„[Auslassung]: Kein Bedauern über das Ausscheiden ausgedrückt“
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]: No regret expressed over departure”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting regret is read as a negative signal, though there is no legal entitlement to thanks, regret or good wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022).
Hidden rating
Insufficient (Grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
The omission of an expression of regret is interpreted by Swiss HR as an intentional negative signal. Under Swiss case law, an employee cannot legally enforce the inclusion of thanks, regret, or future wishes (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022), though they can politely request it.
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
- [Auslassung]: Kein Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Bedauern über das Ausscheiden fehltInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das AusscheidenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern über das Ausscheiden am EndeInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Kein Bedauern über das Ausscheiden ausgedrückt“