AsianFin -- A heated discussion about excessive work hours at Xiaomi has taken social media by storm, with employees alleging that the company demands an average of at least 11.5 hours of work per day.

The conversation, which has gone viral on platforms like Weibo and the professional networking app Maimai, has brought attention to the mounting concerns surrounding work-life balance within China's competitive tech sector.

Several Xiaomi employees have come forward to detail their experiences, revealing that those working less than 8 hours per day are required to submit an explanation. Those deemed to be underperforming face meetings with supervisors, which could adversely affect their promotions and performance reviews. The situation has sparked comparisons with similar issues at other tech giants, including Alibaba and Tencent, as workers from various departments and locations express their frustrations.

In particular, employees from the mobile phone division have shared that the work hours vary depending on the team. Some groups are reportedly expected to work a minimum of 10.5 hours daily, while others demand up to 14 or even 15 hours. One employee shared that their team is held to a strict 12.5-hour workday, typically from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. or later.