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Expected to attend time-consuming meetings I have no role in nor reason to attend

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Anonymous

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Expected to attend time-consuming meetings I have no role in nor reason to attend

Over the last several months, I've been expected to attend new meetings that require me to drive an hour each way. I'm not a key participant-- most of the time, I just sit there listening. I really have nothing to contribute as the section I support doesn't have a significant role in the projects discussed. I'd like to be excused from attending or at least invited to dial in rather than be in person, but I think my manager just likes having more people in the room. I know they do allow others to attend remotely, so I'm not quite sure why I, in particular, need to be there when all I do is just listen. Is there a way to approach this without sounding like a lazy complainer? Again, others don't need to show up in person, so why do I when I'm not a stakeholder? I do often feel like the rules are different depending on who the employee is-- longer tenure, new hire who is a friend of a friend, the spouse of a manager, things like that.

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  1. Anonymous

    I would confirm what's the goal of the meeting and what you are expected to do during the meeting. If the answer ratifies your experience, meaning just being quiet and listening, then you can ask to attend remotely.

  2. Anonymous

    Agree that it wouldn't hurt to ask what your role for these meetings are. Is there some reason (like long-term) that you're supposed to serve? Are you there as a backup in case the manager can't attend or something? Some other reason? Bringing up that you have to drive an hour each way for a meeting that you do not have a purpose for seems excessive.

    Will have to say that you will have to prepare for the possibility that you have to suck it up. I had an experience like this, but it was when COVID was still really new (so no driving or in-person aspect). While I was relatively senior, I was basically scolded for not going despite being in your shoes: nothing to add, no significant role for these meetings and I could do my job based on the meetings I did attend. I was in the wrong because I didn't ask but I would also argue that I literally went months without anyone appearing to notice and it didn't affect my work, so. (If I had asked, I'm 100% the answer would have been no as leadership was a stick in the mud and micromanagement was unfortunately too important to them).

    Good luck! I do hope you have better success than I did! :)

  3. Anonymous

    Just a few things to consider. When you accepted the position was it because you would be working remotely and didn't have to make the 2-hour drive? Would you have taken the position if you had to drive 2-hours every day to work? During the interview, was it ever mentioned that you possible would be required to come to the office? Is there anything you can remember during your interview or even in your contact that states there would be times you would be required to come to the office? If no, I would definitely make this known to your supervisor and find out what the benefits are by you physically being at these meetings. Are you being compensated for your travel time? Also inform them you get the same information whether you are there physically or on a zoom call.

  4. Anonymous

    In your next 1-1 ask! Let your manager know other things you could be doing at your desk while also listening on a dial in to that meeting. If you get a reprive be sure to let them know how this has really helped you to contribute more in other ways that mean more.

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