A heavily tattooed woman went viral after claiming she was rejected from a TJ Maxx retail job and questioning whether her appearance affected the decision.
Ash Putnam (known online as ashxobrien) said on TikTok—viewed over 7 million times—that she was sent an automated rejection email. She later visited the store to ask why she wasn’t hired and was told it was due to more experienced candidates. She believes her visible facial tattoos and piercings may have played a role, though the manager denied it.
She expressed frustration about how young people are supposed to gain experience if entry-level jobs still require it, and said tattoos shouldn’t define her ability to work.
The video sparked mixed reactions online. Some users joked or called her “unemployable,” while others suggested it was specifically her facial tattoos and piercings, not body art in general. Several commenters, including people claiming hiring or HR experience, said customer-facing roles often avoid visible face tattoos.
Despite the criticism, Putnam argued that tattoos, piercings, and colored hair reflect creativity and shouldn’t impact hiring decisions, calling for workplaces to update their standards.