A heavily tattooed woman has taken to TikTok to share her frustration after being turned down for a job at TJ Maxx (known as TK Maxx in the UK).
Ash Putnam, who sports several visible tattoos on her face and neck, claims that her body art played a significant role in the company’s decision to reject her application.
The Job Rejection: Lack of Experience or Tattoo Bias?
Ash, who also works as an Uber Eats driver and creates content on platforms like OnlyFans, explained in her viral TikTok video that she received an impersonal rejection email from TJ Maxx without any explanation.
Unsatisfied, she decided to visit the store in person to ask why she wasn’t hired. According to Ash, the store manager cited a lack of experience as the primary reason, stating that other candidates had more qualifications.
However, Ash wasn’t convinced. “I asked her if it was about my tattoos, obviously, because I know a lot of places don’t like tattoos,” she said. The manager denied that her tattoos were the reason, but Ash remained skeptical. “I don’t feel like that’s true, but whatever—I’ll leave it at that.”
Tattoos and Talent: Breaking Stereotypes
Ash passionately defended her body art, arguing that having tattoos does not reflect one’s work ethic or intelligence.
“Just because I have tattoos does not mean I am not going to be a good worker. I do not understand that at all. Quite literally, some of the most smart, intelligent people I have ever met are people with tattoos and piercings,” she stated in her video.
Ash, who has been getting tattoos for years, shared that her ink is deeply personal and inspired by her favorite music artists and her father, who also has tattoos. Among her many tattoos is a demon spider on her neck, which has drawn particular attention and criticism from online trolls.
Social Media Backlash: A Mixed Response
Ash’s video quickly went viral, amassing over 8.5 million views and sparking a heated debate. While some viewers supported her stance, others were less sympathetic.
Comments ranged from calling her tattoos “demonic and scary” to suggesting she seek employment at a tattoo parlor or a Halloween store instead. One user even remarked, “There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like TJ Maxx.”
Standing Her Ground: No Regrets
Despite the backlash, Ash remains unapologetic about her tattoos and her decision to express herself through body art. Speaking to the Daily Star, she reiterated her belief that her tattoos were the real reason behind the job rejection.
“I absolutely do think it’s about my tattoos because apparently my tattoos are demonic and scary to a lot of people,” she said, clarifying that while TJ Maxx didn’t explicitly cite her tattoos, the negative comments on her TikTok suggested otherwise.
Ash also made it clear that she has no regrets about her tattoos, despite the criticism. Although she is currently undergoing laser removal for a tattoo on her forehead, she plans to replace it with new ink. “I am not going to change who I am for minimum wage jobs,” she stated firmly.
The Larger Issue: Tattoos and Employment Discrimination
Ash’s experience has brought attention to the broader issue of tattoos in the workplace and the discrimination that many people with body art still face. While tattoos have become more mainstream, there remains a stigma in certain professional environments.