At our company, I'm expected to respond on Slack even on weekends. My boss says it's part of the job. Do I have to accept this, or are there legal limits? I'd really like to have peace and quiet after work.
Are you working in Germany or another country? That makes a big legal difference.
If Germany: Your boss can't just force you to be reachable privately. The Working Time Act protects you there, and rest periods are anchored in law. You have a right to disconnect after work - that's not just a courtesy, it's actually legally binding. If Slack messages keep coming in on weekends and you respond to them, that can actually become problematic for your employer too, because unpaid overtime gets documented.
What actually helps in practice: Talk to your boss or, if needed, to your works council (if you have one), and suggest a clear framework - for example, that you're only reachable for actual emergencies, or that messages on weekends can wait until Monday. A lot of companies these days also have policies that make clear Slack rules only apply during work hours. You can also just delete the app from your phone or turn off notifications. Your boss can't forbid that. If he tries anyway or disadvantages you because of it, that's legally questionable and you shouldn't stay quiet about it.
In Germany, you have a right to rest periods and to be released from availability obligations - this is laid out in the Working Time Act. Your boss can't simply force you to respond to Slack privately, even if he sees it differently. Important: Many people fall into the trap because they've installed the app and respond unconsciously - that creates a de facto expectation that's hard to break. If it becomes too much for you, make it clear (ideally in writing via email) that you're not available after work hours, and uninstall the app from your phone if possible. If in doubt, the works council or union counseling can help.
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