„mit Unterstützung der Abteilung“
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)
“...with the support of the department...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This phrase indicates that the employee was unable to work independently and required colleagues to complete their work (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
In Swiss references, emphasizing that tasks were completed 'with support' highlights a severe lack of autonomy. Because art. 330a CO obliges employers to remain benevolent, this indirect wording masks poor competence. HR professionals view this as a rating of grade 2.0.
How to fix it
It is recommended to lodge a written objection with the employer and ask to replace this phrasing with a standard positive performance clause 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 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 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
- bemühte sich, die Zielvorgaben der Abteilung zu erreichenWeak / Unsatisfactory (grade 3.0)3.0
- koordinierte die Aufgaben in seiner Abteilung mit grossem EiferWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
- bei der Suche nach einer Stelle, die seinen Fähigkeiten besser entsprichtWeak / Unsatisfactory (grade 2.0)2.0
- bemühte sichWeak / Deficient (Grade 2.0)2.0
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 „mit Unterstützung der Abteilung“