Hired someone, and now haven’t heard from them

[d6dc011b]

Hired a pricing specialist on here, sent of the work, they accepted the contract and a week or so went by and I let it be, thinking they were going over the data I sent, another week or so goes by and I get a text saying they'll have first deliverables the following day. Again it goes by and no word. One more day I get a message promising the same thing, deliverables tomorrow and that a family member suffered an accident. I give my sympathies, and wait. Two more weeks have gone by without word or response to messages. Under the job it says no hours have been logged but looks as if the contract is still active. When I open the message thread it says "rehire" at the very top. I've received no notifications re the contract being paused or cancelled and still no word from freelancer. Anyone have any thoughts since UpWork customer service is non existent?

[feed_my_eyes]

Close the job and hire someone else, and be very clear about what your deadline is. Also make sure that they don't run up too many hours before you review their work. 

[13f48b88]

Woah! Weeks? It sounds like you should close it. They might have forgotten about the job. That's not professional anyway. You should have consistent communication from the get-go.

[sarmadpro]

At times, freelancers may have multiple clients and accept jobs even when they lack the immediate capacity to begin work. To ensure a smooth hiring process, it's essential to carefully evaluate a freelancer's work history. Pay particular attention to the number of ongoing projects they have. Ideally, you'll want to see a manageable workload, typically between 4 to 7 open jobs, depending on the complexity and nature of the projects.

Additionally, it's advisable to communicate with the freelancer about their availability to start the project promptly. Clearly establish your project's deadline and confirm their commitment to meet it. This proactive approach can help you select a freelancer who can dedicate the necessary time and attention to your project, ensuring a successful collaboration.

[a8ee0270]

Be absolutely explicit about your deadline and close the position after hiring a replacement. Additionally, watch out for how many hours they accrue before you examine their work.