How do I deal with my coworker skipping work?

Maybe it isn't a total disregard. Maybe she is telling the truth or maybe there is something else happening in her life that would make her feel like work isn't the place for her to be right now and she doesn't want to share that information with people just met.

I have some serious back issues. I had talked to my supervisors about a position that was less demanding and they said that it was doable but that I would have to wait. 2 years later I was still in the same position and awaiting my 2nd back surgery. I got intermittant FMLA which basically meant that if my back and only back was bad enough on a some days that I could call in and not get fired. Due to all the lifting (sometimes assisting with the lifting of 500+ pound people), my back was always going out. I would have to call in sometimes as much as once a month. People were saying things like "She calls in for all of her shifts, " and "She just wants to go play around." I wish I was able to work during those times because it would have meant that I didn't hurt as much as I did, that I wasn't lying in bed crying, that I wasn't in the ER getting treated like a drug addict.

Before my back got bad and I never had to call in, I always got mad at people that did. I now know that sometimes some people have things going on their lifes that we can't always now about or understand.

Of course, I also understand that some people just feel that they have funner and better things to do.

I would just let your co-worker know what kind of situation she put you in and how it made you feel and how it effected you. I would also suggest to her that she get help for her panic attacks so that she can live her life. Try to be understanding rather than confrontatational because what if the truth of the situation is her dog died, her grandmother had a stroke, and it's the anniversary of the death of her love of her life and she really truly is overwhelmed.

The fact that she offered to cover for you so you could see your father tells me that she does not have an obvious disregard for others. Give her a break. Anxiety attacks are no joke. I have suffered from them in the past. Imagine being enveloped with the fear that you are dying. Not next week... not twenty years from now... but at that very moment. That is what anxiety attacks feel like. Just shake it off and be greatful that you will be getting a 56 hour paycheck.

Unless you're this woman's direct supervisor/manager, it's really none of your business. Her attendance should be managed by her direct supervisor (or Human Resources). If she truly has an illness or disability, you may be violating her ADA rights by saying something to her- so I would leave it alone.

I understand your frustration, but it doesn't sound like it's your place to confront her. Let Management handle it.