For each newly hired employee, Human Resources (HR) personnel create an Official Personnel Folder or a Merged Records Personnel Folder. These folders, which are used to document employment with the Postal Service, contain all appointment-related documents (see 582, Review of Official Personnel Folders, and ELM 349, Official Personnel Folder).
The two types of folders and their contents are described below:
- Official Personnel Folder (OPF) — Item O-66 PF, Official Personnel Folder (USPS), is used for new employees who have no previous federal civilian service. For new employees who have previous employment with the U.S. Postal Service documented in a paper OPF, HR personnel should obtain the personnel folder for each period of service and combine with records for the new appointment into one OPF.
- Merged Records Personnel Folder — SF-66C, Merged Records Personnel Folder (orange), is used for employees who have previous employment with any of the following:
- Post Office Department (prior to creation of USPS).
- Other federal agencies.
- Any combination of federal agencies, USPS, and the Post Office Department.
HR personnel should obtain any paper personnel folder for each period of service and combine with records for the new appointment into one Merged Records Personnel Folder.
