„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Ehrlichkeit und Vertrauenswürdigkeit (Kassensicherheit)“
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 honesty and trustworthiness (cash handling security)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out an assessment of honesty in a cash-handling role is interpreted as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), rating grade 3.5.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (Grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Under art. 330a CO and BGE 129 III 177, a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must address key job requirements. Where cash handling is central, omitting honesty signals to Swiss HR that there were integrity issues (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). This severe omission acts as a hidden negative code.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence acts as 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 Ehrlichkeit und Kassensicherheit (essenziell im Detailhandel)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Ehrlichkeit und Zuverlässigkeit (kritisch im Lagerbereich)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Zuverlässigkeit, Sorgfalt und Ehrlichkeit bei der BestandspflegeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der ArbeitsqualitätInsufficient (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 Ehrlichkeit und Vertrauenswürdigkeit (Kassensicherheit)“