Some Chinese network resources shared interesting information about the organization of working hours in Xiaomi offices today, additionally publishing feedback from the company’s employees on this issue.
Xiaomi is now under intense scrutiny after reports that the company is secretly forcing its employees to work overtime. In particular, a message on the popular Chinese service Maimai, an analogue of LinkedIn, claims that Xiaomi requires its employees to work at least 11.5 hours a day.
Even more worryingly, several Xiaomi employees confirmed these statements to Jiupai News, a very popular publication in China. Moreover, employee reviews indicate that the situation varies depending on the department.
For example, one of the specialists in the mobile phone division said that each team works according to its own basic schedule. In some groups, the minimum daily working time is set at 10.5 hours. While in others it reaches 14 or 15 hours a day, and his team works on a 12.5-hour schedule.
Another Xiaomi employee from Shanghai told Jiupai News that the average working day in their department is 11.5 hours, which actually means a schedule from 9:00 to 20:30.
Another specialist working in Jiangsu said that their team is working on a 12-hour schedule. Even then, he said, “the supervisor called me in because of my low rating” compared to colleagues.
Another employee said they had to provide a written explanation if they worked less than 10.5 hours, while another, who works in the Beijing office, clarified that those who continue to hold low-level positions receive warnings from management.
According to Jiupai News, these requirements are not officially documented. Managers are reportedly handing them over verbally so as not to leave a paper trail.
However, Xiaomi has not yet officially commented on this situation and remains silent for now. Apparently, he’s conducting an internal audit.