just found out that someone that I work with intentionally changes the priority and busy/free status of ALL meetings from management to "low" and "free" (he does this manually) just so he doesn't have to go to the meetings if he doesn't want (which is typically 2x week for 30 min)

Sounds like a good idea to me.
Meetings are usually just a waste of time. Especially meetings whose entire purpose is to plan other meetings. sheesh.

@Root Normally, I would agree with you, I had 2 previous jobs where it got to meeting overload like from a Dilbert strip or something, these are the only meetings and they are actually productive (which is nice)...its just kinda a jerk maneuver and not very not great office/meeting etiquette

@KeithETruesdell If it's to get out of work, or actually detrimental to your coworkers, agreed.

@Root It is to get out of work, and it is detrimental in a few ways, most meetings we end up waiting 5+ min for him (only 2x week for 30 min each), and usually he carries an attitude with him that then affects other people...doing anything besides the meetings is more important (again, normally i agree and would prefer to work, but what is wrong with a quick 30 min status check)

Twice a week for 30 mins is ~1 time a week and 25 mins too much

@Plasticnova depending on what it is, I agree, and that 2x for 30 min I meant to say was the max, not the norm, normally it's every other week 1x for 30, but at the time of writing we had some big projects and deadlines fast approaching with many changes from various business units, which in that regards it makes one want to just sit and work instead of meetings but the it's good to be there for the changes so you could give input on priority and what that actually means