Applying for a job can be a daunting task, and one woman’s recent experience has highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with visible tattoos. Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old from California, took to TikTok to share her frustration after being rejected by T.J. Maxx, a discount store chain.
Putnam’s visible tattoos, including a skull design on her neck and solid black patches on her arms, were at the center of her concerns. She expressed her disappointment and frustration, stating that her tattoos should not define her ability to be a good worker. “I hate that my tattoos are such a defining factor for me getting a job or not,” she said.
After receiving a generic rejection message from T.J. Maxx, Putnam decided to visit the store to get some answers. She asked the hiring manager if her tattoos were the reason for her rejection, but was told that it was due to a lack of experience. Putnam was skeptical, feeling that her tattoos were indeed a factor.
The incident sparked a heated debate in the comments section of Putnam’s TikTok video, which garnered 7.4 million views. Some commenters felt that Putnam’s tattoos were a legitimate reason for her rejection, while others argued that they should not be a barrier to employment.
The debate highlights a larger issue of tattoo acceptance in the workplace. According to a LinkedIn survey conducted in 2018, 40% of respondents admitted to rejecting job candidates solely based on the visibility of their tattoos. However, a 2023 poll conducted by the Pew Research Center found that nearly one-third of American adults now sport permanent tattoos, signaling a significant rise in their popularity.
As the stigma surrounding tattoos continues to fade, it’s time to reconsider their impact on job applicants. Should tattoos be a barrier to employment, or is it time to accept them as a form of personal expression? The debate is ongoing, and Putnam’s experience has added fuel to the fire.
