It's your right! ESL DVD scripts
It's your right! - DVD scripts
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Opening: Narrator
Narrator: The people in the following story refer to HREOC. In your workbooks, it is called the Australian Human Rights
Commission. This is because HREOC recently changed its name to the Australian Human Rights Commission. So
HREOC is the old name and the Australian Human Rights Commission is the new name for the same
organisation.
UNIT 1 Trouble at work
Part 1 Scene 1: In the work lunchroom
Cheri: What’s that you’ve got there Hayat?
Hayat: It’s zegni. Here try some. You eat it like this.
Cheri: Like..? (laughs) Mmm. It’s good.
Hayat: Would you like to try some, Albert?
Albert: No thanks. It’s a bit unhygienic, isn’t it?
Hayat: What do you mean?
Albert: Well, eating meat and bread with no knife or fork. It’s uncivilised.
Hayat: But you are eating meat and bread... no knife, no fork!
Albert: It’s not the same. You know… you people. You think your way is the only way, don’t you?
Hayat: Sorry. I don’t understand what you mean.
Part 1 Scene 2: In the office
Albert: Aah. The bin in the lunchroom is full. Hayat, can you take it outside and empty it?
Hayat: Oh. Isn’t that the cleaner’s job? He’s coming this afternoon, and I have to finish this order by two o’clock.
Albert: Well there’s something in the bin that’s making the room smell bad.
Hayat: Albert, when you say that, I feel as if you think it’s my fault.
Albert: What are you saying?
Hayat: I just don’t understand why you’re asking me to do this.
Albert: Can I remind you that you’re on probation?
Hayat: What do you mean?
Albert: “What do you mean?” “I don’t understand”. You know, there seems to be a language problem here, doesn’t there.
Maybe you should go back to English classes?
Part 1 Scene 3: At the rubbish bins
Part 1 Scene 4: In Madeleine's office next day
Madeleine: Yes? Hayat isn’t it?
Hayat: Yes. Madeleine, could I speak with you for a minute?
Madeleine: Of course. Take a seat. How can I help you?
Hayat: Um. There’s a situation with Albert I’m concerned about. I’m concerned about the way that he talks to me. He
talks about my food as if I’m doing something wrong and yesterday he told me to take out the rubbish. But that’s
not my job. He… I think he talks down to me.
Madeleine: Albert Stone? That doesn’t sound like Albert. Are you sure he wasn’t joking? He’s very funny. And no one’s
complained about him before.
Hayat: Oh. Maybe he’s just not used to people from other countries.
Madeleine: Oh, I don’t think that can be the problem. He’s a very popular boss. And he gets along very well with Frank… and
Frank’s from New Zealand! …… Can you give me some specific examples?
Hayat: Well just what I’ve said about the food and the rubbish. And he told me that I needed more English classes and
that the way I ate was uncivilised.
Madeleine: Hayat, you’ve just started. It might take you a while to get used to the way things work around here. My advice to
you is to just give it some time… and don’t take things so personally! Was there anything else?
Hayat: Oh no. Um… thanks for your time.
Madeleine: No worries. Any time.
Part 2 Scene 1: What is Discrimination?
Narrator: In Australia, all people are equal and there are laws to protect the rights of everyone. You cannot be treated
unfairly or harassed because you are: from a particular race or ethnic background, an Aboriginal person or Torres
Strait Islander, a person with a disability, male or female, married or single, pregnant or because of your age or
sexual preference. If you are treated unfairly under the law, it’s called discrimination.
Part 2 Scene 2: Discrimination Cases
Hayat: My family was so happy when I got a job. I couldn’t tell them for a long time that my boss made me feel terrible. He
said awful things to me, and treated me unfairly under the law.
Rob: I went to an hotel. I tried to book a room. They said there weren’t any rooms left. Then a white man came in and the
desk clerk... he waited till he thought I was gone but I heard him say there were plenty of rooms available.
Barry: I love going to the movies but my local cinema doesn’t have a lift. It just has a really long staircase, so I can’t get in.
Peter: My boss was really happy with my work until I went to the work barbecue and brought my partner, Bill. In the months
after the barbecue, he stopped sending me on overseas business, and I applied for three promotions but didn’t get
any of them. And he started calling me things like “queer” and “poof” like it was funny. But it wasn’t. Finally he said
that he’d have to let me go because the other workers weren’t comfortable working with someone who was gay. But
I’ve got plenty of friends there. It was just the boss who had the problem.
