I do think the effect spreading through the network is more intense/​disruptive in a polykule vs in laws, but that does not necessarily determine whether the effect will work against the complaining employee. E.g. if my fictional metamour were to start a massive dramatic crisis with an employee, and put pressure on my partner to back them in it, and this left my partner confused and distressed while around me, I can very much imagine myself not backing the metamour, but recommending that my partner draws a boundary so they do not melt down in my living room, and that we both withdraw as entangled and recommend a neutral person to evaluate.
I do think the effect spreading through the network is more intense/​disruptive in a polykule vs in laws, but that does not necessarily determine whether the effect will work against the complaining employee. E.g. if my fictional metamour were to start a massive dramatic crisis with an employee, and put pressure on my partner to back them in it, and this left my partner confused and distressed while around me, I can very much imagine myself not backing the metamour, but recommending that my partner draws a boundary so they do not melt down in my living room, and that we both withdraw as entangled and recommend a neutral person to evaluate.