I cant speak for construction industry, but I remember some articles years back about tech company employee count. I have no idea if it's true or guesswork, but the writer said big tech companies hire tons of employees who arent needed simply for ego. It shows other peer companies they are bigger and more important if they got more people working there. And if they got more employees, it means they got the money to float it, and are more important in the tech ecosystem.
Maybe it's true. Maybe totally made up. In consumer goods, it's all about ongoing steady growth business, making money, paying some dividends and being lean in factory and office. Heck, the company was probably founded 100 years ago. Nobody on Earth purposely hires like crazy for employee bravado numbers. But with how wacky tech companies are, I wouldnt be surprised if it's true for some.