Couple Šárka and Jaromír Ocelka: A Quarter of a Century Together not only at ICS

For over 25 years, they have shared not only their work, but also their family life together. This year, Šárka and Jaromír Ocelka are celebrating both a personal jubilee and a common quarter century at the institute. In an age of frequent employee fluctuation, especially in the IT industry, this is uncommon and rare. Their example shows that it is possible to combine family life with a career, and that creating an ideal environment for employees does not have to be so difficult.

A quarter of a century at ICS, how did it all begin?

Jaromír: It started with Šárka. We knew each other very well from our studies and Šárka already worked at ICS. Thanks to her, I got in touch and joined the team. First a small deal and since the holidays a small part-time job. Just as current students start at ICS. But the difference for me was that I graduated in 1999, and I was still going to military service. I, a peaceful person, took the opportunity to do civil service for a year and a half. And so, between programming the muni.cz websites and the INET system, I cleaned the floor in the then new computer room and pulled cables under the floor.

How do you assess the institute's development over such a long period?

Jaromír: I think that the Institute follows trends in IT quite well and tries to respond to them. I've had several directors, a political coup, several moves... and I think we're moving in the right direction. Sometimes we fall asleep a bit in some technological area, but then we catch up again. On the other hand, we are visionaries in some fields.

„I had no paternity leave when both sons were born - now I can only envy. Yet at a time when fathers draw this indulgence, the institution was accommodating, even if the state did not support it at the time.“

Where do you see the biggest changes? Whether technological or personal?

Jaromír: There is no area that does not undergo changes. Let's take the retreats for example. I have already experienced it in several forms, and its form is also gradually changing - developing. I can't point you to a few specific changes. I have been in the institution for so long that I have experienced quite a lot of them and it comes naturally to me. It wouldn't be the same without changes.

Šárka, you are also a long time at ICS, how do you perceive the development?

Šárka: I joined ICS while studying at the Faculty of Informatics as an "student assistant" at the - then relatively - new WWW and multimedia workplace. The institute had up to 50 employees, we all knew each other and knew what each person was doing - there was always a friendly atmosphere. Since then, ICS has grown several times, and I don't even know many people for a long time. And technologically, of course, ICS is developing, it has to, otherwise it wouldn't survive. And I think it's going very well.

Have one of you considered a changing employers? What is it like to be together at work and at home?

Jaromír: I studied teaching for secondary schools, I enjoy teaching and practice it at home with children :) If teachers had a slightly higher salary - that would probably be an attraction for me. Who knows, maybe when I have no one to teach at home...

Šárka: After school, I partially taught computer science at the gymnasium for 5 years, but ICS won. Initially, Jaromír and I sat in the same office for a few years and worked on the same project. I didn't perceive it in any negative way, quite the opposite. Then I had a break for a few years because of the children, in the meantime everything moved on a lot. A number of agendas were added, and after my return, I already devoted myself to other activities than Jaromír and even switched to another team. So at work we only go out for lunch together.

Do you think that you work in a parent-friendly environment?

Jaromír: ICS has always been helpful in this area, and gradually, as the relationship between employers and parents in companies develops, this is also being improved at our institute. I had no paternity leave when both sons were born - now I can only envy. Nevertheless, at the time when fathers draw this benefit, the institution was accommodating, even if the state did not support it at the time.

„I changed several activities, and thanks to the development of the IT field itself, I can say that I have one employer, but I feel as if I have been through several different companies since my studies.“

Šárka: Yes, just the possibility to work part-time. And today, the possibilities are even better. At the time when the boys were born, it was not yet technologically possible to work remotely from home, today it is completely normal. The friendly home office option is also related to this.

Can you imagine that ICS will be your only employer until retirement?

Jaromír: Why not? I don't feel like I'm doing the same thing all the time. I changed several activities, and thanks to the development of the IT field itself, I can say that I have one employer, but I feel as if I have been through several different companies since my studies.

​Šárka: It depends on further developments, but yes. Also, in the more than twenty years, I changed various activities, even in terms of technology - and each one was always something different, new and pushed me forward. In addition, there is a big project challenge ahead of us in the form of a new economic and personnel system.​​