Sometimes, when you apply for a job and don’t get it, you might wonder why. Was it your skills, how you presented yourself, or something else?
Ash Putnam, who is 23 years old and covered in tattoos, recently shared her frustration on TikTok after being turned down for a job at TJ Maxx.
Her video became really popular, with over seven million views and tens of thousands of comments. Many people agreed with her about how hard it can be for young people to find entry-level jobs.
Putnam explained on TikTok that she applied for a job at TJ Maxx and later got an email saying she didn’t get the job. She felt disappointed that they didn’t even call her personally, just sent an automatic email.
Not satisfied with the response, she went to the store and asked the employees why she didn’t get hired.
“I went in today and asked, ‘Why didn’t I get hired?’ The employee said, ‘You don’t have enough experience. There were other candidates with more experience.’”
Putnam also asked if her tattoos were the reason she didn’t get the job. Many places don’t like employees with visible tattoos. The employee said that wasn’t the reason, but Putnam wasn’t sure she believed that.
“Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I won’t be a good worker. I don’t understand that at all,” she said. “Some of the smartest people I know have tattoos and piercings.”
Her story sparked a lot of discussion about job hunting and how people are judged based on their appearance.
Even though the woman from California, who also works for Uber Eats, didn’t get a clear reason from TJ Maxx, many people on TikTok think they know why she was turned down.
One person said, “I’m a tattoo artist, it’s probably because of the tattoos.”
Another person, who works in human resources, commented, “No company would want someone with visible tattoos dealing with customers, like TJ Maxx.”
A former TJ Maxx employee added, “I used to work there, and they hire almost anyone off the street. It’s definitely because of the tattoos and piercings.”
Someone else suggested, “It might not be that you have tattoos, but maybe where the tattoos are located.”
These comments show that many think her tattoos could be the reason TJ Maxx didn’t hire her.
“I really think it’s because of my tattoos, as many comments say my tattoos are scary and demonic to some people,” she shared with the Daily Star.
She added, “TJ Maxx didn’t tell me this directly, but many comments on my TikTok are really mean. People say I should work at a circus or Halloween store.”
Even if her tattoos are why TJ Maxx didn’t hire her, she thinks companies should change how they hire people.
“If they think tattoos decide how good you are at a job, they need to think again. Tattoos, piercings, and colored hair aren’t unprofessional. They show creativity and being different. It’s 2024, people need to stop disliking tattoos.”
Do you think tattoos should decide if you get a job? Tell us on Facebook what you think.
SCHOOL EMBARRASSES TEEN OVER OUTFIT—HER DAD’S HILARIOUS REVENGE IS UNFORGETTABLE
In August 2017, Tony Alarcon’s phone rang unexpectedly.
Like many parents, he thought it might be a telemarketer. But this time, he answered the call.
Hearing from the school can be nerve-wracking for any parent. Tony immediately started worrying—was his daughter, Demetra, okay? Had something happened?
What he found out left him surprised.
It was a hot summer day in Northern California, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees. Tony had dropped off his 13-year-old daughter, Demetra, at school that morning. She wore a blue romper to stay cool in the heat, and neither of them thought the outfit would cause any issues.
Demetra, a student at Raymond J. Fisher Middle School in Los Gatos, California, had simply dressed for the weather.
Not everyone agreed with Demetra’s outfit. A teacher at her school said her romper was “too distracting” for the boys.
When the teacher told Demetra that her outfit was too short, her dad, Tony, rushed back to the school with a change of clothes—jean shorts and a tank top. But the school said those clothes were also inappropriate.
Tony was shocked. He asked Demetra to bend over and touch her toes in front of the school administrator. “Nothing is hanging out. There’s nothing inappropriate. I don’t understand this dress code rule,” he told TODAY.
Still, the school said her clothes were “distracting.” Since it was 90 degrees outside, Tony had no choice but to go to his car and grab a pair of leggings for Demetra to wear.
Demetra felt embarrassed.
Tony expressed his frustration, saying, “She’s just a kid. She’s only 13. She’s not trying to be a sex symbol. She just wants to be comfortable and attend class, but we’re not giving her that chance.”
This wasn’t the first time Demetra had been in trouble for her clothes. Just a week before, she was called out for a visible bra strap. “When I got dress coded last week, they said my bra strap was showing,” Demetra told the *San Jose Mercury News*. “Like, I’m wearing a bra—what’s the big deal?”
Tony, a successful investment advisor and father of two, didn’t let it go. Angry at what he saw as an unfair rule that mostly targeted girls, he took his complaint to social media. Parents from all over the country showed their support, agreeing that the school’s dress code was outdated and unfair to girls.
“Demetra’s not the only one. If you sit in the school parking lot, you’ll see that,” Tony said. “Lots of girls just want to be comfortable, but they feel forced to wear leggings even when it’s 100 degrees outside.”
Tony believed that parents, not schools, should decide if their children’s clothes are appropriate. He was also worried about how being told their clothing is a “distraction” to boys could affect young girls emotionally in the long run.
The story quickly got attention from the media, with major news outlets reporting on Tony’s efforts to change the dress code. While the school didn’t speak on camera, they did release a statement:
“The Los Gatos Union School District believes that appropriate dress and grooming contribute to a productive learning environment,” the district said. “Students are expected to wear clothes that reflect the core values of our learning community.”
Tony’s efforts made an impact. His push for change led the Los Gatos Union School District to reevaluate its dress code to make it fairer and less strict for all students.
Lisa Fraser, the school’s principal, explained that the dress code rules, called “Fashion Faux Pas,” apply to both girls and boys. Some of the rules include no hats or hoods indoors, no visible underwear, no inappropriate logos or words, and shorts must have at least 4-inch inseams.
“There has always been a dress code,” Fraser told a newspaper. “These are basic rules for appropriate behavior. I can set guidelines for the school, but I want them to reflect the community’s values.”
In the end, Tony Alarcon’s persistence started an important discussion about how school dress codes affect young girls — showing that one parent’s voice can truly make a difference.
What do you think about the school’s dress code? Have you or your children faced a similar situation? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments!
Leave a Reply