Document background
The Current Employer Reference Letter (Arbeitszeugnis) is a fundamental document in German employment law, with every employee having a legal right to receive one upon termination of their employment relationship. It serves as a standardized method for documenting employment history and performance evaluation in the German job market. The document must be crafted carefully to comply with legal requirements while maintaining the principle of 'benevolent evaluation' (wohlwollende Beurteilung). This reference letter is typically used when an employee is leaving their current position, applying for new jobs, or requires documentation of their employment history. It includes detailed information about the employment period, job responsibilities, performance assessment, and behavioral evaluation. The document's format and content are heavily regulated by German labor law and court decisions, making it a crucial document for both employers and employees in the German business environment.
