Canva adds career support to layoff packages for 1,200 workers

The design software company’s package goes beyond common outplacement help as workers face a challenging job market. Greg Simpson, global practice leader for career transition and mobility at talent advisory firm LHH, said expanded career support is becoming more common among employers. “It does not surprise us to see an offer that's like this,” he said.

Other companies have announced education and retraining assistance alongside job cuts. After announcing more than 13,000 layoffs last year, Verizon created a $20 million reskilling and career-transition fund covering more than 30,000 courses and 80 professional certificate programs tied to in-demand skills. Chevron, which plans to cut up to 20% of its workforce by the end of this year, says it will reimburse laid-off employees for up to 75% of qualifying coursework.

Simpson said the rise of AI-related workplace change may be prompting companies to feel more responsibility for workers who leave. An LHH report published in 2026 found that 87% of HR leaders said their organizations had recently made layoffs or planned them within a year, while more than 75% said cuts were ongoing. Of the 418,000 laid-off workers LHH supported, about 58% moved into an entirely new career in 2025, a share that has remained steady since 2022.

Support can affect morale and reputation

Employers may also offer more assistance to sustain morale among remaining staff. Pav Stojkovic, a former chief people officer at The Athletic and biotech startup Omeat, said such help “helps preserve a more positive work culture for those who survive the cuts.”

Matthew Whol, a former executive recruiter and career coach who runs an outplacement platform, said better exit support can limit criticism on social media. How a company treats departing employees can turn them into advocates or critics, he said. “I jokingly tell people that your best customer or your best marketer is the person who doesn't work for you anymore.”