„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den Austritt im Schlusssatz“
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”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting expressions of regret upon departure is often read as a negative signal in practice.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Although a missing regret formula signals that the employer is glad to see the employee leave, Swiss courts have ruled that there is no legal entitlement to regret, thanks, or well wishes in a reference (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). An employee may politely request its inclusion, but cannot legally demand it. This reflects an overall 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 im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den AustrittInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und Dank im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den Austritt im Schlusssatz“