Final answer:
To determine training needs for a new employee in the shipping department, performing a job analysis is the most effective approach for an HR manager. It allows for the precise identification of necessary skills through observation, surveys, and interviews.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the training needs of a new employee in the shipping department, HR manager Anna would most likely be helped by performing a job analysis. A job analysis involves collecting information through methods such as observation of a proficient worker in the position, surveys, and interviews with current employees, peers, and supervisors. This analysis helps identify the skills needed for the job, thus enabling the HR manager to tailor training programs to the specific requirements of the shipping department's roles.
Although performance appraisals can provide useful information for ongoing employee development, they are often conducted several times a year and may not offer the immediate, detailed insights necessary to establish a new employee's initial training needs. The employee handbook would not typically provide the detailed task-related information needed for job-specific training. Workplace observation can be a component of job analysis, but on its own, it may not capture the full spectrum of skills and knowledge requirements that a formal job analysis would identify.