Harsh Pokharna, the CEO and founder of OkCredit, is earning widespread praise for his approach to handling the tough decision of laying off 70 employees. Taking to LinkedIn, Pokharna shared a deeply human-centric account of how his company navigated one of its most challenging periods.
18 months ago, OkCredit had to lay off a significant portion of its workforce due to budget constraints and overspending. In his post, Pokharna admitted to the company’s mistake of hiring too quickly, a lesson learned the hard way. However, what stood out was his transparency and compassion throughout the process. He detailed the steps taken to ensure the well-being of the laid-off employees, turning a difficult situation into a learning moment for leaders everywhere.
Pokharna explained that each employee was given three months’ notice, and the company provided extensive support by offering referrals, introductions, and job leads. Remarkably, 67 of the 70 employees found new jobs before their notice period ended. For the remaining three who struggled to secure employment, the company gave two additional months of salary to help them transition.
The CEO took a firm stance on how layoffs should be conducted, comparing the humane approach at OkCredit with the impersonal and often insensitive methods observed in many companies today, especially in tech. He criticized the widespread practice of informing employees about their job loss via emails and emphasized that “how you handle layoffs says everything about your culture.” For Pokharna, treating employees like family, even when they are being let go, is the ultimate mark of leadership.
The post resonated with many on LinkedIn, sparking discussions about company culture and leadership. Several industry leaders praised Pokharna for handling the situation with dignity and respect, with one CEO noting, “Respect for handling it the right way. More leaders should follow this example.” Another co-founder wrote, “Such a powerful reminder of what it means to be a true leader. I respect the way you navigated this, and it’s a model for all of us who aim to build a people-first culture.”
In an era where layoffs are often viewed as a cold, transactional matter, Pokharna’s story serves as a powerful reminder that kindness, transparency, and support during such times can make a huge difference, both for the affected employees and for the integrity of the company.
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