„im Grossen und Ganzen verträglich“
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)
“...by and large agreeable...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This indicates difficult social behavior, revealing that the employee was a troublemaker who struggled to fit into the team (grade 2.0 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Weak / Poor (grade 2.0)
German rating: Schwach / Mangelhaft (Note 2.0)
What it means in detail
The qualifier 'by and large' ('im Grossen und Ganzen') severely undermines the statement in a Swiss 'Arbeitszeugnis'. Due to the legal requirement for goodwill under art. 330a CO, employers use faint praise to convey severe interpersonal issues. HR readers interpret this as a clear warning regarding team compatibility.
How to fix it
It is recommended to submit a written objection to the employer requesting replacement with a clearly positive phrase such as "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 2.0)
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
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „im Grossen und Ganzen verträglich“