“She was rejected by TJ Maxx—was it because of her tattoos?” 🧑🎤💼 After being turned down for a job, Ash Putnam believes her face and neck tattoos played a bigger role than the company admits. Her story is sparking debate about appearance, work ethic, and hiring bias. See the viral video and full story in the article below 👇
A woman with many tattoos shared her disappointment on TikTok after being rejected for a job at TJ Maxx (called TK Maxx in the UK). She believes her tattoos were a big reason why she didn’t get the job.
Turned Down Without Clear Reason
Ash Putnam, who has several tattoos on her face and neck, posted a video saying she applied to work at TJ Maxx. She later received a standard rejection email, which didn’t give any explanation. Curious about the reason, Ash decided to visit the store in person and ask.
She said the manager told her the company chose someone else with more experience. But Ash wasn’t sure that was the whole truth. “I asked her if it was because of my tattoos,” Ash said. “She said no, but I just don’t believe that.”
Tattoos Don’t Define Work Ethic
Ash made it clear in her video that having tattoos doesn’t make someone a bad worker. “Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I’m not a hard worker or not smart,” she said. “I’ve met some of the most intelligent people who have tattoos and piercings.”
She explained that her tattoos are meaningful and inspired by the music she loves and her father, who also has tattoos. One of her most talked-about tattoos is a spider on her neck, which has brought both attention and criticism.
Mixed Reactions Online
Her video quickly went viral, getting more than 8.5 million views. Some viewers supported Ash, but others were more judgmental. A few people said her tattoos were too scary, and some even suggested she work at a tattoo shop or a Halloween store instead.
One person wrote, “There’s no way a company like TJ Maxx would let someone with your look work with customers.”
No Regrets About Her Tattoos
Despite the negativity, Ash isn’t sorry about her body art. In an interview with the Daily Star, she said she still believes her tattoos were the real reason for the job rejection, even if the company didn’t say so directly.
“People think my tattoos look scary or demonic,” she said. “But I won’t change who I am just to get a job that pays minimum wage.”
Ash is currently removing a tattoo from her forehead but plans to replace it with a new one. She says her tattoos are part of her identity, and she’s proud of them.
A Bigger Conversation About Tattoos at Work
Ash’s story has brought more attention to a bigger issue: how people with visible tattoos are treated when applying for jobs. Even though tattoos are more common now, some employers still have negative views about them.
This debate continues as more people speak out about being judged for their appearance rather than their skills or work ethic.
What do you think? Should tattoos still affect someone’s chances of getting a job? Share your thoughts in the comments!
