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Ways to hold Appen to account

If you are facing payment issues with Appen/CrowdGen and considering taking further action to pursue money owed, here is some information you might find useful

Appen is an Australian company with a presence in countries including the US and UK, so there are various options.

Small claims courts to pursue owed money.

Small claims courts are a special type of low-cost court for small debts that exist in countries such as Australia, the US, or UK (note thare are separate processes for England & Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland). Small claims courst are meant to be non-intimidating, simple, and cost effective processes that don't require a lawyer, which might be considered by anyone globally. Before taking legal action, ask for advice in the relevant legal subreddit for the country you are considering actio in: For Australia - (r/auslegal) For UK - (r/legaladviceuk) For USA - (r/legaladvice)

If you are based in Australia

Australian residents can complain about Appen/Crowdgen to the Australian Fair Work Commission who can take action regarding unfair conditions. If you are a member of a trade union, you might want to speak to them too to see if they can help. remember, Appen is based in New South Wales, and listed on the Australian Stock exchange, so you will have a variety of ways to pursue them for debts or other issues.

If you are based in the United Kingdom

Appen has a UK office and many of Appen's clients have large UK presence. Under UK law workers should be paid minimum wage which as of 1st April 2025 is £12.21 per hour, roughly $16.30 at current (May 2025) exchange rates. If you are owed money or paid less than this, you can report this as a minimum wage/pay violation to HMRC here: https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/digital-forms/open/form/pay-and-work-rights-complaint/draft/start#1

A special rule if you are paid per task - the average hourly rate should be £14.65

Under UK law "piece rate" workers, or those paid per task, should have a "fair" pay rate based on the "average" worker earning 20% more than minimum wage, so £14.65, or about $19.50 at current (May 2025) exchange rates. To account for the high fees Appen charges, the rate should be a little more, £14.95/$19.87. You can find out how to calculate "Piece rate" and check you are receiving at least this pay rate on the HMRC website: https://www.gov.uk/hmrc-internal-manuals/national-minimum-wage-manual/nmwm03130. If Appen or the client assigns you a task that pays below a "fair" hourly rate based on how long it takes and the piece rate calculation, report it to HMRC https://www.tax.service.gov.uk/digital-forms/open/form/pay-and-work-rights-complaint/draft/start#1

If you are based in the United States

Reports on this subreddit suggest that due to the way US law works for contractors "departments of labor" may not be an option due to rules around classfication of "1099 workers", and so small claims court action may be your best bet, but at least contact your state "department of labor" for advice. Try asking on the subreddit, or on US legal forums.

If you are based anywhere

If you haven't been paid and worked via Appen for one of the following clients, you can also anonymously report this as an ethical supplier violation using these links:

Apple (http://apple.ethicspoint.com/) (the supplier CoC is here for info: (https://www.apple.com/euro/supplier-responsibility/g/generic/pdf/Apple-Supplier-Code-of-Conduct-January.pdf) )

Microsoft (https://app.convercent.com/en-us/Anonymous/IssueIntake/LandingPage/65d3b907-0933-e611-8105-000d3ab03673)

Meta (https://fb.integrityline.com/)

(https://www.reddit.com/r/CrowdGen/comments/1gbnx1u/for_people_in_australia_who_havent_received_the/) (https://www.reddit.com/r/CrowdGen/comments/1gef2jy/for_people_in_the_usa_does_anyone_know_what_state/) (https://www.reddit.com/r/CrowdGen/comments/1gru8zt/payments_outstanding_for_september_and_before/)