„Verhalten gegenüber den Arbeitskollegen sowie unseren externen Partnern war stets vorbildlich“
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)
“...behaviour towards colleagues as well as our external partners was always exemplary...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
This shows good team and client conduct, but intentionally omitting superiors points to severe conflict with management or insubordination, reducing the overall impact.
Hidden rating
Good (Grade 5.0)
German rating: Gut (Note 5.0)
What it means in detail
In Swiss references, social behavior must follow a standard sequence: superiors, colleagues, and external parties. Omitting superiors while praising other relationships is a classic instance of eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen') under art. 330a CO. Swiss HR will understand that the employee had severe authority issues, despite performing well in other areas.
How to fix it
To upgrade the evaluation to the top mark (6.0), the wording can be strengthened by inserting terms 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“.
One good phrase ≠ a good certificate
Swiss employers often hide weaknesses elsewhere – in the conduct section, in the closing statement or through omissions (“telling silence”). Check whether the rest of your letter keeps up.
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
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 „Verhalten gegenüber den Arbeitskollegen sowie unseren externen Partnern war stets vorbildlich“