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The motivating factor is that the employee simply has a right to a reference when leaving.

Sometimes an employee might ask for an interim report (for example when changing departments, etc.) but that's something that is provided on a voluntarily basis.

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I thought employers had to provide a Zwischenzeugnis if you requested one. Maybe not…

I just researched it a bit more. So while you don't have an entitlement to a Zwischenzeugnis per se, you are entitled if you have a "good reason" to request one. According to some judgements a "good reason" is for example a change of your superiors or if you want to apply for a job elsewhere.

In my career I've requested quite a few Zwischenzeugnisse and never been denied. Probably a place where you have to fight to get one is not a place where you want to be employed anyways.

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