„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und Zuverlässigkeit“
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 and reliability”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out core work qualities is understood as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), indicating unsatisfactory performance equivalent to grade 3.5.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
A complete full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must cover performance and conduct under art. 330a CO and BGE 129 III 177. If expected evaluations like work quality or reliability are missing, readers conclude that these traits were unsatisfactory (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). This constitutes a disguised negative rating.
How to fix it
The employee should submit a written request to add the missing evaluation, 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]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität, Genauigkeit und ZuverlässigkeitInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der ArbeitsqualitätInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und BelastbarkeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und FachkompetenzInsufficient (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 und Zuverlässigkeit“