diff --git a/.github/workflows/hold-merge.yml b/.github/workflows/hold-merge.yml
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..5e5863648
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/hold-merge.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+name: Do Not Merge
+
+on:
+  pull_request:
+    types: [synchronize, opened, reopened, labeled, unlabeled]
+
+jobs:
+  do-not-merge:
+    if: contains(github.event.*.labels.*.name, 'Do Not Merge')
+    name: Check Do Not Merge
+    runs-on: ubuntu-latest
+    steps:
+      - name: check for label
+        run: |
+          echo "Pull request is labeled as 'Do Not Merge'"
+          echo "This workflow fails so that the pull request cannot be merged"
+          exit 1