[Spearchucker]

"...I felt like I needed to always be seen either in a meeting or butt in chair..."

Yeah, norms. Like the expectation that employees remain signed into instant messaging apps. And the associated values where for example being signed in is construed as a sign of productivity.

I worked as a financial services company like that once where I maxed out my annual bonus and got the highest raises because I was on top of messaging. From messaging in the bathroom, from bars, and for two days a hospital bed.