California auditor raps psych worker OT

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 21 (UPI) -- California's auditor says there should be a cap on overtime for state mental health workers, particularly those who log prodigious hours on a regular basis.

State Auditor Elaine Howle said in a letter to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger that more than 100 state nurses and psychiatric workers work enough overtime to virtually double their salary and the long hours may put patients at risk.

"Individuals working excessive amounts of overtime may compromise their own and patients' or consumers' health and safety," Howle wrote.

The Los Angeles Times said Howle's audit determined the state paid $2.1 billion in overtime during the past five years. The prison system, which has long been a source of overtime for the cash-strapped state, was not included in the audit.

Howle said union contracts that cap overtime, as well as requirements for one-on-one staffing in state mental-health facilities, contributed to the high overtime payouts at facilities for the disabled and psychiatric patients.