DEI trainer gets boss placed on leave after accusing him of merit-based hiring practices

A Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) trainer had her boss put on administrative leave after accusing him of hiring people for Oregon’s forestry department on the basis of merit rather than being part of a perceived disadvantaged group, the Daily Mail reported Thursday.

Megan Donecker was outraged that her former work superior Mike Shaw would tell her that he meant to hire “the candidates most qualified for the job” and not on the basis of their race, ethnicity or sexuality. The revelation prompted Doneker to file a complaint against him.



Shaw, who has a $192,000-a-year job as deputy head of Oregon's Department of Forestry, is now on administrative leave because of Donecker's complaint, who was head of the department’s DEI program. Donecker claimed six LGBTQ+ employees couldn’t “feel safe or comfortable” in their work environment because it proved impossible to have a “conversation around pronouns.”

Donecker identifies herself as an “accomplice to marginalized communities” on her LinkedIn and she objects to the “old boys club” atmosphere that she says pervades her workplace. She is no longer working at the forestry department but remains a DEI consultant.

The squabble became public after queries from The Oregonian. The forestry department says it treats DEI complaints as potentially serious breaches of discrimination. Gov. Tina Kotek (D-OR) has also inserted herself and her avid support of DEI programs into the controversy, insisting she needs to ensure that all efforts are being made to “advance DEI.”

Donecker quit her job at the forestry department in March, apparently due to stress over her complaint. She lives with her wife and an adopted child. “It is bad for women at forestry,” Donecker said, according to the Mail. “It is even worse if you are queer.”

Meanwhile, Shaw remains on administrative leave – where he has been since Aug. 6 -- but forestry officials refuse to say exactly why he cannot go to work. Donecker’s complaint focused on her DEI work was allegedly scorned and her presence at management meetings not desired.