The Experience Certificate For Office Assistant (Arbeitszeugnis) is a mandatory document under German labor law that employers must provide upon employment termination. This document serves multiple purposes: it provides formal proof of employment, details job responsibilities and performance, and serves as a reference for future employers. The certificate must be written following specific German legal requirements, including the principles of truthfulness and benevolent evaluation. It typically includes both objective information (such as employment duration and responsibilities) and subjective assessments (such as performance and behavior evaluations). The document is particularly important in the German job market, where comprehensive written references are standard practice and are often required for job applications.
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Your data doesn't train Genie's AI
You keep IP ownership of your docs
Alternatively...
1. Letterhead and Date: Company letterhead with full contact details and current date
2. Title: Clear identification as 'Experience Certificate' (Arbeitszeugnis)
3. Personal Information: Employee's full name, date of birth, and position held
4. Employment Duration: Precise start and end dates of employment
5. Job Description: Detailed description of main responsibilities and duties
6. Performance Evaluation: Assessment of work quality, knowledge, capability, and reliability
7. Behavioral Assessment: Evaluation of conduct towards superiors, colleagues, and clients
8. Reason for Departure: Standard phrase indicating end of employment (neutral formulation)
9. Closing Formula: Expression of gratitude and future wishes
10. Signature Block: Date, place, company representative's signature and position
1. Special Projects: Include when employee has worked on significant projects or initiatives
2. Additional Qualifications: Include when employee gained additional certifications or qualifications during employment
3. Management Responsibilities: Include if employee had staff supervision or project management duties
4. Language Skills: Include when language skills were relevant to the position
5. International Assignments: Include if employee worked in international locations or with international clients
6. Awards and Recognition: Include when employee received special recognition or awards
1. Position History Appendix: Detailed list of different positions held within the company, if applicable
2. Project List: Comprehensive list of major projects worked on, if applicable
3. Training Certificates: Copies of relevant training certificates obtained during employment
4. Performance Metrics: Specific performance indicators or achievements, if requested and applicable
Is an experience certificate (Arbeitszeugnis) legally required for office assistants in Germany?
Yes, under § 109 Gewerbeordnung and § 630 BGB, German employers are legally obligated to provide an experience certificate when an office assistant's employment ends. This applies to all employees, including office assistants, regardless of the length of employment or reason for termination. The certificate must include employment duration, job duties, and performance evaluation.
Do I need a lawyer to request an experience certificate from my German employer?
Generally no, you don't need a lawyer to request your Arbeitszeugnis as it's your legal right under German law. However, if your employer refuses to provide one, provides an incomplete certificate, or includes coded negative language, consulting an employment lawyer may be necessary. Most standard requests can be handled directly with HR departments.
Can my employer refuse to give me an experience certificate in Germany?
No, German employers cannot refuse to provide an experience certificate under § 630 BGB. If they refuse, you can take legal action to compel them to issue one. The employer must provide both a simple certificate (confirming employment facts) and, upon request, a qualified certificate (including performance evaluation).
Authors
Find the document you need
No items found.
Genie’s Security Promise
Genie is the safest place to draft. Here’s how we prioritise your privacy and security.
Your data is private:
We do not train on your data; Genie’s 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
We are ISO27001 certified, so your data is secure
Organizational security:
You retain IP ownership of your documents and their information
You have full control over your data and who gets to see it
