„[Auslassung]: Fachliche Leistung/Kompetenz wird nicht bewertet (nur Belastbarkeit und Teamfähigkeit)“
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]: Professional performance/competence is not evaluated (only resilience and teamwork)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting professional competence is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying a lack of skill (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 means employers often use omissions to convey negative assessments. Omitting technical competence while only mentioning soft skills like teamwork is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), indicating the employee lacked professional competence (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). A full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must assess both performance and behaviour (art. 330a CO; BGE 129 III 177).
How to fix it
The employee should request a written addition evaluating professional performance, as eloquent silence acts as a hidden negative rating.
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]: Fachliche Leistung/Kompetenz wird nicht bewertetInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (nur Bemühen wird bewertet)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (nur Bemühen wird erwähnt, nicht das Resultat)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (nur die Pünktlichkeit wird hervorgehoben)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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 „[Auslassung]: Fachliche Leistung/Kompetenz wird nicht bewertet (nur Belastbarkeit und Teamfähigkeit)“