Canva announces workforce changes affecting over 1K employees

Canva is set to make changes to 1,271 jobs, equivalent to 22% of its workforce, as part of a major organizational restructuring after the company experienced its first slowdown in growth in a decade.

In a message to employees on Wednesday, Canva co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins said the company plans to return to smaller, more empowered teams, simplify its organizational structure, broaden employee responsibilities, and bring more teams together in person.

"For some people, this will mean changes to their roles or being asked to relocate to centralized hubs.," she said.

"It also means making some of the hardest decisions we've ever faced, including saying goodbye to people who have helped make Canva what it is today. For that, I am deeply sorry," she added.

The restructuring will also make Sydney the primary hub for more of Canva's product teams and other roles that require closer collaboration.

Canva said affected employees will receive at least six months of salary, including statutory entitlements, as well as continued healthcare coverage for 12 months in countries where it is provided.

Other forms of assistance include career coaching, interview preparation, LinkedIn Premium access for one year, and an opt-in alumni talent directory to help departing employees find new opportunities.

The company will also offer $10,000 grants through its Canva Collective Fund to departing employees interested in starting their own businesses or community initiatives.

Canva is a graphic and publishing tool launched in 2013. Filipino-Australian Perkins established it with co-founders Cameron Adams and Cliff Obrecht.

In 2020, Perkins became the youngest billionaire in Australia and the third richest woman in the country at only 32 years old. —Carby Rose Basina/MGP, GMA News