Meet the team: HR Director, Petra Klementová

Meet our HR Director – Petra Klementová, who is present at every company event and, with her energy and approach, helps shape Ferrit’s company culture.

How long have you worked at Ferrit and what were your beginnings like?

I have been working at Ferrit for eleven years now, and my beginnings were certainly anything but boring.

I joined a company that was growing and changing rapidly. It wasn’t enough to understand HR alone – I needed to understand production, engineering, sales, and the day-to-day functioning of the company as a whole.

From the very beginning, I focused on thinking about what could help people in the company and what we were missing in HR. At that time, many processes and activities that we now take for granted were not yet in place. Fortunately, I had colleagues who shared similar enthusiasm and a drive to move things forward.

Together, we managed to build and implement a wide range of areas – from recruitment and onboarding to training, compensation, internal communication, and overall company culture. I am especially pleased that many of our HR projects have succeeded even when compared to much larger companies and have received awards in professional competitions. I see this as confirmation that we chose the right path.

Looking back today, I am happy with how far HR at Ferrit has developed. What makes me happiest is when colleagues tell me that our projects or initiatives helped them during their onboarding, supported their development, or made their working life in the company more pleasant.

How did your path lead to the position of HR Director?

My path to becoming HR Director was relatively long and, in a way, rather amusing. While working in a bank, I studied Business and Management at the Faculty of Economics at VSB-TUO, and at that time I was convinced I would never want to work in HR.

However, I gradually moved through areas such as education, consulting, lecturing, and HR. I worked in recruitment, training, and other HR fields, and I began to see how interconnected these areas are and how significant their impact is on company functioning.

Similarly, I once claimed I would never be responsible for payroll. Life proved otherwise, and even this area became an important part of the whole. Today, I do not see my role as just a job title, but rather as an opportunity to coordinate interconnected areas and create services and support for both employees and management.

What do you enjoy most about working in HR?

What I enjoy most about HR is its diversity. Every day brings something different – sometimes recruitment, sometimes employee development or supporting managers, and sometimes all of it at once. I am constantly learning new things and meeting interesting people.

I am especially happy when I manage to find a solution that genuinely helps people. And it does not always involve pleasant situations. Often, it includes more challenging issues such as employee dissatisfaction, complaints, or difficult team relationships. When we manage to find a way forward that improves the situation, it gives my work real meaning

How would you describe the company culture from your perspective?

When I look at Ferrit’s company culture, the term that best describes it for me is our “Mentality” – which is also the name of our internal company magazine. I see a company full of skilled people who truly understand their work and have extensive experience and know-how.

At the same time, there is a strong human approach, willingness to collaborate, and a focus on finding solutions together. I also appreciate that we are able to meet at various company events, spend time together outside of work, and represent the company externally. I also value that many people truly care about the results and are willing to go the extra mile to achieve them.

In your opinion, what is the key to people feeling good at work and staying long-term?

In my view, there is no universal formula. Every person is different and needs different things at different stages of life.

However, what is common is that people want to work in a respectful environment, have good relationships with colleagues, experience fair treatment, and clearly understand what is expected of them. It is also important to feel that their work has meaning, that they are seen, and that their contribution is valued.

When you add a good manager who can listen, communicate, and provide support, it creates a very strong foundation for long-term cooperation.

What HR trends currently interest or inspire you the most?

I am interested in new technologies and the use of artificial intelligence in HR, but I believe that even the best technology cannot replace sound judgment, experience, and a human approach.

I am also inspired by topics related to people development, education, and intergenerational collaboration. Today, companies have employees from different generations, each bringing different experiences, perspectives, and expectations. I believe that the ability to understand and leverage these differences is a major opportunity for organizations.

We know you enjoy golf. What do you like most about this sport?

Golf teaches patience and humility. Sometimes you feel everything is going perfectly, and then a single hole quickly brings you back down to earth.

At the same time, it is a way for me to clear my mind, spend time outdoors, and disconnect from everyday concerns. And last but not least, golf is also an opportunity to meet interesting people

We heard you are part of the Valašský vojvoda ensemble. How did you get into it and what does dancing bring you?

Folklore has been part of my life since childhood. In Valašský vojvoda, I not only dance but also sing, and thanks to the ensemble I have had the opportunity to travel to many parts of the world.

I have visited countries that are not typical holiday destinations – for example Armenia, South Korea, Japan, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, and Jordan, among others. I also had the opportunity to perform in the Vatican. These are experiences one does not easily forget.

However, folklore is not just about travel. It is also a group of people with whom I have shared joys and challenges for many years, and on whom I can rely even in more difficult life situations. Thanks to folklore, I have met many people from all over the world, and it often happens that wherever I go, I meet someone I know through folklore – sometimes even on business trips. It is incredible how small the world actually is.

At the same time, folklore is also about discipline. For most of my life, I have had dance rehearsals twice a week and numerous performances throughout the year, both at home and abroad. It is a time-demanding hobby, but I have never regretted it.

It is a significant part of my life, which I also try to pass on to my children.

What helps you relax best after a demanding workday?

It depends on how demanding the day has been. Physical activity and being outdoors are important for me. They help me clear my mind and regain energy. I also enjoy spending time with my children. It does not have to be anything special – sometimes the best moments are simple conversations in the kitchen while cooking, other times a trip to the zoo.

What would your ideal weekend look like?

I rarely manage to spend an entire weekend doing nothing. My ideal weekend is one where I can be with people I care about, stay physically active, and experience something interesting.

Recently, I have been spending a lot of time on my new home and garden. I enjoy improving my space, planting something, making adjustments, or enjoying a really good breakfast on the terrace. These simple moments help me slow down and rest.

And then it depends on what the weekend brings – it could be golf, a folklore performance, a trip, or time spent with children and friends.

Do you have any ritual or habit that helps you maintain work–life balance?

I do not really have a specific ritual. Rather, my balance between work and personal life is naturally maintained by the fact that I live actively in both areas.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be?

I would probably advise myself to trust myself more and not worry about everything in advance. Many of the things we worry about are ultimately beyond our control and often resolve themselves in completely different ways than we expect.

I would also remind myself that it is not necessary to be perfect in everything. What matters more is doing things honestly, thoughtfully, and with heart.

Finish the sentence: “A good team is for me…”

A good team is a group of people who do not have to be the same, but share a common goal, mutual respect, and the knowledge that they can rely on one another. And when they are also able to laugh together, even challenging situations become a little easier to handle.

Thank you very much for the interview.