Work certificates coded: myth or reality?

Article published originally in May 2006

Everyone has heard that, in the "certificates of work", there are some "codes", certain turns of phrase, which have a special, hidden meaning. Until then, I had too much attention, but in these times of job change, it attracted my curiosity.

Happy coincidence, a document circulating these time by mail. After checking with someone who knows what he's talking about, it turns out that the content of this document is not too phony. So let's summarize here:

The quality of work the certificate of complete work must pronounce on the quality of the work performed by the worker. The employer must mention its degree of satisfaction with the work performed by the worker. Note that the worker who did not provide a quality above average benefits can not claim a certificate stating that he gave "full satisfaction". On the other hand, indicate that he worked "largely independent and correct way" is considered adequate.

The conduct of the worker the worker's attitude is also a mandatory component of the certificate of complete work. The employer will include for example the worker had (very) good relations with his colleagues and had (very) good contacts with customers. Instance, a worker who often had arguments with co-workers may require that we describe as "very much appreciated" of his colleagues.

The turn of phrase "coded" used

• It is a conscientious collaborator: serious in his work, but his performances were unconvincing.
• It was good command: he took no initiative.
• He is leaving us agreed: dismissal strongly suspected, we are happy about his departure.
• He was also friendly and helpful towards his colleagues in the team. : That's enough.
• Enduring and stress-resistant, he filled high requirements related to his work station. : This, this is good.
• Thanks to his sense of duty, he was able to meet the requirements. : It's just enough.

• It is with regret that we split up of… : the boss do not regret the departure.
• It is with great regret that we split up of… : regret is average, the gap will be quickly compensated.
• It is with great regret that we split up of… : the employee is difficult to replace, his departure is really late.

• Mr X has always had a sympathetic ear with his colleagues: Mr. X tended too chatting with his colleagues.
• Mrs. Y has always filled his duties to our satisfaction: the provision of Mrs. Y was not exceptional.
• Mrs. Y has always filled his duties to our satisfaction: Mrs. Y can do better.
• Mrs. Y has always filled his duties at our entire and full satisfaction: Mrs. Y has always done his best, his performance was exceptional.

• His work gave us satisfaction: passable, average benefits.
• His work gave us (full and) satisfaction: (very) good benefits, we were very happy.

• He is leaving us agreed: we fired him.
• He is leaving us, free of any commitment: we fired him.
• He left us on his own: he gave us his leave.
• He is leaving us on request: he gave us his leave.
• We regret his departure: we regret.
• We recommend to any employer: we regret.
• He tried to… : He did not succeed.

The problem… :

The risk of this practice is that a written certificate in a manner "not coded" is interpreted as "coded" by those who read it. It is a source of confusion and ambiguity. To avoid this, more and more companies add, at the end of a no code certificate, a sentence like "this certificate is not encrypted".