„Verhalten gegenüber den Kollegen war stets korrekt“
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)
“...conduct towards colleagues was always correct...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Omitting superiors signals severe issues in conduct toward management, indicating 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
A complete Swiss reference must evaluate behavior towards both superiors and peers. The deliberate omission of superiors constitutes eloquent silence ('beredtes Schweigen'), signalling to HR that the employee had significant conflicts with line management. Furthermore, describing behavior merely as "correct" implies a bare minimum standard rather than commendable teamwork.
How to fix it
The employee is advised to submit a written objection to the employer and request that the formulation be replaced by a clearly positive evaluation.
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 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 war stets korrektSufficient (grade 4.0)4.0
- Verhalten gegenüber den Patienten und Kollegen war stets korrektSufficient (Grade 4.0)4.0
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war stets korrektSufficient (Grade 4.0)4.0
- Das Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen war korrektSufficient (grade 4.0)4.0
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „Verhalten gegenüber den Kollegen war stets korrekt“