„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (trotz der Funktion als Verkäufer)“
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 behaviour towards customers (despite the role as sales representative)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The omission of this evaluation is read by Swiss HR as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying that customer-facing conduct 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
Under Swiss employment law, a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must assess both performance and conduct (art. 330a CO; BGE 129 III 177). When a standard, expected element is omitted—such as customer relations for a sales representative—readers infer that the quality was lacking (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Because employers must adhere to the principle of goodwill, they often use this hidden devaluation instead of explicit criticism.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing section on customer conduct 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 des Verhaltens gegenüber KundenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (schwerwiegender Mangel für einen Verkäufer)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Gästen (Kunden)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kollegen und KundenInsufficient (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 des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (trotz der Funktion als Verkäufer)“