Young woman with facial tattoos, piercings confronts TJ Maxx employees after she was denied a job
Ash Putnam, aged 23, recently shared her experience of being turned down for a job at TJ Maxx on TikTok, and her video quickly gained traction, resonating with many who have faced similar setbacks in their job search journeys.
Her TikTok video has garnered over seven million views and tens of thousands of comments, striking a chord with many who have faced similar challenges in their job search. As a young adult covered in tattoos, Ash Putnam expressed her frustration about the difficulties young people encounter when trying to secure entry-level positions.
In her viral TikTok, Putnam recounted how she applied for a job at TJ Maxx, only to receive an impersonal rejection email “a few weeks” later.
“They couldn’t even call me; they just sent me some automated email,” she lamented.
Unsatisfied with the vague response, Putnam visited the store where she applied and confronted the employees about the reason for her rejection.
“I went in today and was like, ‘So what was the reason why I didn’t get hired?’ She was like, ‘Oh, you just don’t have enough experience; there were candidates that had more experience than you.'”
Questioning whether her tattoos played a role in the decision, Putnam challenged the employee’s assertion.
“I asked her if it was about my tattoos, obviously, because I know a lot of places don’t like tattoos. She said that wasn’t the reason, but I don’t feel like that’s true. But whatever, I will leave it at that.”
Asserting that tattoos do not define one’s work ethic or competence, Putnam emphasized that many individuals with tattoos and piercings are highly capable and intelligent.
“Just because I have tattoos does not mean I am not going to be a good worker. I do not understand that at all,” she concluded. “Quite literally, some of the most smart, intelligent people I have ever met are people with tattoos and piercings.”
Despite Ash’s persistence, she never received a clear explanation from TJ Maxx regarding the reason for her job denial. However, TikTok users weighed in with their opinions, with many speculating that her tattoos were likely the deciding factor:
“tattooer here, it’s probably the tattoos”
“HR supervisor here. There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like TJ Maxx.”
“I worked at TJ Maxx and they will hire just about anyone that comes off the street it’s definitely the tattoos and piercings”
“I don’t think it’s because you have tattoos…I think it’s WHERE you have tattoos”
Putnam herself believes that her tattoos may have played a role in her job denial. She expressed her frustration with the perception of tattoos in the workplace, noting the negative comments she received on TikTok:
“I absolutely do think it’s about my tattoos because apparently my tattoos are demonic and scary to a lot of people.”
While TJ Maxx did not explicitly mention her tattoos as the reason for the denial, Putnam has faced criticism online regarding her body art. Despite this, she advocates for a shift in mindset regarding tattoos and professionalism:
“If they think tattoos determine job skill and qualifications they really need to rethink. Tattoos, piercings and colored hair are not unprofessional. It shows creativity and uniqueness. It’s 2024, people need to get over not liking tattoos.”
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