„wegen seiner geselligen Art sehr geschätzt“
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)
“...greatly appreciated for his sociable nature...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Suspicion of inappropriate behaviour, such as drinking problems or over-familiarity instead of leadership, reflecting grade 2.0.
Hidden rating
Weak / Deficient (Grade 2.0)
German rating: Schwach / Mangelhaft (Note 2.0)
What it means in detail
Praising an employee for being "sociable" ("gesellig") in a professional reference is a well-known warning sign in Switzerland. It often hints at over-socialising, alcohol consumption at work, or an inability to maintain professional boundaries. HR professionals interpret this as a severe red flag regarding professional conduct.
How to fix it
The employee should object in writing and request that this phrase be replaced with standard professional performance and conduct phrasing, such as "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 2.0)
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
- wegen seiner geselligen Art im Kollegenkreis sehr geschätztWeak / Unsatisfactory (grade 3.0)3.0
- Wegen seiner geselligen Art war er im Kollegenkreis sehr geschätztWeak / Poor (Grade 3.0)3.0
- wegen ihrer geselligen Art bei den Kollegen sehr geschätztInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- wegen seiner geselligen Art bei Kollegen geschätztWeak / Poor (grade 3.0)3.0
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 „wegen seiner geselligen Art sehr geschätzt“