It sounds to me like the effects on the rest of the team has already set in. That is, anyone reasonable would already have questions about management / leadersh

It sounds to me like the effects on the rest of the team has already set in. That is, anyone reasonable would already have questions about management / leadership. Making the change now: - won't save the situation - it might, as others have mention actually undermine any trust the rest of the team has left - invite legal action on the part of the dismissed employee. All that aside, giving the rogue employee the benefit of the doubt, it feels like it might be health / mental health related issue. Random time off being the tell. Sucks for the team. But dismissing someone who needs help is a tough call.