Could I send my email to client before starting a work?

[jianguo-zhang]

Hi, I need your help. One client need my email to sign a NDA, but we have not started the project.  Client told me that he could not send pdf to me and I must sign the nda with my email online. Could I send the email to the client? 

Looking forward to your reply!

Best Wishes

[spectralua]

No. It is ToS violation.

Open contract then send anything you need.

[JoanneP · Accepted solution]

Hi Jianguo,

It's against our Terms of Service (TOS) to share your contact information or to ask others to share theirs before a contract starts. I can see that you have submitted a support ticket to the team. One of our agents will update your ticket providing further assistance. 

[jianguo-zhang]

Thanks your reply. I will tell the client that I can't share my email before starting a contract. 

[martina_plaschka]

You don't need to sign an NDA from a person who hasn't hired you yet. 

[renata101]

Hi Martina,

There are times when freelancers may need to do this if the client feels Upwork's confidentiality terms are not sufficient. OP is a specialist in a field where this may be an issue. I have occasionally needed to sign one to be able to view reports.

[tlsanders]

There are many circumstances in which an NDA is required to discuss the project in enough detail to determine whether you'll be the right fit and put together a realistic proposal.

[yofazza]

NDA is specifically written in the that moderator-provided link as an example of allowed exceptions.

A potential client wants to share you "their secret ideas". Being paranoid of something they want you to sign something. I'll just sign it (after reading it). You're not a scam target either. But to be sure:

https://community.upwork.com/t5/Community-Blog/Top-Red-Flags-for-Scams-From-Community-Member-Wes-C/b...

[jianguo-zhang]

Thanks your reply, do you mean that I could share me email to client for signing a online NDA? But it's against TOS.

[wlyonsatl]

Jianguo Z.,

On this page of Upwork’s own documentation...

Keeping your contact information safe – Upwork Customer Service & Support | Upwork Help

... Upwork says there are “three exceptions to this rule” regarding not sharing contact information before an Upwork contract is signed, including “If you need contact information for specific legal reasons,” including “A non-disclosure agreement.”

So, I don't know why the other responders on this thread say otherwise???

[paywell]

---

So, I don't know why the other responders on this thread say otherwise???

---

Because it's an easy answer.

[jianguo-zhang]

thanks!

[renata101]

To my understanding, you can tell your client that you are providing your email address for the purposes of receiving or signing the NDA but that the client should not use it to communicate with you for other purposes until you have a contract in place.

As far as I know, it's okay to do this. You may want to confirm it with someone from Upwork.

[tlsanders]

The text at the link Will provided is crystal clear. I agree it would be better to get a straight answer from Upwork, especially since an Upwork employee has contradicted the help article. But, there is no question that the language of the help page specifically allows for this.

[jianguo-zhang]

thanks.

[renata101]

Happy to help. I often need to access documents in order to scope projects, and one of the other freelancers shared the information about the best way to communicate this via Upwork to avoid problems. So I'm just passing it on.