UAE companies introduce flexible work arrangements for New Year’s Eve, with several firms offering employees the option to work from home or complete shortened half-day shifts.
UAE Firms Ease Work Schedules on New Year’s Eve with WFH and Half-Day Options
Many organisations in the UAE have introduced flexible arrangements on the final day of the year, with some allowing staff to work remotely and others permitting early departures to help employees avoid the expected traffic congestion.
Several office transport providers have also said they will stop pick-up and drop-off services earlier than usual, warning commuters to leave workplaces well before peak hours due to road closures and heavy traffic.
Nicki Wilson, executive director at Genie Recruitment, said her company chose to implement work-from-home arrangements specifically because of New Year’s Eve traffic. She explained that congestion typically builds up in the afternoon, making remote work a practical solution. She added that employees celebrating the occasion find it more convenient to move around the city from home rather than commuting back and forth through crowded roads.
Meanwhile, a senior representative from a leading Dubai-based property developer confirmed that staff members were allowed to finish work early, around 2pm. The spokesperson noted that while remote work is not feasible due to the nature of the business, early dismissal on special occasions like New Year’s Eve helps employees avoid traffic and spend time with their families.
Similarly, Dubai-based communications consultancy Watermelon Communications adjusted its schedule in anticipation of traffic disruptions. Managing director Madhu Kuttat said the company announced a half-day in advance to ease commuting pressure, prioritise employee wellbeing, and ensure productivity through careful planning.
Early Pick-And-Drop
With significant congestion anticipated on the last day of the year, several employee transport providers have notified customers that pick-up and drop-off services will end earlier than normal due to New Year’s Eve festivities.
Anam Noor, who travels daily from Sharjah to Business Bay, said her usual workday ends between 5pm and 7pm. However, she was informed by her transport provider that the final bus from Business Bay to Sharjah would leave at 2pm on December 31, as traffic conditions are expected to worsen later in the day, with no services operating beyond that time.
Traffic delays are a routine challenge for commuters travelling between Dubai and Sharjah, especially during evening rush hours. On New Year’s Eve, congestion intensifies further in busy districts such as Downtown Dubai and Business Bay, where large crowds gather near landmarks including Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
Key highways across the UAE — such as Sheikh Zayed Road, Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sharjah–Dubai Itihad Road, Al Khail Road and other major internal routes — typically experience heavy traffic on December 31 as offices close early and residents head out for celebrations.
In preparation for the festivities, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has announced a series of traffic management measures, including temporary road closures and diversions around Downtown Dubai, aimed at easing vehicle movement during the celebrations.
