About two dozen Hiscox employees protested outside the company's Lisbon office on Friday. The staff held a one-day strike to oppose their upcoming transfer to IT provider Genpact.
The National Union of Insurance and Related Professionals (SINAPSA) organized the walkout. The decision affects around 90 employees in Portugal and nearly 200 people across related UK entities.
The conflict centers on the Hiscox insurance outsourcing to Genpact controversy, as workers warn the move will strip away their established labor rights.
Why Workers Are Fighting the Transfer
Employees state that moving to an external provider breaks their collective bargaining agreement.
Staff members are set to lose several key benefits:
- No Paid Sick Day: Hiscox currently pays for the first three days of sick leave, but Genpact will not cover them.
- Loss of Free Health Coverage: Workers and their families will lose their free health insurance.
- Blocked Career Growth: Promoted roles and clear career paths will no longer be guaranteed.
Job stability is another big concern. Hiscox remains partly responsible for these workers for two years. However, the company can open a new tender after five years, leaving staff open to future layoffs.
Meanwhile, employees question why Hiscox continues hiring new IT staff while pushing current teams out instead of retraining them.
What Happens Next
Over 100 employees have already formally opposed the transfer, and Hiscox warned them they face layoffs. Union leaders say the protest will continue until the company addresses their rights.
This Hiscox employee rally against IT offshoring shows how corporate changes can quickly impact worker rights.
As the Hiscox workers protest Genpact integration 2026 situation develops, it offers a clear lesson for anyone following growing tech companies or searching for new tech jobs. Enterprise restructuring can change employment terms overnight.