Imagine this: you’re all pumped up to land that part-time job at TJ Maxx, only to find out that your colorful array of tattoos and piercings might just be the culprit for your unceremonious rejection. Meet Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old with a flair for ink, who goes by @ashxobrien on TikTok. Ash recently stirred quite the pot on social media when she shared her job hunt woes, accusing the store of judging her by her cover—literally.

Putnam applied for the gig and, lo and behold, a few weeks later received a rejection email. (Yes, an email, because apparently, a phone call would have been too much effort.) Feeling a bit miffed by the impersonal brush-off, she took to TikTok, venting her frustration and igniting a debate about whether her tattoos were the real reason she didn’t snag the job.

According to Putnam, she decided to confront the situation head-on and waltzed into her local TJ Maxx. An employee told her that she just didn’t have enough experience for the position. But Ash had a sneaky suspicion that her inked skin was actually the issue, despite reassurances to the contrary.

Now, let’s get a little practical—this wasn’t a job Putnam desperately needed; it was more of a side hustle to pay off some debt quickly. But why should her tattoos be a job deal-breaker? Her body art includes some edgy designs, like a goat representing the deity Baphomet and a Leviathan Cross. While it’s a bit murky whether the hiring managers ever actually saw these tattoos, the TikTok crowd was quick to speculate that her tattoos might have played a major role in TJ Maxx’s decision.

People chimed in left and right on her TikTok video. Some argued that having visible tattoos might be seen as unprofessional, especially when you’re in a job that faces customers day in and day out. Others pointed out the uphill battle young folks face trying to get work experience when employers seem to be more hung up on past work history than raw potential.

This incident has blown open broader questions about our views on tattoos and hiring practices. Ask yourself: why should a bunch of vibrant ink be a hurdle to getting a job? Plenty of competent workers sport tattoos—sometimes even in places you can’t see!

Even though there’s no smoking gun to prove that Putnam’s tattoos are what got her the boot, this whole episode shines a light on the (sometimes) subtle ways appearance-based discrimination can sneak into the hiring process. The conversation is far from over. We need to keep pushing for hiring practices that judge candidates by their aptitude and skills, not their tattoos and piercings.

So, what do you think? Shouldn’t the world be a bit more colorful, even in customer service? Feel free to let your thoughts run wild—but remember to hold on to your resume tight!