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.
My experience is that it is like having extra in laws, who you may or may not like, but have to sort of get along with occasionally.
I don’t think most people actually talk very much with their in laws, or assume that people who the in law dislikes should be disliked.
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.