I Hate Being Discriminated for My Face Tattoos and Lose Job Opportunities

A wave of attention has recently surrounded 23-year-old social media influencer Ash Putnam. Known for her striking look, which includes facial tattoos and a large silver septum ring, Putnam has openly expressed her frustration with the hiring process. She raised concerns that her body art might be causing her to face discrimination.

She was looking for a job.

Putnam began her story with an emotional claim: “So I wanted to come on here and talk about something that is really starting to annoy me”. She shared that she applied for a job a few weeks ago, but the company denied her application. The worst part was that they didn’t even call her, just sending some automated email.

Putnam continued her story: “So I went in today, and I was like, so what was the reason I didn’t get hired? And she was like, oh, like, you just, like, don’t have enough experience. There were candidates that had, like, more experience than you. And, you know, I asked her if it was about my tattoos, obviously, because I know a lot of places don’t like tattoos. She said that wasn’t the reason. I don’t feel like that’s true, but whatever, I’ll leave it at that.”

Putnam pointed out a larger issue: if she wasn’t hired due to her lack of experience, where can people like her find work? She asked, “How are teenagers and young adults, who haven’t had a job before supposed to get employed if these places are only hiring people with experience?” This problem heavily affects the job market today, regardless of whether someone has tattoos or piercings.

Putnam’s story touches on a bigger problem: job discrimination based on appearance.

The issue of job discrimination due to tattoos reflects wider societal tensions between personal expression and professional standards. Although body art is increasingly accepted in many cultural settings, some employers still see visible tattoos as unprofessional, which can influence their hiring choices. This bias means skilled candidates might be passed over because of their appearance, reinforcing a cycle of exclusion for those who express themselves through tattoos.

Putnam’s story highlights the ongoing debate about how employers view body art at work. She believes that tattoos and piercings don’t impact a person’s ability to do their job well. “I hate that my tattoos are such a defining factor for me getting a job or not,” she shared. “Just because I have tattoos doesn’t mean I’m not going to be a good worker.”

People were really of different opinion.

Putnam’s TikTok video, which has amassed 9.7 million views, ignited a heated discussion. But there appeared a variety of opinions in comments.

• Just because you think it’s OK, doesn’t mean everyone else does. © johnjakson69 / TikTok
• It’s the tattoos. You would get hired at as a bartender, at a tattoo/vape/piercing shop, a warehouse, or maybe a trade, like something in construction. © VeronikaSiempre / TikTok
• Listen. I love my tattoos. LOVE THEM. But I will never tattoo my face, neck or hands due to my career. I look like two different people at work and out of work. I love tattoos, but I love money more. © K. Possible / TikTok

Being an influencer means being in the spotlight every day, with your personal views on any topic open to discussion, and have an ability to respond. This was the case with a plus-size influencer who shut down critics demanding she follow unrealistic standards.