„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank am Ende des Arbeitszeugnisses“
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 and missing thanks at the end of the employment reference”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting expressions of regret and gratitude at the end of the reference is typically read as a negative signal (grade 3.5 on the Swiss scale).
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Although the absence of closing thanks and regret signals dissatisfaction to Swiss HR, there is no legal entitlement to enforce them in court (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022). Employers bound by the principle of goodwill (art. 330a CO) frequently drop these closing formulas to express displeasure with the departure. An employee may politely request their inclusion, but cannot legally compel the employer to add them.
How to fix it
The employee should submit a written request for the addition of the missing closing statement, as its omission functions 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 und fehlender Dank am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank und fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender DankInsufficient (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 und fehlender Dank am Ende des Arbeitszeugnisses“