From my experience, often being the only remote on the team...frankly, because you're generally forgotten about quite often. You aren't as chummy with your dir

From my experience, often being the only remote on the team...frankly, because you're generally forgotten about quite often. You aren't as chummy with your direct, you don't do lunch together, small gifts/favors, etc. I don't mean that as a suckup or anything, just things people generally do with one another. If you have two equal performers, and one came to your wedding, gave you a jump, etc....and the other you often forget exists, the choice is quite natural. And I don't find any fault in that or hold any bitterness, it's human nature. Also, you see your direct's boss in the cafeteria, or hallway, get to chatting, etc. I'd never just ping him or her on Slack to chat, for example. Then again, I'm only speaking from experience at where I've been. I'm sure others are more strict about meritocracy, perhaps.