„gegenüber Kollegen und Kunden war jederzeit vorbildlich“
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)
“...towards colleagues and clients was exemplary at all times...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The deliberate omission of superiors in an otherwise detailed conduct clause indicates severe conflicts with management, corresponding to grade 5.0 overall but with a hidden negative signal.
Hidden rating
Good (grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
In Swiss references, the standard order for evaluating conduct lists superiors first, then colleagues, then external parties/customers. Omitting superiors is an example of eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') signaling insubordination or friction with management.
How to fix it
To upgrade to the top grade (6.0), the wording can be strengthened by inserting terms such as "stets" or "jederzeit hervorragend" and ensuring superiors are included.
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 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
- gegenüber den Kollegen jederzeit vorbildlichGood (grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Kunden war jederzeit vorbildlichGood (grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und Kunden war vorbildlichGood (grade 5.0)5.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten, Kollegen und Kunden war jederzeit vorbildlich und loyalGood (grade 5.0)5.0
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 „gegenüber Kollegen und Kunden war jederzeit vorbildlich“