Leading by Example! OkCredit CEO Lays Off Over 65 Employees, Gets Them Jobs Before End of Notice Period

In a remarkable display of leadership, OkCredit CEO Harsh Pokharna has demonstrated how layoffs can be handled with empathy and responsibility. The Bengaluru CEO personally ensured that over 65 employees who were let go found new jobs before their notice period ended. His approach, highlighted in a viral LinkedIn post, has sparked discussions on ethical leadership during workforce reductions.

Why Did OkCredit CEO Harsh Pokharna Lay Off Employees?

OkCredit CEO Harsh Pokharna recently took to LinkedIn to share his experience of laying off 70 employees 18 months ago. In his post, he candidly admitted the company’s mistakes, saying, “We were burning too much. Hired too fast. It was our mistake. And we owned it.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Harsh Pokharna (@_harshpokharna)

Unlike many companies that conduct mass layoffs impersonally, the OkCredit CEO personally spoke to each affected employee, explaining the circumstances and ensuring they were supported during the transition.

OkCredit provided a three-month notice period and actively assisted employees with job referrals, introductions and leads. As a result, 67 employees secured new jobs before their notice ended. For the remaining three, the company extended an additional two months’ salary, helping them stay financially secure while searching for opportunities.

How Bengaluru CEO Harsh Pokharna’s Approach Differs from Other Layoffs

Pokharna’s post also highlighted the stark contrast between OkCredit’s handling of layoffs and the impersonal manner in which many companies have dismissed employees. He pointed out that over 120,000 professionals were laid off this year, with many finding out through blocked emails or sudden removal from internal communication platforms like Slack.

The OkCredit CEO emphasised that founders and business leaders must take accountability when making such decisions, urging them to treat employees with the same respect when letting them go as they do when hiring them.

Harsh Pokharna’s Viral LinkedIn Post Sparks Reactions

Harsh Pokharna’s LinkedIn post has gone viral, garnering praise from professionals and entrepreneurs alike. 

A LinkedIn user, Mahendrasinh Rana, commented, “I always believed money in life will come and go, but anyone who is working with us should have a pleasing experience. Be it a customer, supplier, domestic worker, or team. We should have a positive effect on each other. You did it the right way—that’s why you are always welcome and supported by known and unknown people.”

Another user, Mrudali Birla, praised his maturity and ethics, stating, “That is such a mature and respectful way to deal with people. More power to you. Cowardly leaders hide behind their mistakes and put it on employees due to their own incompetence. Real power lies in owning up. True quality of a leader and founder. Thanks for sharing!”

Aditya, another LinkedIn user, wrote, “Respect for handling it the right way. More leaders should follow this example.” Meanwhile, Priyanka Giri commented, “Harsh Pokharna, it's admirable to take ownership of what’s within your control—and even what isn’t. Kudos to you!”