Canva Cuts 22% of Staff With 6-Month Pay Package

What Happened

Canva, the Australian graphic-design platform, announced a large-scale restructuring that affects 1,271 employees, equal to 22% of its total workforce, according to Mint. Co-founder and chief executive Melanie Perkins communicated the changes to staff on 4 November 2025, citing shifts in organisational structure, team locations, and the skills the company will need going forward.

The Exit Package in Detail

The report says every affected employee will receive at least six months of salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements, regardless of their country. Additional benefits include:

• Twelve months of continued healthcare coverage in countries where Canva currently provides it, plus 12 months of the company's employee assistance programme extended to family members.
• One-on-one career coaching, resume review support, and one year of LinkedIn Premium.
• An opt-in alumni talent directory shared with Canva's investors, partners, and industry network.
• Permission to keep their company-issued MacBook.
• Access to US$10,000 (United States dollars) grants through the Canva Collective Fund for employees who want to start a business or a community initiative; Canva says it will not take ownership or equity in those ventures.
• Removal of the one-year vesting cliff for employees who joined within the past year.

Reaction on LinkedIn

The announcement generated significant discussion on LinkedIn, the report notes. Multiple users described the package as a model for how companies can handle workforce reductions with greater consideration for departing staff. One commenter wrote that companies cannot always prevent layoffs but can choose how they treat people when they leave. Another called the combination of salary support, healthcare, and startup funding an admirable approach to leadership. Several users expressed hope that other employers would adopt similar minimum standards.

Why It Matters for Job Seekers

The Canva restructuring is a reminder that severance terms vary widely across employers and regions, and that the quality of an exit package can significantly affect a person's financial stability during a job search.

• If you are currently employed in the tech or design sector, consider reviewing your employment contract's severance and healthcare provisions before a restructuring is announced, so you understand your baseline entitlements.
• If you are an experienced hire evaluating job offers, the vesting cliff removal and alumni network support at Canva illustrate benefits worth negotiating or asking about beyond base salary.
• If you are a fresher entering the workforce, this case shows that employer reputation for how it treats departing staff is a meaningful signal of company culture worth researching.
• If you were affected by a recent layoff anywhere in the world, alumni talent directories and professional network activation — as Canva is doing — are practical tools to explore through your own former employer or industry associations.

Audience note: This story affects tech and design professionals globally, particularly those at mid-to-large companies undergoing restructuring, as well as job seekers assessing employer practices.