Is This Normal for Remote Jobs? My Employer Requires Us to Be Available 24/7, Even on Days Off – Feeling Burned Out and Regretful

I work for a travel agency and recently, the expectations around availability have become a real issue. My employer now requires us to be available via Slack even on our days off. We’re told it’s not considered overtime (which, to be honest, doesn’t feel right), but we can “take off” those hours on other days. This all started when one of my coworkers agreed to this arrangement, and now it’s become the norm for the whole company for those working remotely. The thing is, I really wanted a remote job for the work-life balance, but now I feel like I’m on call 24/7. I never really know if a customer might reach out, and I’m constantly checking Slack, which is exhausting. I don’t think it’s fair to be expected to be online all the time, especially when I’m supposed to be enjoying my time off. I’ve had days off where I can’t even fully relax because I’m still checking messages or responding to requests. The worst part? My coworker who agreed to this setup is making it seem like we’re not doing our job if we don’t stay available during our days off. It’s causing unnecessary pressure on us and now it feels like I’m the one in the wrong for wanting an actual day off. I’m considering leaving, but I’m worried about finding another remote job, especially in this economy. I feel so conflicted. Is this how remote jobs are supposed to be? I just want at least one uninterrupted day off. Can anyone relate, or has anyone dealt with a similar situation? I feel like I’m losing my work-life balance and just need some perspective here. Thanks for reading