The concept of work has undergone a continuous process of evolution throughout history. With the expansion of capitalist production relations, and under the influence of neoliberal ideology, intensified competition has promoted an approach increasingly focused on the exploitation of labor. This development has, in turn, generated growing demand for national and international institutions and standardized regulations. In response to this demand, led primarily by the International Labour Organization, the content and boundaries of the concept of “work” have become more clearly defined, and standards governing the functioning of labor markets have been established. For labor markets to be analyzed in a sound and comprehensive manner, it is necessary to examine not only employment and unemployment indicators but also the level and structural dynamics of working hours. In this context, the present study investigates the temporal evolution of weekly working hours in Türkiye, focusing on their structural characteristics and differences across gender and sectors. An examination of Türkiye—one of the OECD countries with the longest average weekly working hours—reveals that men work longer hours than women, although the gender gap shows a tendency to narrow over time. This convergence appears to be largely driven by long-term structural factors, while working hours also display significant sectoral variation. Based on these findings, the study concludes that policymakers should focus not only on general employment indicators but also on working hours when designing and evaluating labor market policies.