„Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und Vorgesetzten war stets einwandfrei“
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 and superiors was always faultless...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Correct social conduct, though listing colleagues before superiors hints at slight distance towards management (grade 4.5).
Hidden rating
Satisfactory (grade 4.5)
German rating: Befriedigend (Note 4.5)
What it means in detail
In Swiss reference syntax, the order of parties matters significantly under the principle of goodwill (art. 330a CO). Mentioning colleagues before superiors ("Kollegen und Vorgesetzten") subtly signals friction with authority figures. While rated 4.5 (above pass mark), it can be strengthened to reflect better conduct.
How to fix it
To upgrade to a top mark (6.0), the wording can be strengthened, for instance by inserting "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 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 Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war stets einwandfreiSatisfactory (Grade 4.5)4.5
- Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und Vorgesetzten war einwandfreiSatisfactory (Grade 4.5)4.5
- Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen war stets einwandfreiSufficient (grade 4.5)4.5
- Verhalten gegenüber Vorgesetzten und Kollegen war einwandfreiSatisfactory (grade 4.5)4.5
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „Verhalten gegenüber Kollegen und Vorgesetzten war stets einwandfrei“