Don't Do It! - Copywriter/Copyeditor RebatesMe Employee Review

When I first began working for RebatesMe, I was optimistic about the position. I applied for the job because I was looking for remote full-time/part-time work utilizing my language skills and copywriting/copyediting abilities. On the initial job posting (listed for a remote, part-time employee position), and in early interviews, RebatesMe informed me I could expect 20-25 hours of work a week. However, I would first need to undergo a training and probationary period where I would work under a probationary contract for 5-10 hours a week at a much lower hourly rate ($10 less/hr) than my usual. They said after this probationary period they would increase my rate. During this time, I completed many projects, including revising copy for large portions of the website and translating other materials for the company. However, when the time came to create my updated contract as initially agreed, RebatesMe never followed through. I asked numerous times and was given roundabout answers every time. Because of this, I was working at the reduced probationary rate from April until September. I also never received an increase in my weekly hours, which was disappointing as I turned down another job opportunity in the spring in order to focus on what I thought would become a good working relationship with RebatesMe. I regularly asked about putting together a formal contract under the previously discussed rate, and even when I offered to write it myself for them to review, all I received were more excuses for the delay. In July, I noticed while reviewing the website for copy errors that a copyediting position had been posted under their career page. When I emailed my point of contact to ask about this, I received no response for 3 weeks. Then she informed me in August that the posting I saw was a mistake, not to worry about it, and that they “definitely still wanted to work with me.” Shortly thereafter, I turned down yet another job opportunity because of her reassurances. However, very abruptly, after a lack of communication since the end of August, I was fired without any notice. I was very surprised by this sudden termination of my employment, as I had only received positive feedback on my work. I always completed work within 24 hours of receiving it. Turns out, contrary to the lies, they actually HAD hired someone in August. The only reason given for my termination was that they needed someone who could do social media management. But I actively do that for 4 other pages across various platforms. They never asked me if I could take over this responsibility, even though I informed them in initial interviews of my experience in this area. They supposedly “forgot” but could very well have checked with me if that was true. They also said they wanted someone who is based at their office. I have a few questions about this “reason,” though: Why ask for a remote employee in their initial job posting? And why not at least ask me if I would consider moving there? Before this all happened, I would have certainly considered it, but now I’m glad they never asked. The final blow- they said they didn’t have access to my hours from the past month that I logged on their form, so they delayed paying me what I was owed for almost a month. I gave them an estimate of my hours and, miraculously, they were able to get access to the form after all. But, no surprise really, they shortchanged me on my final paycheck. I’ve given up on getting what I’m owed because they’re honestly not worth my time at this point. It seems to me that the real reason they let me go is because they didn’t want to be held accountable to their initial promises of meeting my preferred rates. RebatesMe wants to use you and then toss you out. All they care about is the bottom line. They strung me along to get their work for months on end to just fire me without any notice at all, leaving me constantly unsure whether to accept other new clients or not because of their lies and dishonesty. Looking back now, I should have known they don't care about honesty. They pay for bots to leave positive reviews on their Facebook page because even their marketing about certain cash back deals is false. I have never dealt with a company so unprofessional and duplicitous. If RebatesMe had originally put in their job posting that they only wanted someone temporarily, I would’ve been more understanding. Instead, I unknowingly squandered months of my time, as well as other opportunities which would have helped me grow my business and earnings. I would not recommend getting into business with a company that cannot even put together formal contracts for months on end, refuses to pay your regular rates, and fires you without notice or adequate reason.