Job references & employee reputation: 53 secret codes decrypted

German employment certificates are often a complicated network of phrases and codifications - a sort of secret code that hides poor performance but makes it recognizable to future bosses. An overview of the most important formulations.

Secret codes - why are they there?

According to §113, paragraph 3 of the trade code so-called secret codes are prohibited in employment certificates. Allowed are the so-called encryption techniques. And the latter is usually what you mean when you mistakenly speak of the secret code in the certificate of employment.

The language in German job references is the result of a landmark BGH judgment. It was decided that because of his “social responsibility that extends beyond the end of the employment relationship”, the employer is obliged not only to write the testimony according to the truth, but also with reasonable goodwill.

53 Secret Codes in Work Events

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And that's exactly what has developed into the testimonial language that has always been well-intentioned in all grades from 1 to 5. What are the secret codes in references? An overview with explanation

1. For the needs of the workforce, he always showed empathy (= He sought sexual contacts in the peer group)
2. For the interests of the workforce he always proves comprehensive empathy (= He sought homosexual contacts in the circle of colleagues)
3. She was efficient and knew how to sell well (= An unpleasant employee who lacks the willingness to cooperate)
4. He got along well with his superiors (= a follower and yes-Sager, who can sell well)
5. He has specialized knowledge and has a healthy self confidence (= playing with arrogance his lack of expertise)
6. He always showed commitment to employee interests outside the company (= He has participated in strikes)
7. He contributed with his convivial way of improving the working environment (= He has alcohol problems)
8. He was committed to the interests of colleagues (= he was a member of the works council)
9. He was committed to the interests of employees both within and outside our company (= he was union-active)
10. He went on with great zeal to the assignments assigned to him (= he did not succeed in spite of diligence)
11. He showed understanding for his work (= he did not perform)
12. He completed all duties dutifully and properly (= He was a bureaucrat without initiative)
13. She managed to delegate all tasks successfully (= she pressed herself before work)
14. He was always an empowered superintendent of his employees (= he did not possess any enforcement power and was not respected)
15. He coordinated the work of his staff and gave clear instructions (= he limited himself to instructing and delegating)
16. She has solved all tasks in her and in the company interest (= she has stolen company property)
17. In dealing with colleagues and superiors he showed a refreshing openness (= He was very loud)
18. Her extensive education made her a sought-after conversation partner (= she had long private conversations)
19. He knew his conceptions intensively (= He has an exaggerated self-awareness)
20. He was characterized in particular by the fact that he made many suggestions for improvement to make work easier (= but which could not be implemented)
21. We gladly confirm that he has approached his tasks with diligence, honesty and punctuality (= he lacks the professional qualification)
22. He was a pleasant employee to his superiors and colleagues because of his sincere and decent attitude (= he lacks ability)
23. The tasks assigned to him ... (= the undemanding tasks ...)
24. He worked very well and did his job properly (= ineffective and bureaucratic)
25. He was interested in the matter (= but without success)
26. He showed great interest in his work (= he had no success)
27. He had the opportunity to do the tasks assigned to him (= But he did not succeed)
28. Because of his punctuality he was always a good example (= But not because of his performance) She was capable and able to express her opinion (= She has a high opinion of herself and can not be criticized)
29. He worked very much on his own plan (= but not according to the planning of the employer)
30. The production level could be held by their performance (= they achieved no improvement)
31. He was offered the opportunity to undergo training (= which he did not use)
32. He was open to new things (= But not to process it)
33. He had also made useful suggestions (= but they were not accepted)
34. She gave many suggestions, which were examined (= but they were not taken over)
35. He presents his points of view in a self-confident manner (= arrogant, presumptuous, better: he is an independent personality who represents his point of view, but always in an appropriate manner)
36. He is a demanding and critical employee (= he is egocentric and likes to nag)
37. He was ready for contact (= but not contactable)
38. For customers, he was quickly popular (= He made many concessions, has no bargaining power)
39. He practiced a cooperative management style and was therefore highly appreciated by his employees (= He can not get through)
40. She led with a firm hand (= authoritarian leadership style)
41. He led consistently (= authoritarian leadership style)
42. He led tautly democratic (= authoritarian leadership style)
43. He is leaving in order to take on a higher-quality job in another company (= which we did not trust him or wanted to offer)
44. He left to financially improve (= we were not ready to offer him more)
45. He resigned by mutual agreement (= dismissal by the employer - a really mutual amendment is described as "in the best mutual agreement")
46. We have separated ourselves by mutual agreement (= employee's own initiative at the initiative of the employer or termination of a termination agreement)
47. The employment ends on the KRUMMES DATE (= termination without notice or breach of contract, the 30./3 of a month is usual as expiration date)
48. Our best wishes accompany him (= irony, if the employer has terminated)
49. His staff appreciated him as a caring superior (= he paid too little attention to their performance)
50. We met her as a companionable colleague (= she was unpopular)
51. We wish him all the best for the future (= irony)
52. We wish you all the best, especially success (which he did not have with us)
53. He was always full (!) Behind us (= drunkenness)

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