Help Understanding Business iPhone Trade In and Unlock Policy

I participate in BYOD through my employer where I own/pay for the device and they pay the wireless bill.

I purchased an iPhone 13 Pro Max in September 2021 through AT&T Premier at a discounted price which is attached to a 2-year business contract.

I just upgraded in September 2022 through AT&T Premier to an iPhone 14 Pro Max and paid full retail price (not early contract upgrade).

I am tried to trade in my iPhone 13 Pro Max with Apple and they tell me it is not eligible for trade in. My company also says the iPhone 13 Pro Max is not eligible for unlock until the contract is complete in September 2023.

I have two questions:

1. Is this iPhone 13 Pro Max now useless until September 2023 and not able to be traded-in or unlocked until then?

2. As I purchased the iPhone 14 Pro Max at full retail price and without extending the business contract, when would this device be eligible for unlock? The requirements are unclear to me on the unlock page. I did not upgrade my 2-year contract early, only upgraded the device (at full retail price). I am not sure if the 30 day waiting period applies. I am also not sure if the contract or term agreement has now also restricted this phone. Should I have purchased from Apple unlocked instead?

Business device requirements

The device:

- Has permission from the company to be unlocked

- Has a completed contract or term agreement, if applicable

- Requires a 30-day waiting period to unlock if it was on a 2-year contract that was upgraded early

Thanks for any insight you can provide.