My Year-Long Struggle with Scam Clients, Ghosting, and Unresponsive Proposals (Medium Blog Post)

Today I am writing to share the difficult news that we will be combining and changing some teams in our organization, as well as reducing our full-time and hybrid workforce by 21%.

https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/a-message-from-our-ceo-oct2024

Upwork Announces Organizational Changes to Drive Continued Profitable Growth and Provides Preliminar...

Press release - October 23rd 2024

Approximately $60 million in annual cost savings advances Upwork toward 5-year profitability target

https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/upwork-announces-organizational-changes-and-provides-prelimina...

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110 Tabs open. Not sure where the sound is coming from

Dmytro D · ‎11-01-2024

Hi, Sein. It's an interesting topic. I agree that the freelance community faces numerous challenges, from payment disputes to unfair contract terms. It's crucial for freelancers to have a strong support system and advocate for their rights. As the freelance workforce continues to grow, it's imperative to establish fair labour practices and ensure that freelancers are treated with respect and compensated fairly for their work.
"The future of work is freelance, and it's time to treat freelancers like the professionals they are."

(created using Chat GPT)

Sein M · ‎11-01-2024

Hi Dmytro. Thank you for your engagement and input on this topic. I agree it is a very interesting area of discussion that needs care and attention.

"As the freelance workforce continues to grow, it's imperative to establish fair labour practices and ensure that freelancers are treated with respect and compensated fairly for their work."

I agree 100% with you.

It's definitely not a straight forward issue and requires innovation, open dialogue, forward thinking, and probably several think tanks to develop a clear path.

It's in everyone's interest to have better rights in place and fairer labour practices. Just like how the development of the right to vote helped bring a better standard of living and improved quality of life to more people.

Sein M · ‎11-08-2024

Jeff Bezos is getting divorced

He must have realised that marriage counted as a union.

Meme. Alt text. Penguin pictured whering a sandwich board that reads "Billions in profits while your workers can't afford housing or groceries isn't success, that's called exploitation.

Sein M · ‎11-09-2024

Client: "Can you do this for free? It’ll be great exposure!"
Freelancer: "Oh, sure. I love paying my rent with 'exposure."

Client: "I need a ‘test’ to see if we’re a good fit, common it won't take up much of your time"
Freelancer: "I’m happy to test it: you can test your ability to pay me, and I’ll test my ability to work for you... with cash."

Client: "Can you just send me a quick ‘free sample’ so I can see what your work is like?"
Freelancer: "Sure, my free sample includes a free invoice with zero dollars on it."

Client: "Can you give me a discount? I’ll tell my friends about your services!"
Freelancer: "Oh, I’d love to, but unfortunately, I only accept 'word of mouth' as payment… in addition to the regular rate."

Text reads: When the client asks will you do it for free? Photo: Jackie Chan with distressed look on his face while holding both hands up by the side of his head.

Md Billal H · ‎11-12-2024

Love this line "The future of work is freelance, and it's time to treat freelancers like the professionals they are."

Sein M · ‎11-13-2024

Yes agreed 100% Md Billal. It's more then fare to say.

Hassan K · ‎11-02-2024

Thanks Sein! For initiating this thread.

Sein M · ‎11-02-2024

Hi Hassan, thanks for your engagement here. It's a very important topic worthy of open dialogue.

Anthony H · ‎11-02-2024

Sorry, folks -- at least those working in America.

The U.S. Labor Department is the final word in all things work related, but guess what ... they do not recognize freelance work.

Freelance work is contracted work, so any dispute in that arena goes to civil court. There is no regulator covering us at all.

So ... those who want standardized rules for freelancers ... it's not going to happen.

Sein M · ‎11-02-2024

Hi Anthony. Thanks so much for your engagement and input on this.

There was a time when some people laughed at the idea of women having the right vote - weren't they very wrong?

I'm in the EU and Upwork operates within the EU. Things like GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) applies and spread to U.S. based platforms.

