„wünschen wir auf dem weiteren Berufsweg viel Erfolg“
What this German phrase in your Swiss Arbeitszeugnis (employment reference letter) really says about you – and which grade it hides.
Literal translation vs. real meaning
Literal translation (what DeepL tells you)
“...we wish much success on the further career path...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Success is wished only for the future, not acknowledging past success (grade 4 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Sufficient
German rating: Ausreichend
What it means in detail
Although it sounds polite, omitting "continued" (weiterhin) implies that the employee was not successful at this company, so success is hoped for only in future roles.
How to fix it
Ensure the word "weiterhin" is inserted: "...wünschen wir weiterhin viel Erfolg..." (grade 5.0).
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Zwingend das Wort "weiterhin" einfügen: "...wünschen wir weiterhin viel Erfolg..." (5.0).
Hidden criticism detected (grade 4.0)
Under Art. 330a of the Swiss Code of Obligations (OR), a reference letter must be true but benevolent. Coded downgrades rarely come alone – the same letter often contains further codes or omissions.
Check your whole certificate freeClosing statement: a signal, not a legal right
BVGer A-364/2022 vom 17. August 2023, E. 7.3
A missing or curt closing statement is often read as a negative signal in practice. Legally, however, there is no enforceable right to thanks, regret or good wishes – their use is at the employer’s discretion (likewise Federal Supreme Court 4C.36/2004 of 8 April 2004, E. 5). You can ask for an addition, but you cannot sue for it.
Read the full decision (German)„Nach der Rechtsprechung besteht kein durchsetzbarer Anspruch der angestellten Person auf bestimmte Dankesworte, Zukunftswünsche oder Bedauernsbekundungen über den Austritt.“
Unofficial translation: “According to case law, the employee has no enforceable right to particular words of thanks, good wishes for the future or expressions of regret about their departure.”
Related phrases
Decode your entire reference letter
Upload your Arbeitszeugnis and get your overall Swiss grade, the number of issues found and a short legal assessment – explained in English.
Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „wünschen wir auf dem weiteren Berufsweg viel Erfolg“