Medical experts usually say the average person can live for 4 to 6 weeks without food. The amount of time someone can go without water is much shorter, roughly a week (or less).
Your employer can force you to take leave at a particular time as long as they give you at least two weeks' notice. However, it is common for employer and employee to come to an agreement about the timing of annual leave. If you put in a request for leave, your employer has to have a good reason to refuse it.
According to FMLA regulation CFR 825.302, an employee must provide 30 daysâ advance notice for foreseeable leave whenever it is possible. Employers can also require employees to comply with the companyâs customary notification requirements for requesting leave.