As the U.S. Embassy lifted its “shelter-in-place” advisory, some law firms in the United Arab Emirates are facing pushback from lawyers after companies press employees to return to their offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Originally reported by the Financial Times, American law firms including Jones Day and Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton have requested workers in the region to resume in-person work, frustrating some lawyers who have relocated abroad during the Middle East conflict and face costs to return. For some companies, the return to the office remains unofficially optional, but pressure is increasing.
To provide assistance, some firms are offering financial support. Cleary, which requested staff to return from May 4, is covering relocation costs to and from its Abu Dhabi office, according to a source, with others considering similar measures.
IAM Member Impact: The mandate to return to offices in the United Arab Emirates is unlikely to drive increased moving activity. IAM members have not advised that any temporary relocation involved household goods.
Source: The Economic Times