Rajani: I’m a fork-lift truck driver. I worked at a warehouse. The work was hard but the money was good and I’m a single
mother so I need it. Anyway, when my company lost business, my boss told me I had to go because the men
needed the jobs more.
Sue: When I told my boss I was pregnant, he sacked me.
Mustafa: I found a flat I wanted to rent. The woman at the real estate agency asked me, “How many people are living there?” I
said, “My wife, my son and myself.” She said, “Are you sure?” And then she said, “I’m sorry, that flat has been taken.”
But the flat was still on the rental board. And the next week they let it to a white family.
Philip: A new manager took over at my work. She wanted the store to have a younger image. She fired me because she
said I was older and probably didn’t need the money as much as younger workers with young children.
Alya: After the September 11 bombings, I started getting a hard time at work. I work the checkout in the supermarket. And
my boss “suggested” that I take off my hijab while I’m at work. I couldn’t believe he asked me to do that. And of
course I couldn’t do that. I mean it’s a part of my religion! It’s so important to me! Then he made me work early
mornings and late nights. They’re like the hardest shifts.
Part 2 Scene 3: Areas of Discrimination
Narrator: Where did the discrimination happen? Discrimination is against the law if it happens in an area of public life.
For example, at work, at school or university, in a club, trying to get accommodation, trying to get a service or buy
something, or trying to use a public place…you’ll find out more about areas of discrimination in your workbook.
Hayat asserted herself with Albert but he didn’t listen.
But it’s still a good idea to talk to the person first. Sometimes this is enough to put an end to the problem.
Rob: So when I saw the desk clerk give a hotel room to a white man but not me, I went to the desk and I said, “Hey mate,
you told me that there weren’t any rooms. You must have made a mistake.” And he realised I’d got him and he said,
“You’re right. I’m very sorry sir. I was mistaken. There is a room available.” So I got a room but I wrote to the hotel
management to tell them what happened and they wrote back and apologised and they said that they’d talked to the
desk clerk and it wouldn’t happen again.
UNIT 2 Hayat loses her job
Scene 1: In the meeting room at work
Albert: Now we need volunteers for the expo. Thanks Frank. Anyone else?
Hayat: I can do it Albert.
Albert: Er, have you had the training?
Hayat: Well, I helped Pat set up the local stall and when customers asked me questions I could answer them all well.
Albert: I’m afraid you’ll have to be trained in customer service. Cheri, how are you placed for Friday?
Cheri: I guess I can do it but I haven’t had any customer training either.
Albert: That’s fine, you have experience. And as we all know, customers prefer a… well, how should I say... a
familiar face.
Albert: Now, the Blue Lake order… let’s get on with that. Now deliveries for last month… we’re down by 20%…
Scene 2: In the meeting room, later
Albert: Hayat could you just hang back a minute?
Hayat: Sure.
Albert: Hayat, how do you think you’re fitting in here?
Hayat: Oh good. I like it here. Everyone’s so friendly.
Albert: Yes, I think people have given you a fair go.
Hayat: Yes they’ve been very helpful... And they seem to like my work.
Albert: But that’s not the point is it?
Hayat: It’s not?
Albert: Well, you turn up and you do your job. But do you really feel like you’re making an effort to fit in here?
Hayat: Sorry?
Albert: Hayat, I have to give a review of your performance in a week and I just don’t know what to say.
Hayat: Well, you could say I’m doing a good job and I like working here.
Albert: But in the current climate, you insist on remaining different. You continue to dress the way you do, even though it
makes everyone uncomfortable.
Hayat: Everyone? Have the others complained?
Albert: No, they’re far too polite. What you need to realise is that you’re in our workplace. This is Australia, not Bongo-
Bongo land.
Hayat: You mean Ethiopia.
Albert: Wherever.
Hayat: Albert, I’m Australian. I’m an Australian citizen.
Albert: Not from where I’m sitting. ….. Look, with the backlash against your people, you’re not doing yourself any favours by
advertising your differences.
Cheri: Can you sign this purchase order for me Albert?
Albert: Yes of course, Cheri. Hayat and I were just finishing up.
Hayat: Albert, could you email me about the changes you want me to make before my review?
