„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Dankesformel für die geleistete Arbeit“
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 expression of thanks for the work performed”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out a thank-you formula is interpreted as a negative signal in practice (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 causes employers to signal dissatisfaction through omissions. The absence of a thank-you note at the end of a reference is routinely viewed as a negative indicator by recruiters. Nevertheless, there is no legal right to enforce thanks, regret, or good wishes in court (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022).
How to fix it
The employee should write to the employer requesting the inclusion of the missing clause, although it cannot be legally compelled.
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 Dankesformel für die geleistete Arbeit im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende DankesformelInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Bedauerns- und DankesformelInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Dankesformel für die ZusammenarbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlende Dankesformel für die geleistete Arbeit“