In general, when a client ends a contract early and requests a refund for the amount in escrow, it can potentially have an impact on your Job Success Score (JSS) on Upwork. The JSS is calculated based on various factors, including client satisfaction, completed contracts, and feedback received.
Here's what you can consider:
Client satisfaction: If the client ended the contract early and requested a refund, it may indicate dissatisfaction with the work completed so far. However, if the client expressed satisfaction with your work and simply had a change of plans, it may have less of a negative impact on your JSS.
Feedback: If the client leaves positive feedback despite ending the contract early, it can help mitigate any negative impact on your JSS. Conversely, negative feedback or no feedback at all may have a more significant impact.
Completion rate: Ending contracts early can affect your completion rate, which is one of the factors that contribute to your JSS. However, Upwork does consider various factors and may adjust the impact based on the circumstances of the contract closure.
Communication with Upwork: If you believe the situation was beyond your control or if there were extenuating circumstances, you can consider reaching out to Upwork's support team to explain the situation. They may take that into account when calculating your JSS.
Ultimately, while ending a contract early and issuing a refund can potentially have an impact on your JSS, it's not necessarily a guaranteed negative outcome. Focus on delivering high-quality work, maintaining open communication with your clients, and resolving any issues promptly to minimize the impact on your JSS.
It's also a good idea to discuss the situation with the client and ensure that expectations are clear for any future projects to avoid similar situations in the future.
