The first time you work with a flexer, we recommend that you ask questions and request evidence that they have the experience they state. A qualified person will happily show you their qualifications. You can express interest in a flexer and request that they upgrade their profile to include evidence of their qualifications. The choice is theirs whether they do this or not. We recommend assuming that if a flexer doesn’t directly state that they are qualified, it is likely that they are not.

Green Sky is all about opportunity and autonomy. We don’t have an “open feedback system” where people can make any comments they want. We understand that many flexers will want to proudly display testimonials from customers and employers, so all Jade flexers are able to request feedback and display it on their profiles as part of their portfolio in their attachments We also understand that customers and employers want to know how happy former employers and customers have been. Check out the testimonials posted by the flexers. If you are not sure, either only use flexers who have attached testimonials or express interest in a flexer and request that they upgrade their profile to include customer testimonials Another way of assessing how happy their customers are, is to look at the flexers rating for the “Number of unique customers” and “Number of jobs completed”. If somebody is being used a lot, it is a good sign (like a full restaurant). If somebody has done 1000 jobs for 1000 unique customers, this is fine if it is a plumber (you wouldn’t expect much repeat business), but perhaps not such a good sign if the flexer is a hairdresser If it is a service you happy to try a person with lots of passion, but limited experience or qualifications for (for example, you might be very happy to have somebody groom your dog or give you a pedicure without lengthy experience), be clear about what you expect, ask them to guarantee their work, or agree that you will pay them on completion of the job once you are happy

You can express interest in a flexer or a short-list of flexers and request that they upgrade their profile to include evidence of their qualifications, a C.V., references, or evidence of their work (if appropriate). When we communicate this to the flexer, we advise them how many other flexers are on the Request more information list with them, so they can assess whether it is worthwhile investing in the upgrade

Yes, there are many things you can try. Firstly here are the things you can do that will not cost you any money.
1. Read the success tips
2. Review your profile. Is there anything that would put people off contacting you? Remember, be authentic and true to yourself, but think of how someone reading your profile might respond. For example, you might have described yourself as “Fun loving” That might be true, but people may interpret this as meaning that you won’t be serious about your work. Ask your friends to read your profile and give you feedback. Review the pay rate you are asking for. Check other profiles on Green Sky (especially those that are getting lots of jobs) just to be sure that you are in the ballpark
3. Go to the Green Room and read the tips people are sharing. Ask for feedback about your profile. Other flexers might be more honest than your loved ones
4. Use the marketing templates available. Print these off and deliver them around your neighbourhood, and/or post these on notice-boards in your local area. Ask your friends and family members to post them at their workplace, sport’s club, or somewhere people in your community go
5. Consider upgrading your profile. Read the statistics in our success tips section on which listings are getting the most approaches

is such an important question. Please never leave your children with someone you do not trust. For any service associated with your children, especially when someone will be alone with your children, vigilance is essential in selecting a trustworthy person. Testimonials and personal references as well as spending appropriate time in the company of your baby sitter are the best recommendations

In the same way you cannot be sure any professional you use for services is declaring all their income, it is difficult for customers to be 100% sure. What you can do as a customer, is always request a receipt (we provide a template so all flexers are able to issue you with a receipt.

Firstly, you can keep your name confidential. Secondly, you can nominate that your profile is only visible to registered employers. That will stop everyone in your street having a nosey. Don’t attach your photograph, and if you have kept your name confidential, be sure that it is not written on attached C.V. and qualifications

This will depend on the situation. If you are feeling unsure about meeting someone who has contacted you through Green Sky, perhaps a phone contact rather than meeting immediately is a good start; that way you can get a good feel for how genuine the person is. If you are arranging to meet for a job interview or to quote for a job, if for any reason at all you feel anxious, please take practical steps to ensure your safety. Meet in a popular meeting place – like a café - at a time when there will be lots of people around. Never agree to go anywhere with someone you feel unsure about. If the quote is at someone’s house, take a friend.

When you are providing a service for a new customer, we recommend that you clearly communicate the way you work before you agree to do the job. If you get the customer’s agreement through our messaging service, and then reinforce in person how you like to work before you begin the job, you’ll be much more likely to have a smooth transaction. For example
– If you are a make up artist, you might advise your customers through the messaging system that you like to be paid your fee up front (when you arrive for the job/or when they come to you).
– Then when you meet, you might write down some key agreements before you start the job. For example – “Usually wears light eye makeup but wants to experiment with smokey eyes”. Getting your customers agreement ahead will minimise potential for conflict

