„[Auslassung]: Erfolgswünsche fehlen“
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)
“[Omission]: Wishes for future success are missing”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting wishes for future success is viewed in practice as a negative signal, corresponding to grade 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Under Swiss employment law (art. 330a CO), the principle of goodwill applies, so omissions often carry negative meaning. However, employees have no legal entitlement to expressions of thanks, regret, or best wishes for the future (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). An addition can be requested from the employer, but it cannot be enforced in court.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing section in writing, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') creates a hidden devaluation.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Der Arbeitnehmer sollte schriftlich die Ergänzung der fehlenden Zeugnispassage verlangen, da beredtes Schweigen eine versteckte Abwertung darstellt.
Hidden criticism detected (grade 3.5)
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 freeTelling silence & social conduct
Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365 vom 9. Mai 2020, E. 2.4
The Administrative Court of the Canton of Zurich describes the practice of “telling silence” (beredtes Schweigen): if a quality that would normally be mentioned is left out, the reader concludes that it is missing. Leaving out one group of people when describing conduct (e.g. superiors) is generally read as a hint at negative behaviour.
Read the full decision (German)„Darunter gehört, wenn etwa bei der Verhaltensbeurteilung nur das Verhalten zu Mitarbeitern und Kunden erwähnt wird, nicht aber jenes zu Vorgesetzten.“
Unofficial translation: “This includes, for example, a conduct assessment that mentions behaviour towards co-workers and customers, but not towards superiors.”
Related phrases
- [Auslassung]: Vollständiges Fehlen einer positiven LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Vollständiges Fehlen von Bedauern und Dank im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (Arbeitsqualität, Arbeitsmenge und Fachkompetenz fehlen völlig)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Bedauern fehltInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
Decode your entire reference letter
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Erfolgswünsche fehlen“