My husband and I are expecting a baby mid-August. He applied for a role which would start on the 29th July and the first 4 weeks would require classroom based training. As part of ongoing conversations, he mentioned to the in-house recruiter that he was expecting his first child in August, they passed on their well wishes etc and that was that. He proceeded to have 2 interviews, told he was perfect for the role and that he was going to be sent an offer letter. A few days later the recruiter told him that they would not offer him the position because A) he wouldn't be able to cope with training and a newborn ("especially as this is your first") and B) he wouldn't be able to complete the 4 weeks of training because of paternity leave. Regarding point B, he asked what would happen if someone was sick, had a bereavement, accident etc, during the training which resulted in them unable to complete the 4 weeks. He received a rather vague respone which didn't clarify anything and was told that a similiar role would be available in January and he wouldn't need to re-interview. 

I suppose I am not asking for advice, just wanted to share this experience with the community and wondered what your views were?