I work for a publicly traded retail company. Normally at the end of each quarter there are a few questions that require ad hoc reporting. Over the past year (as a senior data analyst) I developed and automated many reports to reduce the workload created by quarter ends. The only novel reporting required is what leadership develops as their story to the board. A few months ago I was promoted to a data science role. We’ve hired a junior analyst right out of college who’s green but is learning very quickly. Now, the head of my department (marketing) is attempting to implement a blackout period the week after each quarter ends, to keep us available for ad hoc data requests. I am pushing back, insisting that there are self service reporting tools and that with enough foresight reports could be built ahead of a possible vacation. I’ve come to a compromise of saying that both the analyst and I can’t both be off during that week but not sure if that’ll be accepted or not. So my question to you folks is, do you have blackout dates in your current or past roles and how would react with your job implementing blackout dates for you?
Additional info: I have 2 kids in school and activities and book vacations with travel points most of the time so my dates usually are not that flexible.