A lady with numerous tattoos recently took to social media to express her frustration at TJ Maxx for turning her down for a retail job in one of its locations. Rather from providing her with support, the online community instead gave her a reality check by implying that her “facial piercings and tattoos” are “career enders,” rendering her “unemployable.”
Ash Putnam—who goes by the online pseudonym ashxobrien—complained on TikTok lately that she was turned down for a retail job at TJ Maxx.
“A few weeks ago, I applied to TJ Maxx, and they rejected my application,” the 24-year-old said in the TikTok video, which received over 7 million views. They couldn’t even give me a call. I received an automated email from them just now.
Seeking clarification, Putnam, who has several facial piercings and obvious tattoos all over her body and face, claimed she chose to speak with the recruiting manager.
“I went in today and asked myself, ‘What kept me from getting hired?'” “Oh,” she said, “you simply don’t have enough experience.” According to the young woman, “there [were] candidates with more experience than you.”
I enquired as to whether my tattoos were the problem. It goes without saying that many places are against tattoos. [It] wasn’t the cause, she said. I don’t think that’s accurate, but whatever. I will not elaborate further.
“It’s not made sense.”
“I’m just wondering how teenagers and young adults who haven’t had a job before are supposed to get employed,” Putnam asks in her video, hoping to elicit some ideas from the internet public.
“If these places only hire people based on experience, how are they going to find employment? It simply doesn’t make logic to me.
Prior to concluding her video, she invited her audience to share their own stories and any challenges they have faced while seeking employment.
“I want to find out whether this is anything that’s happening to anyone else. Putnam continued, “I detest that my tattoos have been such a determining factor in whether or not I obtain a job. “My tattoos don’t necessarily indicate that I won’t be a good employee.”
“Umployable”
Many viewers were moved by her narrative, and comments from others sharing their thoughts poured in.
In reference to the noticeable tattoo that extends from her neck to her lower cheeks, one user asks, “Maybe it’s the demon spider??”
A third TikToker merely writes: “Unemployable.” Another laughs, “[You] can be a barman, tattoo artist, an extra in a prison movie and bassist for Motley Crue.
Others stated that Putnam’s tattoo placement, rather than the body art itself, is the cause. One user comments, “Tattoo artists call face tattoos career enders for a reason.”
Another responds, “I don’t believe it’s because you have tattoos. It’s probably WHERE you have tattoos. “I have tattoos all over except my face, but I can get a job anywhere,” writes a third. Be [really].
One internet user posts, “HR supervisor here,” with some expert guidance. Like TJ Maxx, no business would ever place you in front of customers.
“I used to be a hiring manager for TJ Maxx and I will tell you it’s the facial piercings and tattoos,” says a former hiring manager, confirming the concerns about facial art in the workplace.
“Exhibits inventiveness”
The acceptance of tattoos in the workplace has significantly increased during the last ten years. But for people like Putnam who have a lot of ink, finding a job can still be difficult, particularly for positions that involve interacting with customers.
Companies should reconsider their hiring practices, Putnam told the Daily Star, if her body art is the reason she was turned down for a position at the store.
“They should really reconsider if they believe that skills and credentials for a job are determined by tattoos. Coloured hair, body piercings, and tattoos are all considered professional. It exhibits originality and ingenuity. Individuals must overcome their dislike of tattoos.
If you were in charge of hiring someone to fill a job, would you choose to recruit someone who had obvious piercings and tattoos? Kindly share this tale with us and let us know what you think so we can start a discussion!
