„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Gesamtbeurteilung der Leistung (keine Zufriedenheitsformel)“
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 overall assessment of performance (no satisfaction formula)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting an overall performance evaluation is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying unsatisfactory work (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
A full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must evaluate both performance and conduct under art. 330a CO and established case law (BGE 129 III 177). Leaving out a summary satisfaction formula signals to prospective employers that the worker's performance was deficient (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). This omission lowers the effective rating to an insufficient 3.5.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of an overall satisfaction clause in writing, as omitting it creates a hidden negative evaluation.
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 Leistungsbeurteilung (keine Zufriedenheitsformel)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des tatsächlichen Arbeitserfolgs/LeistungInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Keine Bewertung des tatsächlichen Arbeitserfolgs / der LeistungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (keine Aussage über tatsächliche Arbeitsergebnisse)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 Gesamtbeurteilung der Leistung (keine Zufriedenheitsformel)“