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Caroline Mehlem

Caroline Mehlem

Senior Associate | Attorney at law

Employment & Employee Participation

Caroline has considerable experience in guiding medium-sized to large national and international enterprises in every aspect of employment law, from individual dismissals and legal scans to complex reorganisations and company acquisitions. She also assists many educational institutions ranging from school districts to universities. In addition to ‘regular’ employment law, she also has a special interest in cross-border employment and education law.

Caroline is a highly motivated attorney who takes a solution-oriented approach underpinned by her strong interpersonal and decisive qualities. Her commitment, expertise and clarity inspire trust among her clients and colleagues. Caroline is French in origin and also has German, Spanish and English roots, making her multilingual – something which is of great practical benefit.

Education

Caroline studied Dutch law at Leiden University, majoring in International Law.

Career

Caroline has worked at De Clercq as an attorney since 2003, with a broad focus on employment law. She puts her multilingual background and international interest to good use in advising numerous international clients. She specialises in Education Law and Employment Law from a European perspective, and has completed mediation training, which also serves her practice well. As well as being an attorney, Caroline is a board member with the Technolab Leiden Foundation.

Caroline’s daily practice

On an almost daily basis, Caroline deals with matters such as individual dismissals, reorganisations, working remotely from abroad, expatriates, unacceptable behaviour and the investigation of this, and disability in the workplace. She also provides advice to companies at the policy level. Caroline acts as in-house counsel for a variety of companies, and values the opportunity to get to know her clients well. This often leads to fruitful collaborations that last for many years. The same applies to the educational institutions with which Caroline has long-term involvements with respect to employment law matters.

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The latest developments

Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Cross-border behavior in the workplace: how to create a safe organizational structure

4 March 2025

Approximately one-third of working Dutch people experience cross-border behavior in the workplace. Cross-border behavior, such as bullying, intimidation, or discrimination, deserves attention within organizations. A safe organizational structure is essential to prevent such behavior. But how do you create such a structure? Cross-border behavior in the workplace does not appear out of nowhere. Often, unwanted behavior patterns, power imbalances, and unclear reporting structures creep into an organization unnoticed. These risks often lie within the organizational structure itself. By identifying these risks, you take an important step towards a safe and positive work environment. In this second blog of the series 'Cross-border behavior in the workplace,' I discuss six common risk factors. I also provide measures to reduce these risks and promote a safe work culture.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

New obligation for employers: code of conduct for unwanted behavior

28 February 2025

Attention employers with 10+ employees: a legal obligation to implement a code of conduct for unwanted behavior is on the way. As a result, the Working Conditions Act will be amended. This legislative change is now open for public consultation. You can provide your input until March 23, 2025, via this link.  

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

At the table as a works council? Make sure you're involved early!

24 February 2025

"What is your most important tip for works councils?" As a co-determination lawyer, I get this question regularly. My answer is always the same: make sure you're involved early. Not when all the plans are already on paper, but when there are still real choices to be made. Of course, the executive must follow the rules. Follow the Works Councils Act (WOR). Ask for advice. But those who really want to have influence need to be at the table earlier. When plans are still taking shape. When alternatives are still open. When external advisors have yet to receive their assignments. Because a works council that only wants to be involved at the advice request stage is often too late to make a real difference. Renate Vink-Dijkstra and I recently commented on a case in the JIN journal that illustrated this again.

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