„[Auslassung]: Fehlender Wunsch nach beruflichem Erfolg in der Zukunft“
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 wish for professional success in the future”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting future success wishes in the closing statement is commonly viewed in Swiss HR as a negative signal, corresponding to a 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
While the principle of goodwill (art. 330a CO) shapes reference conventions, Swiss courts (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022) have ruled that employees do not have a legal right to closing wishes, thanks, or regret. Omitting success wishes signals dissatisfaction to potential employers, but while you can ask for an update, it cannot be claimed through legal action.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') serves 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 die ZukunftInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die ArbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank für die ZusammenarbeitInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Grund für das Ausscheiden (kein 'auf eigenen Wunsch', 'betriebsbedingt' oder 'im gegenseitigen Einvernehmen')Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlender Wunsch nach beruflichem Erfolg in der Zukunft“