When Ash Putnam’s TJ Maxx job application was rejected, her TikTok video about the experience went viral for all the wrong reasons. The 24-year-old, whose face features prominent tattoos including an intricate spiderweb design, believes her body art cost her the retail position—despite the company’s claims they simply hired more experienced candidates.
The internet had strong reactions. While some applauded her self-expression, many echoed the sentiment that facial tattoos remain professional dealbreakers. “There’s a reason artists call these ‘career enders,'” noted one commenter. Others shared their own experiences, with tattooed users noting they get hired easily—as long as their ink can be covered by clothing.
A surprising admission came from a former TJ Maxx hiring manager: “For customer-facing roles, we absolutely considered visible facial modifications during hiring,” they revealed. This insider perspective confirmed what many suspected—that while society has become more accepting of body art, certain industries still enforce traditional appearance standards.
Putnam sees this as a missed opportunity. “My tattoos show I’m creative and unique—qualities that could benefit any team,” she argues. Her story has reignited conversations about whether appearance-based hiring practices are fair in an era where self-expression through body modification has become mainstream. As the workforce continues evolving, her experience serves as a case study in the ongoing tension between personal identity and professional expectations.