„[Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete Arbeit im Schlusssatz“
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 work performed in the closing sentence”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting thanks at the end of the reference is read as a negative signal, corresponding to 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
In Swiss HR practice, leaving out a statement of gratitude for the work performed signals dissatisfaction with the employee. However, under Swiss case law (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022), employees have no legal entitlement to expressions of thanks, regret, or good wishes in their reference. While the employee can request such an addition, it cannot be legally enforced in court.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') constitutes 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]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete ArbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete Arbeit in der SchlussformulierungInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die ArbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete Arbeit und fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die geleistete Arbeit im Schlusssatz“