Ascension day (never heard that word earlier) is not really the extra day off, because we have to do these hours beforehand one by one. This is the only extraholiday which is not given to us as an extra free day. Congratulations because of the name day. [I wrote this in english although my english is not free of rust. I am now so contended with me ;)]

I didn't know that about having to work those hours in - that makes it very unfair :(

Ascension Day commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven following His crucifixion and resurrection, hence the logical name ;)

And hey, I can totally appreceiate rusty language skills, as I had huge difficulties writing that Nylon Beat think in Finnish using proper language and not "Finglish" I tend to use at home. Pathetic, I know!

Both my mom and sister have a day off because of "Christ's Flying Day" (very liberally translated from Swedish), and they do get paid for that day. What always boggled my mind about Ascension day was why it was a holiday if noone celebrated it. I do realize it is celebrated in church and that many people think of it, but the average person in Finland certainly doesn't. I don't think Ascension day has lost its meaning - but I do think the Finnish people have lost their religion (or at least many of them).

Another holiday I was always disappointed in was the Finnish Independence Day. I used to envy the Norwegians who always partied like it was "1999" on May 17. But we sat quietly in our dark livingrooms and stared at a candle...
I wanted to party, to celebrate that our country was independent. How funny that it's so different in different countries.

Until yesterday, I was also under the impression that I'd have to do the hours in for Ascension Day, so I agreed to come to work. Imagine my surprise, when I learned I would get triple salary (or in my case leveling hours) for the day.

Personally, I never so much lost my religion as I held it down and stomped it to death and flushed it down the toilet with the rest of the waste -- not that I had much to begin with -- but just the same, I'd say that a lot of people in Finland are fairly religious. Compared to many other countries, it's a fairly low-key thing -- you don't see people hanging up crosses in their homes or bringing up Jesus in everyday conversation -- but most people do belong to the church and, when asked, at least vaguely indicate that sure there is someone up there, isn't there? Which isn't exactly religious fervor, but it's still something that affects their lives. You wouldn't see these same people joining any other religion that demanded the same level of background support and acceptance, so clearly, it makes a difference to them.

I'm quite aware of living in something of a bubble in that respect -- in my circles, skepticism and atheism tend to be the norm. Of course, people also tend to have academic backgrounds and whatnot. My knee-jerk reaction would be to proclaim that people who actually have an education are a little less eager to buy into laughable superstition, but making any such proclamation would be horribly insensitive, so of course I won't say anything of the sort, since I'm the soft and cuddly nice guy type and certainly wouldn't go at lengths to cultivate a personality composed entirely of sharp angles, oozing with evil and malevolent cynicism that frightens little children and causes the milk to curdle right in the bloated teats of lactating women.

Phew. Excuse me while I compose myself.

Anyway. Yeah, Henri, there are these things called laws that kinda rule out certain practices, like keeping people at work for ages without paying overtime or keeping people working throughout the weekend without paying time and a half or more, depending on whether it's Saturday or Sunday. As far as the law's concerned, yesterday was Sunday (Which also nicely explains why it was fairly difficult to find a store that was open, because Jesus says that you can't buy milk and bread on Sundays. Thank you, Jesus, for your wisdom; when I am working hard to increase the GNP I especially like to do so without anything to eat). Of course, the specifics kind of depend on what kind of a contract you have and so forth. Still, I cannot imagine your surprise, as I'm a little shocked that you were unaware of this. Upon reflection, though, I probably shouldn't be, what with bubbles and all. =)

Maybe now I can stomach some work. Yay!

Wow. I'm so badass I said that shit twice.

And I'm so mean I deleted your duplicate ;)

Obviously I was referring to the fact that this practice changed from last year (or was it from two years ago). On previous years Helatorstai has been a "bastard-holiday". You have to take it off (at least if you work in a store, public service or some such that is closed), but you still have to do the hours in before or after.

As for you working yesterday, I don't believe a word of it. Not after the phone conversation we had. :)

Well, y'know, that's just the kind of a work environment I'm blessed with. There's nothing like editing an article when you're constantly being bombarded by paperclips or rabbit punched in the kidneys. Journalism at its finest!

Mikki:
Of course, the specifics kind of depend on what kind of a contract you have and so forth.

Or more specifically, the General Agreement (TES = työehtosopimus) for your field.

For example, I didn't have to do last Thursday in, because my employer abides by the IT service sector GA, where it says Ascension Day is a day off. I'm not complaining :).

Just like Mea, we used to work one extra Saturday to compensate for Ascension Day absence. This changed around two years ago when my employer joined a union who supports the said Agreement.

With a previous employer (a call center) all 365 days of the year were work days. You'd just get double pay for Sundays, national holidays and such.

So lots of variety even in a country as small and well-organised as good old Finland :).