Need advice about chronically absent staff.

I'm looking for some advice from other ECEs and supervisors because I'm second-guessing myself.

We have an EA in our room whose attendance has become very unpredictable over a long period. She is late, there are frequent last minute sick calls, texts being sent often overnight or early in the morning, and because supply staff can't always open or close, it creates a lot of stress trying to rearrange shifts while still maintaining ratios and consistency for the children.

Another experienced coworker and I suggested moving the EA position to a permanent middle shift. Our manager agreed because it means that if the EA is away, a supply educator can simply cover that middle shift without us having to reshuffle opening and closing staff.

The EA has now expressed that she feels the decision was made without her input and that the process was disrespectful. I genuinely wasn't trying to single her out. I actually tried to explain the change by focusing on the needs of the program rather than her attendance because I didn't want to embarrass or upset her.

Now I'm feeling like I've created a lot of conflict and wondering if we handled this the wrong way. The EA position was originally a set middle shift but we had changed it a couple years ago to rotate with the ECEs.

I'm genuinely looking for constructive advice. I care about this coworker and don't want to damage our working relationship, but I also want what's best for the children and for a team that's been struggling.