Influencer Matilda Djerf Responds to Workplace Misconduct Claims After Toilet-Scrubbing and Body Shaming Accusations

Influencer Matilda Djerf is addressing claims of misconduct at her namesake fashion and lifestyle company.

In a report published by the Swedish publication Aftonbladet, the Swedish designer and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree has been accused of bullying, discrimination and creating a toxic work environment by a group of anonymous former Djerf Avenue employees. Djerf responded saying she does not "recognize myself in all the claims" and would not be commenting on the individual allegations.

A translation of the claims, which were published originally in Swedish, include allegations that Djerf swore and acted condescending toward her employees, showed favoritism, publicly berated them and drove many of them to tears with her behavior.

In the Aftonbladet report, one former employee claimed that Djerf, 27, saw an image of a plus-sized model and responded: "We have to reshoot this, because she looks so f------ fat in these clothes. We can't show that."

“Every day, there’s a psychological terror in that office,” one person told Aftonbladet.

"The company's outward image is nothing like the reality of working here — it's the exact opposite," another added.

A rep for Djerf Avenue did not respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

However, Djerf and Pernilla Bonny, a spokesperson for the company, have now responded to the allegations in a statement, telling the same Swedish outlet that they are taking the criticisms seriously.

"I take the criticism that has come forward very seriously and want to be clear that a safe and respectful work environment is crucial for me, both as a person and as the founder of Djerf Avenue," Djerf said, per a translation from Glamour.

"If any staff member has felt mistreated or ill-equipped in their role due to my actions, that is something I am truly sorry for and apologize for," she continued. "It was never my intention to contribute to a work environment that negatively affects anyone and I am sorry that there are employees who have had such experiences."

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The 27-year-old also added that she does not "recognize myself in all the claims" and would not be commenting on the individual allegations.

"However, I think it is valuable that this is highlighted, as it gives both me and Djerf Avenue the opportunity to develop and become better," Djerf added.

In the Aftonbladet report, another accuser alleged Djerf claimed a toilet in the company office, and said that only she and her “favorite” employees could use it. She allegedly put a sign on the bathroom door reading "Please do not use!" in English. At one point, the sign fell down and an employee who was not designated a "favorite" used it, and Djerf allegedly made that employee scrub the toilet as punishment.

"[Djerf] doesn’t even want to go to the same toilet as us employees. We are not fellow human beings or colleagues to her," the accuser said.

Bonny commented specifically on the toilet allegation, telling Aftonbladet that Djerf had her own bathroom as "a measure we have introduced to help [Djerf] stay healthy," per The Cut.

"Our office makes it possible to offer this solution without affecting other employees’ access to facilities,” the spokesperson said.

"We want to be clear that such a situation should never occur," Bonny finished.

Djerf and her boyfriend Rasmus Johansson co-founded Djerf Avenue in 2019, and the brand sells Scandinavian-inspired "clean girl" clothing in muted colors, as well as cosmetics and homeware.

Read the original article on People