Is it permissible for me to shorten and combine my Dhuhr and Asr prayers before leaving work, if I will be traveling a distance of 130 km for an urgent matter?

It is impermissible to shorten the four-rak'ah prayer (qasr) or to combine the Asr prayer with the Dhuhr prayer before commencing the journey and leaving the populated area of the village, according to the majority of scholars. Your work in an area other than your place of residence does not alter this ruling, as the workplace is considered a place of residence.