„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden einer sonst exzellenten Mitarbeiterin“
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 regarding the departure of an otherwise excellent employee”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting expressions of regret for an otherwise top-performing employee signals underlying friction or dissatisfaction (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
In Swiss employment references, a strong performance evaluation coupled with no statement of regret creates a contradiction. Under Swiss law, employers must adhere to the principle of goodwill, but there is no legal entitlement to express regret or good wishes upon departure (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Consequently, this omission serves as a subtle hint to prospective employers that the relationship ended on poor terms.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') constitutes 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 in der SchlussformulierungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden der Mitarbeiterin am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
Decode your entire reference letter
Upload your Arbeitszeugnis and get your overall Swiss grade, the number of issues found and a short legal assessment – explained in English.
Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden einer sonst exzellenten Mitarbeiterin“