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Community Guidelines
How we build Maryland's best gig economy together.
🤝 Fair is Fair 🤝
Our Philosophy
Maryland Task Force isn't just another gig platform. We're a community of professionals—both those seeking services and those providing them—committed to raising the standard for how work gets done in Maryland.
These guidelines aren't corporate speak or legal jargon. They're the principles that make our marketplace work for everyone. Follow them, and you'll thrive here.
🏆 Principle 1: Quality Over Everything
We're not a race to the bottom on price. We're a flight to the top on quality. Whether you're a client describing a job or a provider completing one, excellence is the expectation.
- Providers: Only accept jobs you can do excellently. Better to decline than disappoint.
- Clients: Set realistic expectations and budgets. Quality work deserves fair pay.
💬 Principle 2: Communicate Like Adults
Clear, honest, professional communication prevents 90% of problems. Respond promptly. Be specific. When things go sideways, address them directly.
- Respond to messages within 24 hours (ideally much faster)
- If you're running late or need to reschedule, say so immediately
- Ask questions rather than assume
- Keep records of agreements and changes
🤝 Principle 3: Honor Your Word
If you say you'll be there at 9am, be there at 8:55. If you quote a price, stick to it unless scope genuinely changes. If you commit to paying upon completion, have payment ready.
- Don't overcommit or underdeliver
- Document scope changes and get agreement before proceeding
- Your reputation here is your business—protect it
⭐ Principle 4: Review Honestly
Reviews are the lifeblood of our marketplace. They only work if they're truthful.
- Rate based on what actually happened, not emotions
- Be specific about what went well or poorly
- Don't threaten bad reviews to negotiate
- Don't offer incentives for positive reviews
🛡️ Principle 5: Keep It On-Platform
Our platform fee supports the infrastructure that makes these connections possible—the AI matching, dispute resolution, payment protection, and quality assurance. Taking deals off-platform hurts everyone.
- All payments should go through our secure system
- Don't share personal contact info to circumvent the platform
- Report attempts by others to take things offline
What We Don't Tolerate
❌ Zero Tolerance Actions (Immediate Ban)
- Scamming: Taking money without intent to deliver, fake listings, identity theft
- Harassment: Threats, sexual harassment, stalking, or intimidation
- Discrimination: Refusing service based on race, gender, religion, or other protected classes
- Dangerous Behavior: Violence, theft, property damage
- Review Manipulation: Fake accounts for fake reviews
⚠️ Warning-Level Actions
- Repeated no-shows or last-minute cancellations
- Consistent late payments or payment disputes
- Unprofessional communication
- Attempting to take transactions off-platform
- Misrepresenting qualifications or work quality
Two warnings = account review. Three = likely termination.
What We Reward
✅ Good Standing Benefits
- Quality Rebates: Providers with 4.8+ ratings earn back a percentage of platform fees
- Priority Matching: Highly-rated providers get shown to clients first
- Featured Status: Top performers highlighted on the platform
- Client Trust Badges: Reliable clients get marked as "Preferred"
Reporting Issues
See something that violates these guidelines? Report it:
All reports are reviewed within 24 hours. We take them seriously.
Building Something Better
Maryland Task Force exists because we believe gig work can be better. Not a desperate race to undercut each other. Not a Wild West of scams and disappointments. But a professional marketplace where skilled Marylanders build real businesses and clients find reliable help.
That only works if we all commit to it. These guidelines are how we do that together.
Welcome to the community. Let's build something that makes Maryland proud.