Construction projects are among the most significant components of urban and economic development, playing a vital role in improving quality of life, providing essential infrastructure, and fostering societal growth. Nevertheless, delays in the execution and delivery of such projects remain one of the most common challenges in the construction industry, generating considerable financial, managerial, social, and environmental consequences. The present study aims to analyze the factors affecting delays in the delivery of construction projects in the city of Shiraz, with particular emphasis on employer-related variables and human resources. In terms of purpose, this research is applied, and in terms of data collection, it adopts a descriptive-survey method. First, the indicators related to the research topic were identified through theoretical foundations and previous studies. These indicators were then incorporated into a questionnaire designed based on a Likert scale for data collection. The statistical population consisted of 180 active construction projects in Shiraz, from which a sample of 60 supervisors and specialists associated with these projects was selected using Cochran’s formula. After coding, the collected data were entered into SPSS software and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including the t-test and correlation analysis. The findings revealed that variables related to human resources and the employer have a statistically significant effect on delays in construction projects, with a t-value of 6.055 and a significance level of less than 0.05. Correlation analysis further indicated that human resources, accounting for 43%, had the greatest impact on project delays, followed by employer-related factors at 37%. Factors such as workforce skill and expertise, coordination among executive teams, quality of supervision, delays in decision-making, and frequent changes initiated by the employer were identified as major causes of disruption in project implementation. Moreover, prolonged project execution may intensify energy consumption, construction waste generation, and urban pollution. Therefore, strengthening human resource management, improving supervision, and reforming employer decision-making processes can play an effective role in reducing project delays and mitigating the environmental impacts of construction activities.