Albert: Of course.
Scene 3: Outside Hayat's house, three days later
Maureen: Hi Hayat.
Hayat: Oh, hi Maureen.
Maureen: What’s up?
Hayat: I’ve lost my job.
Maureen: Oh no. Poor thing. You’d just started hadn’t you?
Hayat: Yeah, I was on probation. But I know I was doing a good job.
Maureen: Maybe you could go to the union.
Hayat: I’m not a member. I was waiting till I get a contract before I joined. You know, I think my boss just wanted to get rid
of me. He don’t like this.
Maureen: Did he say that?
Hayat: He said the way I dress makes people uncomfortable. He said I shouldn’t advertise my differences. And that this is
Australia.. not Bongo-Bongo land.
Maureen: That’s terrible! Hayat! Did he say that?! That sounds like discrimination. You should get some advice from
somewhere.
Hayat: Where?
Maureen: You could try a Community Legal Centre.
Hayat: They can help me with that?
Maureen: Yeah. I think so.
Scene 4: In Hayat's living room, on the phone with Sylvia
Sylvia: So did Albert write down the reasons for sacking you?
Hayat: He sent me an email but the reason was different from what he said to me.
Sylvia: Did you talk to Albert’s boss about the problem?
Hayat: Yes. She said it was my problem.
Sylvia: Do you still want to work there?
Hayat: No, I won’t feel comfortable.
Sylvia: So what would you like them to do?
Hayat: I worked well. I want a good reference so I can get another job.
Sylvia: Anything else?
Hayat: Yes, I would like Albert to say that he’s sorry and that he won’t treat other people that way again.
Sylvia: Fair enough. It seems like his boss needs to learn that lesson too… Hayat, do you have any proof of Albert’s
remarks?
Hayat: Well, he didn’t write it down.
Sylvia: Hmmm. It might be hard if it’s just your word against his.
Hayat: Well, my co-worker, Cheri, was there when he said I came from Bongo-Bongo land. I think she heard.
Sylvia: Well, that’s important. I think you can take your case to HREOC.
Hayat: What’s HREOC?
Sylvia: HREOC is the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission. They are there to help if people feel they’ve been
discriminated against. Like you.
Hayat: Really?
Sylvia: Yes, so write down everything you remember about what he said, give dates and times and places if you can. You
can write in your first language if it’s easier. HREOC will have it translated into English.
Hayat: That’s good.
Sylvia: Yes it is. But Hayat, it can be a long process and it can be very hard. Your boss might say bad things about you.
Hayat: Who do I have to contact?
Sylvia: The phone number for HREOC is one-three hundred, six-five-six, four-one-nine. Now, talk to your family and friends
about what you’re doing. And make sure you have lots of support.
UNIT 3 Applying to the Australian Human Rights Commission
Scene 1: In a coffee shop, with Cheri
Hayat: So, Cheri, do you remember what Albert said to me?
Cheri: Yeah, he was awful. He said you came from Bongo-Bongo land. And that you should try to be more Australian.
Hayat: Oh you remember that, thank goodness. Cheri, I have a favour to ask you. I’m going to take my complaint to
HREOC. They help with discrimination cases like this.
Cheri: Oh yeah?
Hayat: Well, I’m wondering if you could be my witness. You just have to write a statement to say what you heard and when
it happened.
Cheri: Will Albert read it?
Hayat: Yes Albert and… maybe some other managers.
Cheri: Oh Hayat, I’d love to help you, but I’m scared I’m going to lose my job.
Hayat: Oh.
Cheri: You know what Albert’s like.
Hayat: I understand.
Cheri: Look, if you really need me to do it, let me know. I can get another job somewhere.
Hayat: Oh, Cheri.
Cheri: In the meantime I’ll tell you what I can do.
Hayat: What?
Cheri: I can shout you this coffee!
Hayat: Thanks.
Cheri: No worries. You shouted me last time.
Scene 2: In Hayat's living room
Hayat: She’s asleep?
Adem: Yeah. What about dinner?
Hayat: Oh, I made some. It’s in the oven.
Adem: Oh, I’ve had mine. But what about your dinner?
Hayat: I’ll have some later. I’m trying to find the full business name of my work.
Adem: Um, I can do that... while you have your dinner. I know this is important but your health is important too.
Hayat: You’re right. Thanks.
