It’s been a busy two weeks for CHROs and chief security officers at firms with an employee presence in the Middle East. The US and Israel’s coordinated strikes on Iran disrupted travel in major transit hubs like Dubai, leaving many passengers—including those traveling for business—without a clear path home. Countries that were once considered safe havens for Western business, like the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, have been directly impacted by retaliatory strikes from Iran. The unrest has prompted some companies to evacuate their employees, while others have allowed staff to temporarily relocate or work remotely. Citi and HSBC are among the banks that told staff to leave the firm’s offices in Dubai and Qatar, respectively, on Mar. 11, according to the New York Times. As the conflict in Iran continues to evolve rapidly, HR and security consultants said it’s critical that employers continue to communicate with affected employees about support and resources that are available to them, as well as any evacuation plans. For more on how multinational firms are supporting workers affected by the US-Israeli war with Iran, keep reading here.—CV |