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Sun, Jan 25, 2026 | Shaban 6, 1447 | Fajr 05:44 | DXB 
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New Year Eve in UAE: Some firms allow work from home, half-day shifts for employees
Some pick-and-drop transport companies have also announced early suspension of services due to anticipated congestion, advising passengers to leave their offices well ahead of peak traffic hours
[Editor's note: UAE is welcoming the New Year with a bang. Stay tuned to the Khaleej Times live blog for the latest updates on NYE celebrations in UAE]
Several companies across the UAE have allowed employees to work from home on the last day of the year, while others have permitted staff to leave early to avoid the heavy traffic expected later today.
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In addition, some pick-and-drop transport companies have announced early suspension of services due to anticipated congestion, advising passengers to leave their offices well ahead of peak traffic hours.
“We actually do offer work from home today for this exact reason. With traffic notoriously heavy on New Year's Eve, especially in the afternoon, all employees are working from home today,” said Nicki Wilson, executive director at Genie Recruitment.
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“Also, because some employees are celebrating the New Year, it’s easier for them to be able to move around Dubai from their own homes rather than having to come to the office to then fight the traffic to get home, to then have to get back into traffic to go wherever they are heading!” she added.
A senior official at a major property developer in Dubai also confirmed that employees have been allowed to leave early around 2pm.
“Due to the nature of our work, the company doesn’t offer work-from-home, but on certain occasions, such as the New Year, employees are advised to leave early so that they can beat the traffic and celebrate the New Year with their families,” said the spokesperson of the major private developer.
Anticipating New Year’s Eve traffic, Dubai-headquartered communications consultancy Watermelon Communications has also adjusted its work schedules.
“By announcing a half-day in advance, we aimed to reduce commute-related stress, support employee wellbeing, and maintain productivity through thoughtful workforce planning," said Madhu Kuttat, managing director, Watermelon Communications.
Early pick-and-drop
With heavy traffic expected on the final day of the year, some pick-and-drop companies have informed customers that services will be suspended earlier than usual today due to New Year’s Eve celebrations.
“I usually leave my office in Business Bay at 5pm, and sometimes as late as 7pm if there is more work,” said Anam Noor, who commutes daily from Sharjah to Business Bay. “However, my driver informed me last night that the last bus from Business Bay to Sharjah will depart at 2pm today because of the heavy traffic expected later in the day. There will be no buses available for pickup after that.”
Commuters regularly experience heavy traffic on the Dubai–Sharjah route, particularly in the evening when residents return home from work.
Areas such as Downtown Dubai and Business Bay also typically witness severe congestion on New Year’s Eve, as large crowds gather near Burj Khalifa and Dubai Mall.
Major UAE roads — including Sheikh Zayed Road, Mohammed bin Zayed Road, Sharjah–Dubai Itihad Road, Al Khail Road, and other key internal routes — experience significant congestion on December 31 due to office closures and people travelling to New Year celebrations.
Meanwhile, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority has announced extensive preparations, including road diversions and closures around Downtown Dubai, to ensure smoother traffic flow during the celebrations.
Waheed Abbas
Waheed Abbas is Assistant Editor, covering real estate, aviation and other business stories that directly affect the lives of UAE consumers. He frequently reports human interest stories, too.
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