After speaking out about the difficulties she is experiencing in the job market, Ash Putnam, who is 23 years old and works as an Uber Eats driver and a content producer on social media, has lately garnered a lot of attention. Putnam, who is well-known for her daring style, which includes tattoos on her neck and a large silver septum ring, recently said that she had feelings of being unjustly assessed during the time of the interview process due to her looks.
Putnam submitted her application for a career at a well-known retail chain, but she immediately got an automated email advising her that she would not be considered for the post. Within the email, there was no particular explanation given for the rejection. Putnam made the decision to address the retailer head-on because she had a sneaking suspicion that her visible tattoos and piercings could have been a contributing factor.
When Putnam went to the shop, she spoke with a manager about the reason why she was not employed. It was explained to her that the reason for her rejection was due to the fact that she did not have sufficient experience. Despite his initial skepticism, Putnam continued his interview by inquiring about the tattoos she had. However, Putnam did not seem to be persuaded by the manager’s denial of this.
The greater problem of discrimination in the workplace
The situation that Putnam found himself in throws into question the way in which employers see body art in the workplace. She maintained that their tattoos and piercings do not have an impact on their ability to execute their work duties, despite the fact that many extremely clever and talented people have them. “I hate that my tattoos are such a defining factor for me getting a job or not,” she remarked in response. “Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I’m not going to be a good worker.”
Ash Putnam was met with a tidal wave of angry replies when she shared her experience on the social media platform TikTok. Commenters recommended that she should look for work in tattoo or piercing shops instead of getting tattoos because they believed that her tattoos would be frightening to youngsters. There were even others who went so far as to suggest that she join the circus. As a result of these responses, the continued bias that society has against visible and unusual bodily alterations is brought to light.
In today’s contemporary workplace, discrimination on the basis of tattoos continues to be a difficult topic, reflecting greater cultural issues around personal expression and professional standards. Many companies continue to perceive visible tattoos as unprofessional, which may have an impact on their employment choices. This is despite the fact that body art is becoming more accepted in a variety of cultural settings. A cycle of exclusion may be perpetuated for people who prefer to express themselves via tattoos because of this stigma, which can result in eligible applicants being disregarded based on their looks rather than their talents or experience.
Opportunities for young people to find work
Additionally, Putnam expressed his worry on the challenges that young people encounter while attempting to get entry-level employment without having any previous training or experience. “So younger people just can’t get a job because they haven’t worked enough?” she questioned with curiosity. “So, like, they’ll deny a 16-year-old a job because they don’t have enough work experience?”
Reactions within social media
A heated discussion was started by Putnam’s TikTok video, which has received 9.7 million views up to this point. Some former workers and recruiting managers from the same shop chain provided their opinions, proving that visible tattoos and piercings might, in fact, have an impact on the choices that are made about employment. A user made the statement, “I used to be a hiring manager for TJ Maxx, and I will tell you it’s the facial piercings and tattoos.”
The precise designs that Ash selected to be tattooed were cited as a probable cause in her rejection by some internet critics. This was in addition to worries over the exposure of body art. She is covered with tattoos that are quite obvious, such as a goat with a pentagram on her breast and a Leviathan cross on her wrist. These tattoos are symbols that some people believe to be satanic. The presence of these components triggered a discussion over the propriety of certain images in customer-facing jobs, particularly in retail settings.
Putnam’s position has rekindled conversations about whether or not visible tattoos should be tolerated in situations that are considered professional. Despite the fact that some people think that tattoos are a form of personal expression and should not be considered when making employment choices, others are of the opinion that some businesses, particularly those that involve connection with customers, may have misgivings about tattoos. Experts point out that even while tattoos are becoming more commonplace, visible body art may still have an impact on work chances, depending on the culture and rules of the firm to which the tattoo belongs. ##
As the internet debate continues to expand, it is becoming more apparent that discussions over body art and employment prejudice are not yet ended. These talks are reflective of broader societal and generational shifts. I would like to introduce you to this lady as an additional startling illustration of how tattoos may disrupt preconceptions.
