„ging bei der Problemlösung gerne eigene Wege“
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)
“...liked to go her own way when solving problems...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The employee acted arbitrarily, failed to follow guidelines or specifications, and ignored instructions (grade 3.5 on the Swiss scale).
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
While "going one's own way" might sound innovative to an outsider, in Swiss reference language it indicates non-compliance and insubordination. Employers bound by art. 330a CO use this benevolent phrasing to mask a refusal to follow processes or management directives. Swiss HR reads it as a clear warning regarding discipline and alignment with team standards.
How to fix it
The employee should file a written objection with the employer to request replacing this text with a unequivocally positive formulation like "erledigte die Aufgaben stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit".
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 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 freeGoodwill vs. duty of truth
BGE 136 III 510, E. 4.1
The Federal Supreme Court describes the two poles of a Swiss reference letter: it should support your career and therefore be worded benevolently, but it must also give future employers a faithful picture – so it has to be true and complete.
Read the full decision (German)„Ein solches qualifiziertes Zeugnis bzw. Vollzeugnis soll einerseits das berufliche Fortkommen des Arbeitnehmers fördern und deshalb wohlwollend formuliert werden. Andererseits soll es künftigen Arbeitgebern ein möglichst getreues Abbild von Tätigkeit, Leistung und Verhalten des Arbeitnehmers geben, weshalb es grundsätzlich wahr und vollständig zu sein hat.“
Unofficial translation: “Such a qualified reference letter should, on the one hand, support the employee’s career and therefore be worded benevolently. On the other hand, it should give future employers as faithful a picture as possible of the employee’s activity, performance and conduct, which is why it must in principle be true and complete.”
Related phrases
- ausgeprägte eigene MeinungInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- stets hilfsbereit war und gerne andere unterstützteInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- ging mit grossem Fleiss an seine Aufgaben heranWeak / Deficient (Grade 3.0)3.0
- ging mit grossem Fleiss und regem Interesse an seine Aufgaben heranWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
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 „ging bei der Problemlösung gerne eigene Wege“