Wed Oct 16 09:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Oregon Forestry Official Placed on Leave for Prioritizing Merit Over Identity in Hiring

**Salem, OR** – An Oregon Department of Forestry official has been placed on administrative leave after a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) expert filed a formal complaint against him. Megan Donecker, the agency’s former DEI strategy officer, accused Mike Shaw, the department’s second-in-command, of prioritizing merit over personal identity when hiring new employees.

Donecker alleged that Shaw’s approach to DEI was “too cautious” and that he created an unsafe work environment for LGBTQ+ employees. She also claimed that Shaw compared rapid DEI changes to speeding on an icy road, warning that “we don’t go 60 (mph) out of the gate, or we’re gonna crash the car.”

The Oregon Department of Forestry has responded to the allegations, stating that they take employee complaints seriously and handle them in accordance with state laws and HR best practices. They also emphasized their commitment to providing a safe and inclusive workplace.

State Forester Cal Mukumoto, who oversees the department, echoed this commitment, saying that a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace is a shared core value and priority.

Donecker, who now works as a DEI consultant, has been critical of Shaw’s approach to hiring. She argues that prioritizing merit over identity can perpetuate systemic inequities.

This incident comes amid a growing debate about the role of DEI initiatives in government and the workplace. In January, Clackamas County, Oregon, announced the dismantling of their nearly $830,000-a-year diversity, equity, and inclusion office, calling it an unnecessary expense.

The Oregon Department of Forestry plays a crucial role in the state, managing 16 million acres of public and private forestland and serving as the state’s largest fire department. The agency employs nearly 1,400 people and operates on a biennial budget of approximately $577 million.

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