Thomas Catersels

Thomas Catersels

Associate | Attorney at law

Employment & Employee Participation

Thomas mainly advises employers and works councils of varying sizes in diverse sectors, such as healthcare institutions, IT companies, and public sector organisations. He also regularly advises individual employees and directors. Thomas provides advice in a wide range of areas, ranging from reorganisations and dismissal to consultation and consent processes.

‘I am an approachable, keen and dedicated lawyer with a positive attitude. I am energised by finding the best solution in every situation, based on the client’s best interests.’

Education and career

Thomas successfully completed his Bachelor’s degree in Law at Leiden University, graduating with a major in Law, Entrepreneurship & Management. During his university studies, he took employment law electives that piqued his interest in this area. In 2023 he graduated with his Master’s in Employment Law from Leiden University. While at university, Thomas was an active member of the Leiden employment law student association Sine Labore Nihil, performing committee work such as organising the annual employment law conference. His successful internship with the Employment, Employment Participation & Mediation team led to Thomas joining De Clercq after obtaining his Master’s degree. In 2024, he will commence studies at the Professional Law School (Beroepsopleiding Advocaten).

Thomas’s daily practice

‘My daily practice is a combination of employment law and employment participation law. This includes matters concerning dismissal, reorganisation and restructuring, competition clauses, collective labour agreements and leave. I also regularly draft and modify model employment contracts and complaints procedures. In addition to the above, I guide works councils and directors on employment participation processes with respect to the right of consultation and consent, and I provide advice and guidance on the establishment of works councils. The breadth of my practice means that every day is different, and highly enjoyable.’

Stay up to date

The latest developments

Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs: where does the real boundary lie?

17 December 2025

Around holidays and company events, questions often arise about alcohol and drug use in the workplace. More and more employers are adopting a zero-tolerance policy, but that does not always mean it is applied correctly.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Pay transparency legislation: the possible changes for employee participation

16 December 2025

The European Pay Transparency Directive (2023/970) aims to reduce the pay gap between men and women. This requires organizations to be more transparent about remuneration, both towards job applicants and towards employees and supervisory bodies. The Netherlands must transpose this European Directive into national legislation. Although a bill has already been proposed, the transposition of the Directive into national legislation has been postponed until 1 January 2027.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Compensation of the transition payment after long-term illness: soon only for small employers

16 December 2025

The Minister of Social Affairs and Employment stated in a parliamentary letter ated 11 December 2025 that the bill concerning the compensation of the transition payment in cases of long-term incapacity for work must be dealt with urgently.

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