Hey all – appeal to any field workers out there. My unit “strongly discourages” taking extensive vacations from May-October because that's when most of our work is done (pesticide application and trapping). I was pretty burnt out last year, so in September, I booked a cruise in May expecting to quit by now… But I can't. Because I'm broke and I don't have a new job. (Very hard to apply when you're already burnt).
So after a couple awkward conversations, I got my time verbally approved… With the expectation that I have to explain to other staff why I'll be off lol. Others took vacations during September last year, and I know will again this year, and one of my coworkers wants to take a vacation in July.
I really don't see an issue with it – management doesn't schedule work, we do. The folks who want to take time off are willing to work around others' time off. We know that stressed out people don't work well but the compromise is 4 day weekends. Occasionally.