Resignation threat

If the employee talks with you about his or her professional and income goals, and part of this conversation includes steps that might need to be taken if your company can't help the employee accomplish these goals, then by all means, talk with this person and see what can be worked out.

If nothing can be worked out, both parties have acted professionally and the next steps won't be a surprise.

However, some employees resort to what is considered "salary blackmail," by threatening to quit if demands aren't met, or even that there is another job opportunity being considering. These are not the circumstances upon which a healthy future business relationship can be built.