– We will bring customers to our website and through a series of choices, to your individual listing. This is effectively your own advertising
– We will give you 24 hour, seven day access to your listing, where you can check your mail and change your details at anytime
– We provide a sophisticated messaging system that allows communication between flexers and prospective customers and employers. We protect your privacy. All email communication will come through our system - neither your personal email address nor theirs will be visible. If you want to swap phone numbers, or meet, you can do this at any time
– Our messaging system also comes with filing tools appropriate to your listing type
– You can choose to protect your privacy (if for example, you are currently in employment).
– We have a Green Room which is a forum for you to share ideas with other flexers
– We have a Success Tips section where we explain what works and what doesn’t work from a statistical point of view, as well as articles and references that may help and inspire
– We provide links to important websites so that you have all the information you need to be sure you are meeting your obligations and opportuntities
– We provide marketing material appropriate to your listing type which allows you to professionally market yourself
– We provide basic invoice templates and cash books for you to assist in the management of your income
– For Jade flexers, we provide you with tools, information and reminders that will help you manage your administration
– For Jade flexers, we allow you to request feedback from your customers or employers through our system, which you can then download into your portfolio

We have a feedback system which we hope is fair for everyone. All flexers can request feedback, or customers/employers can provide feedback so flexers are clear about whether they met their expectations. To ensure that this feedback system is positive for both parties we allow the flexer to choose which comments they display on their profile, and we display the percentage of feedback the flexer has on display. So if a flexer feels some feedback is unfair, or they don’t wish to display it, they are not forced to, but their %age of feedback on display will drop

Flexers on Lime and Jade profiles display their feedback as part of their profile. Flexers on Avocado (free) profiles can collect feedback, but it isn’t displayed unless either they upgrade their profile, or someone pays to view their full profile

Another way of assessing how happy their customers/employers are, is to look at the flexer’s statistics for the “Number of unique customers” and “Number of jobs completed”. If somebody is being used a lot, it is a good sign (like a full restaurant). If somebody has done 1000 jobs for 1000 unique customers, this might be fine if it is a plumber (you wouldn’t expect much repeat business), but perhaps not such a good sign if the flexer is a hairdresser

The first time you communicate with a flexer, we recommend that you ask questions and request evidence that they have the experience they state.

If the flexer has an Avocado or Lime profile (profiles that do not display their attachments) you can choose to pay a small fee ($5.00 excl GST) to view their attachments. Or you can message them (or a short-list of flexers) and request that they upgrade their profile so you can see evidence of their qualifications, C.V., references etc. We recommend assuming that if a flexer doesn’t directly state that they are qualified, it is likely that they are not

If it is a service you are happy to try a person with lots of passion, but limited experience or qualifications for (for example, you might be very happy to have somebody groom your dog or give you a pedicure without being formally trained), be clear about what you expect, ask them to guarantee their work, or agree that you will pay them on completion of the job once you are happy

Yes, there are many things you can try

1. Review your profile. Is there anything that would put people off contacting you? Remember, be authentic and true to yourself, but think of how someone reading your profile might respond. For example, you might have described yourself as “Fun loving”, that might be true, but people may interpret this as meaning that you won’t be serious about your work. Ask your friends to read your profile and give you feedback. Review the pay rate you are asking for. Check other profiles on Green Sky (especially those that are getting lots of jobs) just to be sure that you are in the ballpark. You might be too expensive or too cheap!

2. Go to The Green Room and read the tips people are sharing. Ask for feedback about your profile. Other flexers might be more honest than your loved ones. People are always willing to help

3. Use the Marketing tools available. Print the flyers off and deliver them around your neighbourhood and post the notice-boards in your local area. Ask your friends and family members to post them at their workplace, sport’s club, or somewhere people in your community go. Email your profile and text your flexer web address to friends.

4. Consider upgrading your profile. Read the statistics in our success tips section on which listings are getting the most approaches

5. Encourage your friends and family to use Green Sky so the community is strengthened

In the same way you cannot be sure any professional you use for services is declaring all their income, it is difficult for customers to be 100% sure. What you can do as a customer, is always request a receipt (we provide a template so all flexers are able to issue you with a receipt).

You can keep your name confidential and be sure that your name is not written on attached C.V. and qualifications. Don’t attach your photograph. You can also hide your current employer’s name in your work experience section

– We bring customers to our website and through a series of choices, to your individual listing. This is effectively your own advertising
– We give you 24 hour, seven day access to your listing, where you can check your mail and change your details at anytime
– We provide a sophisticated messaging system that allows communication between flexers and prospective customers and employers. We protect your privacy. All email communication will come through our system - neither your personal email address nor theirs will be visible. If you want to swap phone numbers, or meet, you can do this at any time
– You can choose to protect your privacy (if for example, you are currently in employment)
– We have The Green Room - which is a forum for you to share ideas with other flexers as well as browse the jobs posted by customers/employers
– We have a Success Tips section (in The Green Room) where we will explain what works and what doesn’t work from a statistical point of view, as well as articles and references that may help and inspire
– In our Earning Money - Information section (in About Green Sky), we have summarised some of the aspects you will want to know as well as provide links to important websites so that you have all the information you need to be sure you are meeting your obligations and opportunities
– We provide free Marketing tools which allow you to professionally market yourself
– We provide free Accounts tools - invoice templates and cash books for you to assist in the management of your income
– We provide a Feedback system from your customers or employers through our system. You can choose the feedback you want keep and display if you are on a Lime or Jade profile