„wegen seiner umgänglichen Art im Team 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 in the team because of his affable nature...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
He was nice, but tended to adapt rather than show leadership qualities, or was considered somewhat eccentric.
Hidden rating
Outstanding (Top grade 6.0)
German rating: Hervorragend (Bestnote 6.0)
What it means in detail
Under Swiss labor law (art. 330a CO), employers use coded language under the principle of goodwill. While
How to fix it
No adjustment required as this is an above-average positive wording.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Keine Anpassung erforderlich. Dies ist eine überdurchschnittlich positive Formulierung.
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
- wegen seiner geselligen Art im Team sehr geschätztInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
- wegen seiner geselligen Art im Team geschätztInsufficient (grade 3.5)3.5
- wegen seiner geselligen Art bei den Mitarbeitern sehr geschätztWeak / Deficient (grade 3.0)3.0
- wegen ihrer geselligen Art geschätztInsufficient (Grade 3.5)3.5
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 umgänglichen Art im Team sehr geschätzt“