„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Zuverlässigkeit, Sorgfalt und Ehrlichkeit bei der Bestandspflege“
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 reliability, care and honesty in account maintenance”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting essential attributes like reliability and diligence constitutes eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), indicating deficiencies in the employee's core duties (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 address both performance and conduct under art. 330a CO (BGE 129 III 177). When expected core qualities such as care or honesty are left out, HR readers conclude that the employee lacked those traits (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Under the principle of goodwill, such omissions act as a covert negative rating.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing assessment of reliability and diligence be added, as eloquent silence represents 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 Zuverlässigkeit (kritisch im Lagerbereich)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Arbeitsqualität und ZuverlässigkeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Zuverlässigkeit und Ehrlichkeit (besonders wichtig bei Warenkontakt/Inventar)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Bestätigung der Ehrlichkeit/Zuverlässigkeit bei KassenführungInsufficient (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 Zuverlässigkeit, Sorgfalt und Ehrlichkeit bei der Bestandspflege“