Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old with lots of tattoos, recently shared on TikTok how she was turned down for a job at TJ Maxx. Her video went viral, getting over seven million views and thousands of comments. In the video, Ash asked how young people with tattoos can find basic jobs if this keeps happening. Many viewers in the comments agreed with her.
In her TikTok, Ash said she applied for a job at TJ Maxx but got an automatic rejection email a few weeks later. This upset her, so she went to the store to ask why. An employee told her that she didn’t get the job because she lacked experience and other candidates were more qualified. When Ash asked if it was because of her tattoos, the employee denied it, but Ash wasn’t sure. She said that tattoos don’t affect how well someone can do a job and pointed out that some of the smartest people she knows have tattoos and piercings.
While TJ Maxx never gave Ash a clear reason, many people on TikTok believed her tattoos were the problem. Some commenters, including a tattoo artist, suggested this was likely the issue. An HR supervisor mentioned that companies like TJ Maxx might not want workers with visible tattoos in front of customers. A former TJ Maxx employee also noted that while the company hires many people, tattoos and piercings could affect hiring decisions. One person even said the issue might be the location of Ash’s tattoos rather than the tattoos themselves.
Ash believes her tattoos were why she didn’t get the job at TJ Maxx. Many commenters called her tattoos “demonic” and “scary.” Although TJ Maxx never said this directly, Ash saw many mean comments suggesting she work at a circus or Halloween store. Ash thinks companies need to change their hiring policies because tattoos, piercings, and colored hair don’t show a lack of professionalism. Instead, she believes they show creativity and individuality. In 2024, Ash feels people should move past outdated views on body art.
