“Upwork Is Now Officially Dead”: An Era in Peril?

A freelancer’s smug lament, or a bad business unsurpassed?

Alivia Ekwegh
5 min readAug 7, 2024
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For countless freelancers, Upwork was the golden ticket to financial independence. However, a growing number are experiencing a starkly different reality. The platform that once offered a lifeline has become a source of frustration and uncertainty. The words ‘Upwork is now officially dead’ from Upwork member Dale D., echo the despair felt by many who rely on these platforms for their livelihood.

I’ve been on Upwork for about three years but wasn’t very active until I had to quit my job in May due to a neurological disorder. On July 14th, I completed my first job writing a letter for a registered nurse to her employer’s HR department. The job posting estimated a fee of around $80, but I proposed doing it for $25.

My career has focused on advocacy and managerial communication, so offering a lower rate was more about helping and building my portfolio than financial gain. She needed a letter detailing unfair treatment and retaliation from the medical provider she worked under. As a former program manager, I’ve handled similar situations, and drafting an HR letter is usually a straightforward task for someone with decent English skills.

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Alivia Ekwegh

I'm a psychology graduate passionate about music, journalism, cultural events, and diversity. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/aliekwegh