I don’t know if I’m being over dramatic over a small comment or if my feelings are valid.
To cut a very long story short, one of my colleagues went of sick from work for stress, he’s been off for 7 months and he returned for a taster day today for a couple of hours. After he left, my manager spoke with me and my other colleague about his return and he mentioned that he was nervous about returning, I replied that I could understand his nerves and how he must feel more nervous about returning after being off for 7 months, as you get worried about how much has changed etc, this is how I felt after returning from maternity leave…
My manager said ‘that’s not the same, you went off to have a baby’
I replied and said, yes but I meant in terms of returning to work, not why we were off for that period and he said ‘yes but he has been off for mental health and you was off to have a baby so it’s not the same’
It was very awkward because I felt that I had to justify a very sincere and understanding comment I made and also, it wasn’t a walk in the park for me after I gave birth.
When I told him that, he turned to my other colleague and said ‘see what happens when you work with women, they’re drama queens’
Both my manager and colleague are men.
I just think it was a little uncalled for, especially around other people and I was just trying to come from a good place, but maybe I have just taken it too personally?
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Your feelings are definitely valid. His comments were completely rude and inappropriate.

Most HR departments would take issue with how your manager handled this and what he said, especially calling women “drama queens”. You are valid in your reaction when you were just trying to empathize with your coworker. Depending on policies at your company, this could be grounds for you to discuss this with HR or a trusted senior leader for corrective action.

Your feelings are totally valid. That is a totally inappropriate response from a manager. Having a baby puts a huge strain on your body and takes toll emotionally. He sounds like a bad leader.

Id definitely be going to HR about it. Thats insanely sexist and inappropriate for at work. Hes entitled to his opinions, but he needs to keep them out of the workplace.
Not to mention that (like you said) at the end of the day, it doesnt matter WHY you were out. Coming back after any extended period of time is hard and stressful.

Super inappropriate comment

No. Your feelings are valid. He is blissfully ignorant for making comments like that and not checking himself. I’d be livid.
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