„[Auslassung]: Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten nachgestellt“
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]: Behavior towards superiors placed at the end”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Relegating or omitting proper mention of behavior towards superiors is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying conflict with management (grade 3.5 on the Swiss scale).
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Under Swiss employment law (art. 330a CO), a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must address both performance and conduct (BGE 129 III 177). When a standard element is omitted or displaced, readers conclude the quality was lacking (Administrative Court ZH VB.2019.00365). Relegating superiors to the end of the conduct hierarchy typically signals interpersonal friction with management.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing section in writing, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') creates 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]: Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten fehltInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten fehlt (Beredtes Schweigen)Insufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Verhalten gegenüber Kunden fehltInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber VorgesetztenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten nachgestellt“