Reference letter decoder

When a job in Germany ends, you can ask for a written reference, the Arbeitszeugnis. A simple one states only the job and how long you held it; a qualified one, which you can ask for, also judges your work and conduct.^[1][2] It must be benevolent and clear, and coded or double-meaning wording is not allowed.^[1][2]

Because it must stay benevolent, the grade sits in one standard phrase — the Zufriedenheitsformel, "to our … satisfaction". One small word in it moves the grade.

Check your reference

The grade phrases

The two chambers agree at the top and bottom, and differ in the middle. Both put stets zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit at very good and zu unserer Zufriedenheit at adequate. For "good", IHK Frankfurt gives stets zu unserer vollen Zufriedenheit, while IHK Nord Westfalen gives zu unserer vollsten Zufriedenheit.^[1][2] Both are in use; the table shows each with the chamber that gives it.

Two more things worth knowing

• The closing sentence is not a right. Thanks, regret at your leaving and good wishes are common, but you cannot insist on them.^[1]
• Ask in time. The claim to a reference expires after three years.^[1][2]

What this decoder does not do

• It reads one phrase, not the whole reference. Tone, what is left out and the order of things matter too.
• It is not legal advice. If a reference seems unfair, ask a specialist employment lawyer or your union.

The word Arbeitszeugnis and its neighbours are in the glossary, and moving on to a new job is in changing jobs. Every tool is on one page.