I believe innovation on this topic is coming and will lead to a better situation for freelancers and people working in related areas, including staff of platforms, users, and wider tech industries.

IMO while "standardized rules" may be a hard nut to crack, its not the be all.

What shouldn't be done to workers is a good place to start.

Freelancers, gig economy workers, are workers whether recognised or not - - we pay TAX.

Anthony H · ‎11-03-2024

We pay tax, but we're scattered. We're not a cohesive group.

Now, you may be right. Who knows what the future brings. Freelancers now join platforms like Upwork -- voiila, now we're a group.

I don't see this happening soon. But social change is accelerating along with many thing prompted by, propelled by and frightened by the Internet.

Corporations are actually frightened by the Internet. In the old days, if you had a complaint, it was largely a secret. You complained to your spouse, your friends, your co-workers, but it never went further than that. Nowadays, what is the one word corporations fear the most? The word is "viral." A complaint can circle the globe in minutes.

So, OK, freelancers are gaining in size and they have options for banding together. I still don't see this happening overnight. But stranger things have happened. Look at the American political scene. Insanity can go viral just as fast as logic and altruism.

Sein M · ‎11-03-2024

Thanks Anthony. Great points.

Md Billal H · ‎11-12-2024

Well said Anthony. Thank you.

Md Billal H · ‎11-12-2024

Thanks Sein for your insight and also for sharing this important topic.

Sein M · ‎11-13-2024

Hi Md Billal, you are very welcome. Thank you for your engagement. The open dialogue is becoming very useful and interesting.

Alper D · ‎11-02-2024

Here's some more 🙂

What’s the difference between a freelancer and a large pizza?

A large pizza can feed a family of four.

How many freelancers does it take to change a light bulb?

Just one, but it’ll require three meetings, a contract, and an hourly rate.

Why did the freelancer bring a ladder to the meeting?

Because the client said they had “high expectations.”

What’s the difference between a freelancer and a client’s promise?

One’s guaranteed to show up late, and the other’s just plain empty.

What do you call a freelancer who gets paid on time?

A myth.

How do you know a client is lying?

Their email begins with, “This will be quick and easy!”

Why do freelancers avoid roadmaps?

Because every time they do, the client says, “Can we just take a little detour?”

How can you tell a freelancer has a project due soon?

They’ve suddenly cleaned their entire apartment and binge-watched three series.

What’s a freelancer’s least favorite F word?

Free revisions.

What’s a freelancer’s definition of “weekend”?

The two days they wish they weren’t working.

Why did the freelancer write a memoir?

To document the time a client actually paid on time.

How do you stop a freelancer from working?

Offer them “exposure” instead of money.

What’s a freelancer’s favorite type of client?

The one who knows what they want before the project is finished.

Why did the freelancer go to therapy?

Their client said, “I’ve got one more tiny change…” for the hundredth time.

What’s a freelancer’s favorite horror movie?

The one titled “Client Feedback.”

How many clients does it take to change a freelancer’s mind?

Just one, if they say “This could lead to future work!”

Why did the freelancer open a bank account in the cloud?

Because that’s where all their payments seem to be.

How do freelancers tell the time?

By counting how many times the client emails “Are we there yet?”

What’s a freelancer’s worst nightmare?

The phrase, “Can we just have a quick Zoom?”

Sein M · ‎11-03-2024

🤣😂🤣Haha ha, excellent Alpher, thank you for that bit of cheer 😀

Here's some more

How did the freelancer respond when asked if they had a boss? “Yes, and their name is ‘Deadline’!”

Why did the freelancer become a magician? Because they knew how to disappear when clients asked for free work!

Why did the freelancer start a bakery? Because they kneaded a change from their usual projects!

Being a freelancer is like riding a roller coaster – lots of ups and downs, and occasionally you’ll want to throw up.

Freelancers always have job security – they can fire themselves at any time!

Sein M · ‎11-04-2024

Anyone familiar with this freelancer union?

https://freelancersunion.org/

Sein M · ‎11-05-2024

Jeff Bezos is getting divorced

He must have realised that marriage counted as a union

Please stop trying to unionize

It took so long to ionize

I just heard Google employees are unionizing

I had no idea they were charged particles before!

