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Standard Reference Letter for Germany

Standard Reference Letter Template for Germany

A Standard Reference Letter (Arbeitszeugnis) is a formal employment document required under German labor law. It serves as an official record of employment and, depending on its type (simple or qualified), includes details about the duration of employment, job responsibilities, and potentially performance evaluation. The document must follow specific legal requirements and use standardized language ("Zeugnissprache") that has been established through court decisions and common practice in Germany. It must adhere to the principles of being truthful while maintaining a benevolent tone, and serves as an important document for employees' future career development.

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What is a Standard Reference Letter?

The Standard Reference Letter (Arbeitszeugnis) is a fundamental document in German employment law, required to be issued upon the termination of any employment relationship or upon request during employment. This document serves as an official employment record and can be either a simple reference (einfaches Arbeitszeugnis) confirming basic employment details, or a qualified reference (qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis) including performance evaluation. The content and format are strictly regulated by German labor law and court decisions, requiring specific language usage and a balance between truthfulness and benevolence. The document is crucial for employees' professional advancement and is commonly requested during job applications in German-speaking countries.

What sections should be included in a Standard Reference Letter?

1. Company Letterhead: Official company letterhead including full company name, address, and contact details

2. Title: Clear identification as 'Arbeitszeugnis' (Reference Letter)

3. Personal Information: Employee's full name, date of birth (optional), and current job title

4. Employment Duration: Precise start and end dates of employment

5. Job Description: Detailed description of main responsibilities and duties

6. Reason for Departure: Brief statement of why the employment relationship ended (maintaining positive tone)

7. Closing Formalities: Location, date, signature block with name and position of authorized signatory

What sections are optional to include in a Standard Reference Letter?

1. Performance Evaluation: Detailed assessment of work quality, knowledge, and capabilities - included in qualified references (qualifiziertes Arbeitszeugnis) but not in simple references (einfaches Arbeitszeugnis)

2. Behavioral Assessment: Evaluation of conduct towards superiors, colleagues, and clients - included only in qualified references

3. Special Achievements: Notable projects, accomplishments, or additional responsibilities - included when applicable and beneficial to employee

4. Professional Development: Training courses, certifications obtained during employment - included when relevant to career progression

5. Future Wishes: Expression of gratitude and good wishes for the future - optional but common practice

What schedules should be included in a Standard Reference Letter?

1. Position History Appendix: Detailed list of different positions held within the company - only used when employee held multiple positions

2. Project List: Overview of major projects handled - optional, used for senior positions or project-based roles

3. Certificates Copy: Copies of relevant certificates obtained during employment - attached when specifically requested

Authors

Alex Denne

Head of Growth (Open Source Law) @ Ƶ | 3 x UCL-Certified in Contract Law & Drafting | 4+ Years Managing 1M+ Legal Documents | Serial Founder & Legal AI Author

Jurisdiction

Germany

Publisher

Ƶ

Document Type

Reference Letter

Cost

Free to use
Relevant legal definitions
















Clauses









Relevant Industries

Technology

Manufacturing

Financial Services

Healthcare

Retail

Education

Professional Services

Construction

Hospitality

Transportation

Energy

Telecommunications

Media

Public Sector

Non-Profit

Agriculture

Automotive

Pharmaceutical

Real Estate

Insurance

Relevant Teams

Human Resources

Legal

Finance

Operations

Sales

Marketing

Information Technology

Research and Development

Customer Service

Product Development

Quality Assurance

Administration

Strategy

Communications

Procurement

Relevant Roles

Chief Executive Officer

Managing Director

Department Head

Team Leader

Project Manager

Software Developer

Sales Representative

Marketing Manager

Financial Analyst

Human Resources Manager

Administrative Assistant

Operations Manager

Research Scientist

Customer Service Representative

Product Manager

Business Analyst

Technical Support Specialist

Account Manager

Quality Assurance Engineer

Legal Counsel

Industries






Teams

Employer, Employee, Start Date, Job Title, Department, Location, Probationary Period, Notice Period, Salary, Overtime, Vacation Pay, Statutory Holidays, Benefits, Bonus, Expenses, Working Hours, Rest Breaks,  Leaves of Absence, Confidentiality, Intellectual Property, Non-Solicitation, Non-Competition, Code of Conduct, Termination,  Severance Pay, Governing Law, Entire Agreemen

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