Meetings are the viable alternative to work. Meetings that you don’t need to contribute to are even better. Take a break. Catch some zees.
Problem is, that the work is still there after the meeting
So? Not your fault you had to go to a pointless meeting. Leave at the normal time.
Unemployed or self employed?
Yeah I’ll tell that to HR when I’m getting laid off again
If HR can’t understand that, then it isn’t a decent work environment to begin with.