A recent incident involving a job rejection at TJ Maxx has stirred quite a bit of controversy. Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old known as @ashxobrien on TikTok, claimed she was discriminated against because of her tattoos and piercings.
Putnam applied for a part-time job at TJ Maxx but received a rejection email a few weeks later. Upset by this outcome, she shared her frustration on TikTok, igniting a lively discussion about discrimination in the hiring process.
She first voiced her displeasure with the way the rejection was communicated. She found receiving an impersonal email, which is a common practice for big companies, rather cold after she had put so much effort into her application.
Curious about the reason for her rejection, Putnam visited her local TJ Maxx to ask in person. An employee there mentioned her lack of sufficient experience for the role. However, Putnam felt that her tattoos were the real reason, despite the employee’s assurances to the contrary.
Putnam clarified that she didn’t necessarily need the job, but was seeking extra income to pay off her debts faster. She felt it was unfair that her tattoos seemed to affect her chances of getting hired.
Among her visible tattoos are images with Satanic themes, like a goat representing the deity Baphomet and a Leviathan Cross. While it’s not clear if the hiring managers noticed her tattoos during the application process, thousands of TikTok users commented, suggesting that her tattoos likely influenced the decision.
Some users argued that visible tattoos are often seen as unprofessional, particularly in customer-facing roles such as those at TJ Maxx. Others highlighted the difficulty young adults face when trying to find jobs if companies prioritize experience over potential.
This incident has sparked a broader conversation about societal views on body modifications and hiring practices. Putnam questioned why tattoos should be an obstacle to employment, especially when many people with tattoos are excellent workers.
Although there’s no solid evidence that Putnam’s tattoos directly caused her rejection, the situation brings to light the ongoing debate about appearance-based discrimination in the workplace. As the discussion unfolds, it’s important to think about how hiring practices can become more inclusive and fair for all candidates, no matter what they look like.
