The Job Rejection That Sparked a Viral Conversation
Have you ever applied for a job and wondered why you didn’t get it? Was it your skills, your appearance, or something else entirely? This is exactly what happened to Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old from California, who recently faced rejection from a job at TJ Maxx.
Instead of keeping her frustration to herself, she took to TikTok, and her video quickly went viral, racking up over seven million views and thousands of comments.
In her video, Ash shared her experience of applying for a position at TJ Maxx. After waiting a few weeks, she received an automatic email denying her application. “They couldn’t even call me; they just sent me some automated email,” she said, clearly upset by the lack of personal communication.
Feeling frustrated and determined to find out why she was rejected, Ash decided to visit the TJ Maxx store where she had applied. She confronted the employees, asking, “So what was the reason why I didn’t get hired?”
The response she received was disheartening. “Oh, you just don’t have enough experience. There were candidates that had more experience than you,” one employee explained.
Ash then asked a question that was on her mind: “Is it because of my tattoos? I know a lot of places don’t like tattoos.” The employee assured her that her tattoos weren’t the reason for the rejection, but Ash wasn’t convinced. “I don’t feel like that’s true, but whatever, I will leave it at that,” she replied, feeling a mix of doubt and frustration.
In her TikTok video, Ash passionately expressed her thoughts: “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.” Her words resonated with many viewers, sparking a lively discussion in the comments.
As the video gained traction, viewers began to weigh in on the situation. “Tattooer here, it’s probably the tattoos,” one commenter suggested. Another chimed in, “HR supervisor here. There is no way any company would put you in front of customers like TJ Maxx.”
A former employee of TJ Maxx added, “I worked at TJ Maxx, and they will hire just about anyone that comes off the street. It’s definitely the tattoos and piercings.”
Even Ash seemed to agree with the sentiment. “I absolutely do think it’s about my tattoos because apparently my tattoos are demonic and scary to a lot of people,” she told the Daily Star. She clarified that while TJ Maxx never explicitly stated this, the comments on her video suggested that many people viewed her tattoos negatively.
“People are being extremely hateful on my TikTok, saying I should work at a circus or Halloween stores,” she lamented.
Despite the negativity, Ash remained steadfast in her beliefs. She argued that companies need to rethink their hiring processes. “If they think tattoos determine job skill and qualifications, they really need to rethink,” she stated.
“Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair are not unprofessional. It shows creativity and uniqueness. It’s 2024; people need to get over not liking tattoos.”
Ash’s story highlights a growing conversation about the perception of tattoos in the workplace. Many people believe that tattoos should not define a person’s abilities or professionalism. As society evolves, so do attitudes toward self-expression, and Ash’s experience is a testament to the need for change in hiring practices.
What do you think of Ash’s story? Do you believe tattoos should affect job opportunities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
