Is there a way to send a transaction initiated by HR to the team members managers?

Summary:

We would like to create a workflow rule that would send certain transactions that are initiated by our HR team to the team member's (the person being transacted on) manager.

Currently we know there is capability to send an approval to the submitters manager, but that would then be the HR person's manager instead of the person being transacted on.

Content (please ensure you mask any confidential information):

For example, if Susan works in HR and terminated John, we would like that transaction to be approved by John's line manager, NOT Susan's.

Version (include the version you are using, if applicable):