A German work reference often reads positively even when performance was only average. Anyone who wants to understand phrases such as “zur vollen Zufriedenheit” (“to our full satisfaction”) needs a translation that follows case law. This guide explains how grades and reference language are read under the Federal Labour Court (Bundesarbeitsgericht).
Short answer: According to the Federal Labour Court ruling of 18 November 2014 (9 AZR 584/13), the phrase “to our full satisfaction” corresponds to the grade satisfactory (befriedigend). The grade good (gut) requires full satisfaction to be stated as “always”, “at all times” or “consistently”. There is no entitlement to a particular grade. Last updated: November 2026.
The most important points in brief
- “To our full satisfaction” corresponds, according to the ruling, to the grade satisfactory, meaning the average level of requirements.
- The grade good requires full satisfaction to be stated with “always”, “at all times” or “consistently”.
- There is no entitlement to a good or very good reference. What you can demand is a reference that reflects your performance.
- Truthfulness takes precedence over goodwill. A reference must be goodwill only within the bounds of truth.
- If you want a better assessment, you must set out and prove the facts that justify it.
What does “to our full satisfaction” really mean?
Many work references use a scale that follows the logic of school grades. In its ruling of 18 November 2014, the Federal Labour Court held that the phrase “zur vollen Zufriedenheit” (“to our full satisfaction”) corresponds to the middle range of that scale. The reasoning is simple: performance that meets the requirements is described as satisfactory, and full fulfilment as good.
The standard is not the employer’s personal mood. The court refers to an objective standard for comparable tasks. What counts is how an average, impartial employer with industry knowledge would understand the wording.
Which grade matches which phrase?
The table summarises the grading described in the ruling. The ruling does not list every further gradation, so the overview is limited to the levels it mentions.
| Wording in the reference | Classification under the ruling | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| “to our full satisfaction” | satisfactory (befriedigend) | Requirements were generally met |
| “always” or “at all times” to our full satisfaction, also “consistently” | good (gut) | Full satisfaction over the entire period |
| Above-average performance, to a particular extent | very good (sehr gut) | Performance clearly went beyond the requirements |
This classification has a practical consequence: a small change in wording can make a whole grade difference. When you read a reference, watch the intensifying words.
Why does the burden of proof lie with the employee?
In the ruling, the Federal Labour Court decided that an employee who has been given “to our full satisfaction” must present and prove the facts that justify a better assessment. Many people find this surprising. According to the ruling, studies on how grades are distributed do not replace this duty to present facts.
In practice, anyone who wants a better grade should collect concrete projects, praise in written correspondence or achieved targets. General claims are not enough if they cannot be backed up.
What does the duty of truthfulness mean for references?
The court emphasises that the duty of truthfulness is the defining principle of reference law. The principle of goodwill applies only within that limit. A widespread tendency to write favourable references does not oblige an employer to join in. According to the ruling, closing grades that do not match performance are untrue and therefore unlawful.
For you as a reader, this means that a reference is not automatically polished. It should describe your performance accurately. At the same time, the employer has room for judgement, as long as it is not guided by factors unrelated to your work.
Why do references matter so much at the start of a career?
Without long work experience, a reference from a mini-job, an internship or a working student position is often the most important proof of what you did. It shows how you worked and gives recruiters a basis for assessing you. It is worth understanding the wording before you apply, rather than discovering it in an interview.
A reference does not replace your own presentation. In your cover letter and CV, describe results so that they match the reference. Inconsistencies are noticed faster than many expect.
How do you read a reference step by step?
References often follow a fixed structure. If you know where hints can appear, you read more precisely. A systematic review helps before you use the document in an application.
- Read the description of your tasks and check whether it matches what you actually did.
- Classify the performance assessment using the table above, and watch intensifying words such as “always” or “consistently”.
- Check the description of conduct towards superiors, colleagues and customers, since further judgements often appear there.
- Read the closing formula and the statement about leaving. Such phrases are read differently, and their interpretation is disputed in individual cases.
- Compare the result with your own experience and note any open points.
What can you do if the grade does not fit?
If you disagree with the assessment, first talk to your employer and ask for a correction. Concrete examples matter here. If the employer keeps its view, an action before the labour court (Arbeitsgericht) can be considered. Whether a claim exists depends on the facts, so have it checked by a specialist.
The duty to issue a reference that reflects performance follows from the law. The ruling does not grant a claim to a particular grade. The line therefore lies at whether the assessment matches the performance.
Frequently asked questions
Is “to our full satisfaction” a bad grade?
According to the ruling, the phrase corresponds to the grade satisfactory. That is a proper but average assessment. How much weight it carries in an application depends on the setting and the employer, and the classification above is the reliable part.
What does “always to our full satisfaction” mean?
According to the ruling, the grade good requires full satisfaction to be expressed with words such as “always”, “at all times” or “consistently”. “Always” means more than the usual, but it does not rule out that a mistake happened once.
Must my employer give me a good grade?
No. The ruling grants a claim to a reference that reflects performance, not to a good or very good one. If you want a better assessment, you must show that only such an assessment matches your performance.
May a reference contain school grades or codes?
The court uses the school-grade definition as a translation aid, not as a requirement for the wording. A supposed reference code is therefore not a law. What counts is how an average, impartial employer with industry knowledge reads the text.
Where can I find a template for my CV?
A reference belongs among the documents you mention in your CV and application. A guide to structuring it is available in the article on CVs for students (in German).
What to do now
- Read your reference with the table in this guide and note every rating that is unclear to you.
- Collect evidence of your performance, such as project results or praise in writing.
- If you find a discrepancy, talk to your employer and ask for a reasoned correction.
- If the dispute continues, get advice from a specialist or the labour court before you decide.
Related guides
- Applying for your first job: timeline from advert to contract (in German)
- Termination agreement: blocking period and severance (in German)
- Weekly working hours instead of the eight-hour day (in German)
- CV for students: step by step (in German)
- Applying as a student: cover letter, working student job and internship (in German)
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
