My Co- Worker Asked Me To Give Him A Reference – Daily Dilemma [POLL]

The "Daily Dilemma" on the Sean and Richie Show is featured every weekday morning at 6:40am. We and the listeners take on someone's problems and try to offer different perspectives. Now, these don't have to be huge problems- it could just be something bothering you or a friend, or it could be some little thing you and another just can't agree on. If you have a dilemma to share we'd love to hear it just e-mail us here at the show.

Here is today's dilemma:

A year ago the place where I work was taken over by a an investment company, to be brief I will just say that it has become a place that is very hard to work for. Longer hours, more work, less pay and a complete lack of appreciation from corporation management.

As middle management, I am under contract so I can't really do anything about my situation here but many of my friends have already left the company, some on the own accord some were let go. Here is the dilemma, recently a young hard working employee came to me asking for a reference. He told me he just needs to make more money and has asked management for a raise to no avail. . After losing so many quality people around here I found myself almost angry that he is looking to leave even though I can understand why.

He is a good guy so of course I will give him a good reference but I am wondering if it would be selfish of me to try to get him to stay. In order to do that though, I would have to go to management to try to get him a raise and inform them that I know he is actively looking to leave. That could get him fired before he has anything else lined up.

I feel like maybe I'm being selfish not wanting him to leave even though I know he would probably be happier, but I know I will not be. What should I do?