'Our Office Is Open': Dubai’s War-Triggered WFH Comes To End

Last Updated:April 25, 2026, 19:40 IST

UAE companies, including law firms like Jones Day and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, are rolling back remote work as tensions ease, pushing staff back to offices.

Companies in the UAE are beginning to roll back work-from-home arrangements introduced during recent regional tensions, with firms in Dubai and Abu Dhabi asking employees to return to offices.

Several international law firms, including US-based players, have told staff to resume in-person work as early as next week, signalling a shift back to normal operations after weeks of disruption.

According to a report by the Financial Times, firms like Jones Day and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton, have asked staff in the region to resume in-person work as early as next week.

The work-from-home policy was widely adopted after escalating conflict involving Iran triggered safety concerns, forcing many professionals to temporarily relocate or work remotely.

An official belonging to a firm in Dubai said, “Our office is open to all staff that wish to go in," the firm said, adding it would remain accommodating and flexible while maintaining client service standards.

With tensions easing and a ceasefire in place, companies are now moving to restore on-site work. However, the return has not been smooth. Some employees, especially those who left the region during the conflict, remain hesitant due to lingering safety concerns.

The shift reflects a broader trend across the UAE, where businesses are gradually resuming full operations while balancing employee safety and flexibility.

Experts say the move could mark the beginning of a wider return-to-office push in the region, even as hybrid work remains an option in some sectors.

News world 'Our Office Is Open': Dubai’s War-Triggered WFH Comes To End

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