Unpaid Wages and Exploitative Practices at Treat Leads by **Edited**

[#1]

I am writing to express my deep concern and frustration regarding the ongoing issues with **Edited for community guidelines** and their failure to fulfill their contractual obligations. His account got suspended only for a few days. I was initially excited about the opportunity to work with **Edited for community guidelines** when I was hired on September 16th. However, I have encountered several red flags that indicate a pattern of unethical behavior.

Unpaid Wages: I have learned that a previous employee has not been paid for over three weeks. This is a clear violation of labor laws and demonstrates a disregard for the well-being of workers.

Unfulfilled Promises: Despite initial agreements, I have yet to receive a formal contract or the promised compensation.

Unacceptable Offer: The recent offer he gave me was $500.00  per month for a full-time workload is significantly below industry standards and does not reflect the value I bring to the table and right now he only wants to pay me $40.00 for my services. Our rate keeps going down everyday. This is unacceptable.

I believe it is essential to expose this behavior to protect other potential victims and to ensure that **Edited for community guidelines** is held accountable for their actions.

**Edited for community guidelines**

[#2]

You haven't actually been hired? And they don't want to pay you a fair amount?

There's a very simple solution: don't work for this person. Learn how to say "no". Also learn that if you're a freelancer, you set your rates, you make your own decisions, you deal with clients yourself, you decide what's acceptable. You are not an "employee", you are running a business. 

[#3]

I understand that saying NO is the best way to get out from situations like this, but when you're unemployed for 2 months and you have pending bills and a family to feed. When you encountered an offer that asks you to start working rightaway, promising you that he will send the contract later, you won't be thinking of turning your back. I even prayed and thank for the opprotunity that I got during that time, it just so happen that he was praying on the desperate freelancers. I learned my lessons though, thanks.

[#4]

I'm sorry to hear that, but the fact is, when you're desperate, that's the time when you're most likely to fall prey to scammers. Upwork isn't a good place to look for work if you need money quickly, because it can take months and months to find a job - most people in your category never find a client - and you'll be spending more money than you earn. 

The right way to report this person is by clicking on the three dots to the right of any message where they demanded free work or told you to start working without a contract. Hopefully that will get him removed. You can't report people or make accusations in the forum because it's against the rules.

[#5]

It's important to note that it's a violation of Upwork's Terms of Service to begin work without an accepted contract on the platform, and even more so if the work is conducted outside of Upwork. This can lead to account suspension for both parties involved. Additionally, while industry standards are important, once you agree to the terms of a contract, that agreed-upon price takes precedence.

[#6]

This was my first freelance work here sir. During our interview he asked for my email and added me to slack. I tried to communicate with him here but he's offline always.

[#7]

I have ever faced this one. The client asks for private information... But I told them straight to raise the Offer contract and work on UW, I've just joined the platform, and I don't want to break the rules of the Platform, or break TOS. I hope all is fair and transparent for all sides, work stable, and develop a long-term career on UW. Client forces raise contract then we discuss deeply.

[#8]

I thought this issue was just mine, other employees are now reaching out to me since they're having the same issues with as well. Upwork has to ban both his client and agent account for unethical practices here. 

[#9]

No Contract means you are working for free.

[#10]

Yea, I thought so. That's why when I asked around those who did not received a contract, all of us were first timers. 

[#11]

And all of you didn't bother to read stuff upwork has created to be safe on the platform. 

[#12]

i apologize for my ignorance. I understand that sometimes in life lessons are learned the hard way. I am posting it here for awareness so that nobody would make the same mistakes I did. I am hoping that this post will help specially the new ones here in upwork. Bless you all

[#13]

That is very admirable for you to post your experience.  But, the new freelancers are so hungry for work that put their common sense in bank safety box.  They have watched videos of people making tons of money, and they want to shake the upwork money tree.

[#14]

Let's always wake up in all situations. 

Have a Contract, accept the contract then go next steps deeply. All things fair and comply ToS.