Scene 3: In Hayat's living room, with Maureen
Maureen: This is good, Hayat.
Hayat: My husband helped me write it. Is the language OK?
Maureen: Yeah, it’s very clear… Ahhh. Didn’t you tell me you talked to the big boss about Albert?
Hayat: Yes.
Maureen: Well you should put that in too.
Hayat: Oh, OK.
Maureen: I thought you had a witness?
Hayat: Yeah, but Cheri doesn’t want to lose her job.
Maureen: Well, that’s a pity. But, still, it doesn’t matter if Albert doesn’t agree with you about what happened. You can still
resolve the complaint.
Hayat: How do you know?
Maureen: I saw a HREOC ad in the paper. It’s really interesting! They help people like us when things are unfair, like this. And
it’s free! And some people even get compensation.
Hayat: Compensation?
Maureen: Money! How much do you think you’ve lost because they sacked you?
Hayat: About three months’ pay.
Maureen: Well, you should ask for that! The company owes it to you and you need it!
Hayat: Well we are taking money out of our savings while I’m not working.
Maureen: Do you want to add it? You might not get it… but you’ve got the right to ask. Let’s work out how much it is!! We
have to give the exact figure and say why you deserve it. So, twelve weeks by…?
Hayat: About seven hundred dollars. Hang on, I’ll find a payslip.
Maureen: Now you’re talking!
Scene 4: Outside Hayat's house, some days later
Hayat: Hi Maureen.
Maureen: Hi Hayat. How’s it going? Have you had any news yet?
Hayat: No. They say it could take a few weeks. Oh, this is from HREOC! It says my complaint will be investigated.
Maureen: That’s great. That means they think you have grounds.
Hayat: You really have been learning a lot about HREOC, haven’t you! They need more information. So does that mean
I’m going to court?
Maureen: No, not court. HREOC will send your complaint to management at your old workplace and they’ll tell their side of the
story. Then HREOC decides if you’ll go to a conciliation meeting.
Hayat: Will Albert be there?
Maureen: Your boss? I think so. But you don’t have to sit in the same room with him if you don’t want to.
Would you like me to come with you? I can you know, I really can. Really.
Hayat: Adem wants to come but if his boss won’t let him off work…
Maureen: Well, let me know if you need me and I’ll swap my shift.
Hayat: OK. Thanks, Maureen.
Maureen: No worries.
Scene 5: In Hayat's living room, on the phone with Kathy
Hayat: Hayat Beshir speaking.
Kathy: Oh, hello Hayat. It’s Kathy here from the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.
Hayat: Yes, hi Kathy.
Kathy: Did you get the DVD and the letter I sent you with the date of the meeting on it?
Hayat: Yes. Thanks.
Kathy: And so the 18th of July is good for you?
Hayat: Yes, it’s fine.
Kathy: And is there anything you’d like to ask me about how the meeting will go?
Hayat: Um, no, not at the moment.
Kathy: And have you thought about what sort of outcomes you’d like from the conciliation?
Hayat: Yes. I‘ve written it down. My husband and my neighbour helped me.
Kathy: Oh good. Are you bringing a support person with you?
Hayat: Yes. I think my husband can get time off his work. But if he can’t then my neighbour can. Is that OK?
Kathy: That’s fine. I’ll be in touch. Um, if you have any questions just call me. Do you still have my number?
Hayat: Yes, thanks Kathy. See you.
Kathy: OK. See you
UNIT 4 A Conciliation conference
Scene1: In a café
Hayat: Really? You have to be in Melbourne? Yes it is disappointing… No, the woman from HREOC... She said it’d be OK
for Maureen to come…OK, see you tonight.
Rajani: Sorry, I couldn’t help overhearing. You’re going to HREOC too?
Hayat: Um. Yeah.
Rajani: Well, I hope you have better luck than I did. My bosses won’t even come to a meeting at HREOC.
Hayat: Really, I’m sorry to hear that.
Rajani: Yeah, that means I’ve got to take them to court.
Hayat: Really? Court. Do you have to?
Rajani: Well, I don’t have to, but I’m going to. You having coffee?
Hayat: … so I got the sack. Because I’m different… But my boss says he didn’t say those terrible things to me.
Rajani: Did anyone else hear him?
