„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden trotz intensivem Kundenkontakt im Kundensupport“
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 behaviour towards customers despite intensive customer contact in customer support”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting this detail is interpreted as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') and signals 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 applies, leading employers to code shortcomings indirect language. Omitting an expected statement causes readers to infer the quality is lacking (Administrative Court ZH VB.2019.00365). A full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must cover both performance and behaviour (art. 330a CO; BGE 129 III 177).
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage 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 Erwähnung des Verhaltens gegenüber KundenInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden und TeamkollegenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (falls Kundenkontakt bestand)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (trotz der Funktion als Verkäufer)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 des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden trotz intensivem Kundenkontakt im Kundensupport“