How to tell senior level coworker I don't want to attend meeting

Question

I started a new job recently, and my boss works remotely, so an onsite senior level employee sort of fills the roll of my boss. There is a several-hour long meeting tomorrow in the afternoon that goes well beyond the hours I usually work; I am salaried but usually try to keep certain hours unless something important comes up.

In an email to me and a couple of other people my boss stated the senior level employee needs to attend the meeting, but didn't mention me. The organizer of the meeting didn't even include me on the invitation, but my coworker forwarded me the invitation. I know that my coworker will ask me in person to attend the meeting, but I really don't want to spend hours in a meeting that will require me to stay a couple hours late and doesn't sound like it actual is important that I attend.

I don't want to just come right out and say "No, I'm not going" because as a new employee I don't want to come off as rude or jeopardize my position. How do I politely say I'm going to skip this meeting?

Answer 1

If it isn't going to hold back the project, or make it difficult for you to follow the project by you not attending, then I would approach the senior employee and tell them you have previous engagements for when you get off, so you would prefer to not attend the meeting itself, but you will review the slides. Make the offer that if it is really important for you to attend, you will adjust your schedule accordingly.

I will however suggest that attending these meetings will likely give you better opportunity for advancement / raises within the company than those who do not participate. If that is something you are interested in, it may well be worth it to attend these meetings.

Answer 2

You could always attend the meeting but make it known you need to leave at a certain time. Then when that time comes make your apologies and leave. You don't miss out entirely but keep to your schedule.