I wasn’t thinking about tormenting then. I was thinking that when times get tough and I have to pick between keeping someone that wants to stay and someone that tried to leave, all else being the same, I’m keeping the person that wants to be here. If money is the only thing keeping them here I’d also expect them to bring that up before hand.

I agree if you’re giving them a raise to stay and then just give them all the work others don’t want to do, that’s just going to push them out quicker and you gave them a raise for no reason.