Xiaomi, the Chinese technology company, is facing increasing criticism following reports of excessive working hours across its departments. This issue came to light through a viral post on Maimai, a professional networking platform.
The post alleged that employees are expected to work at least 11.5 hours each day. Numerous internal reports have surfaced since then, with employees from various Xiaomi divisions sharing similar concerns. They claim that while these overtime expectations are not officially documented, they are communicated through verbal instructions.
Workers have reported that different departments have their own benchmarks for working hours, ranging from 10.5 to as much as 15 hours per day, depending on the manager. For instance, an employee in the mobile phone division stated that their team has a daily work target of 12.5 hours. Another employee based in Shanghai described a typical routine that stretches from 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Similar patterns have been reported across several locations, including Jiangsu and Beijing, where long hours have become normalized. Employees face warnings or pressure to resign if they do not meet the logged hour expectations.
Taking even a single day off can negatively impact an employee’s average working hours for the month. If the average drops below eight hours per day, staff members may be required to work extra hours on other days to compensate. Common consequences for failing to meet these informal quotas include written explanations, internal interviews, and warnings.
One insider noted that the issue has persisted for nearly two years but has only recently come to public attention. Contract workers appear to be particularly vulnerable, with stringent daily hour requirements enforced, leading to immediate disciplinary action or termination for non-compliance.
These revelations have reignited concerns about labor rights within the tech sector and highlight the fine line between dedication and exploitation.
