Document background
The Work Experience Reference Letter From Employer (Arbeitszeugnis) is a crucial document in German employment law, serving as an official record of an individual's employment history and performance. It is mandatory for employers to provide this document upon the conclusion of any employment relationship, as stipulated by §109 Gewerbeordnung (GewO) and §630 Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB). The document must adhere to specific principles including truthfulness (Wahrheitspflicht), goodwill (Wohlwollenspflicht), and completeness (Vollständigkeitspflicht). It is used when employees transition between jobs, apply for new positions, or need to document their work history. The letter contains detailed information about the employment period, job responsibilities, performance evaluation, and behavioral assessment, all written using standardized German reference letter terminology.
