<prompt> Human: This is my last week at my company and there are a few things Im unclear on. It should be known that I work for a smaller company in CA and I dont think they necessarily do things on the up and up. The biggest issue I have is that I got an 11 paycheck last week. I get paid every Friday at my company. I had put in my 2 weeks notice just last week and this week will be my last week. The reason for the small check was because Id taken an advance about a month ago and the boss wanted to make sure the company got back the money, which I can understand. Heres my issue though, the advance was provided in the way of cash and was not listed on my pay stub as an advance of any sort. It was listed on my 11 check though. The issue is now I cant pay rent. I needed that check and now its gone. I would be absolutely receptive to paying the money back after I leave but I needed that money and if they took it illegally I would like to know.  <response>: I mean the way it was done was a little sketchy. But if you got a pay advance then thats generally how it is paid back. They arent a creditor so they cant do much after you leave.The main thing though is that if you got the advance the taxes have to come out somewhere or YOU are not paying all your taxesIT sounds like you are saying that they paid you in cash, then took it out of your check, taxes included, leaving you with 11 dollars? Is that correct? Because that kind of sounds like they just did what you asked.Not a lot of companies doing advances anymore. 