As the arena’s work market, Upwork’s mission is to invent financial alternatives so of us indulge in higher lives. In our greater than 20 years of doing enterprise, we indulge in labored tough to carry our market to extra of us, with the realization that when of us indulge in the power to innovate their careers and work, they can reach their burly skill. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s war towards Ukraine has challenged our mission, values, and our operational means to carry financial empowerment to of us who be taught about it. Upwork will be suspending operations in Russia and Belarus, starting at the novel time and taking burly enact by Would possibly possibly perchance well 1, 2022. 

The main step will be shutting down Upwork’s give a boost to for unique enterprise generation in Russia and Belarus. Over the subsequent few days, freelancers and clients in Russia and Belarus will no longer be in a space to affix unique accounts, provoke unique contracts, and be visible in search. 

We honor the relationships that exist between our customers and acknowledge the swift adjustments that they’ll must fabricate as they direction of this announcement. As such, novel contracts with talent and clients in the gap will dwell originate, with final billing due by Would possibly possibly perchance well 1, 2022. 

We made this determination with the utmost consideration. From the starting up of the war, Upwork has been fervently working to provide a boost to the security, security, and nicely-being of our many team participants in the gap, as nicely as the enterprise needs of our customers. We entirely realize the loads of affect this determination has on our Upwork community in Russia and Belarus, and we need these customers to snatch that if and after they’re in a space to relocate to regions the place we operate, we are in a position to be alive to to provide a boost to them in persevering with their work on our platform. Additionally, will indulge in to the geopolitical spot in Russia and Belarus change, we hope to be in a space to resume operations.

We’re heartbroken and horrified by the invasion of Ukraine. Upwork is similtaneously working on measures—both instant and rolling out rapidly—to extra give a boost to Ukrainian freelancers and the Ukrainian community, along with:

• A $1 million donation to Notify Relief International in give a boost to of the Ukrainian inhabitants.
• Product enhancements to fabricate it more uncomplicated for Ukrainian freelancers to withhold the careers they’ve labored so tough to place, whether or no longer they’re for the time being in a space to work. 
• Packages to fabricate it more uncomplicated for clients to withhold their novel relationships with and present monetary support to talent in Ukraine.
• A $100,000 matching program for donations from our possess team participants to relief in humanitarian reduction in Ukraine. 

Whereas we proceed to navigate these obligatory selections and actions, you will be in a space to see communications via our Neighborhood Handy resource page, which we are updating repeatedly with unique traits and FAQs.

Our hearts and give a boost to transfer out to all those tormented by this mindless aggression towards Ukraine. We hope that a direction to peace is ahead for Ukraine, and that we are in a space to carry our mission serve to Russia and Belarus in some unspecified time in the future.

Sincerely, 

Hayden Brown
President & CEO
Upwork