Job offer but then expected to join ‘Upwork’ Thread poster: Elizabeth Herd
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Elizabeth Herd United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 German to English + ...
Just wondered whether anyone else has been in this situation. I have been offered work that I applied for on ProZ but am then expected to join Upwork. As I didn’t find the work on Upwork don’t really see why I should give them a cut of my earnings! Advice would be appreciated please! Many thanks, Beth | | |
Eva Stoppa Germany Local time: 05:42 English to German + ... Job probably doesn't exist. | Jul 19, 2018 |
This job probably doesn't exist. The only purpose of this ad is to make you join that platform -- and probably to pay. | | |
Adam Warren France Local time: 05:42 Member (2005) French to English
Who would pay the client to go to work? This looks like a form of manipulation. In your circumstances, I'd steer clear of hooked offers like this: there is no promise of further work, while untied opportunities exist elsewhere.
[Edited at 2018-07-19 09:38 GMT] | | |
Who contacted you? | Jul 19, 2018 |
Was it an end client or someone from Upwork (on behalf of a client)? If it's an end client, I'd just tell them I could work with them directly, without any need to involve a third (or fourth...) party, and tell them what my rates (and other conditions) are right away, to avoid wasting each other's time. If it's someone from Upwork, then perhaps ProZ staff should be informed about this? | |
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Elizabeth Herd United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 German to English + ... TOPIC STARTER Many thanks. | Jul 19, 2018 |
Great thanks - I feel there are some dodgy dealings out there sometimes! Another one I have been caught out with is free translation tests then receive excellent feedback, am added to their database and never hear from them again!!! Will avoid this one at all costs! | | |
If job exists... | Jul 19, 2018 |
If the job really exists, and this information wasn't disclosed before you gave your quote, you could tell them that if you are required to join Upwork your quote will increase by 20% (their cut) and that you will charge X for the time spent signing up. Or they could just avoid all these extra charges by working with you directly, their choice. The plus on Upwork is that they have to put the money in escrow, so at least you know the money is there. You could also ask f... See more If the job really exists, and this information wasn't disclosed before you gave your quote, you could tell them that if you are required to join Upwork your quote will increase by 20% (their cut) and that you will charge X for the time spent signing up. Or they could just avoid all these extra charges by working with you directly, their choice. The plus on Upwork is that they have to put the money in escrow, so at least you know the money is there. You could also ask for an advance to be on the safe side. ▲ Collapse | | |
Elizabeth Herd United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 German to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Thank you to you all for such helpful advice. I have decided to give it a wide berth as rates were very low too so would rather wait for more interesting work and better paid even though the slack periods can be a little souk destroying | | |
As you applied for this job on Proz, please send a ticket to staff about this matter… | |
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Elizabeth Herd United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 German to English + ... TOPIC STARTER
Thanks Teresa will do and have now spotted contact names underneath ! To be fair, when I re read the advert, it did state jobs will be paid by Upwork. | | |
Nuno Rosalino United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 Member (2012) English to Portuguese + ... Shady Upwork | Jul 19, 2018 |
I think this is a shady tactic Upwork has been employing to drive freelancers to their platform. I've already come across stuff like this elsewhere. Given how ludicrous Upwork's business model is, no wonder they have to resort to this kind of thing... | | |
sdvplatt United Kingdom Local time: 04:42 Member (2003) German to English + ... I would give Upwork a wide berth | Jul 19, 2018 |
Elizabeth Herd wrote: Just wondered whether anyone else has been in this situation. I have been offered work that I applied for on ProZ but am then expected to join Upwork. As I didn’t find the work on Upwork don’t really see why I should give them a cut of my earnings! Advice would be appreciated please! Many thanks, Beth especially for translation work. For one, even as a non US resident or citizen you will beholden to Uncle Sam. Secondly, the rates are particularly low and UW takes a nice cut. | | |