A young woman, sporting numerous tattoos across her face, recently voiced her frustration online after being turned down for a retail job at TJ Maxx. Rather than offering sympathy, many online users pointed out the potential career implications of her “facial piercings and tattoos,” labeling them as “career enders” that could render her “unemployable.”
Identified on TikTok as ashxobrien, Ash Putnam shared her disappointment after her application to TJ Maxx was declined.
“I put in my application for TJ Maxx a few weeks back and heard nothing until I received an automated rejection email,” the 24-year-old explained in a TikTok video that has racked up over 7 million views. “There wasn’t even a courtesy call.”
Determined to understand why she didn’t get the job, Putnam, who has extensive tattoos on her face and body as well as several facial piercings, decided to approach the hiring manager directly.
“I went in today to ask, ‘Why was I not hired?’ The manager told me they just found candidates with more relevant experience than I had,” she relayed.
“When I asked if my tattoos played a role, the response was no, although I’m sceptical. It seemed like a superficial answer, but I accepted it for now.”
‘Doesn’t Make Sense’
Seeking further understanding from her viewers, Putnam posed the question in her video, “What are teenagers and young adults with no job experience supposed to do to get hired?”
“How can they secure jobs if employers focus solely on experience? It baffles me,” she stated.
She concluded her video by encouraging her followers to share any similar job-seeking challenges they’d encountered.
“I want to know if anyone else is experiencing the hurdles I’m facing. It bothers me that my tattoos play such a crucial role in my job prospects,” Putnam added. “Having tattoos doesn’t mean I’m not an effective worker.”
‘Unemployable’
Her story resonated strongly with viewers, prompting a flood of comments and opinions.
“Could it be the large tattoo that resembles a ‘demon spider’?,” remarked one user, alluding to the remarkable design stretching from her neck to her cheeks.
Another quipped, “[You] can find work as a bartender, tattoo artist, or even a bassist for a band,” while a third simply noted: “Unemployable.”
Some suggested it’s primarily the placement of her tattoos, not the tattoos themselves. “There’s a reason why face tattoos are often referred to as career enders,” commented another viewer.
Another advised, “It’s not just having tattoos; it’s particularly where you have them.” Another chimed in with, “I have tattoos all over but not on my face, and I’ve had no problems finding work.”
From a professional standpoint, one person offered, “As an HR supervisor, I can say companies are hesitant to have employees with facial tattoos in customer interaction roles.”
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket ♬ original sound – Ash Putnam🩷🕸️
Additionally, a former TJ Maxx hiring manager confirmed, “In my experience, the facial piercings and tattoos were a deal-breaker for similar positions.”
‘Shows Creativity’
In recent years, tattoos have seen growing acceptance in many workplace environments. However, for those like Putnam with significant facial ink, securing roles, especially customer-facing ones, can still be challenging.
If her tattoos led to her rejection from TJ Maxx, Putnam argued to the Daily Star that businesses should reevaluate their employment criteria.
“If they equate tattoos with a lack of skill or qualifications, there’s a need to reassess that mindset. Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair aren’t signs of unprofessionalism. They express creativity and individuality… it’s time to move past the prejudice against tattoos.”
If you had to choose an employee to fit a position, would visible tattoos and piercings sway your decision? Share your thoughts and help spark a discussion!
