display
Asking for an interim reference can be tricky.
Because it can be understood by the boss as a signal that they want to leave the company.
Maybe you actually intend to do that, maybe you just want to look for new positions.
In both cases you are not obliged to report this to your supervisor immediately.
But you should have a good reason to request the certificate.
Christian Götz from the legal department of the Ver.di union recommends formulations like “I want to know where I am”.
Britta Clausen from the Bremen Chamber of Employees suggests: "I've been with the company for so long now, I want to be able to assess my performance."
The boss can decide for himself whether or not to comply with a general request.
He is not obliged to do so.
"Simply saying: 'I want a certificate' is not enough," explains Götz.
According to the trade regulations, you are entitled to a job reference when you leave a company.
On the other hand, one is only entitled to an interim reference if it is stipulated in the employment or collective agreement, or if one can cite a "legitimate interest".
This is where you will find third-party content
In order to interact with or display content from third-party providers, we need your consent.
Activate external content
I consent to content from third parties being displayed to me.
This allows personal data to be transmitted to third party providers.
This may require the storage of cookies on your device.
More information can be found here.
display
This includes, for example, when the supervisor leaves his or her position, changes to another department or position, goes on parental leave or the company has been sold.
In these cases, it makes sense to have a certificate issued because it is uncertain how well you will work with your new manager or how you will get along in the new department.
The interim certificate offers another advantage.
If you are given notice or you resign yourself after you have only recently received an interim reference, the following applies: "The final reference must not deviate from the interim reference or be worse for no apparent reason," says Clausen.
Interim certificate formalities: present tense, no date of departure
An interim report can be helpful in various situations.
An example: You got on well with the boss and worked very well.
His successor is terrible, work suffers and you decide to leave the company.
You can then apply with the excellent interim report from the old boss.
Another case: you go on parental leave with the firm intention of coming back after a year, but you happen to find another interesting position and want to apply.
display
A legitimate interest also exists when the order situation is poor and redundancies can be expected.
Better to have the certificate issued before the company dissolves or morale drops.
Clausen recommends asking for an interim reference in a personal interview.
Then you can explain your wish well.
Talking to your boss in the coffee kitchen or at a work meeting may make him nervous or risk rejection.
Formally, the interim certificate differs from the job reference only in what it cannot contain - such as the date on which the employment ends or the good wishes for the future.
“Since the interim report assesses a current work performance, it must be written in the present tense.
Unless it deals with activities or tasks that you no longer do, ”says Clausen.
Job portal
JOBS.WELT.DE
Your next job is waiting for you
View job offers
display
If possible, it should also state why the interim reference was issued, for example “due to the change to department x”, “on the occasion of the new position as y”, “after z years in our company”.
In this way, the next employer can also assess it better and does not have to ask himself whether someone should be praised away.
However, the interim report is not proof that you can ask for a higher salary.
"You think I'm good, so pay me better" is a bad tactic.
A boss who feels pressured by his coworker in this way is unlikely to give in.
But it is possible the other way around: if the boss thinks that you want to change because you asked for an interim reference, he may consider whether he can offer more salary or a better position to keep someone.
This is where you will find third-party content
In order to interact with or display content from third-party providers, we need your consent.
Activate external content
I consent to content from third parties being displayed to me.
This allows personal data to be transmitted to third party providers.
This may require the storage of cookies on your device.
More information can be found here.
Read more articles from our series of guides on the subject of job references here:
Everything about the job reference
This article was first published in July 2019.