„sich im Kreise der Kollegen gut zu behaupten“
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)
“...asserting oneself well among colleagues...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This indicates poor teamwork, selfish behavior, and an aggressive attitude, corresponding to grade 3.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
Hidden rating
Insufficient (grade 3.5)
German rating: Ungenügend (Note 3.5)
What it means in detail
Under the principle of goodwill (art. 330a CO), Swiss employers avoid direct accusations of toxicity or egoism. Saying someone "asserted themselves" among peers tells future employers that the individual pushed others aside and created friction. What might sound like strength in some corporate cultures is a clear negative code in Switzerland.
How to fix it
It is recommended to object in writing to the employer and request that the phrase be replaced with a clearly positive performance clause (e.g. "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 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
- Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und VorgesetztenInsufficient3.5
- Verhalten gegenüber den Kollegen war stets kameradschaftlichInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen war stets kameradschaftlichInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- stets um ein gutes Einvernehmen mit den Kolleginnen und Kollegen bemühtInsufficient (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 „sich im Kreise der Kollegen gut zu behaupten“