D.2. Standard Routine Uses

The following standard routine uses apply to USPS systems of records. In general, standard routine uses 1. through 9. apply to general systems — systems relating to employees, finance, investigations, litigation, and other systems not primarily related to USPS customers. General systems are listed in Section C, Part I. In general, standard routine uses 1. through 7., 10., and 11. apply to customer systems. These systems, which contain information related to USPS customers, are listed in Section C, Part II. The specific standard routine uses applicable to each system of records, as well as any special routine uses, are described in each system of records in E.

1. Disclosure Incident to Legal Proceedings. When the Postal Service is a party to or has an interest in litigation or other legal proceedings before a federal, state, local, or foreign adjudicative or administrative body or before an arbitrator, arguably relevant records may be disclosed before that body, and/or to the Department of Justice or other legal counsel representing the Postal Service or its employees, and to actual or potential parties or their representatives in connection with settlement discussions or discovery. Arguably relevant records may also be disclosed to former Postal Service employees or suppliers when reasonably necessary to elicit information related to actual or potential litigation. Arguably relevant records may be disclosed to a bar association or similar federal, state, or local licensing or regulatory authority that relate to possible disciplinary action.
2. Disclosure for Law Enforcement Purposes. For information derived from general systems, when the Postal Service becomes aware of a violation or potential violation of law, whether civil, criminal, or regulatory in nature, or in response to the appropriate agency’s request on a reasonable belief that a violation has occurred, records may be referred to the appropriate agency, whether federal, state, local, or foreign, charged with enforcing or implementing the statute, rule, regulation, or relevant order. For records derived from customer systems, records may be disclosed to appropriate law enforcement agencies to investigate, prevent, or take action regarding suspected illegal activities against the Postal Service; and such customer records may only otherwise be disclosed to law enforcement agencies as required by law.
3. Disclosure to Congressional Office. Records about an individual may be disclosed to a congressional office in response to an inquiry from the congressional office made at the prompting of that individual.
4. Disclosure to Agents or Contractors. Records may be disclosed to entities or individuals under contract or agreement with the Postal Service when necessary to fulfill a Postal Service function, to provide Postal Service products or services to customers, or to provide the contractor with investigative or performance records about the contractor’s employees.
5. Disclosure to Auditors. Records may be disclosed to government agencies and other entities authorized to perform audits, including financial and other audits, of the Postal Service and Postal Service activities.
6. Disclosure to Labor Organizations. As required by applicable law, records may be furnished to a labor organization when needed by that organization to perform its duties as the collective bargaining representative of Postal Service employees in an appropriate bargaining unit.
7. Disclosure to Government Agencies. Records may be disclosed to a federal, state, local, or foreign government agency when necessary in connection with decisions by the requesting agency or by the Postal Service regarding personnel matters, issuance of security clearances, letting of contracts, or decisions to issue licenses, grants, or other benefits. With respect to employee records, such matters include provision of parent locator services; enforcement of child support, tax, and debt obligations; and claims, investigations, and inspections related to occupational safety, injuries, illnesses, and accidents.
8. Disclosure to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Records may be disclosed to an authorized investigator, administrative judge, or complaints examiner appointed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission when requested in connection with the investigation of a formal complaint of discrimination filed against the Postal Service under 29 CFR Part 1614.
9. Disclosure to Merit Systems Protection Board or Office of the Special Counsel. Records may be disclosed to the Merit Systems Protection Board or Office of the Special Counsel for the purpose of litigation, including administrative proceedings, appeals, special studies, investigations of alleged or possible prohibited personnel practices, and such other functions as may be authorized by law.
10. Disclosure to Agencies and Entities for Financial Matters. Records may be disclosed to credit bureaus, government agencies, and service providers that perform identity verification and credit risk assessment services; to financial institutions or payees to facilitate or resolve issues with payment services; or to government or collection agencies for the purposes of debt collection or responding to challenges to such collection.
11. Disclosure for Customer Service Purposes. Records may be disclosed to entities if the disclosure is part of the service to the customer. This includes disclosures to addressees of mail to process inquiries and claims; entities to which the customer wants to provide identity verification; the State Department for passport processing; international posts or agents to facilitate or process international services, claims, or inquiries; and mailers of sexually oriented advertisements to provide a list of customers who do not want to receive them.