When pandemic influenza is widespread in a community it will inevitably have consequences for the workplace not least because that is a setting where transmission can occur. In these circumstances occupational health practitioners should be prepared to lead a consistent and proportionate response. Staff with influenza will be diagnosed on the basis of symptoms. The clinical diagnostic criteria are fever (≥ 38 o C) or a history of fever and two or more symptoms of an influenza-like illness i.e. cough, sore throat, headache etc. Those who satisfy this case definition should be sent home and advised not to work until fully recovered. A risk assessment should be carried out and the risk of transmission to other staff members should be considered in terms of the excess risk compared to acquiring the infection from other community sources.