„[Auslassung]: Fehlende Zukunftswünsche für den beruflichen Erfolg“
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 future professional success”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting wishes for future success is often read as a negative signal in practice.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (Grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Although omitting closing wishes for success is perceived negatively by Swiss HR, there is no legal entitlement to expressions of thanks, regret, or future wishes under Swiss law (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Consequently, an employee can request these additions, but cannot legally enforce them. This omission corresponds to an evaluation of around 3.5.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of closing wishes in writing, though it cannot be legally enforced.
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 ZukunftswünscheInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Erwähnung der Weiterentwicklung oder ZukunftswünscheInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Wünsche für den weiteren ErfolgInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Zukunftswünsche am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlende Zukunftswünsche für den beruflichen Erfolg“