**Diversity-Certified Badge

In-Product Messaging: SMF banner

What is a Diversity-Certified badge?

Thanks for your question. Freelancers and agencies that meet certain criteria can seek to be awarded different types of diversity certifications through numerous third-party certification agencies. If you have earned one as a minority-, women-, LGBTQ-, veteran-, or disability-owned agency/business, you are eligible for our Diversity-Certified Badge. 

Who qualifies as a “diverse business” or “diverse supplier”?

Thanks for your question. Requirements can vary based on the certification type. For example, these are just a few of the agencies that offer certification for qualified businesses and each may have unique requirements:

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

• National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

• Disability:In

• National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)

Note: Upwork is currently working with certifying bodies in the U.S. only.

Who certifies diverse businesses?

Thanks for your question. Supplier diversity certifications are available from numerous agencies, including:

• National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC)

• Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

• National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC)

• US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce (USPAACC) 

• Disability:In

• National Veteran Business Development Council (NVBDC)

We recognize there are many other national, state and local certifications -- this list is not exhaustive. 

Note: A diverse business may qualify for more than one certification.

What is the certification process like?

Thanks for your question. The process can vary based on the agency that is awarding the certification. Typically, it includes interviews, providing documentation, an on-site visit, and a fee. Note: Upwork doesn’t award the certifications, we provide the Diversity-Certified Badge if you’ve earned certification from an outside group.

How do I add a Diversity-Certified Badge to my profile?
Thanks for your question. We added a new section in your profile called “Diversity Certification” where you can add your information. Once you add the details, the badge will automatically appear. 

Who will be able to see my badge/status?

Thanks for your question. In addition to our internal Talent Services teams, Enterprise and Business clients will be able to see your Diversity-Certified Badge. Note: Clients on our Basic and Plus client plans, as well as other freelancers, cannot see the badge.

Is Upwork certifying businesses?
Thanks for your question. No, Upwork does not provide diversity certification services. If you earn certification from a third-party agency, however, please let us know as we are adding Diversity-Certified Badges to the Upwork profiles of freelancers and agencies with registered businesses that have earned certification.

Why can’t everyone see my badge?

Thanks for your question. To start, we are seeing the impact of making the badges visible to Enterprise and Business clients, as they have indicated they are most interested in seeking out diverse businesses and often have diversity and inclusion initiatives as part of their hiring practices. 

Why is Upwork adding these badges?

We are deeply committed to creating an inclusive future of economic opportunity on our platform. While we don’t ask our talent community for demographic information, we do have clients with diversity- and inclusion-initiatives who want to support underrepresented groups (i.e. women-owned, minority-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, and veteran-owned businesses). Business-level diversity certifications allow diverse talent to be showcased to our largest (Enterprise) clients.

Why are these certifications U.S.-only?

What about certifications in my country? Are you adding those? When?

Thanks for your question. While the guidelines for diversity certifications are clearly defined for U.S. businesses by the Billion Dollar Roundtable, they are not as clearly defined in every country. We are actively pursuing partnerships to broaden our geographic reach, but have found that diversity certification is much more prevalent in English-speaking countries like the U.K., Canada and Australia. We will keep working though, so stay tuned!

I don't have a certification, but I'm still diverse (Black, female, LGBTQ+, etc.) What is Upwork doing for me?

Thanks for this question. We are looking at providing more resources on how to get certified, and we're also looking at creating networking opportunities within these communities. Our goal is to make sure we have a fair marketplace that is inclusive for all of our users. And we are deeply committed to furthering opportunities on Upwork, including taking steps to identify and reduce potential biases to unlock economic opportunities for diverse businesses on the platform.

Are these badges visible in search? Is there a search filter?

These badges are visible only to Enterprise clients in search both through a “Diversity-Certified” filter and on the search result tiles.

I thought Upwork didn't allow discrimination? Isn't it [reverse] discrimination to single out freelancers and agencies based on certain characteristics?

Thanks for your question. Yes, Upwork prohibits discrimination, per our TOS. We are adding these badges so clients who want the option to select women-owned, minority-owned, LGBTQ-owned, disability-owned, and veteran-owned businesses can see if a freelancer or agency has earned certification. These badges span across various groups and no one is promoted over any other freelancer or agency by Upwork. 

How will you ensure clients don’t use these to discriminate against diversity?

Thanks for this question. We can’t ensure that all clients will consider these badges an asset, however we know that there is a desire from businesses to connect with diverse freelancers and agencies. We also prohibit discrimination on the platform (per our Terms of Service and our non-discrimination policy) and take actions when there is evidence of discrimination on the platform.