How to interpret a reference letter correctly: Received work certificate
September 25, 2023 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Alexander Lenzner
Dear lawyer,
My name is Paul Rosenblatt and I have been working as a sales representative at a medium-sized company for five years. After I terminated my employment, I have now received my employment reference and I am unsure how to interpret it correctly.
In the reference, my performance is described as "satisfactory" and my cooperation as "constructive". However, there is no mention of any special achievements or successes that I have accomplished during my time at the company. Additionally, the overall text feels very brief and standardized, which concerns me.
I am worried that my employment reference may not be informative enough and could potentially hinder my future career opportunities. Therefore, I am wondering if it is possible to improve the reference or if I should simply accept it as it is.
Can you help me in interpreting the employment reference correctly and provide me with possible steps on how to best proceed in this situation? I want to ensure that my reference adequately reflects my performance and does not unnecessarily jeopardize my professional future.
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Sincerely,
Paul Rosenblatt
Dear Mr. Rosenblatt,
Thank you for your inquiry regarding your employment reference. It is understandable that you may feel uncertain if your reference is relatively neutral and does not mention important achievements and successes. An employment reference is an important document that can significantly impact your professional career, so it is important that it adequately reflects your performance.
First and foremost, it is important to understand that employment references in Germany are legally regulated. According to § 109 of the Trade Regulations, employees are entitled to a benevolent, complete, and accurate employment reference. This means that your employer is obliged to provide you with a fair reference that accurately reflects your performance and abilities.
In your case, while the reference may be neutrally worded, the lack of references to special achievements and successes could be interpreted as negative. It is possible that a too neutral reference could potentially hinder your future career prospects, as potential employers may get the impression that your performance is not particularly noteworthy.
In such a situation, it is advisable to have a conversation with your employer. You could politely request a revision of the reference, specifically pointing out your achievements and successes during your time at the company. For example, you could provide a list of concrete examples of your achievements to help your employer create a more meaningful reference.
If your employer refuses to revise the reference, you have the option to take legal action. An employment lawyer can help you enforce your rights and, if necessary, file a lawsuit for a correction of the reference.
In any case, it is important that you carefully review your employment reference and seek professional help if needed to ensure that it adequately reflects your performance. I hope this information has been helpful to you and I am available for any further questions you may have.
Sincerely,
Alexander Lenzner
Employment Lawyer
