„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung von Eigeninitiative und selbstständiger Arbeitsweise“
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 personal initiative and independent working style”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out any mention of initiative or autonomy is interpreted as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), indicating a grade of 3.5.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (Grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
When expected qualities are left unmentioned in a full reference ('Vollzeugnis'), Swiss HR professionals conclude that the employee lacked those attributes (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Under art. 330a CO, references must address performance and conduct (BGE 129 III 177). Omitting initiative creates a noticeable negative impression.
How to fix it
The employee should request a written addition to include initiative and independence, as eloquent silence represents 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 Erwähnung von selbstständiger Arbeitsweise oder EigeninitiativeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung von ProjekterfolgenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung der Belastbarkeit oder FlexibilitätInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung der Weiterentwicklung oder ZukunftswünscheInsufficient (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 von Eigeninitiative und selbstständiger Arbeitsweise“