Upwork: Difference between revisions

1,797 bytes added ,  11 January 2023
Line 302: Line 302:
Upwork's mission is to create economic opportunities so people have better lives<ref name=":4">https://www.upwork.com/about#:~:text=Our%20mission%20to%20create%20economic,here%20to%20accomplish%20incredible%20things.</ref>. This is particularly true, considering Upwork has been a haven for talent during layoffs. Upwork was one of the beneficiaries during the pandemic, as evidenced by its financial performance. In 2021, its revenue grew by 34.57% year-over-year, the highest since the company went public<ref name=":5">https://investors.upwork.com/static-files/881b56ef-812d-456d-89e5-98eef866460e</ref>. Also, Upwork has been championing economic opportunities for workers. For instance, in April 2022, Upwork launched a brand campaign titled "Motherhood Works"<ref name=":6">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAJqiICfIA</ref>. The campaign aims to encourage employers to hire back mothers who left their jobs during the pandemic. The company also partnered with International Organization for Migration (IOM) in July 2022 to train displaced Ukraine job seekers on how to get hired in Upwork<ref name=":7">https://rovienna.iom.int/news/new-partnership-bring-remote-work-opportunities-displaced-ukrainians</ref>.
Upwork's mission is to create economic opportunities so people have better lives<ref name=":4">https://www.upwork.com/about#:~:text=Our%20mission%20to%20create%20economic,here%20to%20accomplish%20incredible%20things.</ref>. This is particularly true, considering Upwork has been a haven for talent during layoffs. Upwork was one of the beneficiaries during the pandemic, as evidenced by its financial performance. In 2021, its revenue grew by 34.57% year-over-year, the highest since the company went public<ref name=":5">https://investors.upwork.com/static-files/881b56ef-812d-456d-89e5-98eef866460e</ref>. Also, Upwork has been championing economic opportunities for workers. For instance, in April 2022, Upwork launched a brand campaign titled "Motherhood Works"<ref name=":6">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvAJqiICfIA</ref>. The campaign aims to encourage employers to hire back mothers who left their jobs during the pandemic. The company also partnered with International Organization for Migration (IOM) in July 2022 to train displaced Ukraine job seekers on how to get hired in Upwork<ref name=":7">https://rovienna.iom.int/news/new-partnership-bring-remote-work-opportunities-displaced-ukrainians</ref>.


The company's work model is remote first. This is made possible by the fact that about 73% of its workforce are independent professionals. Upwork's independent talent makes up its Hybrid Workforce Program (HWS). Unlike most companies who treat their freelance workforce as separate from its employees, Upwork considers them as part of the team. For instance, each month Upwork organizes a team meeting that is attended by both the employees and HWS members. Nevertheless, its CEO Hayden Brown has weekely meetings with the team.  
The company's work model is remote first. This is made possible by the fact that about 73% of its workforce are independent professionals. Upwork's independent talent makes up its Hybrid Workforce Program (HWS). Unlike most companies that treat their freelance workforce as second-class employees, Upwork considers them part of the team. For instance, each month, Upwork organizes a team meeting that both the employees and HWS members attend. Nevertheless, its CEO Hayden Brown has weekly meetings with the team<ref name=":8">https://www.upwork.com/resources/end-of-corporate-culture</ref>.  


<span style="color:red"> This section is a work in progress</span>
Upwork's culture is centered on a cultural framework: "People first, business next, opportunity is third." Hayden Brown is in charge of championing this framework. It entails having a close relationship with the company's workforce, clients, and freelancers. This cultural framework involves many things, including caring for employees' welfare<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IIwXfzWLHg</ref>. For instance, an employee or independent professional joining the company is assigned an onboarding buddy to assist him in adapting quickly to the work environment<ref name=":8" />. Also, its CEO calls clients and freelancers daily to get feedback and communicate it to the team.
 
Upwork champions diversity and inclusivity. In 2020, it was at the forefront of advocating for Black Lives Matter<ref>https://www.upwork.com/resources/why-ceo-black-lives-matter-communications-are-critical-dibs-leader-perspective</ref>. It also has a department dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusivity in the company, which Erin L. Thomas leads<ref>https://www.upwork.com/press/releases/erin-thomas-upwork-head-of-diversity-inclusion-and-belonging</ref>.
 
The company also encourages professional growth. Unlike some companies that rarely motivate their employees to keep learning, Upwork has a career development budget. It also has courses tailored to each employee's individual needs<ref>https://www.linkedin.com/company/upwork/life/08944def-1ca5-4e07-a108-5d9a237cfe37/</ref>.
 
When it comes to real-life experience at Upwork, 143 employees give it a B rating at Comparably. The cultural things that rank most include outlook, happiness, and environment<ref>https://www.comparably.com/companies/upwork/culture</ref>. This rating is relatively good, especially since the company doesn't have many employees.


== Why Invest in Upwork? ==
== Why Invest in Upwork? ==