Why Backyard Brothers Requires Drug Testing

Why Backyard Brothers Requires Drug Testing

The Data Behind Our Enhanced Professional Standards

Understanding the service industry realities that drive our commitment to your family's safety

When we announced mandatory drug testing consent for all Backyard Brothers personnel, some questioned whether this was necessary. Today, we're sharing the government data that informed this decision—because transparency matters when it comes to who enters your backyard.

The Service Industry Reality: What Government Data Reveals

The numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics are clear. In their 2023 analysis of workers with criminal histories, 37% of construction workers have criminal records—more than double the 17.9% rate in the general population. This represents the highest concentration of workers with criminal backgrounds across all industries surveyed.

Pool service workers fall under similar employment classifications as construction and maintenance personnel, making this data directly relevant to our industry. The leisure and hospitality sector follows at 27.9% criminal background rates.

These aren't just statistics—they represent real considerations for families deciding who to trust with access to their homes and children's play areas.

Substance Use: A Growing Challenge in Service Industries

The substance use data from federal agencies is equally concerning. SAMHSA's National Survey on Drug Use and Health shows construction workers have the second-highest heavy alcohol use rate at 16.5%—nearly double the 8.7% workforce average.

Quest Diagnostics' 2023 Drug Testing Index shows construction industry drug test positivity at 4.7% in 2022, representing a 14.6% increase from 2018 (4.1% to 4.7%). Their 2024 analysis reveals marijuana positivity across all industries increased 45.2% over five years, rising from 3.1% in 2019 to 4.5% in 2023.

The accommodation and food services sector—which employs workers with similar demographics to pool service—demonstrates the highest illicit drug use at 19.1% and substance use disorder rates at 16.9%, both nearly double national averages according to SAMHSA data.

The Safety Connection: Why This Matters for Pool Service

Pool service involves handling chemicals, operating equipment, and working around electrical systems near water. They might work near gas and propane...

Our technicians enter your property when you're not home, often having access to backyards where children play.

They know your gate code.

Your pets.

Maybe even your kids' names.

You NEED to trust that they're upstanding people.

Cornell University research published in the Journal of Drug Education found that companies implementing drug testing programs see a 51% reduction in injury rates within two years compared to those without testing.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the construction industry accounts for 20.3% of workplace fatalities (1,075 out of 5,283 total in 2023)—highlighting safety implications in physical labor environments.

Quest Diagnostics data shows that when the Department of Transportation mandates drug testing for safety-sensitive positions, positivity rates drop to 2.4% compared to 4.6% in the general workforce. This demonstrates that testing programs with clear consequences effectively reduce workplace substance use.

Our Professional Standards in Context

According to the City of Austin's official contractor registration page, Texas has no state-level licensing requirement for general contractors, leaving screening entirely to individual employers. However, California mandates fingerprinting and background checks for all contractor license applicants through the Contractors State License Board.

Backyard Brothers chose to exceed industry standards because federal data clearly shows the risk profile of service industry workers. With 37% of construction workers having criminal records and substance use rates significantly exceeding national averages, enhanced screening provides both safety benefits and competitive differentiation.

The Professional Difference

When someone in an industry with these documented risk factors refuses basic professional standards, it raises obvious questions.

The 51% reduction in workplace injuries associated with drug testing programs, combined with pool service workers' access to customers' homes and chemical handling responsibilities, creates strong justification for our enhanced standards.

Our Commitment Moving Forward

These federal statistics reinforce why Backyard Brothers implemented enhanced professional standards. We're not judging anyone's past—we're protecting your family's future based on documented industry realities.

Our drug testing requirement creates a clear professional divide in a market where many operate without formal screening. When you choose Backyard Brothers, you're choosing a company that takes responsibility for who we send to your home.

Resources for Homeowners: Protect Your Family

Since most pool service companies don't conduct background checks, we recommend homeowners research anyone entering their property.

Criminal Background Check Services:

Official Sex Offender Registries (Free):

Professional Verification Resources:

Warning Signs When Hiring Service Providers:

  • Refuses to provide business credentials, license, or insurance information
  • Won't consent to background check verification
  • No fixed business address or online presence
  • Demands personal payment, not to a company...
  • Solicits door-to-door
  • Places flyers on personal property
  • Cannot provide legitimate local customer references

Questions to Ask Any Pool Service Company:

  1. "If I conduct a background check myself, will I find that you've been convicted of a crime?"
  2. "Do you conduct background checks on all employees?"
  3. "Do you require drug testing for personnel entering customer properties?"
  4. "Can you provide proof of business formation? How about licensing and insurance?"
  5. "What is your policy if problems arise with employee conduct?"
  6. "Can you provide recent local customer references?"

Red Flags That Should Concern Any Homeowner:

  • Sporadic, unprofessional behavior; odd conversation patterns and topics
  • Failure to answer basic phone calls, texts, and emails
  • 'Company' does not operate as an LLC or credible business entity
  • Pool service provider/company has exceptionally high attrition rate
  • Company cannot answer basic questions about their screening process or falters and attempts to over-explain in effort to dance around the issue
  • When providing estimates, emailing, or even texting, it's clear AI (rather than acumen) was relied upon...
  • Employees seem evasive about their background or employment history
  • No company uniforms; unmarked vehicles; or unprofessional appearance
  • Requests access to areas of property unrelated to pool service
  • Shows excessive interest in home security systems, schedules, or family routines

Remember: Professional service companies welcome these questions and provide clear answers. Those who become defensive or evasive when asked about professional standards may not be the right choice for your family's safety.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics:

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration):

Quest Diagnostics:

Academic Research:

  • Gerber, J.K. & Yacoubian, G.S. "An Assessment of Drug Testing within the Construction Industry." Journal of Drug Education, 2002. Cornell University School of Industrial and Labor Relations.

State and Local Government:

All statistics represent the most recent available government and institutional data from official federal and state agencies. Data collection periods: BLS criminal background data (2023), SAMHSA substance use data (2008-2012), Quest Diagnostics drug testing data (2018-2024), workplace fatality data (2023).

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