[kraigie]

>The problem is that when you do this, and then don't go to the meeting, and then a decision is made that you don't agree with, you are told, "well you had a chance but you didn't come to the meeting".

I would have if the item, I cared about was on the agenda.

This is why agenda are a) important b) should be sent out 24 hours or more before the meeting c) should be rigdly followed.

Anything else is either poor communication or a waste of productivity.

This gives everyone time to review the agendas. Making a decision which is worth attending,which is worth escalating.

Beside the manager should be representing you anyway.

>if you clearly weren't busy, because they don't equate coding with being busy. Sitting at your desk == not busy in their mind.

Coding yes. A skype meeting would be busy in their mind.