In Sweden, the solstice is tied to the celebration of Midsummer, though the date is set at June 24 every year while the date of the summer solstice moves. Whether you stare at the sun, feast, drink or dance, be sure to enjoy the solsticeâthe days only get darker from here.
For covered, nonexempt employees, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requires overtime pay (PDF) to be at least one and one-half times an employee's regular rate of pay after 40 hours of work in a workweek. Some exceptions apply under special circumstances to police and firefighters and to employees of hospitals and nursing homes.
Some departments on the east coast work 8-hour or 12-hour shifts, however the 24-hour shift is by far the most common shift schedule. If a firefighter is assigned to work a particular day that conflicts with a family event or vacation he is allowed to have another firefighter cover his shift.