Upwork Rules

What it means?

Upwork requires all pre-contract communications to take place on Upwork and no contact information to be shared before a contract is started. They are very specific about the rule: You must not request or provide contact details in a profile, job post, proposal, invite, or message. Contact information includes but is not be limited to:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Physical address
• Link to a contact form or form requesting contact information
• Link to an applicant management system or means to submit a proposal or application outside of Upwork
• Any information that would enable contact through social media, other website, platform, or application (i.e., Skype or WhatsApp IDs)

Exceptions:

• Contact information can be shared if it is for the sole purpose of giving the other party access to a system that allows them to scope the project in advance.
• Business or Enterprise Clients are permitted to request and share contact information, as well as conduct interviews or pre-contract communications, outside of Upwork. Similarly, freelancers are allowed to share contacts with such clients.
• If prior to starting a contract a legal document must be shared that includes contact information (such as NDAs), this will be permitted.
• If critical project information is stored in a system that requires an email address to access, you can share your email address for this purpose only.
• You can share a portfolio that’s not on Upwork