Live-in caregiver in Italy: working hours, rest days, and personal time
When a caregiver is live-in (badante convivente), the household can easily confuse “living in the home” with “being available all the time”. This guide explains a simple principle: working time is working time — rest time is rest time.
Live-in does not mean 24/7 availability. During rest time and days off, the worker is free to manage personal life (including leaving the home and sleeping outside). What matters is being present and fit when work starts.
1Why this topic causes misunderstandings
A live-in caregiver usually supports an elderly or fragile person. Families naturally want security, presence, and continuity. But employment rules still apply: the contract defines when the worker is on duty and when the worker is resting.
A stable relationship is built on clarity. When rules are unclear, tension grows.
2The key rule: working time vs rest time
- During working hours, the caregiver must be present and active.
- During rest time, the caregiver is free to manage personal time.
3Can a live-in caregiver leave the home during rest time?
Yes. During rest time and days off, a live-in caregiver can:
- leave the home;
- meet friends or family;
- sleep outside (overnight away from the employer’s home).
The employer should not request explanations about where the worker goes or who the worker meets.
“Live-in” describes the housing arrangement, not an obligation to stay at home during rest time.
4What the employer can legitimately expect
The employer has reasonable rights. The caregiver must respect the agreement and be reliable. In practice, the employer can expect:
- Punctual return when working hours start;
- Fitness for duty (rested enough, clear and correct behaviour);
- Respect for tasks and organisation agreed in the contract;
- Presence at night when it is part of the live-in arrangement and scheduled work.
It does not matter where the worker sleeps during the day off. What matters is being present and fit when work begins.
5What is not appropriate to demand
Some demands are understandable emotionally, but not correct in an employment relationship. It is not appropriate to demand that the caregiver:
- stays at home on rest days “because she lives here”;
- is always reachable;
- gives up personal life as a permanent rule;
- works during rest time without an agreed arrangement.
The correct solution is organisation: shifts, replacements, agreed extra hours. Not “expecting” constant availability.
6Practical examples
| Situation | Correct approach |
|---|---|
| The caregiver wants to sleep outside on the day off | This is allowed. Agree on the time she must return before work starts. |
| The family fears being “uncovered” | Organise help: replacement caregiver, shifts, or agreed extra coverage. |
| The caregiver returns late and works poorly | Focus on punctuality and fitness for duty: performance must be correct during work hours. |
| The family demands she stays at home during rest time | Avoid this. Live-in is not constant availability. |
7A simple phrase that keeps the relationship calm
Domestic work relationships work best with respectful clarity. A balanced sentence often solves the issue:
“During your rest time you are free. The important thing is that during working hours you are present and ready.”
8Conclusion
A live-in caregiver can leave the home and sleep outside during rest time and days off. The employer can expect punctuality, reliability, and presence during working hours. If more coverage is needed, the correct solution is organisation — the traditional, safe way.