Location Selection Expanding to UK Clients

[Douglas Michael M]

"New clients in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland), will now be able to post jobs targeted to freelancers in the U.K."

Um, no. I would suggest Upwork immediately review its entire interface and promotional materials for this feature for any suggestion that the Republic of Ireland is part of the United Kingdom. In the present example:

"New clients in the United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) and in the Republic of Ireland will now be able to post jobs targeted to freelancers in those countries."

[Lena E]

Hey Douglas Michael,

You are correct. I Apologize for sharing misinformation and have edited the post to reflect the correct information. 

-Lena

[Maria C]

Hi Lena,

Is there any chance of getting this in the EU too? 

Thanks! 

[Valeria K]

Hi Maria,

We do plan to offer this option to clients in other countries in the future, likely adding one country at a time. We’ll be sure to keep the Community updated!

[Wendy C]

Does this mean all in the UK get (that infernal, ugly, invasive, lack of privacy) map in the middle of their profiles as well?

BTW, relying on Preston (or anyone's) quote in a thread somewhere to explain a change is sooooooooo wrong.  It only makes good business sense for a moderator to create a new and stand-alone post to inform users (customers) when a major change such as this has been made. 

[Annette E]

---

@Wendy C wrote:

Does this mean all in the UK get (that infernal, ugly, invasive, lack of privacy) map in the middle of their profiles as well?

BTW, relying on Preston (or anyone's) quote in a thread somewhere to explain a change is sooooooooo wrong.  It only makes good business sense for a moderator to create a new and stand-alone post to inform users (customers) when a major change such as this has been made. 

---

 The map is already there. The sooner it goes away again, the better!

[William G]

Let me make an estimation for you how many of this "UK-only" job posts will lead to any long term contracts via Upwork: <1% 

The "UK only" option will mostly be used by companies who are "just fishing" on Upwork and are not looking for any long term contracts via Upwork. As it makes no sense for an EU/UK company to hire a confirmed EU/UK resident long term via Upwork as it is frankly ilegal. 

Did you do your research on this?  Google : "bogus self employement", "false self employment". It's a hot topic at the moment.

The few posted "UK only" jobs are all companies with profiles with an unverified payment profile are just confirming my theory.

Seasoned freelancer on this board probably smell it : This feature is not benefiting any UK freelancer or UK company......

[Kim F]

>  As it makes no sense for an EU/UK company to hire a confirmed EU/UK resident long term via Upwork as it is frankly ilegal. 

No, it isn't. It is possible for such a hire to be illegal, but that would involve a number of factors.  In fact, some of the criteria for identifying true self-employment are integral to Upwork (https://www.gov.uk/employment-status/selfemployed-contractor): 

• they put in bids or give quotes to get work
• they’re not under direct supervision when working
• they submit invoices for the work they’ve done
• they’re responsible for paying their own National Insurance and tax
• they don’t get holiday or sick pay when they’re not working
• they operate under a contract (sometimes known as a ‘contract for services’ or ‘consultancy agreement’) that uses terms like ‘self-employed’, ‘consultant’ or an ‘independent contractor’

Even if someone who should have worker status is falsely defined as self-employed, that still doesn't make hiring via Upwork illegal in itself.

I'm as irritated as the next person by 'UK only' being a default, but that doesn't mean anything illegal is happening here 

[Ilanit F]

I am a bit confused as to why you only accept UK passports for UK based freelancers when there are millions of EU citizen legally residing in the UK (but do not hold UK passports).

The system you have created prevents the majority of freelancers of being able to get UK clients contacting them.

Please advise as I reside in London and have an EU passport.

[Aleksandar D]

Hi Ilanit,

One of our team members will reach out to you directly via a support ticket to assist you further.

Thank you.