Hiring by Qualifications Costs Oregon Forester His Job – Here’s What Happened

Mike Shaw, Oregon's deputy forester, was dismissed from his position after diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) officials accused him of hiring state employees based on merit rather than prioritizing race. Shaw had reportedly defied orders from Megan Donecker, the forestry department's DEI chief, who had instructed employees to increase hiring of individuals with historically oppressed backgrounds, particularly those with darker skin. White applicants with challenging backgrounds were excluded from this directive. As a result of hiring based on qualifications, Shaw was placed on administrative leave.

Donecker, described as a white woman with purple hair, resigned from her post following news of Shaw's dismissal, offering controversial reasons for her departure. She claimed her resignation was not due to her actions against Shaw, but because the workplace environment had become "unsafe," citing complaints from six LGBTQ+ employees about the department's insufficient attention to their preferred gender pronouns.

Additionally, Donecker accused Shaw of undermining her DEI efforts by failing to inform her about key meetings. Shaw defended his hiring practices, emphasizing the importance of a gradual approach, warning that rushing diversity efforts could cause significant issues, akin to speeding on an icy road.

An investigation is ongoing to assess Shaw's claims. Meanwhile, Donecker has moved to a new role as an "Equity Trainer" and "Education Coordinator" with Oregon's Department of Early Learning and Care, where she will continue to promote DEI initiatives.

This development comes at a time when many organizations are scaling back their DEI programs. Clackamas County, for instance, has reduced its $830,000-per-year DEI office, citing it as an "unnecessary expense" that promotes division rather than unity.

Public reactions have been mixed, with some expressing disbelief that Shaw could lose his job for prioritizing qualifications over race, while others criticized Donecker's DEI approach as extreme and detrimental to workplace productivity.

Shaw remains hopeful that he will be vindicated, while Donecker faces growing skepticism regarding her DEI initiatives.