Upwork Inc – Lobbying Governance & Transparency

Sign up to access all our data and the evidence and analysis underlying our overall scores. Once you've created an account, we'll get in touch with further details:

Lobbying Governance

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
Moderate	Upwork discloses a structured alignment process whereby “the ESG Program Office works very closely with Upwork’s Global Public Policy team to ensure alignment between Upwork’s ESG and public advocacy strategy,” with the “VP of Global Public Policy” sitting on the ESG Task Force and the Public Policy team reporting to the Chief of Business Affairs and Legal Officer. Under this arrangement, “any public statements, funding, or actions to support public policy that knowingly affects climate change policy or legislation is discussed in ESG Task Force meetings at least on a biannual basis,” indicating that direct lobbying activities undergo periodic review. However, the company does not disclose similar mechanisms for managing indirect lobbying through trade associations or industry groups, and we found no evidence of any review of third-party or association positions. Moreover, Upwork has no “public commitment or position statement to conduct your engagement activities in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” noting “No, and we do not plan to have one in the next two years.” While clear ownership and regular climate-lobbying review are present, the absence of coverage for indirect advocacy and a formal public alignment commitment limits the comprehensiveness of its governance process. View Sources	C

Overall Assessment

Analysis

Score

Moderate

Upwork discloses a structured alignment process whereby “the ESG Program Office works very closely with Upwork’s Global Public Policy team to ensure alignment between Upwork’s ESG and public advocacy strategy,” with the “VP of Global Public Policy” sitting on the ESG Task Force and the Public Policy team reporting to the Chief of Business Affairs and Legal Officer. Under this arrangement, “any public statements, funding, or actions to support public policy that knowingly affects climate change policy or legislation is discussed in ESG Task Force meetings at least on a biannual basis,” indicating that direct lobbying activities undergo periodic review. However, the company does not disclose similar mechanisms for managing indirect lobbying through trade associations or industry groups, and we found no evidence of any review of third-party or association positions. Moreover, Upwork has no “public commitment or position statement to conduct your engagement activities in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” noting “No, and we do not plan to have one in the next two years.” While clear ownership and regular climate-lobbying review are present, the absence of coverage for indirect advocacy and a formal public alignment commitment limits the comprehensiveness of its governance process.

View Sources

Lobbying Transparency

Overall Assessment	Analysis	Score
None	Upwork offers virtually no transparency on climate-related lobbying. Its disclosures discuss public-policy engagement only in broad, non-climate terms, noting activities such as "educating policy leaders about our business model and advocating for regulations that support small business and freelance job growth" and collaboration with groups like Business Forward to meet with "key executive branch officials and the White House." However, it names no climate policies, laws, or regulatory proposals it has tried to influence, gives no detail on the specific mechanisms it has used to lobby on climate issues, and articulates no climate-policy outcomes it seeks. The limited statements instead focus on general economic or workforce objectives, leaving no evidence of any climate-related lobbying disclosures.	E