A woman with numerous visible tattoos recently took to social media to express her disappointment after being turned down for a job at TJ Maxx. Rather than offering sympathy, many online commenters responded with blunt opinions, claiming that face tattoos and piercings can severely impact employability.
Ash Putnam, known on TikTok as ashxobrien, posted a video describing her experience applying for a position at the retail chain.
“I applied at TJ Maxx a few weeks back, and they didn’t hire me,” the 24-year-old said in her now-viral video, which has racked up over 7 million views. “They didn’t even bother to call—just sent an automated rejection email.”
Curious about the reason for the rejection, Putnam—who sports tattoos across her face and body, in addition to several facial piercings—decided to ask the store directly.
“I went in today and asked why I wasn’t selected. The hiring manager told me it was due to lack of experience, and that other applicants were more qualified,” she recounted.
Still unsure, Putnam brought up her appearance. “I asked if it was because of my tattoos. A lot of places still don’t like them,” she said. “She told me it wasn’t, but honestly, I’m not sure I believe that. Anyway, I let it go.”
“Doesn’t add up”
Hoping to gain some perspective, Putnam asked her TikTok audience, “How are teens and young adults supposed to get jobs if every place is only hiring people with experience? It just doesn’t make sense to me.”
She ended her post by encouraging others to share their own job-hunting struggles. “I’d love to know if anyone else is going through this. I hate that my tattoos seem to be the deciding factor when it comes to getting hired,” she said. “Having tattoos doesn’t mean I can’t be a great employee.”
@ashxobrien I want to know who is also having a hard time finding a job right now! #jobs #jobmarket ♬ original sound – Ash Putnam🖤🇺🇸
“Unemployable?”
Her video sparked a flood of responses, with users sharing mixed reactions—some humorous, others brutally honest.
One viewer commented, “Maybe it’s the demon spider tattoo?” referring to the intricate ink that stretches from her neck to her cheeks.
Another joked, “You could always work as a bartender, tattoo artist, or an extra in a prison movie… maybe even play bass for Mötley Crüe.” One simply labeled her “unemployable.”
Several pointed out that the issue might not be tattoos in general, but their location. “Tattoo artists call face tattoos ‘career killers’ for a reason,” one commenter wrote.
Another added, “It’s not that you have tattoos—it’s where they are.” A third chimed in, “I’m fully tattooed too, just not on my face. I’ve never had a problem finding work.”
One commenter, claiming to be an HR manager, noted, “No company like TJ Maxx would want someone with that appearance in a customer-facing role.”
Backing that up, a former TJ Maxx hiring manager commented, “From my experience, it’s absolutely the face tattoos and piercings. That’s why you didn’t get hired.”
“Tattoos show individuality”
While tattoos have become more mainstream in recent years, heavily tattooed individuals—especially those with ink on their faces—often still face discrimination when applying for front-line jobs.
Putnam later told the Daily Star that if her tattoos played a role in the rejection, companies should reevaluate how they assess candidates.
“If employers think tattoos affect job performance or qualifications, then their priorities are seriously off. Tattoos, piercings, and dyed hair don’t make someone unprofessional—they show self-expression and creativity,” she said. “It’s time people got over their bias.”
Would you hire someone with prominent tattoos or facial piercings for a retail job? Let us know your thoughts, and feel free to share this story to continue the discussion.