As far as I am concerned, the deputy is none of management's business. There are times where it's obvious (a guest artist contract w one actor and an SM, or folks chat about it openly in rehearsal or backstage) but I agree, for the deputy to do their job without repercussions from management, they should be able to remain anonymous. That said, I know touring companies where the deputies had regular meetings w management to request things, so obviously they weren't unknown in those circumstances, but the cast needs to feel safe taking things to the deputy, and the deputy needs to feel safe calling things in to the AEA office or discussing things w the SM, without management feeling threatened every time they see that actor talking quietly with someone.