Slave Driver

Old Joe was well off, he owned his own land, and on that land, a huge farmhouse. The farmhouse was much too big for himself and his lady to upkeep, so he sort some help at the local slave market. He put them up in his converted barn, and paid them all a small allowance each day.

His good friend Bobby who owned the nearby manor house also paid for slave workers, but had trouble getting them to follow his orders. "I've shouted at them, starved them, even whipped them but they're still only half as productive as the last batch of slaves I paid for. What do you do when your workers start slacking Joe?"

"Slacking? Mine don't slack. I hand out leather tokens based on how well they work for the day, and they buy their food and drink off me in exchange for them. That keeps their ears to the grindstone, and I don't have the worry of them saving up to escape."

"You make them buy their food and drink from you, and that really works? But how?"

"The intent is to provide them with a sense of pride and accomplishment for unlocking their basic human rights."

Q: Why did the can crusher quit his job?

A: Because it was soda pressing.

Nothing ruins a Friday more than an understanding that today is Tuesday

My boss says I have a preoccupation with vengeance. We'll see about that.

What's a freelancer’s least favorite kind of exercise?

Running out of budget.

What do freelancing bees do?

Buzz-iness plans.

What's a freelancer’s most feared mythological creature?

The Scope Creep.

110 Tabs open. Not sure where the sound is coming from

Anyone familiar with this freelancer union

or other similar organisations?

Please let us know.

https://freelancersunion.org/

Dmytro D · ‎11-06-2024

That's interesting. Humor can effectively highlight social issues, stimulating discussion and raising awareness. However, it's crucial to be sensitive when addressing serious topics like exploitation to avoid causing harm.

Sein M · ‎11-06-2024

Thanks Dmytro, 100%.

Sein M · ‎11-08-2024

Interesting read from U.S. based FreelancersUnion.org

"We believe that freelancers deserve access to the same level of legal protection as traditional employees."

https://blog.freelancersunion.org/2024/05/14/introducing-the-freelancers-union-contract-creator/

Looking into EU developments over the past last 4 years there interesting developments, particularly in relation to freelancers in the entertainment industry, alwell as data protection and AI technologies transparency and regulation.

There have also been similar developments recently in the U.S. particularly in Hollywood with the Actors (freelance contractors) Guild (union) taking on studios because of use of AI.

Just to be clear in response to some comments, this is not about an Upwork union, it's about workers rights, freelance or not.

If you anyone has been under the impression that as freelancers or employee workers that we don't have rights or can't be in a union,.... of course we can.

pngtree-motivational-quotes-never-give-up-png-image_7121246-2335867468.png

Sein M · ‎11-08-2024

Meme. Alt text: Frodo Bagins from the Lord Of The Rings pictured in a hobbit hole looking concerned while holding a large piece of scroll paper.

Text reads: "So you're telling me I need to get experience before I get experience."

Freelancers always have job security – they can fire themselves at any time!

Jokes, Satire, lighten mood and boost morale for Freelancers, Clients, marketplace, and Upwork Staff

https://community.upwork.com/t5/Coffee-Break/Jokes-Satire-lighten-mood-and-boost-morale-for-Freelanc...

Over at the Coffee Break Forum

Sein M · ‎11-12-2024

News update - RSS gone 14 weeks -

Interesting thing about the idea some people had

that removing RSS would help clean up spam and dud posts:

SPAM in forums and Dud Job posts are worse then ever.

Still no equivalent feature for real-time job notifications to email.

Petition Save RSS feed function (Not Solved)

https://community.upwork.com/t5/Freelancers/Petition-Save-RSS-feed-function-Not-Solved/m-p/1728067#M...

STOP THE SPAM AND DUD POSTS PLEASE UPWORK

Meme - Text reads: Spampagne

Photo: Actor in black-tie suit, smiling while holding up a champagne glass and a can of spam.