Canva Layoffs 2026: Employees Get 6 Months' Salary, MacBooks and Career Support

Canva, the popular graphic design and content creation platform, has announced a major organisational restructuring that will affect 1,271 employees, or around 22% of its global workforce. The company is offering a range of financial and career-related benefits to employees who are leaving, including at least six months’ salary, permission to keep their company-issued MacBooks, and assistance with finding new jobs.

Canva CEO and co-founder Melanie Perkins announced the changes in a message to employees. She described the decision as one of the most difficult moments in the company’s 13-year history and expressed regret over the disruption it would cause employees and their families.

Importantly, the figure of 1,271 refers to employees affected by the restructuring, not necessarily the number of people being dismissed. According to Canva, some employees will move into different roles or be asked to relocate to centralised hubs, while others will leave the company.

Canva Layoffs: What Is Included in the Severance Package?

Canva has outlined a support package for employees departing as part of the restructuring. The company says everyone leaving will receive at least six months of salary, inclusive of statutory entitlements, regardless of their location.

One of the notable benefits is that departing employees will be allowed to keep their company-issued MacBooks. Canva said it recognises that people need access to a computer when preparing résumés, applying for jobs and attending interviews, and that not everyone has a personal laptop.

The company is also offering a year of LinkedIn Premium to help former employees explore professional opportunities and connect with recruiters.

Career Coaching, Interview Preparation and Healthcare Support

Canva's assistance extends beyond financial compensation. Departing employees will receive one-on-one career coaching, interview preparation, and support with reviewing their résumés.

The company's Talent Acquisition team will also dedicate resources to helping affected employees prepare for their next career move. Canva plans to create an opt-in alumni talent directory and share it with investors, business partners and industry contacts to help connect former employees with potential employers.

Healthcare support is another part of the package. In countries where Canva currently provides healthcare benefits, departing employees will receive 12 months of continued coverage. They and their family members will also retain access to Canva Care, the company's employee assistance programme, for 12 months.

Canva Removes One-Year Equity Vesting Cliff for Recent Hires

The company has also announced a change to its employee share arrangements. Canva will remove the usual one-year vesting cliff for employees who joined within the past 12 months.

A vesting cliff is the minimum period an employee generally needs to remain with a company before becoming eligible to retain a portion of their stock-based compensation. Removing this requirement provides additional support to recent hires affected by the restructuring.

The precise equity entitlement will depend on the employee's individual share arrangements; the announcement should not be interpreted as a guarantee that every departing employee will receive all shares.

Canva Collective Fund: $10,000 Grants for New Businesses

Canva is also launching the Canva Collective Fund for departing employees who want to start a business or undertake a community project.

Under the initiative, eligible employees leaving as part of the restructuring can apply for a grant of US$10,000. The company has said it will not take an ownership or equity stake in the businesses or projects supported through the fund.

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

Disney Also Considers Thousands of Job Cuts

While Canva has announced a support package for departing employees, another major company in the entertainment industry is reportedly considering significant cost reductions.

According to a Bloomberg report, Walt Disney has asked some managers to identify opportunities to achieve annual cost savings of around 20%. The savings could come from job eliminations as well as reductions in other expenses.

The potential changes could affect different parts of Disney's business, including its television networks and film operations. However, the report does not establish a final number of job cuts or confirm that a 20% workforce reduction has been ordered.

Disney has undertaken several rounds of job cuts in recent years as it has worked to reduce costs and reorganise its business.

What the Canva Restructuring Means for Employees

Canva's announcement highlights the human and financial impact of large-scale corporate restructuring. While 1,271 employees are affected by the changes, the company has not disclosed how many will ultimately leave, change roles, or relocate.

For employees who do depart, the package includes salary support, healthcare continuation, career assistance, MacBooks and opportunities to apply for startup grants. The company says its priority is to support affected staff through the transition.

The developments at Canva and Disney also underline how major companies are reassessing their organisational structures and costs, even as they seek to prepare their businesses for the next phase of growth.