Australian design software company Canva is offering employees affected by its latest restructuring financial and career support, including business-startup grants, as employers explore new ways to assist workers losing their jobs. The announcement, made on November 4, 2026, follows a restructuring affecting 1,271 employees, representing 22% of the company's global workforce across 37 countries.
Canva's support package includes at least six months' salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements, regardless of employees' locations. Departing workers will also receive 12 months of continued healthcare coverage in countries where the company provides the benefit and extended access to its employee assistance programme.
The company is also providing one year of LinkedIn Premium, individual career coaching and interview preparation to help former employees secure new positions. Canva's Talent Acquisition team will dedicate resources to reviewing CVs and helping departing staff prepare for recruitment processes.
In addition, the company is establishing an opt-in alumni talent directory that will be shared with investors, business partners and industry contacts to connect former employees with potential employment opportunities. Workers leaving the company will also be allowed to retain their company-issued MacBooks.
One of the more unusual elements is the Canva Collective Fund, which will provide US$10,000 grants to departing employees interested in establishing businesses or undertaking community projects. Applicants have until December 14, 2026, to register their interest, and Canva says it will not claim equity or ownership in the ventures supported.
The initiative comes as other major employers introduce additional assistance for workers affected by large-scale redundancies. Verizon established a US$20 million fund following more than 13,000 job cuts, providing access to reskilling programmes and professional certifications.
Chevron has also introduced education assistance, offering to reimburse up to 75% of qualifying educational expenses for eligible departing employees seeking to develop new skills.
Canva co-founder and Chief Executive Officer Melanie Perkins said the restructuring was necessary to prepare the company for its next phase amid changing technology, slower growth and evolving customer expectations.
The developments highlight how employers are increasingly extending redundancy packages beyond traditional severance payments to include retraining, entrepreneurship and career-transition support. As businesses continue restructuring their workforces, the extent to which such programmes help displaced employees secure new opportunities will remain an important measure of their effectiveness.
