„Wir danken ihm für seine Mitarbeit und wünschen ihm viel Erfolg“
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)
“...We thank him for his cooperation and wish him... much success...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
The complete absence of regret over the departure indicates that the employer was not unhappy to see him leave, corresponding to grade 4.5 on the Swiss 1-6 scale.
Hidden rating
Satisfactory (grade 4.5)
German rating: Befriedigend (Note 4.5)
What it means in detail
In Swiss references, a complete closing formula usually includes thanks, regret for the departure, and good wishes for the future. Leaving out regret signals a lukewarm relationship and average performance. Although court rulings note there is no strict legal entitlement to closing wishes, its omission signals mediocrity to Swiss HR.
How to fix it
To raise the overall rating toward a top mark (6.0), the employee can request strengthening the closing sentence with words like "stets" or expressions of regret.
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 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 „Wir danken ihm für seine Mitarbeit und wünschen ihm viel Erfolg“