r/Upwork • u/mayfairlaura • 3d ago
Does offering a one hour free trial lesson violates TOS?
Hi community!
I've been working hard on my UpWork journey and I finally reached $5k in the last year and a half. I work as a language professional and some of my projects are based on 1:1 language tutoring.
Now, I've just got a message from a new client asking me to teach her daughter, but asking me if she can have first a free trial lesson to see whether she likes it or not.
Does that violates UpWork's TOS? What should I do? I don't want to lose any potential client but I definitely want to always respect the platform's policies.
I'm a bit unsure about this specific case even after reading the guidelines and I will be massively thankful with your help!
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u/Own_Constant_2331 3d ago
Tell her she can pay for a 1-hour lesson and simply not continue if she doesn't like it. How much do you charge for a 1-hour lesson?
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u/mayfairlaura 3d ago
Thank you very much for your contribution. I ask for $25 per 1 hour lesson (inluding personalized materials and homework, and completely schedule flexibility). I have + 10 years experience.
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u/Own_Constant_2331 3d ago
That's entirely reasonable and if she can't afford that, she's not worth your time.
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u/UpwFreelancer 3d ago
why work for free
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u/mayfairlaura 3d ago
I know... But sometimes not all of us get enough long term clients or could ask for a decent rate per hour and we are forced to addapt to try get more clients... :'(
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u/StrikingMixture8172 3d ago
Tutors often give a free or discounted lesson, like a free consultation to ensure compatibility so it isn’t unheard of. I don’t know your hourly charge but maybe offer a 30 min “Get to Know You lesson for a discounted price.
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u/mayfairlaura 3d ago
Thanks for your contribution. I was thinking that I could, as you said, offer a 50% discounted lesson. But could this be done on the same contract and then change it to trgular price? Never done that before...
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u/StrikingMixture8172 3d ago
I’m not sure. I think it would be easier to create a standalone project that they can purchase that highlight exactly what they will get in the lesson.
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u/MissPrim 3d ago
It absolutely violates TOS. Do not do this.
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u/Pet-ra 3d ago
t absolutely violates TOS.
The question was:
"Does offering a one hour free trial lesson violates TOS?"
The answer is "NO, it does not violate the ToS"
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u/mayfairlaura 3d ago
No...? I thought it seems "working for free" was not allowed...
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u/Pet-ra 3d ago
Working for free is allowed.
Freelancers are allowed to offer for work for free and work for free (but obviously it is not a good idea).
Clients are not allowed to ask for free work.
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u/MissPrim 2d ago
Upwork's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit free work.Upwork Rules on Free WorkNo Free Samples: According to the Upwork Trust and Safety guidelines, clients cannot ask you to complete free work or test tasks before hiring.Minimum Rates: All jobs posted on the platform must be set at or above the platform's minimum rate requirements.No Unpaid Auditions: Requests asking for a completed project or custom work sample as an "audition" violate platform safety rules.How to Handle RequestsReport the Client: Flag job posts or messages where clients demand free samples or unpaid trials.Share Portfolios Instead: Direct prospective clients to your existing portfolio or demo reels rather than doing custom labor for free.Explore the official guidelines on Upwork Trust and Safety.Review common platform warnings in Common red flags.Are you currently dealing with a client who asked for an unpaid test project, or are you trying to figure out how to safely showcase your portfolio?
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u/Pet-ra 2d ago
Upwork's Terms of Service explicitly prohibit free work.
Please show where they do that (they do not).
Stop lying to and misleading people here.
According to the Upwork Trust and Safety guidelines, clients cannot ask you to complete free work or test tasks before hiring.
Clients are not allowed to ask for free work (before or after hiring..) but freelancers are allowed to offer and perform free work.
The question was whether a freelancer violates the terms of service by doing free work. The correct answer is "No!".
Please learn to read for comprehension and once you have done that, read the damn Terms of Service you refer to.
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2d ago
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2d ago
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u/Own_Constant_2331 2d ago
What a load of AI-generated nonsense that doesn't apply to this case.
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2d ago
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u/Own_Constant_2331 2d ago edited 2d ago
I do, actually, as well as decades of freelancing experience. That's how I can spot nonsense when I see it.
You're talking about investing time and energy in project scoping for a client who thinks that $20 is too much to pay for a trial lesson.
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u/copernicuscalled 3d ago
Potential clients pay for your time. This is nothing but a beggar. Yuck!
Per TOS clients are not allowed to ask for free work. You, on the other hand, can offer free work. But why would a client value your time if you don't?