„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden im Schlusssatz (wertet ein an sich gutes Zeugnis ab)“
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 in the closing sentence (devalues an otherwise good reference)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Leaving out regret in the closing sentence acts as a negative signal that devalues an otherwise positive reference, corresponding to 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
Swiss HR managers expect a positive reference to conclude with thanks, regret, and best wishes. Omitting regret subtly undermines previous praise, signaling that the employer was ultimately glad the employment ended. However, Swiss courts have ruled that employees have no enforceable legal right to demand expressions of regret or thanks (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022).
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of a full closing sentence in writing, as omitting regret creates an intentional 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 am Ende des Zeugnisses (wertet ein ansonsten gutes Zeugnis ab)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [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
Decode your entire reference letter
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden im Schlusssatz (wertet ein an sich gutes Zeugnis ab)“