A woman claims she was denied a job due to her face and neck tattoos.
Ash Putnam, from California, has gone viral on TikTok after sharing that it can be difficult to find employment when covered in inkings.
She uploaded a video titled: “It’s impossible to find jobs right now!!”
The clip has amassed millions of views and comments but instead of receiving support she’s been cruelly trolled – with some saying she ‘should work at a circus.’
In a video on TikTok, Putnam discussed applying for a job at TJ Maxx, an apparel and home goods company.
She told viewers: “I applied for a job at TJ Maxx a few weeks ago and they denied my application. They couldn’t even call me, they just sent me some automated email.”
Putnam claims she went into the store and asked the employee whether she had been denied the role because of her appearance, continuing: “She said that wasn’t the reason. I don’t feel like that’s true, but whatever, I will leave it at that.”
The tattoo lover, who currently makes a living through Uber Eats and social media platforms, says she ‘absolutely’ believes she was denied the role because of her tattoos.
“TJ Maxx did not say this to me – that’s just what a lot of the comments on my video say,” she added. “People are being extremely hateful on my TikTok, saying I should work at a circus or Halloween stores.”
Many people have taken to the comments and suggested Putnam’s tattoos may be why she’s struggling to find employment.
One person writes: “There’s tattoo… and then there’s TATTOOS.”
Another adds: “It is the type of tattoos and the placement of them.”
A third viewer remarks: “There’s a reason why tattoo artists refer to face tattoos as career enders.”
“I love tattoos. I have a lot of them. All are able to be hidden for work purposes,” somebody else shares.
In an interview with IGV, Putnam says the backlash from her viral TikTok video has solidified her decision to avoid customer service roles altogether.
She asserts: “At this point, I do not care.”
Putnam, who is estimated to have spent over $10,000 on her inkings, advises others to ‘think hard about what kind of tattoos you want.’
“Don’t get face or neck tattoos if you want to work in the corporate world!” she warns.
A copy of the TJ Maxx dress code has been shared on Reddit – there’s no mention of tattoos or piercings.
The brand’s Global Code of Conduct guide states it is against basing ’employment-related decisions’ on any ‘status protected under applicable law.’
Whether or not tattoos can have an impact on job offers remains a divisive topic.
Career coach Claire Brown tells the Metro: “The placement and content of tattoos is important to consider as it can impact other’s perceptions and first impressions of you.
“Often, the larger, more visible tattoos on the face, neck, hands, and arms and those with any images considered to be more graphic, scary or offensive in nature may not be well received.”
IGV has reached out to TJ Maxx for comment.