„Das Verhalten von Frau Keller gegenüber Kollegen und Kunden war stets korrekt und freundlich“
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)
“...Ms. Keller's behavior towards colleagues and clients was always correct and friendly...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
By deliberately omitting superiors, the reference signals significant behavioral issues towards bosses through eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), earning a grade 4.0.
Hidden rating
Sufficient (grade 4.0)
German rating: Genügend (Note 4.0)
What it means in detail
A complete Swiss reference must evaluate behavior towards all key groups: superiors, colleagues, and external clients. Omitting superiors is a classic example of eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), signalling to HR that the employee had major conflicts with authority or management. Under art. 330a CO, this subtle omission allows employers to convey criticism while maintaining a superficially polite tone.
How to fix it
The employee should object in writing and request a standard, fully inclusive conduct clause, such as "erledigte die Aufgaben stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit" or complete behavioral assessments.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Es wird empfohlen, beim Arbeitgeber schriftlich Einsprache zu erheben und die Ersetzung der Formulierung durch eine klar positive Leistungsklausel (z.B. „erledigte die Aufgaben stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit“) zu verlangen.
Hidden criticism detected (grade 4.0)
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
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 „Das Verhalten von Frau Keller gegenüber Kollegen und Kunden war stets korrekt und freundlich“