Employment references are an important part of the working world and are a sign of the company's appreciation towards its employees.

The Employment Reference

Employment references are an important part of the working world and are a sign of the company's appreciation towards its employees. A good employment reference is important for an employee's advancement, and unfavorable phrasing can make it difficult to progress or find new employment. The individual and professional creation of a reference takes time and experience, and in order to provide a fair assessment, the supervisor must absolutely be involved. For a company, an employment reference is also a business card and says a lot about the corporate culture and the company's appreciation towards its employees. In Switzerland, every employee is entitled to an employment reference at any time and can request one from the HR department or supervisor without hesitation. A complete employment reference consists of statements regarding the position, duties, and responsibilities, and includes an evaluation of the employee's performance and behavior. Since such an employment reference is very comprehensive, it is also called a full reference (Vollzeugnis).

Contents

The following contents are standard in an employment reference: 

• Title: Employment Reference

• Company introduction / Marketing text

• Employee master data

• Duration of employment

• Role(s) in the company

• Tasks and responsibilities of the employee in the specified roles

• Evaluation (professional competence, leadership skills, social behavior, etc.)

• Information regarding the departure, in particular the reason for termination, must not be mentioned against the employee's will (unless an untrue reference would result without such a mention)

• Closing sentence with wishes for the future

• Legally valid signatures 

Writing an employment reference is not easy, as the following principles must always be observed. Adhering to these rules is particularly important when the employee's performance was not always satisfactory. 

Principle of Truth
A reference must always be true. Truth takes precedence over goodwill.

Principle of Clarity
This principle states that a reference must be generally understandable. This principle also prohibits the use of codes in employment references. This principle commits to uncoded references. 

Principle of Completeness
A reference must always be complete and cover the entire period of employment. Individual incidents must not be given disproportionate weight. However, the principle of completeness also states that if there were negative points that are relevant to the overall picture, they must be mentioned in the reference. Nevertheless, the principle of goodwill must also be observed even with negative statements.

Principle of Goodwill
A reference should always be phrased in a benevolent manner and must not unnecessarily hinder the employee's professional advancement.