It is the united states. He is not a manager exactly, but a respected leader in a public institution. It's not that the institution is breaking the law, but he is pressuring me to work for free (I assume with the implied threat that I can be replaced). HR has warned me not to do it as a basic liability but the bottom line is, I won't be "hired" without doing it, and will probably forfeit the salary I have been promised so far if I stop going.

I also don't get why there is only one HR person who can hire me. I have been told that this person was assigned to my case and she is busy. I don't know my rights well, so I suppose i could push through HR in another building and get myself hired, but my "boss" would have to provide an offer letter, I assume. I am scared to make waves, as I was told by HR that multiple candidates for other jobs in the past were forced to go through the same experience by this boss.

I agree that the title of "intern" would make more sense, but i went through a 1 month interview process for the job, including background and reference checks and multiple interviews. I most definitely did not think I was applying for an internship, as the title and salary were listed in the job posting I applied for!!!!!!!