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.’

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The latest developments

Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Employee participation in 2025: the key themes at a glance

8 January 2026

In 2025 as well, courts have regularly ruled on issues relating to employee participation. In this blog, we discuss the most notable judgments on the basis of five (recurring) current themes.

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Meet the team: Renate Vink-Dijkstra

6 January 2026

In this section, each month we introduce a colleague from the Labour, Employee Participation & Mediation team. This month it is the turn of Renate Vink-Dijkstra, partner and lawyer within the Labour & Employee Participation team. Curious about her story and what drives her? Then read on quickly!

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Employment, Employee Participation & Mediation

Right of consent and right of agreement: What is the difference?

5 January 2026

Works councils have influence, under various laws, over decisions that directly affect employees. The right of consent under the Works Councils Act (WOR) is one of the best-known and strongest rights in this respect. Less well known is the right of agreement. However, this right does not stem from the WOR, but from other laws such as the Working Conditions Act, the Working Hours Act and the Work and Care Act, and sometimes from collective labour agreements (CLAs). Both rights differ fundamentally in their operation and impact. It is therefore important to know exactly which right you are dealing with.

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