„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (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 performance evaluation (no satisfaction formula)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting an overall performance evaluation is interpreted as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), signalling that performance was unsatisfactory.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
If a standard component is omitted from a reference, HR readers infer that the employee lacked that quality (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). A full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must explicitly evaluate both performance and conduct (art. 330a CO; BGE 129 III 177). This omission corresponds to a grade of approximately 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing performance section in writing, as eloquent silence acts as 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 LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Gesamtbeurteilung der Leistung (keine Zufriedenheitsformel)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Leistungsbeurteilung (keine Aussage über tatsächliche Arbeitsergebnisse)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende positive LeistungsbeurteilungInsufficient (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 Leistungsbeurteilung (keine Zufriedenheitsformel)“