Ash Putnam, a 23-year-old social media influencer, recently gained attention for her unique look, featuring face tattoos and a prominent septum piercing with a large silver ring. Putnam voiced her frustration with the hiring process, expressing concerns about possible discrimination due to her body art.
Putnam applied for a job at a well-known retail chain but received an automated rejection email without any specific explanation. Suspecting that her visible tattoos and piercings might have been a factor, she decided to address the issue in person.
During a visit to the store, Putnam asked a manager why she wasn’t hired. The manager cited her lack of experience as the reason. Unsatisfied with this explanation, Putnam questioned if her tattoos were the real reason. The manager denied it, but Putnam remained doubtful.
Putnam highlighted a broader issue: if she wasn’t hired due to her lack of experience, where can people like her find work? She asked, “How are teenagers and young adults, who haven’t had a job before, supposed to get employed if these places are only hiring people with experience?” This issue affects the job market today, regardless of whether someone has tattoos or piercings.
Putnam’s story underscores a larger problem: job discrimination based on appearance.
The issue of job discrimination due to tattoos reflects wider societal tensions between personal expression and professional standards. Although body art is increasingly accepted in many cultural settings, some employers still see visible tattoos as unprofessional, influencing their hiring choices. This bias means skilled candidates might be overlooked because of their appearance, reinforcing a cycle of exclusion for those who express themselves through tattoos.
Putnam’s story highlights the ongoing debate about how employers view body art at work. She believes that tattoos and piercings don’t impact a person’s ability to do their job well. “I hate that my tattoos are such a defining factor for me getting a job or not,” she shared. “Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I’m not going to be a good worker.”
Her story sparked a wide range of reactions on social media.
Putnam’s TikTok video, which has amassed 9.7 million views, ignited a heated discussion. Some former employees and hiring managers from the same store chain confirmed that visible tattoos and piercings could indeed affect hiring decisions. One user shared, “I used to be a hiring manager for TJ Maxx, and I will tell you it’s the facial piercings and tattoos.”
Conversely, many commenters supported the store’s stance, suggesting that individuals should be aware of the consequences of visible body modifications. One person remarked, “Most times when you flip the bird at society, society flips one right back.”
While some believe that personal expression shouldn’t hinder job opportunities, others argue that certain standards are necessary, especially in roles where employees interact directly with customers. Nonetheless, tattoos are a common form of self-expression and often carry significant personal meaning for those who have them.
