DETROIT, MI – A lawsuit filed by a former Fiat Chrysler diversity manager alleges the Auburn Hills automaker disparately treats black non-union employees, giving them lower ratings through a process that determines bonuses and advancement opportunities.

“As a result of (Fiat Chrysler’s) practice and policy of discriminating against African American employees, (these employees) have been denied employment benefits and opportunities afforded to white employees,” states the class action lawsuit, filed Wednesday as the company’s vehicles are on grand display at the Detroit auto show.

Among hundreds of company-wide directors, there are only two black women and about five to seven black men, the lawsuit states, and contends employees were evaluated through a two-step process that relied heavily on subjective input rather than objective data “effectuated by decision makers” who are not black.

As a result, black employees were given lower compensation and benefits, and were disproportionately subjected to termination or demotion, contends the lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Detroit.

Fiat Chrysler released a response in a statement on Friday, according to the Detroit Free Press .

“The allegations contained in this lawsuit are without merit,” it said. “FCA US does not tolerate harassment or discrimination of any kind in the workplace based on a person’s race, color, sex, sexual orientation, age, etc.

“All claims of harassment and discrimination are investigated thoroughly and in a timely manner and all violations are punishable up to and including termination,” it stated, according to the Free Press, noting the company would pursue a “vigorous defense of this challenge to its record and reputation.”

The lawsuit was filed by Marlin Williams on behalf of all current and past salaried, non-union black employees of a “senior manager” job category or given a medium to low rating in 2014 and 2015.

The number of people affected are not specified in the lawsuit.

Williams, with 25 years of experience in promoting diversity programs and initiatives, began working for Fiat Chrysler in January 2015 as talent management consultant and was promoted to diversity manager in September 2015.

She had to assume many of the duties of her white predecessor, the director of talent acquisition and diversity, but was never given a similar title, actually promoted or provided perks such as additional compensation and generous vehicle allowances.

Of seven compensation categories, Williams was hired at the “senior professional” level, No. 4 on the list, and remained there despite being promised otherwise.

Her duties included identifying performance and leadership gaps of diverse population. She was tasked with implementing initiatives that address inequities in compensation, promotion opportunities and other benefits.

While doing this work, she detected and observed, on a company-wide basis, that salaried, non-union employees who were not black of a No. 3 compensation category or less were given lower overall ratings and evaluations at an “alarmingly disproportionate rate.”

Of her own rating, given first by a direct supervisor and then discussed among management during a “calibration” process, she learned it was downgraded in the review even as she achieved all the company goals.

She reported her findings to leaders, saying black employees were being treated less favorably.

As a result, she alleges she faced retaliation. She was accused of failing to perform certain duties, investigated for reporting discriminatory acts and “ostracized and essentially excommunicated from her colleagues and upper management.”

She submitted her 2-week notice on Jan. 2 and was terminated and escorted from the building the next day, the lawsuit states.

Williams seeks a declaration that her rights were violated and a judgment awarding her “liquidated damages and attorneys’ fees and costs” and to help ensure Fiat Chrysler will not subject future workers to the same “illegal conduct.”

The company’s violation of the state civil rights act caused Williams and others loss of reputation, embarrassment, humiliation, outrage, mental distress and economic loss of large, but undetermined proportions, according to the lawsuit.

Her contentions describe a workplace in conflict with what has long been Williams’ work.

She was inclusion officer and global diversity chief at Compuware, a Detroit software company, and founded Knowledge Brokers in Detroit, a diversity and inclusion consulting and professional search firm. She also served as deputy chief information officer for the city of Detroit, according to the lawsuit.