Ash Putnam, who uses the name ashxobrien on TikTok, recently became super popular online. She made a video about not getting a job at TJ Maxx, a store where people shop. Ash is 24 years old and applied for a job there a few weeks ago. But instead of getting hired, she got an email saying no, and it didn’t even explain why. Her video about this got over 7 million views—that’s a huge number of people watching!
Why Didn’t She Get the Job?
Ash really wanted to know why she didn’t get the job, so she went to the TJ Maxx store and talked to the manager. The manager told her it was because other people who applied had more experience working. Ash has tattoos on her face and body, and she wondered if those were the real reason she was turned down. She asked the manager about it, and he said no, the tattoos didn’t matter. But Ash wasn’t sure if he was telling the truth.
Ash’s Big Question
In her video, Ash talked about something that confused her. She said it’s really hard for young people like her to get jobs because companies want workers who already know how to do the job. She asked, “How are we supposed to get a job if they only hire people with experience? It doesn’t make sense!” She also asked her followers to tell her their own stories about looking for jobs, especially if they have tattoos or things like piercings.
Tattoos and Jobs
Ash feels upset because she thinks her tattoos might be stopping her from getting hired. She said, “Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I won’t be a good worker.” Some people who watched her video made jokes about her tattoos. One person mentioned a “demon spider” tattoo on her neck and face. Others said it might not be that she has tattoos, but where they are—like on her face—that could make it harder to get a job.
What People Think
People who know about hiring shared their ideas. One person who works in HR (that’s a job where you help hire people) said companies like TJ Maxx might not want someone with face tattoos working with customers. Another person who used to hire workers at TJ Maxx said the same thing—tattoos or piercings on the face can sometimes be a problem for those jobs.
Are Tattoos Okay Now?
Over the last 10 years, more workplaces have started to be okay with tattoos. But for someone like Ash, who has a lot of tattoos, it can still be tough to find a job, especially in stores or places where you help customers.
## Ash’s Opinion
Ash talked to a newspaper called the Daily Star and shared what she thinks. She said companies should stop judging people by their tattoos. “Tattoos don’t show if you’re good at a job,” she explained. “They show you’re creative and special. People need to stop not liking tattoos.”
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSrumrQdR/
The Big Lesson
Ash’s story shows that finding a job can be hard, especially if you look different. She wants people to see her for how well she can work, not just for her tattoos. Her video got millions of people talking, and it’s making everyone think about what really matters when hiring someone.
