To be annoyed about this comment at work - just back from maternity leave?

[Anniewestest]

not sure if I’m being overly sensitive, it’s my first day back at work from maternity leave, first time leaving DD all day etc. so might be being an overly emotional turd.

background -
my work couldn’t find appropriate cover for my maternity leave so had to get a contractor to fill 60% of my role instead - they could only afford a few days a week so some of my workload hasn’t been touched since going on Mat leave (so I’m a bit stressed after coming back).

It’s my first day back today and my first meeting of the day was a Q3 QBR with our regional director. Since I wasn’t here for Q3 my maternity cover was paid to come in for this meeting to present on our area as I’d not be able to answer any questions about what was done etc.

After they were done presenting our regional director said a comment I am quite pissed off about. They told my mat cover they were really impressed about all they achieved (which is fine, they did a really great job and I’m super happy about that) then she turned to me and said ‘Annie, you have some big boots to fill’

My view is, no I don’t have boots to fill. They were my boots to begin with! My mat cover had big boots to fill and they did a great job.

It’s just rubbed me the wrong way but I don’t know whether I’m being ott to be a bit pissed off about it.

I agree with both parts of this (if that makes sense!)
You might be reading too much into what might have just been a slightly badly chosen phrase, but do note it down just in case anything else is said.

This.

I'd be upset too OP

When I came back from my mat leave they had created a new post specifically for my mat cover as they loved him so much. He'd actually ignored 80% of the job and done one, high profile thing, well. It was so frustrating as I had to watch everyone fawning over him and scrabling around to keep him when I knew he'd done a shit job overall

You are fixating on the wrong part.

It's not whether the boots are yours or hers.

It's the manager publicly saying (well implying) that the cover was better at the job than you.

Yes agree with others. Mat leave cover was perceived as better at your job than you. I would try to look for other jobs.

It is a bit insensitive so I can understand you being upset. But I do think it needs to be considered in the wider context of how well (or not) you're treated.

Mostly, I really like the phrase "over emotional turd" and will definitely be using that from now on!

I think that comment would upset and piss anyone off. You are right to be upset. Kind of the same but much more lighthearted but after my honeymoon I came back and had a colleague ask where the temp who covered while I was on holidays was . Obviously she was no longer needed as I had returned and my colleague was all "oh no she fitted in so well, she was so lovely Id hoped they'd keep her on" .

Welcome back! This kind of crap is absolutely standard I'm afraid. Be prepared for ridiculous comments and judgements, withholding opportunities etc. Totally standard for having the nerve to work while having DC.

You are much better forewarned and forearmed. You are going to see a different side to bosses and colleagues now.

My advice is do not take it personally. They would do it to any woman who dared return to work post baby. Why? Because our society is inherently misogynistic, unconscious sexism is alive and well. Most people in the workplace aren't bright enough to stop and think about what they're saying and doing in that context.

So hold your head high, take the money, and make it work for you. Play their stupid games and take the cash.

Well, what's the RD supposed to say? "Thank God you're back, your cover was shit?"

This sounds like one of those occasions where I would have been pissed at the time and just smiled and went along with it because I couldn’t think of what else to say but later on fumed about it and thought up all sorts of witty comebacks to it.

YNBA . That would have irritated me too

I agree with this I'd be looking at moving on or how I could improve my own job performance