Face Tattoos Cost Me A Job Opportunity At TK Maxx

Exploring how face tattoos influenced my job prospects at TK Maxx

Davy

• Published in Interesting
• April 22, 2024

Ash Putnam, 23, recently faced job rejection from TK Maxx, which she attributes to her distinctive face and neck tattoos. After sharing her experience on TikTok, where it went viral, Ash faced harsh online criticism.

Despite the setback and public scrutiny, she remains firm in her identity and career aspirations, insisting that her tattoos do not define her professional capabilities.

Ash Putnam's journey with tattoos began as a personal expression inspired by her father and various music artists.

Today, her body art includes significant tattoos on her face and neck, which she feels represent her individuality and creativity. However, these tattoos seem to have come at a cost professionally.

Recently, Ash applied for a job at TK Maxx. Despite the company's awareness of her appearance from the onset, her application was rejected. She suspects her tattoos were a factor, contrary to the employer's statement citing a lack of experience. Feeling unjustly treated, Ash took to TikTok to express her frustration, where her video quickly amassed over seven million views.

The reactions on TikTok were mixed, with some supporting her right to express herself and others suggesting that her appearance might be intimidating in a customer-facing role like that at TK Maxx. One user's comment that she should work in a circus or at Halloween stores instead gained significant attention, highlighting the stigma still faced by individuals with visible tattoos.

Ash, who also works as an Uber Eats driver and creates content for TikTok and OnlyFans, isn't deterred by the rejection. She argues that personal appearance, like tattoos or piercings, doesn't reflect one’s job skills or professional abilities.

Ash believes it's time for society to move past these superficial biases, emphasizing that many talented and intelligent individuals choose to have body art.

While TK Maxx has not publicly commented on the specific reasons behind Ash's job rejection, the incident raises important questions about appearance-based discrimination in hiring practices.

Ash hopes her story will encourage a broader discussion on acceptance and diversity in the workplace, making a case for why personal expression through tattoos should not impact one's professional opportunities.

Davy