„[Auslassung]: Fehlender Grund für das Ausscheiden (kein 'auf eigenen Wunsch', 'betriebsbedingt' oder 'im gegenseitigen Einvernehmen')“
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 reason for leaving (no 'at his/her own request', 'operational reasons' or 'by mutual agreement')”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out the reason for departure is often interpreted in practice as a negative signal (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
Under Swiss employment law (art. 330a CO), the principle of goodwill applies, leading employers to express shortcomings through subtle coding or omissions. Omitting the reason for departure signals that the termination was likely initiated by the employer due to dissatisfaction. Note that under Swiss case law (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022), employees have no enforceable legal entitlement to statements of thanks, regret or future wishes, meaning such additions can be requested but not legally enforced.
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]: Kein Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Kein Bedauern über das Ausscheiden ausgedrücktInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Wunsch nach beruflichem Erfolg in der ZukunftInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Bedauern über das Ausscheiden fehltInsufficient (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 Grund für das Ausscheiden (kein 'auf eigenen Wunsch', 'betriebsbedingt' oder 'im gegenseitigen Einvernehmen')“