They said that to me because they wanted me to do something. But a few hours later, when I still hadn't sent through those documents, they then texted me to tell me to start sending them through.
I was very young at the time. Early 20s. First job out of university.
I had no idea about unions. I thought the employer had my best interests since they present themselves as smiley, level headed, authoritative people.
Also, that phrase is literally reverse psychology.
I now know that when someone says “you don't have to do it”, that it's reverse psychology because it then makes you want to do it.