SALEM, OR - Mike Shaw, deputy head of Oregon's Department of Forestry, is on administrative leave today after a former the agency’s former Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategy Officer Megan Donecker complained the he made hiring decisions for the department based on merit and qualifications rather than taking into account "gender or identity."
Shaw reportedly came under scrutiny after Donecker claimed in a redacted complaint reported by Oregon Live that approximately six employees "who identify as queer" informed her they didn't feel "safe or comfortable being out at work” and were uncomfortable discussing their lives and partners.
Donecker complained to the outlet that Shaw had "sidelined her" and that she and two other employees ceased to be invited to leadership team meetings. Shaw reportedly said that the leadership team's meetings had a large number of employees and that the addition of members of the union hampered the leaders' “ability to hold correct conversations and speak in an open forum.” He also noted that the large meetings were inefficient and "less fiscally responsible."
Among her complaints, Donecker said that Shaw was looking “beyond gender and identity in hiring, seeking only candidates most qualified for the job,” presenting this as a failing.
In an interview with the outlet, she claimed, “It is bad for women at Forestry. It is even worse if you are queer.” Donecker added that employees of the department “still feel really uncomfortable having conversations around pronouns.”
He also called for a cautious approach to imposing DEI mandates, describing it as an "icy road."
“We don’t go 60 (mph) out of the gate or we’re gonna crash the car,” he reportedly said.
Oregon State Forester Cal Mukumoto, Shaw's superior, told reports, “Providing a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace is a shared core value and priority of both the department and the Board of Forestry.” Donecker has since moved on to a new job as a "DEI Consultant," according to reporting from The Daily Mail.
A spokesman for the state's Democrat Governor Tina Kotek told The Oregonian that she "expects state agencies to operate with the highest standard of transparency and accountability,” via email. “She is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across state government.”
Shaw reportedly came under scrutiny after Donecker claimed in a redacted complaint reported by Oregon Live that approximately six employees "who identify as queer" informed her they didn't feel "safe or comfortable being out at work” and were uncomfortable discussing their lives and partners.
Donecker complained to the outlet that Shaw had "sidelined her" and that she and two other employees ceased to be invited to leadership team meetings. Shaw reportedly said that the leadership team's meetings had a large number of employees and that the addition of members of the union hampered the leaders' “ability to hold correct conversations and speak in an open forum.” He also noted that the large meetings were inefficient and "less fiscally responsible."
Among her complaints, Donecker said that Shaw was looking “beyond gender and identity in hiring, seeking only candidates most qualified for the job,” presenting this as a failing.
In an interview with the outlet, she claimed, “It is bad for women at Forestry. It is even worse if you are queer.” Donecker added that employees of the department “still feel really uncomfortable having conversations around pronouns.”
He also called for a cautious approach to imposing DEI mandates, describing it as an "icy road."
“We don’t go 60 (mph) out of the gate or we’re gonna crash the car,” he reportedly said.
Megan Donecker, a pink-haired DEI trainer, filed a complaint against Oregon’s forestry department deputy head Mike Shaw for hiring 'candidates most qualified for the job’ rather than because of identity.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 11, 2024
She also complained that queer staff felt unsafe because they couldn’t have… pic.twitter.com/VwrMBTIfJy
Oregon State Forester Cal Mukumoto, Shaw's superior, told reports, “Providing a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace is a shared core value and priority of both the department and the Board of Forestry.” Donecker has since moved on to a new job as a "DEI Consultant," according to reporting from The Daily Mail.
A spokesman for the state's Democrat Governor Tina Kotek told The Oregonian that she "expects state agencies to operate with the highest standard of transparency and accountability,” via email. “She is committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion across state government.”
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