„[Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die erbrachte Leistung“
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 thanks for the performance rendered”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting thanks for the employee's work is a negative signal indicating the employer was dissatisfied with their contribution.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
In Swiss references, the closing section standardly includes thanks for the employee's efforts. While leaving it out signals poor performance to future recruiters, Swiss case law confirms there is no statutory right to claim expressions of thanks or regret in court (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Nevertheless, employees can request its voluntary addition.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of a standard sentence thanking them for their service to prevent an eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen').
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]: Fehlender Dank für die ArbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die ZusammenarbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete ArbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank und fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (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]: Fehlender Dank für die erbrachte Leistung“