„Frau Kaufmann verlässt unser Unternehmen per 31. Juli 2023.“
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 Kaufmann is leaving our company as of 31 July 2023....”
What Swiss HR actually reads
An abrupt, emotionless closing sentence without thanks or good wishes signals a deep, unresolved conflict at the end of employment (grade 5.0 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Good (Grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
While the preceding performance evaluation might be good, ending a reference with a purely factual termination date is a known coded signal in Swiss practice (art. 330a CO). It tells prospective employers that the relationship ended in severe dispute, overshadowing otherwise satisfactory performance.
How to fix it
To achieve an unblemished reference, the employee should request adding standard expressions of thanks and future wishes.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Zur Aufwertung auf die Bestnote (6.0) kann die Formulierung verstärkt werden, z.B. durch Einfügen von „stets“ oder „jederzeit hervorragend“.
One good phrase ≠ a good certificate
Swiss employers often hide weaknesses elsewhere – in the conduct section, in the closing statement or through omissions (“telling silence”). Check whether the rest of your letter keeps up.
Check your whole certificate freeClosing statement: a signal, not a legal right
BVGer A-364/2022 vom 17. August 2023, E. 7.3
A missing or curt closing statement is often read as a negative signal in practice. Legally, however, there is no enforceable right to thanks, regret or good wishes – their use is at the employer’s discretion (likewise Federal Supreme Court 4C.36/2004 of 8 April 2004, E. 5). You can ask for an addition, but you cannot sue for it.
Read the full decision (German)„Nach der Rechtsprechung besteht kein durchsetzbarer Anspruch der angestellten Person auf bestimmte Dankesworte, Zukunftswünsche oder Bedauernsbekundungen über den Austritt.“
Unofficial translation: “According to case law, the employee has no enforceable right to particular words of thanks, good wishes for the future or expressions of regret about their departure.”
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 „Frau Kaufmann verlässt unser Unternehmen per 31. Juli 2023.“