Can you setup android gmail to play a sound when an email from a certain email address comes in?
Somewhat depends on what your work email server looks like, but I have a Gmail account, two Hotmail accounts, and an MS Exchange account on my Droid and there is an option within each Accounts settings to turn on/off "Email notifications" and to choose which ringtone is used for that notification.  So, by that token, you could have your Gmail emails sound off with the default notification and have your work email play any crazy sound you like.  Does that help or am I misunderstanding your question?