„[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank am Ende des Zeugnisses“
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 reference”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting regret and thanks at the conclusion signals a negative assessment, equivalent 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
The closing sentence of a Swiss reference typically expresses regret over the departure and gratitude for the employee's contributions. Leaving these out serves as a coded negative signal to prospective employers. However, court rulings (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022) confirm that there is no legal right to demand expressions of regret or thanks, meaning an addition can only be requested amicably.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing closing elements in writing, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') functions as a covert 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 ArbeitszeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank und fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern am Ende des ZeugnissesInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank am Ende des Zeugnisses“