„trat engagiert für ihre Ansichten ein“
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)
“...committedly stood up for her views...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The employee was opinionated, argumentative, and resistant to compromise, corresponding to a grade 4.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
Hidden rating
Satisfactory (grade 4.5)
German rating: Befriedigend (Note 4.5)
What it means in detail
Under Swiss labor law (art. 330a CO), employers must write references benevolently, often leading to coded language for interpersonal flaws. Expressing commitment to one's own opinions usually implies stubbornness and difficulty in integrating into team decisions. It warns prospective employers of potential friction and conflict.
How to fix it
To upgrade to a top mark of 6.0, the wording should be reinforced with strong positive adverbs such as "stets" or "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“.
Hidden criticism detected (grade 4.5)
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 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
- trat engagiert für die Belange seiner Mitarbeiter einWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
- trat engagiert für die Interessen der Arbeitnehmer einWeak / Poor (grade 2.0)2.0
- trat engagiert für die Interessen der Mitarbeiter einWeak / Poor (grade 2.0)2.0
- trat für die Interessen der Mitarbeiter stets engagiert einWeak / 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 „trat engagiert für ihre Ansichten ein“