World of HR: Employers grapple with a dangerous war in the Middle East

"We have asked all employees to work remotely until further notice as a precautionary measure," a spokesperson for China-based food delivery service Meituan, told South China Morning Post. The company has workers in the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, and is just one of the many tech companies telling workers to stay home."

"US-based Wynn Resorts is allowing its employees to work from a different country "if their home embassy has advised them to leave the country," iGaming Business reported. The company also offered "additional housing options" to its workers in the region if they do not feel secure in their current location."

"We have ensured the safety of our workers, and they don't need to immediately leave those countries," a spokesperson for JGC told Japanese news outlet Asahi Shimbun, adding that it has encouraged workers to re-read the company's evacuation plans for these types of scenarios."

The Middle East, home to over 500 million people across 17 countries with diverse industries, experienced workplace disruptions following US-Israeli military strikes on Iran beginning February 28. Regional responses varied significantly: the UAE labor minister requested private employers allow remote work through March 3, while Saudi Arabia maintained normal operations. International companies adopted different approaches—some like Meituan implemented mandatory remote work across multiple countries, Wynn Resorts offered relocation options for employees whose embassies advised departure, and JGC Holdings prioritized in-country safety measures while reviewing evacuation protocols. Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies faced particular scrutiny regarding employee security in the region.

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