„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung der Ehrlichkeit und Kassensicherheit (absolutes Muss für Detailhandelsfachleute)“
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 mention of honesty and cash-handling integrity (an absolute must for retail professionals)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting honesty and cash handling for a retail professional is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying a lack of these key traits (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
When expected standard attributes for a specific role are omitted, Swiss HR infers that the employee lacked those qualities (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Under art. 330a CO and court precedent (BGE 129 III 177), a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must cover both performance and conduct. Omitting integrity in a cash-handling role severely damages the employee's prospects.
How to fix it
The employee should demand the addition of the missing statement in writing, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') acts as 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 der Ehrlichkeit und Vertrauenswürdigkeit (Kassensicherheit)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Ehrlichkeit und Kassensicherheit (essenziell im Detailhandel)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung von ProjekterfolgenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung der Vertrauenswürdigkeit, Loyalität und Diskretion (absolutes Muss im HR-Bereich)Insufficient (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 Erwähnung der Ehrlichkeit und Kassensicherheit (absolutes Muss für Detailhandelsfachleute)“