„[Auslassung]: Vollständiges Fehlen von Bedauern und Dank im Schlusssatz“
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 regret and thanks in the closing sentence”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The total absence of regret and thanks in the closing line is a negative signal, reflecting 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
A standard, positive Swiss job reference ends with an expression of regret regarding the departure and thanks for the employee's work. Leaving these elements out entirely signals friction or poor performance. However, Swiss court precedents (BGer 4C.36/2004; BVGer A-364/2022) state that employees cannot legally enforce the inclusion of thanks or regret, so an amendment must be requested cooperatively.
How to fix it
The employee should write to the employer asking to add the missing closing formulas, as leaving them out acts 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 Dank im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern und fehlender Dank im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlendes Bedauern im SchlusssatzInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- [Auslassung]: Fehlender Dank und fehlendes BedauernInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „[Auslassung]: Vollständiges Fehlen von Bedauern und Dank im Schlusssatz“