Final answer:
Wisconsin was the first state to enact both an unemployment compensation law in 1932 and a workman's compensation law in 1911. These laws were part of broader labor reforms aimed at providing workers with financial security in cases of workplace injuries or unemployment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first state to enact an unemployment compensation law was Wisconsin in 1932. Similarly, the first state to establish a workman's compensation law was Wisconsin, now commonly known as workers' compensation, in 1911. These laws were pioneering steps in the labor reform movement, which aimed to protect workers from the financial hardships of workplace injuries and the economic fallout of unemployment. Reflecting on the earlier labor struggles in West Virginia and Colorado, these laws signified a victory for laborers and unions who fought for better working conditions and financial security after injuries or during periods of unemployment.
Unemployment insurance is a joint federal-state program created by federal law in 1935, with the objective to provide temporary financial assistance to unemployed workers. States took on the role of administering most of the program details, setting up state funds that workers would pay into while employed, thus ensuring coverage when not employed. Workman's compensation insurance, mandated by state laws, requires employers to contribute a percentage of the wages into state-level funds. These funds then distribute benefits to workers who are injured on the job, reflecting a shared responsibility for workplace risks.