I do have sympathy for the OP and the lack of legroom once the seat in front is reclined. However, personally I believe that it is very much out of order to push somebody else's seat back up. The fact that the person was an employee makes absolutely no difference whatsoever. By all means politely ask the person not to recline but ultimately it is their decision whether or not to recline.

I think that perhaps it was a good job that it was an employee seated in front. Had it been another passenger, they may not have been as diplomatic as to ask a FA to intervene.

What would you have wanted them to do? The other passenger (staff or not) had every right to recline and I very much doubt that they could increase the seat pitch mid-flight.