The word has not evolved past the negative connotations. Poach implies that someone is being wronged, but you being offered a higher salary for your skills is not wrong.

Everything you said is true and yet does not imply the parent's conclusion. You're making the point that poaching someone is not unethical despite the word's tone, while the parent is claiming that using the word "poach" makes someone sound like property. You're conflating those two claims.