„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Wünsche für den weiteren Karriereweg“
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 wishes for the further career path”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The absence of good wishes for the employee's future career is read by recruiters as a negative sign, indicating a problematic departure.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
In Swiss employment practice, standard closing sentences usually include wishes for future success. While omitting this statement signals dissatisfaction, courts have established that employees have no enforceable legal right to expressions of thanks, regret, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Therefore, an addition can be requested from the employer but cannot be successfully sued for.
How to fix it
The employee should ask in writing to add the missing closing wishes, as its omission 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 Wünsche für den weiteren ErfolgInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Wünsche für die ZukunftInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Wünsche für die berufliche und private ZukunftInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende BedauernsformelInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlende Wünsche für den weiteren Karriereweg“