A controversy at the Oregon Department of Forestry tests the balance between merit-based hiring and DEI initiatives.
At a Glance
- Megan Donecker filed a complaint against her supervisor for prioritizing merit over identity in hiring.
- Mike Shaw was placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
- The department is under scrutiny for lacking diversity and promoting a ‘Good Old Boys’ culture.
- State Forester Cal Mukumoto insists on DEI and employee protection.
Complaint Sparks Controversy
Megan Donecker, a former DEI officer at Oregon’s Department of Forestry, filed a complaint against her supervisor, Mike Shaw, accusing him of favoring merit-based hiring over identity-driven considerations. This claim has highlighted tensions within the department’s hiring practices, putting them in the spotlight. Donecker claims that prioritizing merit disregards essential diversity and inclusivity goals promoted widely after the George Floyd movement.
Following the complaint, Mike Shaw was placed on administrative leave, while the department initiated an investigation into the allegations. Donecker’s claims were not limited to hiring issues; she alleged that the workplace environment was uncomfortable for queer staff, citing a lack of dialogue around pronouns as a source of unease.
They sort of buried the lead on this one.
The head of OR Forestry Dept. was PUT ON LEAVE for saying he wants to hire 'candidates most qualified for the job.'
HE WAS PUT ON LEAVE FOR SAYING THIS based on this pink haired lady's ILLEGAL stance on hiring based on gender. https://t.co/bbcfDoxuft
— PDX_Hopeful! (@PdxHopeful) October 11, 2024
A Department Under Fire
Responsibility for managing 16 million acres of Oregon forest and fires positions the department under great public scrutiny. Yet, Donecker’s allegations broaden the focus to include accusations of a hostile ‘boys club’ culture. She noted a sidelining of DEI efforts and described the workplace negatively, asserting it was inhospitable to women and harsh for queer people. Other employees corroborate these claims, pointing to a pervasive ‘Good Old Boys’ atmosphere.
“It is bad for women at Forestry,” one former employee said in an interview.
The department’s DEI initiatives, prompted by 2020 racial justice protests, face criticism and resistance. This background underscores the complexity of balancing traditional merit-based employment principles with the evolving expectation for inclusiveness in public sector roles.
State Response and Future Directions
State Forester Cal Mukumoto emphasized a dedication to a diverse and inclusive workplace, affirming the seriousness with which employee complaints are processed. The department articulated its commitment to protecting employees from retaliation and insists investigations are handled according to state laws and HR best practices.
Despite these assurances, Donecker has moved on to consult as a DEI expert, calling herself an ‘accomplice to marginalized communities.’ The department’s ongoing investigations, including the review of numerous discrimination complaints, promise to keep Oregon’s forestry division in public discourse as it navigates the intersection of merit and inclusivity.
