In response to the reports, “SingPost postman arrested after undelivered mail found discarded at Ang Mo Kio” and “IMDA expresses ‘grave concerns’ over SingPost’s service lapses, vows to take ‘firm action’ for any breaches committed”, readers chimed in with their own experiences of unsatisfactory postal service standards, but they also raised questions on whether postal workers are overworked or if there are deeper problems.

If postmen can't cope during busy periods, SingPost should hire more part-timers or put up temporary notices that our mail will be late. Don't promise next-day delivery for letters posted a certain time the day before… Give up to three days instead, especially during peak periods. EDWINA KOH

"Under IMDA's Postal Quality of Service standards, SingPost is required to submit quarterly reports of various indicators such as the timeliness of the delivery of local basic letters and the despatch of outgoing basic letters. For example, it has to deliver 99 per cent of all basic letters by the next working day after they have been posted, and 100 per cent within two working days.” I think this is why our postmen are throwing our letters away. I think having some buffers, like maybe 50 per cent within one day and 100 per cent within two days will solve the problem. I'm happy to get my mail within two days. KEFF HUI

That happens in their dreams. Services have been so sub-par of late. I'll jump for joy if I get my items in a week. NURAINI AINI

Is the management making unreasonable and unrealistic targets for the postmen? Whether it’s a case of poor work ethics, poor management or irresponsible attitudes of the postmen, IMDA needs to go beyond just fining SingPost. ENG LEE

With key performance indicator (KPI) requirements and the need to shore up shareholders’ value… corners are probably being cut and diminished quality is the result. VASU DEV

Is the distribution of financial remuneration even close to equitable? Understand that the very people delivering items are the ones that make or break the company's reputation. Fining the company will not hurt the profit-and-loss margin. It will probably anger the bosses who will take it out on the crew doing deliveries. How much are the workers earning? What are their incentives? Do they even get a share of any potential profit-sharing or accolades if the company wins or earns any? KELVIN KHOO

This is the result of outsourcing. SIDNEY SOON

Some of these postmen work for a contractor, wages are low. They need to take two to three other jobs a day. BENSON FONG YOW FOOK

The question everyone is asking is, who monitors their performance? PETER TEO

Jail the postman and not fire him like the previous incident. Set a strong precedent and strong message to all for committing such a serious offence repeatedly. ANDY YEO

You might have ruined someone's life, if any of those letters contained interview invitations, result slips or early offers from a university or an employer. JIANG XI

SingPost, I suggest you relook your business model. For a start, look at the workload, attitude and welfare of your postmen. JASMINE LIM

Why don't they just open up the market for competition instead of having SingPost sitting comfortably in a monopoly? Allow for two more postal service providers and see how SingPost matches up. YEOW HENG QUASI-TERENCE LIM

Doesn't SingPost have an internal system to monitor if operations are normal or not? TONY BOEY

Instead of flaming SingPost, need to find out what drives postmen to not do their job properly. SAIFUL LAH

The postal worker does not come around every day. Once, I waited one week for a mail I was expecting. My mailbox would be empty for days. Then suddenly, I would get a big pile of mail. Not sure if it was the post office or postal worker who created the backlog. ELI ZA BETH

Yes, this is not the first time. Just that the culprit this time was caught. ADELINE CHEO

Yup, you can be home the whole day and the registered mail is never delivered. You have to collect it from a post office. Long suspected that the postmen do not go to the unit, they just put the collection slip in your letterbox. So, what is new? JUDY YIP

Because of this one person, people will look down on other postmen... I’m living in Punggol and I really appreciate this postman who delivers all letters promptly. AZRIAH RAMLAN

It’s time they stop using this "ordinary mail = can’t track" excuse. They can start helping us by making sure their postmen don’t dump our mail. Cannot carry out their promise to deliver within certain days, still dare to blame it on us for not using registered mail. JENNY NG