Stay-in jobs are usually the kind where the employee is carrying out domestic service for the employer, for example housekeeper, cook, yaya, nurse, OFW, chauffeur, or carer for an elderly or disabled person. Typically the employee receives a furnished bedroom or bedspace in a dorm. Some very well-to-do families will provide a full apartment for the live-in, like a garage apartment or guest house. The employee may be provided with a car, or share the use of a car with the employer. The stay-in employee either takes his/her meals with the employer, or has kitchen privileges to prepare his/her own meals. The employer usually pays for the employee’s food.

When considering an offered stay-in position, remember that the value of the room, bath, meals, car, etc. must be considered part of your salary. Therefore the amount of your take-home pay will be considerably less than if you live out, because of all the stay-in perks. Staying in can provide a meaningful tax advantage to you if the value of the perks is not taxable where you live.

When negotiating a stay-in job offer with a potential employer, here are some things to keep in mind:

What are the work hours? With a disabled employer you may need to be available pretty much 24 hours a day in case of emergencies. Otherwise, you should have a fixed schedule of work hours and work days.

How will your days off be covered? Can the employer give you weekends (one or two other days) off? If not (because of a disabled employer needing someone there every day) will the employer arrange for part-time help, so you can have your days off?

Ask if the employer can offer other benefits that are usually available to office workers and others who live out, but are often not offered to live-ins. These include 13th month pay, allowances, vacation time, health insurance (medical, dental, optical), and life insurance.

Finally, be aware that staying in can be a positive experience for both employer and employee if they get along well and the employee’s duties and benefits are explicit up front. It can also be a nightmare if the employer is unreasonable or unpleasant. Be sure you have everything agreed to on paper before accepting the job.