Publicist Roxy Jacenko investigated for alleged lockdown breaches

Celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko is reportedly being investigated for allegedly breaching lockdown rules but maintains she is innocent.

Celebrity publicist Roxy Jacenko is being investigated for allegedly breaching lockdown rules but she maintains she is innocent.

Jacenko revealed she was visited by police twice at her Sweaty Betty office in Paddington over concerns she has been “flouting the rules” while operating her business during lockdown.

She denies any wrongdoing.

On Tuesday, Jacenko received a letter from SafeWork NSW, after being alerted to alleged work health and safety issues.

“Specifically, it is alleged that workers are not being allowed to work from home in line with public health orders without consultation or a reasonably practical review being conducted,” the letter states.

The statutory agency said it was currently “reviewing the information supplied”.

Roxy Jacenko at her offices Sweaty Betty PR in Paddington last year. Picture: Britta Campion

Jacenko vented her frustration on social media, telling her followers: “I have had enough”.

“I have had enough. Running a small business is hard enough, due to lockdown I have an empty office with over 20 working remotely, I am doing the work of at least 4 myself, my online team (for 3 online stores) are working in the office on shorter hours as products don’t send themselves with Auspost,” she wrote.

“I have had 2 visits from the Police and now this letter — enough now. I wonder if I stopped paying the wages of these imbeciles who are making these reports of me apparently flouting the rules they might change their tune.”

A letter sent to Roxy Jacenko that she posted online.

Stills from video posted online by Roxy Jacenko.

Inside the Paddington office of Roxy Jacenko.

A spokesman for SafeWorkNSW said: “After receiving a complaint about COVID safety risks to staff at a Paddington business, SafeWork NSW has asked the owner to review those risks.

“SafeWork NSW and its inspectors are doing vital work to ensure workplaces across NSW are complying with COVID Public Health Orders, helping to keep the community safe.

“No further comment can be made at this time”.

In relation to work from home the NSW government website states that: “Employers must allow an employee to work from home if it is reasonably practicable to do so. If you cannot work from home and you go to your workplace, you must wear a face mask (unless an exemption applies).”

Confidential has contacted Jacenko, the police and SafeWork NSW for comment.

Jacenko launched her multimillion-dollar public relations business Sweaty Betty in 2004 and employs more than two dozen staff.

Last year, the Vaucluse mother-of-two lost 85 per cent of her business in just three days due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was subsequently forced to let staff go.

Her other businesses include The Ministry of Talent, Social Union, 18 Communications, Pixie’s Bows and Roxy Jacenko Accessories.

A spokesman for NSW Police said: “Police conduct regular visits to different workplaces to check on compliance issues, but we’re not aware of any charges or infringements associated with this inquiry.”