* Your employment contract: Your contract might have clauses regarding outside commitments or require you to notify your employer of any activities that could impact your work performance. Violation of these clauses could be grounds for dismissal.
* Company policy: The company may have policies regarding outside commitments, particularly those that conflict with work schedules. These policies could range from requiring prior approval for coursework to outright prohibiting activities that interfere with work.
* Your job performance: If your coursework negatively impacts your work—missed deadlines, reduced productivity, decreased quality of work, frequent absences—your employer is more likely to take action. Simply attending classes isn't grounds for dismissal, but consistent poor performance *because* of the coursework is.
* The nature of your job: Some jobs are more flexible than others. A highly demanding role with strict deadlines and critical responsibilities might have less tolerance for conflicting schedules than a more flexible position.
* Your employer's attitude towards education: Some employers actively encourage employee development and may even offer tuition reimbursement or flexible scheduling options to accommodate educational pursuits.
* Legal considerations: In most places, unless there's a contractual agreement or clear policy violation, firing someone solely for attending college classes would be difficult to justify legally, though it's not impossible. However, poor performance linked to the classes is a different matter.
In short, it's unlikely you'd be fired *just* for taking a college course that overlaps work hours, especially if your performance remains unaffected. However, if your coursework negatively impacts your job or violates company policies, your employment could be at risk. The best course of action is to:
* Review your employment contract and company policies.
* Discuss your coursework with your supervisor or HR department. Open communication is key. They might be willing to work with you to find a solution.
* Maintain excellent work performance. This is your best defense.
Ultimately, the legality and fairness of your potential dismissal would depend on the specifics of your situation and the laws of your jurisdiction. If you are facing this situation, seeking advice from an employment lawyer or HR professional might be beneficial.