The Labour Court recommended that HSE Cers apply the upgraded salary scale from 1 May 2017 to anyone then in the post of Regional Chief Environmental Officer. The recommendation was signed on 6 September 2019. The 4 Regional Chief Environmental Officers sought an effective date from their appointments. HSE Cers had moved from proposing 11 May 2018 to 1 January 2018, arguing that it had prioritised a higher salary rate over extensive back pay and that the delay was outside its control.