„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Vorgesetzten“
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 behavior towards superiors”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting conduct towards superiors is interpreted as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), indicating problems with management (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 (art. 330a CO), the principle of goodwill governs references, leading employers to convey shortcomings through silence or coded phrases. Omitting conduct towards superiors leads readers to conclude that the employee lacked appropriate behavior in that area (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Under Swiss law, a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must address both performance and behavior (art. 330a CO; BGE 129 III 177).
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing passage in writing, as eloquent silence constitutes 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 des Verhaltens gegenüber Vorgesetzten und TeamkollegenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden und VorgesetztenInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende explizite Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber VorgesetztenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber den PatientenInsufficient (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 des Verhaltens gegenüber Vorgesetzten“