Hi,
Depends on how the configuration is done.. There is a FYI setting for instance in Business Alerts. You can also forward the approval to a superior manager if you are on vacation for example. The superior will not get notified after a certain period, however - you can always see in the record status if approval needs to be done and by whom.
Here you can read more about approvals:
http://www.hansamanuals.com/main/langcode___PL/mailnumber___58292/theconf___1080/manuals/levelzero___58292/version___73/hwconvindex.htm
Thanks,
Martin