Anyone who has been rejected from a job has probably wondered why they weren’t chosen. Was it a lack of experience, something in their presentation, or perhaps something else entirely?

Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old covered in tattoos, recently shared her frustration on TikTok after being turned down for a position at TJ Maxx. Her video quickly went viral, amassing over seven million views and sparking a conversation on hiring biases, especially around visible tattoos.

Putnam explained in her TikTok that after applying, she received an automated rejection email “a few weeks” later. Dissatisfied with the impersonal response, she decided to visit the store and directly ask why she wasn’t hired. She was told by a store employee that other candidates had more experience, but she suspected there was more to it.

“I asked if it was because of my tattoos. The employee said that wasn’t the reason, but I’m not sure I believe that,” she said. “Just because I have tattoos does not mean I won’t be a good worker. Some of the most intelligent people I know have tattoos and piercings.”

Many TikTok users chimed in with their thoughts, suggesting that her tattoos might indeed have influenced the decision. Comments from users identifying as former TJ Maxx employees, tattoo artists, and HR professionals weighed in:

“It’s probably the tattoos,” one tattoo artist commented.
“As an HR supervisor, I can’t see them putting you in front of customers,” another remarked.
“I worked at TJ Maxx, and they hire almost anyone. It’s definitely the tattoos and piercings,” shared a former employee.

Putnam believes her tattoos might have been a factor as well. She noted that commenters on TikTok made harsh remarks, suggesting she should work at Halloween stores or circuses. She added, “People find my tattoos demonic and scary, but that’s just a stereotype.”

Whether or not her body art was a deciding factor, Putnam believes it’s time for companies to reconsider their hiring practices. “If tattoos are seen as unprofessional, then hiring needs an update. Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair are expressions of creativity and uniqueness. It’s 2024; people need to get over their biases.”

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