„[Auslassung]: Vollständiges Fehlen einer Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden und Partnern (extrem kritisch bei einer Key Account Managerin)“
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]: Complete absence of an assessment of behaviour towards clients and partners (extremely critical for a Key Account Manager)”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting client conduct for a Key Account Manager is read as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), implying major shortcomings in client management (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
If an essential duty is left unmentioned, Swiss HR infers that the employee failed in that domain (Verwaltungsgericht ZH VB.2019.00365). Under art. 330a CO and BGE 129 III 177, a full reference ('Vollzeugnis') must evaluate conduct relevant to the role. For a Key Account Manager, complete silence on client relationships is a major red flag.
How to fix it
The employee should request the addition of the missing passage in writing, as eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') represents 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]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Kundenfeedbacks/Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (fatal für Key Account Manager)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (kritisch im Verkauf)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden (besonders kritisch im Aussendienst)Insufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlende Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber KundenInsufficient (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]: Vollständiges Fehlen einer Beurteilung des Verhaltens gegenüber Kunden und Partnern (extrem kritisch bei einer Key Account Managerin)“