Ash Putnam, 23, recently experienced this when she was turned down for a job at TJ Maxx. Frustrated, she took to TikTok, where her video quickly went viral.
Her video has since gained over seven million views and tens of thousands of comments. As the 20-something, who is visibly tattooed, questioned how young people could land an entry-level job, the comments seemed to be united on one point.
In her viral TikTok, Putnam described how she applied for a position at TJ Maxx only to receive an automated rejection email “a few weeks” later.
“They couldn’t even call me, they just sent me some automated email,” she said.
Dissatisfied with this response, Putnam went to the store where she applied and asked the staff directly.
“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’.”
She added, “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, I don’t feel like that’s true but whatever I will leave it at that.”
“Just because I have tattoos does not mean I am not going to be a good worker. I do not understand that at all. Quite literally some of the most smart intelligent people I have ever met are people with tattoos and piercings,” she continued.
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket
Although the Californian, who works for Uber Eats, never received a direct response from TJ Maxx, people on TikTok seemed to agree on why she was turned down for the job.
“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 ??”
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Putnam also believes her tattoos might be a factor.
“I absolutely do think it’s about my tattoos because apparently my tattoos are demonic and scary to a lot of people,” she shared with the Daily Star.
“TJ Maxx did not say this to me – that’s just a lot of the comments I’ve gotten on my video. People are being extremely hateful on my TikTok saying I should work at a circus or Halloween stores.”
Even if her body art was indeed the reason for not getting the job at the retailer, she feels companies should reassess their hiring practices.
“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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