„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern am Ende des Zeugnisses“
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 expression of regret at the end of the reference”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The omission of a closing regret is viewed in practice as a negative signal, though there is no legal entitlement to it (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), employers adhere to the principle of goodwill, but omitted closing formulas often signal dissatisfaction. However, Swiss court rulings confirm there is no legal right to demand expressions of thanks, regret, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). While an employee may request an addition, it cannot be legally enforced.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence acts 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 über das Ausscheiden der Mitarbeiterin am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern am Ende des Zeugnisses“