This article is the result of research that chose as its object of study the relationship established between experiences of employment or unemployment in marital partnerships. Considering that conjugal relationships are subject to influences arising from the broader context of their insertion, we sought to understand how work, or the lack thereof, resonates with them. The theoretical framework for analyzing the data collected through semi-structured interviews and treated using the content analysis technique was systemic-complex thinking. Therefore, the present study is characterized as empirical and qualitative, since 10 couples were interviewed, divided into two groups: in the first group, five couples composed of partners who, until the date of the interview, were employed; in the second group, five couples with at least one of the spouses unemployed. For inclusion purposes, we considered as research participants couples in a stable union or with a marital relationship made official by marriage, regardless of whether they are heterosexual or homoaffective. The research demonstrated the significant interdependence between employment, unemployment and the quality of marital relationships, both of which can sometimes present themselves as a protective factor, sometimes as a vulnerability factor. Through the valuable reports collected from the participating couples, it was possible to verify a still strong presence of gender issues around the theme of conjugality and work, that is, the couples interviewed are still very influenced by the heteronormative and sexist culture, which imputes to women a role of submission and less autonomy in relation to men.