Create a bespoke document in minutes,聽or upload and review your own.
Get your first 2 documents free
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership聽of your information
Employment Reference Letter
I need an employment reference letter for an employee who worked as a software developer for 2 years, demonstrating strong problem-solving skills and teamwork. The letter should highlight their contributions to key projects and their positive attitude, and be addressed to potential future employers.
What is an Employment Reference Letter?
An Employment Reference Letter documents your work history and performance at a company in Austria. It's a legally required document that employers must provide when employment ends, as specified in the Austrian Employment Contract Law (Arbeitszeugnis). The letter outlines your job duties, skills, and achievements during your time with the organization.
Austrian law requires these letters to be positive in tone, even if the employment relationship wasn't ideal. The document plays a crucial role in job applications, as future employers typically expect to see it. It must include specific details like employment duration, position held, and main responsibilities, while avoiding any statements that could harm your career prospects.
When should you use an Employment Reference Letter?
You need an Employment Reference Letter (Arbeitszeugnis) when leaving any job in Austria - it's a legal requirement, not an optional extra. Most urgently, request this letter during your notice period or immediately after employment ends, as employers must provide it by law. Many job applications stall without this document, since Austrian employers expect to see references from all previous positions.
The letter becomes essential when applying for new roles, seeking promotions, or building your professional portfolio. It's particularly valuable when transitioning between industries or moving to international positions, as it provides formal proof of your Austrian work experience and competencies. Getting it promptly also helps avoid legal complications with former employers later.
What are the different types of Employment Reference Letter?
- Reference Letter For Former Employee: The standard, legally required Arbeitszeugnis detailing work history and performance.
- Employer Recommendation Letter For Master Degree: Specialized format focusing on academic potential and professional achievements.
- Letter Of Recommendation Of Employee: Detailed evaluation emphasizing specific skills and project contributions.
- Personal Job Recommendation Letter: More informal supplement highlighting character and soft skills.
- Graduate Letter Of Recommendation From Employer: Entry-level focused format for recent graduates entering the workforce.
Who should typically use an Employment Reference Letter?
- HR Managers and Department Heads: Draft and customize the initial Employment Reference Letter based on employee performance records and job descriptions.
- Company Directors or CEOs: Must review and sign the final document, taking legal responsibility for its content under Austrian labor law.
- Departing Employees: Have a legal right to receive the letter and can request amendments if details are incorrect or unfairly negative.
- Future Employers: Rely on these letters during hiring processes to verify candidates' work history and capabilities.
- Labor Courts: May review these documents in employment disputes to ensure compliance with Austrian legal requirements for fair and positive references.
How do you write an Employment Reference Letter?
- Employee Details: Gather accurate dates of employment, job titles, and departments worked in throughout their tenure.
- Performance Records: Review HR files, annual evaluations, and project outcomes to document achievements accurately.
- Job Description: Collect detailed information about main responsibilities, skills used, and key competencies demonstrated.
- Legal Requirements: Use our platform to ensure compliance with Austrian labor law requirements for positive phrasing and mandatory content.
- Internal Review: Have relevant department heads verify technical details and job-specific accomplishments.
- Final Check: Ensure the letter maintains a positive tone while staying truthful and includes all required signature fields.
What should be included in an Employment Reference Letter?
- Company Information: Full legal name, address, and contact details of the employer issuing the reference.
- Employee Details: Complete name, birth date, and current position of the employee.
- Employment Period: Precise start and end dates of the employment relationship.
- Job Description: Detailed outline of main responsibilities, duties, and authority level.
- Performance Assessment: Positive evaluation of work quality, reliability, and conduct (mandatory under Austrian law).
- Special Achievements: Notable projects, promotions, or additional responsibilities.
- Departure Reason: Brief, neutral statement about employment termination.
- Authentication: Company stamp, date, and authorized signature.
What's the difference between an Employment Reference Letter and an Employment Contract?
An Employment Reference Letter (Arbeitszeugnis) differs significantly from an Employment Contract. While both documents are crucial in Austrian employment law, they serve distinct purposes and appear at different stages of the employment relationship.
- Timing and Purpose: Employment Contracts establish the working relationship at the start, while Reference Letters document its conclusion and the employee's performance.
- Legal Requirements: Contracts must detail terms like salary and working hours, whereas Reference Letters focus on performance evaluation and must maintain a positive tone under Austrian law.
- Audience: Contracts are internal documents between employer and employee, while Reference Letters are written for future employers.
- Duration: Contracts remain active throughout employment, but Reference Letters serve as permanent career documentation after the job ends.
- Content Focus: Contracts outline rights and obligations, while Reference Letters describe achievements and competencies demonstrated during employment.
Download our whitepaper on the future of AI in Legal
骋别苍颈别鈥檚 Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here鈥檚 how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your documents are private:
We do not train on your data; 骋别苍颈别鈥檚 AI improves independently
All data stored on Genie is private to your organisation
Your documents are protected:
Your documents are protected by ultra-secure 256-bit encryption
Our bank-grade security infrastructure undergoes regular external audits
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security
You retain IP ownership of your documents
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
Innovation in privacy:
Genie partnered with the Computational Privacy Department at Imperial College London
Together, we ran a 拢1 million research project on privacy and anonymity in legal contracts
Want to know more?
Visit our for more details and real-time security updates.
Read our Privacy Policy.