„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden im Schlusssatz trotz ansonsten guter Leistungsbeurteilung“
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 in the closing sentence despite an otherwise good performance rating”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting regret at departure despite good performance ratings is perceived in practice as a negative signal.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
When an otherwise positive reference lacks a closing statement of regret, Swiss HR infers personal friction or relief over the departure. However, employees have no statutory right to claim thanks, regret, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). This contradiction dampens the overall rating to a grade 3.5 on the Swiss scale.
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 im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [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 das Ausscheiden im Schlusssatz (wertet ein an sich gutes Zeugnis ab)Insufficient (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 im Schlusssatz trotz ansonsten guter Leistungsbeurteilung“