Document background
The Working Certificate (Arbeitszeugnis) is a mandatory document in German employment law that employers must provide to employees upon the termination of their employment relationship. It serves as an official record and reference document, containing detailed information about the duration of employment, job responsibilities, and evaluations of performance and conduct. German law distinguishes between a simple certificate (einfaches Zeugnis) that includes basic employment details and a qualified certificate (qualifiziertes Zeugnis) that also includes performance and behavioral assessments. The document must be written in a specific style that adheres to legal requirements while maintaining a positive tone, even when conveying criticism. Working Certificates are crucial for employees' future job applications and must be issued in accordance with principles of truthfulness, clarity, and completeness.