Hayat: Yeah, my friend, Cheri. But she doesn’t want to get into trouble. She thinks she might lose her job too.
Rajani: Hmm. Yeah, my mates are scared too. But if it goes to court, they could get subpoenaed. Then they’ll have to come
and speak up… I got sacked just because I’m a woman.
Hayat: That’s terrible. Have you got someone to support you?
Rajani: Yeah, my union… and my brother. Have you got someone?
Hayat: Yeah. My neighbour. Well, nice to meet you Rajani. Good luck.
Rajani: Good luck, Hayat. Stay strong!
AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION BUILDING SYDNEY
Scene 2: In the commission meeting room
Kathy: …and Bernard Hoskins, the Human Resource Manager at Magic Paper Products who’ll be sitting in with Albert
today. Um, Hayat, could you start, by telling us… um, why you’ve made this complaint and how you see things?
Hayat: Well I know that I worked well for the company and I thought I would be given a contract. But instead I was sacked.
Albert, on several occasions you talked to me about my race and my differences and I feel that this is the reason I
was sacked.
Kathy: Thanks Hayat, Albert, would you like to tell us how you see the situation?
Albert: Sure. Hayat, your dismissal had nothing to do with where you come from. You were on a probationary contract so we
didn’t have to offer you one at the end of it. You were asked to change shifts and you wouldn’t, which showed that you
are inflexible. So, in the best interests of the business, we had to let you go.
Hayat: Albert, you asked me once if I could do the late shift and I explained that I have a small daughter. And you said, “OK,
don’t worry about it”. But now you say that was the reason I was sacked. But I don’t think it is the reason. You said
I…“advertised my differences,” and that I should try to be more “Australian.” And when I told you I’m an Australian
citizen, you said, “Not from where I’m sitting.”
Maureen: And you said she came from Boom Boom land!
Albert: No I didn’t. I said, ‘Bongo-Bongo land’. Look, it was a joke. It was meant to be funny.
Scene 3: In the commission meeting room, later
Kathy: Hayat, can you tell us what you’d like to happen to resolve the complaint?
Hayat: Yes. Albert refused to give me a written reference. He said he would be a phone referee. But if someone rings
Albert about me, I don’t know what he’ll say. I would like a written reference. I would also like Albert to say sorry to
me for the embarrassment and hurt he caused me. And I would like the company to tell the staff about antidiscrimination
practice. And also, I would like your company to pay me the three months wages I lost when you fired
me.
Albert: Oh what?
Kathy: OK. So, at this point we’ll give you some time to discuss Hayat’s offer in private. So Bernard and Albert, if you’ll just
come with me.
Scene 4: In the commission meeting room, a little later
Maureen: (…that would be your best outcome, if they could do that.)
Kathy: OK. They say they’ll give an apology, as long it is clear that they are not saying that the company did something
wrong. And they’ll write you a statement of service. And they also agree to tell the staff about the importance of antidiscrimination
practice.
Hayat: That’s good.
Kathy: But they don’t agree to pay you compensation, as they say they did nothing wrong.
Hayat: Oh.
Kathy: How do you feel about this, Hayat?
Maureen: No! Hayat’s broke because they sacked her!
Hayat: Let me think. You know, I’d really like to put some money back towards our house savings.
Maureen: How much could you settle for?
Scene 5: In the commission meeting room, later
Bernard: …And on top of this, the company agrees to resolve the situation by paying six weeks wages. I’ll let Albert take over
from here.
Albert: Hayat, I can see now how what I said upset you. I’m sorry for the hurt and the embarrassment that I caused you and
I will never speak to anyone that way again.
Hayat: Thank you, Albert. I accept your apology.
Kathy: So are we agreed that the situation is resolved? Excellent, …um, now if you, Hayat, and Bernard can sign the
Agreement…
Scene 6: Outside, after the meeting
Hayat: That’s right, Adem, he said he’s sorry, and they say they’re going to write me a work reference. And I get six weeks’
pay! No, I don’t think it will happen there again. They’ve agreed to tell their staff about anti-discrimination practice.
Thanks! I’m happy!
Maureen: So... was it worth it?
Hayat: Look Maureen, before I went to HREOC, I felt angry and little and alone. But just knowing there was something I
could do…
Maureen: And that it was your right!
Hayat: Yes, that helped... It was hard but I’ve made a difference… and it feels good. Really good.