If you start getting concerns about or a vibe about "are they working"?, and you have an internal IM system or other designated IM system, try staying signed in

If you start getting concerns about or a vibe about "are they working"?, and you have an internal IM system or other designated IM system, try staying signed in and visible. (Although... this can impact productivity depending upon your culture and how much people feel free to ping you for every detail.) Seeing you "green" or whatever can cut off or ameliorate nascent resentment. Particularly when people occasionally see you green in the evening or off-hours. Hopefully, that's not a component in your particular culture, though. I wasn't remote, but half my team was. I didn't care about such things as who's doing what when and how much and "putting in the (excessive) hours". Nonetheless, IM was a nice avenue for feeling a bit of social contact without serious distraction or interruption. Some of us with similar or at least compatible personalities would even share offhand quips occasionally throughout the day. We were busy, so this wasn't a major distraction, but it left the feeling of a bit of "presence" and ongoing, daily community. (I.e. like having someone "over the wall" to make a comment to, but without having to tune out all their other noise that didn't involve you (cube meetings -- shudder!))