This is one of the often unspoken benefits of remote work—it obscures how (and when) you work and exposes only the results. This naturally pushes back on micromanagement not only from managers but also from everyone else on the team.
It's not fool-proof by any means—you can still build up processes and expectations that lead to micromanagement if your managers or culture are so inclined—but it makes the default behavior of the team distinctly less oriented towards micromanagement. You'll waste a lot less time and energy worrying about optics if people being present at a particular place and time is not an obvious signal of dedication/hard work/whatever.
I'll never understand this sentiment. You don't have to have alerts from slack outside of business hours. Or respond in general. If I responded or looked at my messages every time I got one, I'd never get work done... so I simply ignore them until I am taking a break or otherwise at a good stopping point. It's not that hard.
Oh hey, I am relevant for once. I moved to another city for university a while ago, but kept the job I had before as a half-time remote position. At first I felt extremely pressured through slack. People didnt know my exact schedule and would also write me on days off, and I felt like I should answer asap, because otherwise people would develop the idea that I slack off because I get to work remote.
Well, after a panic attack I changed my approach and asked my colleagues to write me mails instead or ask me on teams where I would only be online on certain days. Everybody just said sure, and work is finally fun again. I think I wasn't the only one either, more and more people started avoiding slack and only look into it maybe once a week.
At some companies you can get a negative performance review for not being on Slack during working hours. “Needs to be more responsive / better team player.” In other places you might be expected to be online beyond 9-5 too.
It's difficult but I'd avoid places like that. If your team won't allow you to close slack for an hour you have serious communication and planning problems. Anywhere I've worked what I do is message anyone who might need vital information from me then just close slack for an hour, do my work and check back in. When I get pulled up on it I give my explanation about focus, communication etc. If they don't like it then I leave. I'm glad it's a seller's market.
It's not fool-proof by any means—you can still build up processes and expectations that lead to micromanagement if your managers or culture are so inclined—but it makes the default behavior of the team distinctly less oriented towards micromanagement. You'll waste a lot less time and energy worrying about optics if people being present at a particular place and time is not an obvious signal of dedication/hard work/whatever.