‘Not when you look like that’: Teen punk says no one will hire him
A Queensland teenager has claimed his eccentric appearance has prevented him from getting a job.
Novak Daniels, who goes by ‘nxvac’ on social media, dons dark make-up to compliment his facial piercings, adding to the punk aesthetic.
Mr Daniels believes his appearance is the reason he misses out on job opportunities.
"I've applied for apprenticeships as a boiler maker, welder and mowing and barista work," he told the Sunshine Coast Daily.
"But whenever I go to an interview they always say 'no, not when you look like that'."
He said he believes the people who discriminate against him for his appearance are “old-fashioned”, saying he does not go out looking for trouble and that he defies the stereotypes of being a ‘punk’ and a TikToker.
“I'm trying to be a good person, it's just that people seem to think I'm bad because they put me in that stereotype,” he said.
Previously, Mr Daniels worked as a barista and in an office, and told the Sunshine Coast Daily he was a reliable worker.
Mr Daniels has accumulated a decent online following, on TikTok he has over 55,000 followers.
Following the Sunshine Coast Daily publishing the article about Mr Daniels, he made a video on the video sharing platform about the “nasty” comments that were directed at him.
“I think this should really open up some eyes hopefully, because discrimination sucks,” he said.
“I just want to work, but I can’t.”
In addition to his online presence, Mr Daniels has an online store on Depop, where he has sold a jacket in the past, he told the Sunshine Coast daily he is working on his own business where he will sell alternative clothing.
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