Aesthetic wisdom of older workers

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PurposeThe purpose of this study is to propose the notion of the value and contribution of the wisdom of older workers in working life.Design/methodology/approachUsing a framework of organisational aesthetics, this paper presents an empirical case study analysing the material collected from Finnish municipal home care services and sheltered accommodation designed for older people. Through the analysis of the stories of older and younger employees, the case study shows how workers construct ideas of skills related to ageing, how the wisdom of older workers has been transformed into practices and how aesthetic wisdom might benefit this social process.FindingsThe findings reveal three characteristics of ageing wisdom – caring, graceful and joyful wisdom – that all present focused sensitivity, emphasizing the subject’s experience, feelings and emotions. The findings also illustrate how the authority of older workers made visible this feeling-driven wisdom and values, and through these means, enhanced the skills of younger employees.Social implicationsThe present paper challenges the debate on ageing which has mainly focused on the problems of older workers in a social context.Originality/valueThis paper provides new insights into the skills of older workers in the empirical and theoretical framework of organisational aesthetics.