Workflows add actions to Escalation Rules. There are 6 out of the box Workflows:
Notify All Recipients On Status Change Notify All Recipients When No Acknowledgement After 5 Mins Of Notifications
Notify All Recipients When No Assignment After 5 Mins Of Notifications
Notify Manager 1 Hr Before SLA If Not Resolved
Notify Owner 1 Hr Before SLA If Not Resolved
Notify Sender On Status Change