„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung bezüglich Qualität und Output“
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 performance evaluation regarding quality and output”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting statements regarding work quality and output constitutes eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying inadequate performance (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 quality and quantity of work pursuant to art. 330a CO (BGE 129 III 177). Leaving out these core performance metrics leads HR professionals to infer that the employee's work quality was substandard (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). This allows employers to remain formally polite while conveying a clear warning.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that specific evaluations of quality and output be added to resolve the negative impact of eloquent silence.
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 LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung bezüglich der Projektergebnisse und ZielerreichungenInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende positive LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende qualitative LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
Decode your entire reference letter
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung bezüglich Qualität und Output“