„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität, Arbeitsergebnisse und Fachkompetenz“
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]: Missing evaluation of work quality, work results and professional competence”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting a rating of work quality, results, and competence is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying that performance was inadequate (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
A full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must evaluate both performance and conduct pursuant to art. 330a CO and Supreme Court precedent (BGE 129 III 177). When crucial performance criteria such as quality and competence are completely omitted, Swiss HR professionals conclude that the employee's work was deficient (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Silence on core performance duties functions as a negative evaluation.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing evaluation of work quality and competence be inserted, as this omission 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]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsergebnisse und FachkompetenzInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und FachkompetenzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der tatsächlichen Arbeitsqualität und FachkompetenzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der ArbeitsqualitätInsufficient (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]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität, Arbeitsergebnisse und Fachkompetenz“