJ Maxx a few weeks ago and they denied my application.” They were unable to contact me at all. I recently received an automated email from them.
Putnam, who has multiple facial piercings and obvious tattoos all over her body and face, said she chose to speak with the recruiting manager in an attempt to get some clarification.
“So, I went in today and asked myself, ‘What did you think prevented me from getting hired?'” “Oh, you just don’t have enough experience,” she said. The young woman clarifies, “There [were] candidates with more experience than you.”
I questioned her about whether my tattoos were to blame. Of course, tattoos are frowned upon in many locations. According to her, [it] wasn’t the cause. That doesn’t seem accurate to me, but whatever. I’m going to stop there.
“Really doesn’t make sense.”
In her video, Putnam says, “I’m just wondering how teenagers and young adults who haven’t had a job before are supposed to get employed,” hoping to elicit some ideas from the internet audience.
“If these companies only hire people with experience, how are they going to acquire a job? To me, that simply doesn’t make sense.
She invited her followers to share their experiences and any challenges they may have faced while hunting for job before concluding her video.
“I want to know if I’m the only one going through this at the moment. I detest the fact that my tattoos have determined whether or not I get a job,” Putnam continued. “I don’t necessarily have to be a good worker just because I have tattoos.”
“Unemployable”
Many viewers were moved by her narrative, which sparked a flood of comments from others sharing their thoughts.
One person comments, “Maybe it’s the demon spider??” in reference to the noticeable tattoo that extends from her neck to her lower cheekbones.
A second TikToker jokes, “[You] can be a barman, tattoo artist, an extra in a prison movie, and the bassist for Motley Crue,” while a third just comments, “Unemployable.”
Others said it has to do with Putnam’s tattoo placement rather than the body art itself. One user comments, “There’s a reason why tattoo artists call face tattoos career enders.”
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket
“I don’t think it’s because you have tattoos,” another person says. I believe it’s the location of your tattoos. And a third writes, “I can find work anywhere, but I have tattoos all over except my face.” Be [true].
One netizen writes, “HR supervisor here,” offering some expert guidance. No business would ever place you in front of TJ Maxx’s clientele.
The notion of facial art in the workplace is then confirmed by a former hiring manager at TJ Maxx, who says, “I used to be a hiring manager for TJ Maxx and I will tell you it’s the facial piercings and tattoos.”
“Exhibits inventiveness.”
In the last ten years, tattoos have gained a lot of acceptance in the workplace. Nonetheless, the job search can still be difficult for people with a lot of ink, like Putnam, particularly for positions involving direct interaction with customers.
Putnam told the Daily Star that businesses should reconsider their hiring procedures if her body art is the reason she was turned down for a position at the store.
“They definitely need to reconsider if they believe that a person’s tattoos define their qualifications and professional skills. Coloured hair, piercings, and tattoos are all acceptable. It demonstrates originality and inventiveness. People must get past their dislike of tattoos.
Would you hire someone with obvious tattoos and body piercings if you were in charge of hiring someone to fill a position? To start the conversation, please share this story and let us know what you think!