Can an employer fire me for going to school to do something else?

Question

I work at an insurance company as a receptionist. I'm going to school for something that has NOTHING to do with insurance, and I'm hoping to be doing what I'm going to school for by October of 2007. My boss just found out about me going to school and eventually leaving. Can he fire me for this?

Answer 1

you can be fired for any reason
you can quit for any reason
you are in control of your future
do what makes you happy

Answer 2

Can your boss fire you? Probably

Without a signed contract detailing reasons for termination, your boss can fire you for just about anything. (Just ask anyone who works for Wal-Mart...most will know of someone who was fired for some weird reason.)

Will he fire you? Depends

It depends on lots of factors. Is there some other reason why he would fire you and just use this as an excuse?
Did he expect you to make a career as a receptionist in his office?
Will he be vindictive towards you for wanting to better yourself?

If you are an excellent emplyee, he has no reason to fire you, and will probably not do so.

Answer 3

No, your boss can't fire you.

Unless you already have problems with your boss or employer I'm not sure why that would even enter your boss' mind. Most people would be supportive of your decision.

What sort of a person would fire someone for bettering theirself?

Once upon a time your boss was probably working at a low level job and going to school to better him/herself.

Answer 4

they should not.....

first off education is good. I studied Media/Broadcasting but have a successful career in foodservice account management (sales). your employer may benefit from youir efforts to better yourself.

secondly , there is no guarantee that you are going to leave in Oct 2007......I m just saying you never know. At this point I doubt your current employer will fire you based on mere speculation.

Now if you were going to leave in October of 2006, thats another story. If a candidate became availalbe that they would not want to pass up on , they may just ask you to step aside.

Answer 5

The unfortunate answer is yes. In America, an employer can fire you for any darn reason they can think up. I think the question you are asking is will he fire you. Most employers encourage their employees to better themselves, so I would say no. Also, you are the receptionist, certainly he wouldn't expect you to do that for the next 30 years.

Answer 6

Unless you have an employment contract (which most receptionists do not have) you can get fired for NO reason.

But, from your avatar you look like a girl that can keep a secret... just keep it a secret from your boss and coworkers....

Answer 7

Nope. What you do with your free time is your business. Now that doesn't mean that he won'tlet you go if you lied on a tuition reimbursment form...

Also, if something comes up and he has to let go of a couple of employees and it's encroaching on October of '07 he may let you go as opposed to someone else because he knows you'll be leaving anyway...

Answer 8

He'll find a different reason. Tell him you changed your mind about going to school, and then give him 2 weeks notice in September 2007.

Answer 9

Not if your studying is not interfering with your work - for example, you're not attending classes when you should be working, or reading your books during company time.
You continue to work well and give your boss no reason to fire you - if your boss does, go to court.

Answer 10

No. But he can come up with another excuse and fire you for that reason, knowing that you aren't going to be there for longer. Be careful about the job you do from now on.

Good luck.