Change affecting 1,271 employees at Canva

Canva is undergoing a major company-wide restructuring. The changes co-founder and CEO Melanie Perkins announced today will affect 1,271 people, or 22 percent of employees. However, this number includes not only layoffs but also changes in duties and workplaces.

Perkins explained the situation clearly in the memo he sent to employees. Some people's roles will change. Some will be asked to move to central offices. Moreover, some of his teammates will part ways. Perkins called it "sad."

"We are rebuilding Canva" message from Perkins

The CEO said he is considering many alternatives. But he concluded that small steps would not be enough. Because according to Perkins, the company needs to rebuild Canva to prepare for the next decade.

The goal is to return to the structure of the founding days. So small teams will come to the fore. These teams will have the freedom to make decisions. They will also have a high sense of ownership and focus on work that matters most to the community.

What is Changing in Company Structure?

The new order is collected under several headings. First, let's look at the changes in the internal structure of the company:

Product, Growth and Platform teams will merge into a single product organization.

Management layers will be simplified.

Conflicting responsibilities will be gathered under one roof.

Sydney will be the headquarters for product teams and other roles where shared context is important.

Also, the office layout is changing. Starting in January, Canva will expect most hybrid employees to be in the office 2-3 days a week. However, this number may vary depending on the field of the team.

A support package was also prepared for employees who will leave the company. Therefore, those who leave will not be left completely without support. The package includes at least six months salary, twelve months health insurance and career support resources.

Similar news came in the technology sector this week. On the other hand, Squarespace announced layoffs affecting 19 percent of its employees yesterday. The first step of the changes in Canva will begin with new office rules in January.