„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden“
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 over departure”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting regret over the departure is seen as a negative signal, though there is no legal right to demand 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), the principle of goodwill applies, and omitting closing regrets is commonly understood as a negative sign by Swiss HR. However, employees have no legal entitlement to expressions of thanks, regret, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Consequently, adding such wording can be requested but not legally enforced.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing statement in writing, even though closing formulas cannot be legally enforced.
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 am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden des MitarbeitersInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden im SchlusssatzInsufficient (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 über das Ausscheiden“