Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old with tattoos and piercings on her face, went on TikTok to talk about how upset she was that TJ Maxx turned her down. Her video went popular and started a heated argument about how to hire people and body art.
Putnam got an automatic email telling her that her application had been denied, which she thought was cold. The staff said she didn’t have enough training, but Putnam thinks her tattoos were the real problem.
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs#jobmarket♬ original sound – Ash🖤
Many TikTok commenters felt that her tattoos probably had something to do with it, even though the store denied it. Some people talked about their own lives, while others were mean about how she looked.
Putnam thinks that her tattoos, while not normal, don’t say anything about her ability to do her job. She wants hiring processes to be more accepting and open to everyone.
“I think businesses should reconsider their views on tattoos,” he said. “People with tattoos and piercings are some of the smartest people I’ve met.” These old stereotypes need to be broken down.
The dispute over Putnam’s experience shows how body art and professional image are still being talked about. Will businesses change to accept all kinds of diversity as social views change?
