„sehr kommunikative Mitarbeiterin, die sich rege am Austausch im Hause beteiligte“
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)
“...very communicative employee who actively participated in internal exchanges...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The employee was excessively talkative, distracted others, and gossiped, representing grade 4.0 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
Hidden rating
Sufficient (grade 4.0)
German rating: Genügend (Note 4.0)
What it means in detail
Describing an employee as "very communicative" and actively involved in "internal exchange" serves as a classic coded phrase for workplace gossip and distraction. It tells prospective employers that the individual spent considerable working time chatting rather than focusing on duties. Under Swiss reference norms, this qualifies as a subtle warning regarding productivity and focus.
How to fix it
The employee should object in writing to the employer and request a replacement with an unambiguously positive performance clause.
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 4.0)
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
- ausserordentlich loyale MitarbeiterinSufficient (grade 4.0)4.0
- wir lernten sie als pflichtbewusste Mitarbeiterin kennenInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- gesellige Art war er im Team sehr beliebtInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- wegen seiner geselligen Art bei den Mitarbeitern sehr beliebtInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
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 „sehr kommunikative Mitarbeiterin, die sich rege am Austausch im Hause beteiligte“