The moves are being rolled out to challenge what it sees as deeply rooted inequities in construction.

A new 10-year social equity transformation business strategy aims to lead by example, tackling lack of female leadership, structural racism, excessive hours, and supply chain abuse.

Multiplex also plans to roll out flexible working to all sites next year, and implement a maximum 14-hour day door-to-door policy.

Within the supply chain, Multiplex is committing to 35-day payment and aims to channel a third of spend to SMEs.

Callum Tuckett, Multiplex’s UK managing director, said: “As one of the largest industries in the world, construction has considerable scope to lead the way and implement the changes necessary to contribute towards reducing inequality and building more inclusive societies.”

“We believe there is an urgent need to recalibrate, to ensure a coordinated and well-planned response, with social equity integrated into our decarbonisation roadmap and at the very heart of our approach to ESG.“

“Our strategy lays out very clearly the actions we are going to take as a business but also, and more importantly, how we will be trying to influence our supply chain, our clients and wider industry stakeholders to maximise our collective impacts and ensure that no one is left behind.”

Its four strategic pillars to address significant social challenges include: health, safety and wellbeing; diversity, inclusion, and respect; socio-economic value, and respecting communities.