So backward about turning up for work (4)
I believe the answer is:
opus
'work' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'so backward about turning up' is the wordplay.
'backward' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'turning' indicates anagramming the letters.
'so' written backwards gives 'os'.
'up' anagrammed gives 'pu'.
'os' going around 'pu' is 'OPUS'.
'for' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for opus that I've seen before include "Creative work, eg in writing, art or music" , "Musical composition in the soup" , "Composition - magnum __" , "Piece of music (with number)" , "Soup (anag.)" .)