„wünschen für die Zukunft alles Gute“
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)
“...wish all the best for the future...”
What Swiss HR actually reads
Polite but distant wishes without mentioning success (grade 4 on the Swiss 1-6 scale).
Hidden rating
Sufficient
German rating: Ausreichend
What it means in detail
Leaving out success ("and continued success") signals that the employer does not credit the employee with success or expects none in the future.
How to fix it
Add "...und weiterhin viel Erfolg" to achieve a good grade of 5.0.
Suggested wording (German, for your HR department)
Ergänzen mit: "...und weiterhin viel Erfolg." für eine gute Note (5.0).
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 freeClosing statement: a signal, not a legal right
BVGer A-364/2022 vom 17. August 2023, E. 7.3
A missing or curt closing statement is often read as a negative signal in practice. Legally, however, there is no enforceable right to thanks, regret or good wishes – their use is at the employer’s discretion (likewise Federal Supreme Court 4C.36/2004 of 8 April 2004, E. 5). You can ask for an addition, but you cannot sue for it.
Read the full decision (German)„Nach der Rechtsprechung besteht kein durchsetzbarer Anspruch der angestellten Person auf bestimmte Dankesworte, Zukunftswünsche oder Bedauernsbekundungen über den Austritt.“
Unofficial translation: “According to case law, the employee has no enforceable right to particular words of thanks, good wishes for the future or expressions of regret about their departure.”
Related phrases
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Check your whole certificate freeRead this entry in German: Bedeutung von „wünschen für die Zukunft alles Gute“