Preventing freelancers from being robbed with canceled jobs

[a064786e]

Hi

I'm facing a confusing situation. Out of 22 job postings I applied to, which were later cancelled, only 2 resulted in hires. No connect refund. Doesn't this raise a statistical concern? Is it allowed for a client to open an account, post dozens of jobs, and consume freelancers Connects freely? How does Upwork protect freelancers in this regard? In other words, is it normal for me to lose money on 20 out of 22 postings that didn't lead to any outcome? I would understand if 20-30% of the postings were cancelled in this manner. However, the current ratio does not seem like an acceptable risk level. Isn't Upwork working on creating a reliable working environment by addressing these issues?

If Upwork does not plan to establish a system that will protect freelancers in this regard, this should be stated so that no one wastes time and money for nothing. Governments implement regulations to ensure that companies can compete fairly. I had thought that this platform would be a more fair and competitive place compared to the outside world.

[spectralua]

Fair? Them need your money, nothing else.

Your statistic is not bad. An 99 of 100 my money wasting for such "jobs".

[sealvlservices]

I'm facing a confusing situation. Out of22job postings I applied to, which were later cancelled, only2resulted in hires. No connect refund.
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If the jobs were actually cancelled, you would have been refunded your connects.


 Is it allowed for a client to open an account, post dozens of jobs, and consume freelancers Connects freely?
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Yes, it's allowed.

How does Upwork protect freelancers in this regard?
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They don't, you roll the dice when you bid on a project, so its best to vet the potential client a little bit.


 In other words, is it normal for me to lose money on 20 out of 22 postings that didn't lead to any outcome?
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In today's Upwork? Unfortunately, Yes its normal.


Isn't Upwork working on creating a reliable working environment by addressing these issues?
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It does not appear so.


I had thought that this platform would be a more fair and competitive place compared to the outside world.
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The word FAIR means something different to each individual, and not sure what would bring you to that conclusion. The only way to find that out is spend a month on the platform and make an informed decision.  You are now educated and free to make a decision one way or another, this message board will not change anything, but it's a good place to vent I suppose.

[motoyen]

All Upwork cares about is how much money they can extract from freelancers. This is why they will never make any effort to qualify employers before they post a job. The money is in the connects and they need to milk that as much as they can. 

[tjmisny · Accepted solution]

Batuhan -

I have seen a similar level of job postings not reaching any outcome.  Upwork makes it easy for clients to post and easy for them to ignore their postings - it's not just that Upwork does not protect freelancers in our expendatures of connects, it's that Upwork encourages clients to post without closing, and encourages freelancers to apply with limited information.  This is the system Upwork designed and it is working effectively - extracting as much money as possible from freelancers without concern for whether or not the expenses lead to steady employment, quality work or meaningful connections.  

This is why many of us make the comparison to a Casino.  Buying connects to apply, boost, advertise, etc is no different from putting money in a slot machine.  The important thing is that Freelancers are aware that this is a gamble, and not necessarily a sound investment.  

However if the Casino approach is not reformed into something more sustainable, there is no way Upwork is around in 2-3 years.  Quality clients will leave and quality freelancers will give up.  The question is does Upwork want to engage with us to discuss reforms, to make this place more equitable and yes, more profitable?