Technology1 min read

Canva layoffs: design giant to cut or relocate more than 1,200 jobs in major restructure

By · Via The Guardian · Published by Everything Blog

In short

The reorganization impacts 1,271 employees, representing 22% of Canva's global workforce across multiple international offices. While the company has not disclosed the exact ratio of outright layoffs to forced office transfers, departing staff will receive at least six months of salary alongside extended healthcare benefits. Exiting employees are also being offered the opportunity to apply for $10,000 grants to fund their own new business ventures. The operational shift aligns with recent tech retrenchments at firms like Atlassian, Block, and WiseTech Global.

Key points

  • Management is streamlining operational management layers while mandating more staff to ga…: Management is streamlining operational management layers while mandating more staff to gather physically within centralized company hubs.
  • The company did not specify the precise split between workers facing outright dismissal a…: The company did not specify the precise split between workers facing outright dismissal and those asked to relocate.
  • Canva's workforce reduction mirrors similar downsizing initiatives across the tech sector…: Canva's workforce reduction mirrors similar downsizing initiatives across the tech sector, yet leadership made no mention of artificial intelligence.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

Canva is cutting or relocating more than 1,200 jobs, representing 22% of its global workforce, as part of a major restructure that includes laying off staff who helped build the Australian-founded design platform.

The changes mirror a trend across the technology sector, where software companies are fighting to stay competitive against cheaper artificial intelligence disrupters while aggressively embedding AI tools themselves.

Canva’s chief executive, Melanie Perkins, said in an email to staff on Wednesday that the restructure was “without doubt the hardest moment in our thirteen-year history”.

“For some people, this will mean changes to their roles or being asked to relocate to centralised hubs,” she said. “Sadly, it will also mean saying goodbye to teammates and friends who have helped build Canva into what it is today.”

The restructure will affect 1,271 people, according to the company, as it focuses on “collapsing layers” and bringing “more teams together in person”.

“We know relocating is a big decision for those being asked to consider it, and we’re committed to making the process as smooth as possible with comprehensive support,” said…

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