puhkepäev

Puhkepäev is an Estonian term meaning "rest day." It designates a day set aside for rest from work, recreation, and personal affairs. The concept appears in calendars, employment contracts, and labor regulations to ensure workers have time off in each week. A puhkepäev is typically the day when an employee is not required to perform work duties, and it may be a fixed weekly day or a day designated by a rotating schedule, depending on the employer and the job.

In practice, puhkepäevs often align with the weekend, reflecting cultural norms and religious traditions, but modern work arrangements can place rest days on other days, especially for shift workers, service industries, or organizations that require weekend operations. When work continues on a puhkepäev, regulations in many contexts require compensation, an additional rest day, or other allowances under contract or law.

Historically, weekly rest has been linked to social and religious rhythms; today it remains a core part of labor rights in many countries, including Estonia, where rest days help ensure recovery, welfare, and personal time. Puhkepäevs are also relevant to scheduling, travel, and public life, influencing store hours, public transport, and event planning.