Canva says it’s investigating claims of inappropriate behavior by a former executive.
“Creating a safe environment for everyone is our number one priority,” a Canva representative told Business Insider in an email. “We have a zero-tolerance policy for inappropriate behavior and we’re fully committed to thoroughly investigating and actioning any instances of this.”
Canva confirmed the investigation after users on the anonymous social network platform Blind posted complaints involving former CFO Damien Singh.
Blind showed BI screenshots of the comments and original thread, which began three weeks ago. The claims in the screenshots seen by BI were short on detail.
Canva did not confirm whether the investigation commenced before Singh’s departure, and it’s unclear how or whether the complaints had a role in his exit.
One user wrote that complaints were raised by “multiple groups and individuals.”
Another Blind user, who claimed to be “from the People and Legal leadership team,” encouraged Canva employees on Blind to report any misconduct allegations to the company.
The user wrote: “I want to first start by saying how concerned I am reading this thread, and I also want to assure you that we take anything of this nature extremely seriously and have zero tolerance on any matters like this, no matter who you are at Canva.”
They also said they set up a “Speak Up” facility so employees could anonymously post information.
The graphic-design platform announced Singh’s departure in a note to investors last week, The Information reported. The note said the move was meant to “set ourselves up for the next chapter of Canva’s growth.”
The Australian company has attracted a $25 billion valuation and may be preparing for an initial public offering as soon as next year.
Singh joined Canva in 2016, according to his LinkedIn profile, four years after it was founded by CEO Melanie Perkins, the chief operating officer Cliff Obrecht; and product chief Cameron Adams.
Singh did not immediately respond to a request for comment, made outside normal working hours.
Are you a Canva employee? Contact this reporter by email at jmann@businessinsider.com or DM on X @jyoti_mann1 using a non-work device.
