Is Midsummer’s Day a paid holiday?

Satunnainen

Midsummer Day is one of Finland’s most significant holidays, and it often raises questions about whether it is a paid holiday. In this article, we discuss the position of Midsummer’s Day in working life and answer the question as comprehensively as possible.

What is midsummer?

Midsummer Day is a holiday celebrated in Finland on Saturday between June 20 and 26, which celebrates Midsummer and John the Baptist’s Day. It has traditionally been a time when Finns gather in cabins, light Midsummer bonfires and enjoy the summer.

Midsummer Day in working life

In Finland, Midsummer’s Day is an official public holiday, which means that it is a day off for most employees. According to the Working Hours Act and most collective agreements, Midsummer’s Day is a paid holiday. This means that employees will receive their normal wages even if they do not work on that day.

Exceptions and special situations

However, there are some exceptions and special situations that can affect the salary on Midsummer’s Day:

  • Shift work: If you work in shift work, you may have to work on Midsummer Day. In this case, you will usually be paid an increased salary, which can be up to twice the normal salary.
  • Recycling of days off: In some workplaces, it can be agreed that the day off on Midsummer’s Day is moved to another time, if it better suits the needs of the employer and the employee.
  • Entrepreneurs and self-employed: Entrepreneurs and self-employed can decide for themselves whether they will take Midsummer Day off or not. For them, being paid depends on their own decision and the needs of their business.

Summary

In summary, it can be stated that Midsummer’s Day in Finland is generally a paid day off for most employees. Exceptions may, however, be shift workers who have to work on Midsummer’s Day, as well as entrepreneurs and self-employed people who can decide on their own work. It is always good to check the details related to your own collective agreement and talk to your employer if there are any ambiguities.

You can read more information about Midsummer’s Day wages and working time legislation, for example, on the Tösuojelu administration website.

,