„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden der Mitarbeiterin 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 regret over the employee's departure at the end of the reference”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting expressions of regret at the end of the reference is viewed by recruiters as a negative signal regarding the departure.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
While standard references usually express regret when a valuable employee leaves, Swiss courts hold that there is no actionable legal right to demand expressions of regret, thanks, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Its absence indicates friction, though an addition must be requested amicably rather than enforced by court order.
How to fix it
The employee should ask the employer in writing to add a statement of regret to avoid a negative impression.
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 am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden der Mitarbeiterin in der SchlussformulierungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (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 der Mitarbeiterin am Ende des Zeugnisses“