Former Canva Employee Calls the Company ‘Best Place to Work’ Even After Layoffs

When Shraddha woke up on a Tuesday morning, she thought it would be another ordinary day at home in Dubai. Little did she know her husband would soon break the news that Canva – the graphic‑design platform she’d joined in 2023 – was cutting her job.

"I got laid off from Canva today," she says in an Instagram video that quickly went viral. "Saying it out loud still doesn’t feel real." The shock left her in denial, and she admitted she’s still trying to process what happened.

For Shraddha, this was her first experience of a layoff, and she wasn’t sure how to feel about it. "Some people say being laid off is the best thing that ever happened to them, but for me I’m not so sure," she confesses, a hint of vulnerability in her voice.

Yet even as she grapples with the loss, she takes a moment to look back at the positives. She calls Canva "hands down the best organisation to work with" – not just because of the day‑to‑day job, but for the way the company treated her during a very personal time.

During her pregnancy, Canva extended her maternity leave, helped arrange a temporary relocation to Dubai, and continued to provide support when she needed it most. "Even while I was on maternity leave, Canva was the most supportive employer ever," she says, a faint smile breaking through.

The layoff itself was part of a larger restructuring announced by Canva earlier this year. The company said it would cut 1,271 roles, roughly 22 % of its global workforce, and offered a severance package that includes several months of salary, continued healthcare, career‑coaching assistance and even a MacBook to help with the transition.

Social media users responded with a mix of admiration and empathy. One comment read, "Even after a layoff, you’re talking good about your company – that’s rare and admirable." Another added, "More power to you. It’s not easy when a great employer lets you go, but the respect you show back says a lot about their culture."

Shraddha’s story is a reminder that, sometimes, an employer’s true character shines through not when everything is smooth, but when challenges arise. While she’s “really bummed” about not being able to brag about her Canva badge any longer, she also seems hopeful that the next door will open onto something even better.

In the meantime, she’s thanking the Canva community for the outpouring of support and wishes everyone – herself included – the best of luck on the road ahead.