Document background
The Original Certificate of Employment (Arbeitszeugnis) is a fundamental document in German employment law, serving as an official record and reference for an employee's professional history. It is mandatory for employers to provide this document upon request, either during employment or at its termination. The certificate can be either a simple version (einfaches Zeugnis) containing basic employment details, or a qualified version (qualifiziertes Zeugnis) including performance and behavioral assessments. German labor courts have established specific language conventions and coding systems that must be followed, making the document highly standardized across industries. The certificate plays a crucial role in the German job market, as future employers typically require it as part of the application process, and employees have a legal right to receive a favorable assessment unless there are documented reasons for negative evaluation.
