„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität 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 assessment of work quality and professional competence”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out an evaluation of work quality and competence is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), signaling inadequate skills (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 labor law (art. 330a CO), a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must cover performance and conduct (BGE 129 III 177). Omitting essential performance metrics leads readers to conclude those abilities were lacking (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). This corresponds to an insufficient rating of grade 3.5.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence constitutes 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, Arbeitsergebnisse 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
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsergebnisse und FachkompetenzInsufficient (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]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und Fachkompetenz“