@Brefugee yes it's a very large project, so a bit team. I have a small team reporting into me so there are enough people that I should be able to find cover for a few days. I expect there are others in the team being told the same thing, but I haven't really discussed it with anyone. My role is the most affected in blocking out the whole summer. I expect others are being told a week or so in the summer that they can't take, rather than the whole period.
I understand the December block out that some workplaces have. Summer holidays feel different though, as it's the only opportunity to really go away. Especially this year, as going abroad it pretty much off the table, so it has to be the summer for any expectation of semi-decent weather.
It's not in my contract. If it was, as the project dates have changed, the blockout dates would have changed since I got my contract anyway.
@tryingtocatchthewind I will be taking odd days anyway. I haven't told my manager yet, but it's DDs birthday in the summer so at the very least I want a day off for her birthday.
@Poptart4 his job is very flexible. He does pretty much whatever hours he wants, and he's been there about 15 years. I was in my previous job for a similarly long time and it was just as flexible, so we both did whatever we wanted (obviously, as long as the job is done). It's just an adjustment .. i'm in the job so understand how difficult the summer will be, knowing what my role entails. He doesn't really get it - because he has it easy in that way, and I did previously. He wants me to go away anyway, as I wfh, and just work around it while away, but I have said there is no point me doing that, as I'm on calls all day so I couldn't go on an outing then log on in the evening, because my job doesn't work like that. He does understand, I guess, like I said, it's just an adjustment because neither of us have ever worked like that previously.