„Ihre Pünktlichkeit war stets 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)
“...Her punctuality was always exemplary...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Basic expectations are emphasized because there were few notable achievements to mention.
Hidden rating
Good (grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
Singling out basic requirements like punctuality implies that core professional output was unremarkable. Under the principle of goodwill (art. 330a CO), Swiss HR readers look beyond the positive word 'exemplary' to note the lack of substantive praise. This corresponds to a grade of approximately 5.0 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
How to fix it
To upgrade the evaluation to the top grade (6.0), the wording can be strengthened by adding "stets" or changing it to "jederzeit hervorragend".
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 freeRight to a full reference letter
BGE 129 III 177
The leading Federal Supreme Court decision on the employee’s statutory right to a full (qualified) reference letter: it must address both performance and conduct.
Read the full decision (German)„Ein qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis (Art. 330a Abs. 1 OR) muss sich sowohl zu den Leistungen wie auch zum Verhalten des Arbeitnehmers aussprechen.“
Unofficial translation: “A qualified reference letter (Art. 330a para. 1 CO) must address both the performance and the conduct of the employee.”
Related phrases
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „Ihre Pünktlichkeit war stets vorbildlich“