Canva's Layoff Package: 6 Months' Salary, Free MacBooks and 10,000 Dollars

Canva's layed off 1,271 employees. Those leaving will receive at least six months' salary, free MacBooks, career support and a chance to apply for 10,000 Dollars in Grants to Start a Business

Canva's Layoff Package: 6 Months' Salary, Free MacBooks and 10,000 Dollars in Grants

Losing a job can be difficult, especially when it happens unexpectedly. Employees not only lose their monthly income but also have to look for another job, manage expenses and plan their future. But what happens when a company decides to restructure its workforce and thousands of employees are affected?

Canva, one of the world's most popular online design platforms, has announced a major restructuring that will affect 1,271 employees, or around 22% of its workforce. The announcement was made on November 4, 2026, by Canva's co-founder and CEO, Melanie Perkins. The company said its growth had slowed for the first time in a decade.

However, what has drawn attention is the support Canva has announced for employees who will be leaving the company.

1. Six Months' Salary

  • Every employee leaving Canva will receive at least six months' salary, including statutory entitlements. This benefit will apply regardless of which country they work in.

2. Employees Can Keep Their MacBooks

  • Employees leaving the company will be allowed to keep their company-provided MacBooks. Canva explained that not everyone owns a personal laptop. Keeping their work laptop will make it easier for employees to apply for jobs, attend online interviews or start working on something new.

3. Healthcare and Wellbeing Support for One Year

  • Employees leaving the company will continue to receive healthcare coverage for 12 months in countries where Canva currently provides this benefit. They will also receive 12 months of access to Canva Care, the company's employee assistance programme. This support will extend to their family members as well.

4. Help Finding Another Job

Canva is also offering career support to help employees prepare for their next opportunities.

This includes:

  • One-to-one career guidance.
  • Help reviewing resumes.
  • Interview preparation.
  • One year of LinkedIn Premium.

The company is also creating an optional directory of former employees who are looking for new opportunities. With their permission, this list will be shared with investors, business partners and other industry contacts who may be able to connect them with potential employers.

5. 10,000 Dollars in Grants to Start a Business

One of the most notable parts of the announcement is the Canva Collective Fund. Employees leaving the company can apply for a grant of USD 10,000 (around Rs.8.8 lakh) if they want to start their own business or work on a project that supports their local community. Canva has clarified that it will not ask for any ownership or equity in the business or project in return for this money.

Employees have until December 14, 2026, to register their interest.

Former Employee Shares Her Experience

Canva's announcement received further attention after former employee Shraddha Khule shared a video on Instagram about her experience. She said that being laid off was something she had never expected. She had joined Canva in 2023 and described it as the best organisation she had worked for.

She also spoke about how the company supported her during her maternity leave, extended her leave and helped her when she temporarily moved to Dubai.

CEO Calls It the Hardest Moment in Canva's History

Canva's co-founder and CEO, Melanie Perkins, also shared a message with employees explaining the decision. She called it the hardest moment in the company's 13-year history and apologised for the pain caused to employees and their families. Perkins said the decision was not a reflection of employees' talent, skills or contributions. She also thanked them for helping build Canva into a platform used by hundreds of millions of people.

The company also allowed departing employees to keep access to their work emails and Slack until the end of that week. This gave them time to speak with colleagues and share the news of their departure in their own way.

Canva's announcement has brought attention to an important question: when companies have to let employees go, should their responsibility end with paying compensation, or should they also help employees move forward?

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