This Statement describes the actions taken by Upwork Inc. and its subsidiaries (“Upwork,” “we” or “our”) to prevent modern slavery and human trafficking in our operations and our supply chains pursuant to the UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Australian Modern Slavery Act 2018.
Upwork provides an online marketplace that enables businesses to connect with independent professionals and agencies for all their hiring and remote work needs. On Upwork, talent markets their services directly to prospective clients. Businesses and professionals use Upwork for remote, knowledge-based work, and payments must be made through the platform.
Upwork's supply chain supports our operations and our ability to operate the online marketplace. Independent professionals on Upwork are neither employees nor suppliers of Upwork. Upwork engages employees, independent contractors, and other contingent workers to perform services for Upwork. Upwork does not outsource significant operations to agencies or other entities that engage workers on behalf of Upwork without Upwork having visibility into such arrangements.
Upwork is opposed to all forms of human trafficking, slavery, servitude, child labor, forced or compulsory labor and all other trafficking-related activities. We are committed to (i) fully complying with all applicable labor and employment laws, rules and regulations, and (ii) working to mitigate the risk of human trafficking in our business and supply chains.
Upwork’s Global Human Rights Policy (the “Human Rights Policy”) outlines our commitment to human rights principles. The Human Rights Policy honors the International Bill of Human Rights and aligns with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. The Human Rights Policy directly applies to Upwork employees, members of our contingent workforce program, other consultants and independent contractors, officers, and members of the Board of Directors of Upwork.
The Human Rights Policy reiterates our commitment to the following principles:
In addition, Upwork’s Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code”) requires that its employees, independent contractors, officers and directors obey the law while performing work for Upwork and comply with U.S. laws, rules and regulations governing the conduct of business by U.S. citizens and corporations outside the United States. The Code also contains a specific requirement that Upwork and its employees comply with all applicable environmental, health and safety laws and regulations. Upwork trains all employees and officers and certain independent contractors in Code policies as part of the onboarding process. Upwork’s Whistleblower Policy and Speak Up program indicate that Upwork expects its employees to internally report concerns about activity that is unlawful or otherwise violates Upwork’s policies, including the Code, and provides reporting procedures for team members who wish to anonymously submit a concern or complaint regarding such matters. The Code includes reporting procedures and provides for protection against retaliation for those making a report. If Upwork becomes aware of a violation of its policies, Upwork will reasonably investigate the matter and take appropriate action. Furthermore, if Upwork becomes aware that laws, rules or regulations have been violated, Upwork will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities.
Upwork’s Supplier Code of Conduct outlines our expectations of suppliers with regard to human rights and fair labor practices. As the Supplier Code of Conduct states, Upwork expects that suppliers will prohibit and take steps to avoid all forms of human trafficking, slavery, servitude, child labor, forced or compulsory labor, and all other trafficking-related activities within their value chains. Among other practices, the Supplier Code of Conduct states that suppliers will:
In addition, Upwork’s standard vendor agreements require that vendors adhere to applicable laws, rules and regulations. Upwork conducts employment-related business due diligence regarding the operations of vendors that provide staffing services prior to engagement to ensure that such vendors have appropriate employment practices in place and comply with all employment laws and regulations.
Upwork reports on its efforts to assess and respond to human rights risks across its operations and supply chain in its annual impact reports, which can be found at Upwork’s ESG Reports Hub.
The Upwork Inc. Board of Directors has approved this transparency statement for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 and delegated authority to sign it on their behalf to the Corporate Secretary.
Date: February 9, 2023
UPWORK INC.
.png)
Brian Levey
Corporate Secretary
.svg)