„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den Weggang“
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”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting an expression of regret regarding the employee's departure is typically read by Swiss HR as a negative signal, equivalent to a 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
Under art. 330a CO, the principle of goodwill applies to Swiss employment references, leading employers to code negative feedback subtly. Omitting regret is seen in practice as a negative signal. However, under Swiss case law (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022), an employee has no legal right to expressions of thanks, regret, or future wishes. You can ask the employer to add such a statement, but you cannot enforce it in court.
How to fix it
The employee should request in writing that the missing passage be added, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') serves 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
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über den Weggang“