Milestones enable clients and freelancers to break projects into manageable parts with defined objectives. Each milestone represents a stage in the project with a corresponding deadline, keeping both parties aligned.
- Creating Milestones: Clients can set multiple milestones with individual goals and deadlines, allowing progress to be monitored systematically.
- Milestone Deadlines: Deadlines for each milestone ensure that freelancers meet specific project phases on time, providing clients with assurance on project timing.
- Milestone Adjustments: Both clients and freelancers can review and adjust milestones if project needs change, enhancing flexibility in project management.
Deadline Rules and Consequences for Freelancers
To maintain accountability, Loxala applies a series of automated rules if freelancers miss project milestones or deadlines:
- First Missed Deadline: — Automatic Warning and Grace Period: An email notification is sent with a 24-hour grace period, allowing the freelancer time to deliver or explain the delay.
- Second Missed Deadline: — Temporary Suspension from New Offers: A 48-hour suspension from new offers is applied, while the freelancer can continue working on current projects. Client Notification: Clients are informed and provided options to extend the deadline, reassign the project, or cancel for a full refund.
- Third Missed Deadline: — 7-Day Restriction from New Projects: The freelancer is restricted from new offers for 7 days, with ongoing projects unaffected. Client Notification: Informs clients of the freelancer’s status and provides options for deadline extension, project reassignment, or cancellation.
- Fourth Missed Deadline (Final Action): — Permanent Suspension from New Offers: The freelancer is permanently suspended from receiving new offers, though they may complete existing projects. Final Client Notification: Clients are informed of the freelancer’s permanent suspension and given options to extend the deadline or cancel the project.
Additional Automated Actions
- Automated Alerts: Freelancers receive reminders of upcoming milestone deadlines.
- 24-Hour Grace Period: Applied before any penalty, allowing freelancers time to address minor delays.
- Client Reassurance Options: Clients are offered project reassignment or refunds when deadlines are consistently missed to maintain satisfaction and project stability.
