Biography

Carita Wong obtained her undergraduate degree and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Toronto. She has practiced in employment and labour law almost exclusively since her call to the bar in 2002.

Carita has appeared as counsel before the Ontario Court of Appeal, the Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Labour Relations Board, and the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. She has also represented both employers and employees in arbitrations, and in Ontario Ministry of Labour (Employment Standards Branch) claims. She acts in relation to matters involving wrongful and constructive dismissals, employment agreement reviews, mass terminations and lay-offs, human rights applications, harassment claims, employment standards claims, and workplace health and safety.

Carita is an experienced workplace investigator, who has acted as an independent, third party investigator on behalf of numerous organizations spanning various industries and sectors of business. Carita also regularly assists employers in responding to union organization campaigns, applications for certifications, and union grievances. Carita conducts collective bargaining negotiations, and arbitrati ons in unionized environments.

Carita believes in a proactive approach to dealing with employment and labour law issues. She tackles problems on behalf of her clients in a strategic and pragmatic way designed to maximize the results and outcomes for her clients. Carita believes in looking for creative and effective solutions while always considering the financial impact at every stage. Carita is a zealous advocate for her clients, while at the same time applying a nuanced and measured style and methodology. She is upfront with her clients about what is achievable, yet always seeks to over-achieve where possible.

When she is not practising law, Carita is an avid Crossfitter, who also practices yoga. She loves to travel and seek out adventures, but also enjoys movies, reading, and catching up on her favourite T.V. shows.

PAPERS AND PRESENTATIONS

Quoted in, Canadian HR Reporter September 13, 2022 article “Employment Contract invalid after 2 clauses violate ESA” highlighting the uncertainty with termination clauses following the decision in Henderson v. Slavkin et al.

Speaker, “Update on the Enforceability of Termination Clauses”, The Six-Minute Employment Lawyer 2020, Law Society of Ontario, June 29, 2020

Speaker, “Employment Issues in a Post-COVID-19 World”, 2020 Legalease, Human Resources Professionals Association Toronto Chapter, May 11, 2020

Speaker, 17th Annual Employment Law Summit, CLE Law Society of Upper Canada, October 18, 2016

Speaker, Ethics in Employment Law, CLE Law Society of Upper Canada, June 27, 2016

Speaker, Six Minute Employment Lawyer, CLE Law Society of Upper Canada, June 5, 2015

Interview with CTV News regarding Rubin Ghomeshi Investigation Report, April 16, 2015 (http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=593712)

Speaker, Workplace Issues in the Age of Social Networking, HRPAP Employment Law Update, October 28, 2014

Presenter, Client Communication in Employment Law, Law Society of Upper Canada, January 13, 2012

Speaker, Beyond the Corners of the Contract: the Interface Between Employment Agreements and Organizational Policies, CLE Osgoode Hall Law School “the Intensive Short Course: Employment Contracts and Employee Terminations”, September 14 and 14, 2010

Author, Policy Manuals: Essential Tools of the Employment Relationship, HR Professional Magazine, March/April 2010

Author, Wallace and Punitive Damages post-Honda – Pleadings and Evidentiary Issues, CLE Law Society of Upper Canada “Employment Law for the General Practioner”, November 24, 2009 (http://ecom.lsuc.on.ca/cle/product.jsp?id+CLE09-0110701)

Speaker, Effectively Conducting the Employment Termination Meeting: Mitigating Organizational Liability while Preserving Individual Dignity, the Canadian Institute’s Workforce Restructuring conference, July 9, 2009

Speaker, Issue Estoppel: When Should an Employer Participate in EI and ESA, HRPAO 2006,

Co-Author, The Wrongful Dismissal Claim: A New World of Damages, Conduct of the Wrongful Dismissal File, CLE Law Society of Upper Canada, May 9, 2006

Contributing Author, Providing References to Employees: Should You or Shouldn’t You? Canadian HR Reporter, Carswell, March 24, 2003

Contributing Author, How to Tackle Poor Job Performance and Bring Down Legal Costs, Canadian HR Reporter, Carswell, February 10, 2003

Contributing Author, Cut Down on Lawsuits Just by Being Nice, Canadian HR Reporter, Carswell, November 18, 2002

Frequent Contributing Author, Ask an Expert with Peter Israel, Canadian Employment Law Today, Carswell

SELECTED DECISIONS

Labourers' International Union of North America, Ontario Provincial District Council, Applicant v. Percon Construction Inc., Construction Workers Local 52 affiliated with the Christian Labour Association of Canada, December 29, 2014 (OLRB)

Slepenkova v. Ivanov, (2009), OJ No 2680 (QL), 74 CCEL (3d) 163, 2009 ONCA 526 (CanLII) (Ont. C.A.)

Slepenkova v. Ivanov (2007), 60 C.C.E.L. (3d) 303 (Ont. S.C.J.)

Nikolova v. Ivanov, July 26, 2007 (unreported decision of Forestell J., Ont. S.C.J.)

Daley v. Depco International Inc. (2004), 37 C.C.E.L. (3d) 255 (Ont. S.C.J.) – successfully proved just cause for dismissal based on cumulative acts of misconduct

International Clothiers Inc. v. Fuad Abdullahi and Director of Employment Standards, 2004 Can LII 11305 (O.L.R.B.)