„war bei den Mitarbeitenden sehr beliebt“
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)
“...was very popular with colleagues...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
A subtle hint at conflicts with management (grade 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Insufficient
German rating: Ungenügend
What it means in detail
When only popularity with team members is highlighted and superiors are left out, it typically signals that the employee sided with colleagues against the boss.
How to fix it
Ensure the complete hierarchy is included, such as "...bei Vorgesetzten und Mitarbeitenden gleichermassen geschätzt" (grade 5.0).
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Muss die ganze Kette beinhalten: "...bei Vorgesetzten und Mitarbeitenden gleichermassen geschätzt." (5.0)
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
- durch seine gesellige Art war er im Kollegenkreis sehr beliebtWeak / Deficient (Grade 3.0)3.0
- wegen seiner geselligen Art im Kollegenkreis sehr beliebtWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
- wegen seiner geselligen Art im Team sehr beliebtWeak / Deficient (Grade 3.0)3.0
- Wegen seiner geselligen Art war er im Team sehr beliebtWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „war bei den Mitarbeitenden sehr beliebt“