Can Work Be Suspended Due to Bad Air Quality? DOLE Issues New Guidelines

(SPOT.ph) If the air outside is bad enough to make it unsafe to work—something that has been happening a lot more lately—your employer may need to adjust your schedule, move work indoors, or even suspend operations.

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has issued new guidelines for private sector employers on what to do when workers are exposed to unhealthy air caused by pollution, haze, volcanic smog, and similar conditions.

Under Labor Advisory No. 15, Series of 2026, employers are urged to "take proactive measures to shield workers from environmental hazards when poor air quality threatens public health."

Unlike work suspensions during typhoons, there’s no automatic nationwide rule that cancels work once the Air Quality Index (AQI) hits a certain number. Instead, DOLE puts the responsibility on employers to adjust operations accordingly.

Also read: When Work Is Suspended, What Happens to My Pay?

This does not mean a hazy day automatically gets you out of work—it still depends on how bad the air quality gets.

At Very Unhealthy levels, employers should reduce workers' exposure by limiting, rescheduling, modifying, or suspending strenuous outdoor work. They should also provide proper protective equipment if outdoor work cannot be avoided, including well-fitted respiratory protection such as N95, KN95, FFP2, or equivalent masks.

If air quality worsens to Acutely Unhealthy, DOLE said employers should consider flexible work arrangements, including telecommuting where possible. Workers who still need to report should be given appropriate PPE, enough rest and hydration, and access to areas with lower exposure.

At Emergency levels, DOLE strongly recommended suspending non-essential work when poor air quality poses an imminent danger.

Do note that Philippine AQI labels may differ from the ones used by weather apps. Under the DENR system, AQI 151 to 200 is Very Unhealthy, 201 to 300 is Acutely Unhealthy, and 301 to 500 is Emergency.

You can check the current air quality through the DENR-Environmental Management Bureau’s national air-quality monitoring page. If you’re in Metro Manila, EMB-NCR also has a live monitoring page with readings from stations across the region.

According to the Department of Health (DOH), exposure to haze and polluted air can cause coughing, difficulty breathing, watery eyes, and irritation of the nose and throat. It can also trigger asthma and worsen existing heart or lung conditions.

The risks also go beyond people with existing conditions. Once air quality reaches Very Unhealthy, DENR said even otherwise healthy people may start experiencing symptoms from prolonged exposure. At Acutely Unhealthy levels, the air already poses a serious health risk to the general public.

During the haze episode in Cebu earlier this month, health officials even told hospitals to prepare for a possible increase in patients with respiratory complaints. Fortunately, no haze-linked spike was recorded at the time.

Also read: Who Has the Power to Suspend Work During Heavy Rainfall?