„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern“
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 regret”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting expressions of regret upon departure is generally interpreted 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
The lack of a statement of regret in a reference's conclusion creates eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'). While Swiss courts hold that employees have no legally enforceable right to expressions of regret, thanks, or good wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022), HR professionals will interpret the omission as a sign of unsatisfactory performance or damaged relations.
How to fix it
The employee should ask the employer in writing to add the missing closing regret, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') operates 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]: Fehlendes Bedauern im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den AustrittInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den WeggangInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern“